FOREWORD
FOREWORD Eastern Cape Business A unique guide to business and investment in the Eastern Cape. Credits Publishing director: Chris Whales Editor: John Young Managing director: Clive During Online editor: Christoff Scholtz Designer: Tyra Martin Production: Yonella Ngaba Ad sales: Gavin van der Merwe Sam Oliver Tahlia Wyngaard Tennyson Naidoo Gabriel Venter Vanessa Wallace Shiko Diala Graeme February Administration & accounts: Charlene Steynberg Kathy Wootton Sharon Angus-Leppan Distribution and circulation manager: Edward MacDonald Printing: FA Print The 2023/24 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 16th edition of this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels. The Eastern Cape’s multi-faceted approach to the challenges and opportunities of sustainability are explored in a special feature. From caring for agricultural land through partnerships between farmers, wool brokers and fashion houses, to solar panels and improved lighting and water systems, companies are finding ways to incorporate sensible and profitable solutions into their business models. The Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency celebrates a significant milestone this year, it being 20 years since it began operations. For the first time, a separate overview on the film sector is included, an indication of the growth and potential of this vibrant sector. Similarly, developments and the potential of the global business services (primarily call centres) is reviewed. Overviews are provided on the other key economic sectors of the province and the potential of the Oceans Economy and the prospects of oil and gas for this coastal province are examined. The major business chambers in the province have made contributions to the journal and the creation of a new chamber is acknowledged, the Maritime Business Chamber, which has its headquarters a short distance up the hill from the Port of Gqeberha. To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www. easterncapebusiness.co.za. Updated information on the Eastern Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title. In 2020 the inaugural edition of the Journal of African Business was published. ■ Chris Whales Publisher, Global Africa Network | Email: chris@gan.co.za DISTRIBUTION Eastern Cape Business is distributed internationally on outgoing and incoming trade missions, through trade and investment agencies; to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading partners around the world; at top national and international events; through the offices of foreign representatives in South Africa; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, provincial government departments, municipalities and companies. PUBLISHED BY Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07 Directors: Clive During, Chris Whales Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700 Postal address: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701 Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Fax: +27 21 674 6943 Email: info@gan.co.za | Website: www.gan.co.za Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations ISSN 1995-1310 COPYRIGHT | Eastern Cape Business is an independent publication published by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. Full copyright to the publication vests with Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. PHOTO CREDITS | AET Africa; Callzilla; Bushveld Minerals; ECDC; Exxaro; Ford Motor Company; Khula!; Liessen Bitumen; Mark Sampson/H&M; Mercedes-Benz SA; Montego Pet Nutrition; Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency; Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism; Nelson Mandela University; Ncora Dairy; Transnet Port Terminals; Towfiqu Barbhuiya on Unsplash; Wild Coast Sun. DISCLAIMER | While the publisher, Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd, has used all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in Eastern Cape Business is accurate and up-to-date, the publishers make no representations as to the accuracy, quality, timeliness, or completeness of the information. Global Africa Network will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use of or any reliance placed on such information.
FOCUS An Investment Film Fund has been launched The ECDC is targeting development in key sectors of the economy. The Survivor series is one of several film projects that has been attracted to the Eastern Cape. Credit: M-Net The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) focuses on seven growth sectors which are all aligned to the Provincial Economic Development Strategy and Provincial Development Plan. These sectors are: • Agriculture and agro-processing • Sustainable energy, generation and component manufacture • Oceans Economy • Automotive • Light manufacturing • Tourism, infrastructure and product • Film The Eastern Cape has experienced sizeable local and international investment in key sectors such as automotive, renewable energy and forestry. The film and tourism sectors received a boost with the filming of Survivor South Africa: Immunity Island on the Wild Coast, which not only boosted the regional economy by R10-million and created more than 100 jobs but will sell the province to a large television audience. All of the province’s original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have made commitments to expand or upgrade their production lines in recent months: Mercedes-Benz South Africa (East London), Volkswagen SA (Kariega), BAIC (Coega SEZ), Ford Motor Company and Isuzu (Gqeberha). As recently as March 2022, the Africa Auto Group committed to an investment of R550-million to enter the injection moulding industry in Nelson Mandela Bay. With more than half of the wind power projects in the national government’s renewable energy plan allocated to the Eastern Cape, the region can truly be called the Wind Power Province. A green hydrogen project has been announced which holds enormous potential for opening up a completely new sector. Manufacturing for the renewable energy sector is another potential area of growth, and the province’s Special Economic Zones are uniquely positioned to host such activity. One of the competitive advantages of investing in the Eastern Cape lies in the two Special Economic Zones in East London and at Coega, which hosts a deepwater port. Both SEZs are strategically situated on major transport and shipping routes and provide purpose-built infrastructure for investors wishing to produce and manufacture for the Southern African Development Community and world markets. An integrated database system has been developed and maintained by the SEZs. Through this portal, potential investors have ready access to skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labour resources. ■ 7 EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2022/23
