YOUR PARTNERS IN GROWING
YOUR PARTNERS IN GROWING THE BLUE ECONOMY FUNDED BY: THE SOUTH AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL MARITIME INSTITUTE (SAIMI) SAIMI was established in 2014 to enhance South Africa’s maritime and marine sectors. SAIMI operates under the guidance of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) as well as the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and is funded by the DHET via the National Skills Fund (NSF). MISSION AND VISION To support the development of a skilled maritime workforce and promote research and innovation in the maritime and marine sectors, and to be a leading institution that drives transformation, inclusivity, and sustainability in these sectors. STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 1. Education and Training: Collaborate with educational institutions and industry partners to offer comprehensive maritime education and training programmes. 2. Research and Innovation: Promote research on marine biodiversity, ocean governance and climate change, partnering with various institutions to enhance sector efficiency. 3. Capacity Building and Transformation: Empower women, marginalised groups and support youth development. 4. Advocacy and Coordination: Advocate for the maritime sector, increasing the training and placement of trainees and graduates. 5. Knowledge Generation and Informationsharing: Facilitate seminars, conferences, and professional development. 6. Industry Collaboration: Partner with stakeholders, businesses, and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to support ocean economy initiatives. KEY INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMMES National Cadet Programme: Provides practical training for cadets, leading to internationally recognized qualifications and employment. National Seafarer Development Programme (NSDP): Increases the number of South African seafarers by providing structured training and development opportunities. Operation Phakisa: Coordinates working groups focused on maritime skills development, marine protection and governance. Ocean Governance Training: Promotes responsible ocean governance and builds a network of professionals dedicated to sustainable ocean management. Maritime Innovation: Develops maritime technologies in partnership with eNtsa and Nelson Mandela University’s Marine Robotics Unit. SMME Participation in the Oceans Economy: Develops strategies for enterprise development and socio-economic transformation for SMMEs. Maritime Awareness and Youth and Community Development: Raises awareness about maritime careers and ocean conservation through programmes such as Learn to Swim, Learn to Sail and Dive-In App. Skills Development and Sector Education and Training: Collaborates with SETAs to develop and implement sector education and training programmes
The Oceans Economy offers many opportunities The CEO of the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI), Odwa Mtati, says that Collaboration is a key plank in the organisation’s strategy to promote the maritime sector. Do you work with other universities? Odwa Mtati Chief Executive Officer SAIMI Would you agree that the formation of the Maritime Business Chamber in the Eastern Cape suggests an uptick in interest in the Oceans Economy? SAIMI recently conducted a workshop based on a value-chain study of the critical subsectors within the Oceans Economy, looking at potential opportunities for SMEs. Operation Phakisa raised the level of awareness and people are asking, what can we pursue as a business opportunity? The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has published a provincial masterplan framework. Some of that evidence is being reviewed as the advent of Covid disrupted activities. The Eastern Cape Government must be commended that it has a framework but it needs to be refreshed, reframed and acted upon to ensure that the stated intentions can be realised. What is your relationship with Nelson Mandela University? SAIMI is funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training through the National Skills Fund, so Nelson Mandela University is the host of SAIMI with the understanding that SAIMI has a national mandate. Collaboration is important within the university because NMU has an express desire to become a leading institution in terms of ocean sciences. The Ocean Sciences Campus has been developed to host like-minded organisations. SAIMI’s mandate is to reinforce and strengthen the specialisations of the country’s universities, or to help develop new areas of excellence. We are looking at the issue of climate change, its impact and the potential use of technology to address some challenges. The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is doing a project for SAIMI for teacher qualification development in response to the shortage of qualified teachers for both high schools and TVET colleges. For oil and gas exploration we are working alongside a committee of practice led by Wits University that includes NMU, the University of the Western Cape, Fort Hare and Walter Sisulu. There is also UCT research work on the development of new technologies, underwater gliders and autonomous marine vehicles. Are you involved in the issue of moving the manganese dump away from the harbour in Gqeberha and whether a small-boat harbour can be developed there? Our interest can be premised from two different angles. Firstly, we have been called upon in terms of the Climate Resistance Strategy of the Nelson Mandela Metro to look at how the city can overcome these new challenges. Our role covers the ocean’s component and there are other subsectors. We may have some insights into the issue of the manganese farm and the oil-tank farm. And the second aspect of that equation? Promoting coastal marine tourism by ensuring that most coastal towns and cities have relevant strategies that would strengthen their participation within the Oceans Economy.
