During its recent stakeholder engagement sessions held in Nelson Mandela Bay and East London, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) announced its bold plan of injecting a R9.1 billion infrastructure development investment over a seven year period in its Central Region – the ports of East London, Port Elizabeth and Ngqura.

The TNPA Central Region capital investment programme is underpinned by the Transnet Segment Strategy that aims to realign the Transnet business with strategic sectors of the South African economy. The strategy focuses on Private Public Partnerships as a key lever for capacity and productivity enhancement. As one of six Operating Divisions of Transnet, in 2021 TNPA embarked on a transformation journey of re-organizing its business to re-affirm its mandate according to the National Ports Act 12 of 2005 resulting in the development of a TNPA Reimagined Operating Model.

In alignment with the Transnet Segment Strategy and the TNPA Reimagined Operating Model, the Central Region ports are being positioned in accordance with critical sectors within the Eastern Cape province ranging from the automotive; liquid bulk; agriculture and tourism sectors.
“We have earmarked the Port of Port Elizabeth for the automotive sector, with in the port of Ngqura being positioned as a transshipment and energy hub for the southern hemisphere,” said TNPA Managing Executive for the Central Region, Siyabulela Mhlaluka.

He added that the river port of East London is sited for servicing the broader automotive, industrial and agricultural sectors in the region by enhancing the port’s capability and complementing the East London Industrial Development Zone. The Port of East London’s grain elevator is a key asset to the province, and this has been emphasized by the diversion of some of the agricultural cargo from Durban to the East London port.

According to Mhlaluka, East London is also strategically positioned for the tourism sector, a strategic objective that will be achieved by transforming the port’s real estate portfolio to integrate with the leisure market such as the Latimer’s Landing Waterfront development.
The seven-year 9.1 billion capital investment programme for the Central Region ports comprise of a budget allocation of R4.8 billion for the Nelson Mandela Ports (Port Elizabeth Ngqura) and R4.3 billion for East London.

In the 2022/23 financial year, TNPA has adopted a robust approach in its capital projects delivery which will see the Central Region ports spending R570 million in port infrastructure development. The strategic projects for this year include the relocation of the tank farm from Port Elizabeth to Ngqura; phase 1 of the Ngqura Manganese Export Terminal development; conducting a feasibility study for the reconstruction of East London’s Quay 3 and the construction of a slipway at the Port of Port Elizabeth.

Coupled to realizing a Reimagined TNPA through port infrastructure development is the execution of strategic special projects across the port system. The bouquet of projects planned for the eight commercial ports include the issuing of a Request for Information (RFI) in July 2022 for the supply of Renewable Energy for all the ports, followed by a Request for Proposals (RFP) of the same in September 2022. In response to the water crisis faced by the residents of Gqeberha and with an intention of being proactive, in July 2022 TNPA will also issue a RFI for the supply of desalinated water for all its ports followed by a RFP in October 2022.
TNPA’s capital investment programme and plan demonstrates a renewed focused on ensuring delivery on its mandate to develop the South African ports and become an enabler for economic growth.

“We are continuously creating an enabling and performance-driven environment that unlocks bottlenecks and accelerates the execution of strategic projects through the establishment of regional and national capital investment war rooms, where project sponsor engagement is relevant and influential in enabling the project team. This approach will ensure that TNPA delivers on its capital investment commitments in the region,” said Mhlaluka.

The Nelson Mandela University Business School is proud to launch its new Master of Maritime Management (MMM) postgraduate degree.

The MMM degree is designed to empower a new generation of maritime leaders with management skills to grow the maritime sector in the African region and navigate the challenges of the ever-growing global maritime business industry.

Benchmarking against the best in the world, the cutting-edge degree – which commences in 2023 – is designed to provide strategic business skills and knowledge for current maritime professionals working in the maritime sector and related supply chain industries, including offshore and land-based activities.

Nelson Mandela University Graduate School Director, Dr Sam February, said the MMM programme comes at the right time to deal with the 4th Industrial Revolution more effectively to ensure that organisations within the maritime industry remain at the forefront of development.

“The Master of Maritime Management is geared towards equipping maritime professionals with the necessary leadership skills to deal effectively with the challenges offered by this constant evolution of the industry. It not only provides new managerial competencies, but it also allows the participants to contribute to the maritime industry from a research perspective with strong potential for internationalisation,” said February.

He said exciting research opportunities exist for the MMM programme that could lead to further valuable PhD research to promote and transform the maritime industry in the region and continent.

“This programme offers research opportunities that relates directly to the technology impact on the maritime sector, globalisation and sustainability but to mention a few. We are most excited about this programme as it will create a new, significant and outstanding breed of maritime leaders, able to efficiently deal with current and future challenges in the maritime sector,” said February.

All-female crew

Dr Jessica Fraser joins an all-female team of local and international lecturers who are lined up to teach on the MMM qualification in 2023 and describes herself as a catalyst of the programme. She says the choice of an all-female team was deliberate.

“Women are under-represented in the maritime industry. To redress this imbalance, we wanted to start the programme by showcasing the existing talent. Putting the right building blocks in place from the outset, will work towards women being role models for the next generation in the maritime industry. Amongst the integrated modes of transport, maritime business is considered to be the last frontier,” said Fraser.

Asked whether the MMM graduates will make a difference in growing the oceans economy and international business in the region, Fraser was confident the programme was a step in the right direction. “The qualification is a complete formal degree that unbundles international trade from an emerging economy perspective. It focuses on ethical, sustainable and innovative management practice, positioning graduates with the necessary skills and confidence to lead the way. It is designed to show students the global perspective and help professionals to grow the economy and in turn, create jobs,” said Fraser.

In pursuit of the Nelson Mandela University’s vision to become a dynamic, African University, Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences Dean, Prof Hendrik Lloyd, said the new qualification also aligns with the Ocean Sciences strategic initiative of the university.

“It is of great strategic value to the national and specifically our provincial economy, with three ports being operated within the Eastern Cape. We are excited about this new postgraduate programme and see it as part of a larger portfolio of existing postgraduate maritime qualifications in the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences. It adds to the high-level strategic management and leadership competencies, as provided by our Business School with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability,” said Lloyd.

Candidates are subject to selection based on 5 years’ work-related experience or 3 years’ maritime business-related or management experience. The degree, offered over a minimum period of 18 months, is a combination of both theoretical and applied research methodology modules and practical experiences from industry leaders.

Applications open on June 1, 2022, for commencement in February 2023 and close on September 30, 2022. For more information on the qualification, contact bsapplications@mandela.ac.za     

Caption for Photo 1:

Pictured at the launch of the new MMM degree at Nelson Mandela University Business School on Friday, May 27 were maritime industry representatives (back row from left): Odwa Mtati (SAIMI CEO), Prof Hendrik Lloyd (Nelson Mandela University Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences Executive Dean), Capt. Brynn Adamson (Transnet National Ports Authority Harbour Master), and Malwande Nkalitshana (SAIMI Research Associate). In the front row (from left) are Suzanne Loubser (Exporters Eastern Cape Branch Manager), Pamela Yoyo (Transnet National Ports Authority Ports Manager: Nelson Mandela Bay Ports), Dr Nomtha Hadi (Nelson Mandela University Business School MMM Programme Coordinator), Prof Cheryl Foxcroft (Nelson Mandela University Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning & Teaching), Patricia Dlamini (InnoDev Consulting Managing Director), Dr Jessica Fraser (Nelson Mandela University Business School Senior Lecturer), and Dr Tanaka Mugabe (SAIMI Project Manager).

Caption for Photo 2:

Attending the launch of the MMM programme at Nelson Mandela University Business School on Friday, May 27 were from left (back row): Suzanne Loubser (Exporters Eastern Cape Branch Manager), Prof Hendrik Lloyd (Nelson Mandela University Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences Dean) and Odwa Mtati (SAIMI CEO). In front (from left) are Dr Jessica Fraser (Nelson Mandela University Business School Senior Lecturer), Dr Nomtha Hadi (Nelson Mandela University Business School MMM Programme Coordinator), Lee-anne Vasi (Business Women’s Association of South Africa: Nelson Mandela Bay Chairperson) and Pamela Yoyo (Transnet National Ports Authority Ports Manager: Nelson Mandela Bay Ports).