New ECDC CEO begins office at the corporation

Sitembele Mase believes the province offers a plethora of economic opportunities.

Sitembele Mase, previously CEO of the micro finance institution South African Micro Finance Apex Fund (SAMAF), has been appointed the Eastern Cape Development Corporation's chief executive office.

Mase, who is from Engcobo in the former Transkei, spent the early part of his career working in the province where he gained valuable experience and knowledge of the province's opportunities and challenges. His knowledge is intimate having worked for ECDC's predecessor, the Transkei Development Corporation (TDC), initially as a business analyst and later as senior manager responsible for Queenstown, Cradock and Aliwal North After eight years, he left TDC.

A graduate of Unisa's Master of Business Leadership (MBL) graduate, Sitembele is experienced in investments, change management and services marketing.

Mase believes the Eastern Cape offers many opportunities and intends to use his experience in the micro finance space to positively impact on the province.

"The Eastern Cape has a plethora of economic opportunities. We have dams and land. This provides an ideal opportunity for the province to be a leader in green industries, aquaculture and biofuels. Opportunities also lie in tourism. Agriculture and agro-processing hold the greatest potential in linking the rural underdeveloped economy of the former Transkei with the developed urban economy," says Mase.



 His appointment became effective on 1 July 2010.