Americans to leave legacy of winemaking at WhittleseaAfter 22 years, Ronnie and Janet Verhorn of Harrison are to leave their vineyards which produce Pinotage, Chardonnay and Merlot wines.. Read More...
 
Coega’s Gasa get presidential commission’s voteBridgette is the only member of the commission from the Eastern Cape.. Read More...
 
New dairy built to EU standardsWhen the Dispatch visited the site of the future Sunningdale Dairy on Friday, workers in hard hats were crawling all over the 6500m² site, all working hard to get the factory operational by the end of the month.. Read More...
 
EC ahead in economic growthThe Eastern Cape’s economy is currently showing the fasted growth in the country.. Read More...
 
BPO&O means more jobs for ECThe Eastern Cape has been identified as one of the ideal business process outsourcing centres in South Africa, which means more jobs for locals.. Read More...
 
Emerging contractors programme given industry thumbs upThe Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has given the thumbs up to the Eastern Cape Development Corporation's (ECDC) flagship Integrated Emerging Contractors Development Programme (IECDM) as an industry leader.. Read More...
 
Coega’s refinery now closer to approvalIn a major boost for Eastern Cape jobs, the R66-billion oil refinery project at Coega has taken a step closer to approval.. Read More...
 
Emerging contractors programme given industry thumbs upThe Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has given the thumbs up to the Eastern Cape Development Corporation's (ECDC) flagship Integrated Emerging Contractors Development Programme (IECDM) as an industry leader.. Read More...
 
ECDC sees light at the end of the recession tunnelThe 2010 World Cup is expected to increase traffic into the province’s coffers through tourism.. Read More...
 
Nelson Mandela Bay on track with 2010 constructionNelson Mandela Bay will be well prepared for the world cup with the completion of a new hospital and stadium.. Read More...
 
New tractor factory to create 150 jobsIn an early 2010 boost for the Eastern Cape, an agreement between an Eastern European industrial nation and South African organisations is set to result in a tractor factory being built at Coega.. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape economy to pick up in 2010The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) believes that while the Eastern Cape economy has been affecting by a seemingly unrelenting global economic recession, there is hope beyond the storm for the provincial economy in 2010. A number of sectors such as tourism, and the struggling general manufacturing sector, led by automotives, are likely to pick up next year as the country eases out of the recession.. Read More...
 
EC agency explores maize milling businessAsgiSA Eastern Cape (EC) has set aside R7 million for the construction of silos at strategic sites in the former Transkei, an investment it believes will up further opportunities like in the area of milling.. Read More...
 
Department Awards R24 million rand of housing projects to emerging contractorsEmerging contractors lead the charge in housing construction in Fort Beautfort and Grahamstown.. Read More...
 
IT’S ALL SYSTEMS GO AT PORT OF NGQURAThose who occupied special vantage points today at the new deepwater Port of Ngqura in South Africa witnessed history in the making, as the 300 metre long, 13 metre deep MSC Catania sailed into the port to become the Ngqura container terminal’s first commercial vessel. . Read More...
 
ECDC releases solid resultsMore than 800 Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) received financial support from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) in the 2008/2009 financial year compared to 130 in the previous year due to a successful turnaround strategy.. Read More...
 
Mthatha’s tourist centre gets underwayA multimillion rand state-of- the-art tourism centre will soon be opened in Mthatha to assist local and international visitors.. Read More...
 
Fort Hare’s East London campus get R56-million injectionThe University of Fort Hare was extending its East London Campus, with what was hailed an “undoubtedly twenty-first century initiative”, which would focus on green building design and sustainability.. Read More...
 
ECDC honours 10 top Eastern Cape womenWith no knowledge of the construction industry, Mandisa Makiwane took the “plunge” and started Limangwe Construction in 2000 with little chance of success, barely nine years later, she has been honoured as one of the top 10 women in the Eastern Cape.. Read More...
 
ECDC releases solid resultsMore than 800 Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) received financial support from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) in the 2008/2009 financial year compared to 130 in the previous year due to a successful turnaround strategy.. Read More...
 
ECDC honours 10 top Eastern Cape womenOther women celebrated include Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet and director-general Dr Sibongile Muthwa.. Read More...
 
Go-ahead for Wild Coast Sun licenceThe Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board has finally approved the extension of Sun International ’s gaming licence at the Wild Coast Sun for another 10 years, it was announced yesterday.. Read More...
 
St Francis Bay nuclear power plant in Eskom roll-out plansEskom has outlined tentative dates for a renewed roll-out of nuclear power stations, proposing to start preparing the first of three sites as early as January 2011.. Read More...
 
Nelson Mandela Bay’s one of world'’s most intelligent communitiesThe Eastern Cape's Nelson Mandela Bay municipality has made it onto the 2009 list of the world’s 21 most intelligent communities. The list is issued annually by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) on the basis of a community's capacity in and innovative use of broadband.. Read More...
 
East London to be turned into a ‘lifestyle city’ by proposed revampA proposed revamp is said to turn Buffalo City into a ‘lifestyle city’ boasting a golf themed hotel, a holiday resort and formalised beach access amongst others. Major plans are being proposed to revamp Nahoon Mouth, with hotels and resorts on the cards for the upmarket East London suburb. . Read More...
 
Newly opened VWSA training centres gearing for world competitivenessAs part of their new production academy, VWSA has opened 3 new training centres to ensure that the local auto industry gains world competitiveness.. Read More...
 
NEF funds Tini’s acquisitionIt has been said that life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments. But the National Empowerment Fund cannot be faulted for celebrating reaching the R1-billion mark in its pursuit of “the empowerment dividend”.. Read More...
 
24 September is Hemingways Mall’s big dayNew mall said to be the “biggest mail in the Eastern Cape”. . Read More...
 
Mthatha airport set for completion next yearAirport’s multi-million upgrade to include a host of new facilities.. Read More...
 
E Cape bioethanol plant to start next yearConstruction of a large-scale 90-million-litres bioethanol production facility is expected to start in the second quarter of next year, a Central Energy Fund (CEF) official said on Friday. . Read More...
 
Eastern Cape construction sector poised for growth over short to medium termECDC CEO Mxolisi Matshamba says construction will play major role in keeping regional economy buoyant. The Eastern Cape’s construction sector is likely stimulate the province’s economic growth in the short to medium term despite the downturn in the global economy. . Read More...
 
200 Eastern Cape SMME’s meet global standardRigorous ISO training programme should build competitiveness of small businesses. Two hundred Eastern Cape Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) received International Standards Organisation (ISO) certificates allowing them to compete in international markets and for big contracts at an awards ceremony held at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) yesterday. . Read More...
 
East London IDZ’s investors tally grows to 21Seven new investors with investors worth R239 million have signed up with the Eastern Cape’s second IDZ.. Read More...
 
200 Eastern Cape SMME’s meet global standardTwo hundred Eastern Cape Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) received International Standards Organisation (ISO) certificates allowing them to compete in international markets and for big contracts at an awards ceremony held at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) yesterday.. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape construction poised growth in short to medium termThe Eastern Cape’s construction sector is likely stimulate the province’s economic growth in the short to medium term despite the downturn in the global economy. Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) chief executive officer Mxolisi Matshamba says because of the infrastructural backlogs in the province, the construction sector is positioned for growth.. Read More...
 
ECDC, Housing and Public Works sign emerging contractors’ agreementTwo hundred contractors to build over 1,000 homes.. Read More...
 
ECDC, Housing and Public Works sign emerging contractors' agreementAn agreement signed yesterday between the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the departments of Public Works and Housing will see over 200 emerging contractors gain access to finance, jobs and skills over the next two years. As part of the programme, emerging contractors graduating from the ECDC’s Integrated Emerging Contractors Development Model (IECDM) and public works emerging contractors Incubator programme have preference when tendering for the department of Housing infrastructure projects. . Read More...
 
ECDC gets clean audit for second consecutive yearThe Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has received a clean audit report for the second consecutive year and it has also managed to fill all senior positions and regional office heads.. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape photographic exhibition launched in GermanyThe Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the development arm of the Eastern Cape Government, recently launched its Eastern Cape from Above photographic exhibition at the Munich Airport in Germany.. Read More...
 
EC crafters excel at DTI eventEleven Eastern Cape individual crafters recently saw off tough competition to claim the best crafts stand award at the recent South African Handmade Collection exhibition at the Gallagher Estate.. Read More...
 
Exhibition captures Eastern Cape’s spectacular landscapesMore than 12,000 travelers and visitors to Germany’s Munich airport were treated to eclectic beauty of the Eastern Cape in October with a photographic exhibition which included 40 photographic larger-than-life displays.. Read More...
 
CEO Mxolisi Matshamba highlights clean audit as well as other achievements in annual results overvieThe Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has received a clean audit report for the second consecutive year and it has also managed to fill all senior positions and regional office heads.. Read More...
 
Eastern Cape photographic exhibition launched in GermanyThe Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the development arm of the Eastern Cape Government, will launch its Eastern Cape from Above photographic exhibition at the Munich Airport in Germany today.. Read More...
 
Manufacturing licence for Coega refineryPetroSA, the National Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa, this week reached a significant milestone in realising its plans to build a world-class crude oil refinery at Coega, Port Elizabeth, with the announcement that the company had been granted a manufacturing licence for the project.. Read More...
 
Port of Ngqura opens for its first shipsThe Port of Ngqura finally welcomed its first two ships yesterday, marking an historic moment in the harbour‘s often stormy development. Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Port Elizabeth port manager Ester Goosen, also tasked with bringing Ngqura on line, said the docking of the Beluga Indication and the BBC Langeland meant the port was finally “a reality”. . Read More...
 
VW pulls in six component manufacturerVehicle manufacturer Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) has attracted a number of key national and international components manufacturers to set up operations in Uitenhage, in the Eastern Cape. The company, which unveiled this initiative this week, said the supplier plan was in line with the new Automotive Production Development Programme (APDP). . Read More...
 
Eastern Cape photographic exhibition launched in GermanyThe Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the development arm of the Eastern Cape Government, recently launched its Eastern Cape from Above photographic exhibition at the Munich Airport in Germany. The exhibition, consisting of 40 aerial views of the province, was offically opened by the South African Ambassador to Germany, Mr Eddie Funde and ran until 22 October. . Read More...
 
EC crafters excel at DTI eventEleven Eastern Cape individual crafters recently saw off tough competition to claim the best crafts stand award at the recent South African Handmade Collection exhibition at the Gallagher Estate. The group was part of an Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) delegation to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) event. . Read More...
 
A region with niches that provide global competitive advantageThe Eastern Cape is the third largest province in South Africa. Located on the eastern coast, it lies between the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. With two working harbours and the transhipment hub of Coega due to become operational later this year, three airports offering direct flights to the main urban centres and an excellent rail and road infrastructure, the province continues to be prioritised by the South African government for further economic development. . Read More...
 
Next step for East London IDZ – an OEMThe East London Industrial Development Zone (Elidz), which totals 430ha, is in full operational mode with 14 of its 15 announced investors operating — the highest number of operational investors for a single IDZ in South Africa. . Read More...
 
East London port sees growth in volumes, productivityA R20 million investment is set to boost the port’s auto capacity. Investor confidence in the Eastern Cape is growing, with millions of rands in investment flowing into the province. This is evident in the many major retail and commercial developments that are either already under way or in the planning stages. . Read More...
 
Country estate set to transform townFive-star boutique hotel is part of a development which is expected to create about 12,000 jobs. A R1-billion country estate development is set to transform and breathe new life into the sleepy town of Somerset East in the Karoo. The development will take place on 2500ha of land at the foot of the Boschberg Mountain, behind Somerset East. About 10000 temporary and 2000 permanent jobs will be created during the different phases of the development. . Read More...
 
Asgisa EC spells out importance of agriculture for initiativeAsgisa EC CEO says that the optimal use of arable land in the province could spell the difference between wealth creation and sinking further into poverty. The current global food shortage which is pushing up South African food prices could have been minimised if the country’s rural residents grew their own crops, said Asgisa Eastern Cape chief executive, Simphiwe Somdyala. . Read More...
 
DBSA redefines its role as a DFIThe Eastern Cape is to benefit from 17 000-unit housing project in King Sabata Dalindyebo, Mthatha, as the institution looks to establishing sustainable communities. In an effort to redefine its role as a development funding institution the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is helping establish sustainable communities. . Read More...
 
Rio says ‘powered’ Coega aluminium smelter still viableRio Tinto’s CEO still “all for” a viable opportunity at Coega. . Read More...
 
Economic stress points to business climate worseningProvinces such as Gauteng and the Western Cape are experiencing more economic pain.. Read More...
 
Coega hopes to sign ten investors this year after smelter setbackThe Nelson Mandela Bay IDZ’s now broadening the industrial/manufacturing base, establishing an export and transshipment hub service to the continent, creating jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities. In its quest to attract investments, the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has changed its strategy to suit local companies. . Read More...
 
Emerging contractors receive skills boostOver 60 Eastern Cape emerging contractors will to take part in the R5 million Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) Integrated Emerging Contractor Development Model (IECDM) programme this year.. Read More...
 
More road infrastructure improvements for ECThe Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Transport recently announced that it would spend R100m on reconstructing the province's roads during this financial year.. Read More...
 
EMERGING CONTRACTORS RECEIVE SKILLS BOOSTOver 60 Eastern Cape emerging contractors will to take part in the R5 million Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) Integrated Emerging Contractor Development Model (IECDM) programme this year. . Read More...
 
PE stadium confirmedCity stadium, together with stadiums at Ellis Park, the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Free State Stadium and Loftus, are confirmed to host the 2009 Confederations Cup. . Read More...
 
August time line for Kei Rail serviceThe Kei Rail service linking East London with Mthatha would become a daily operation from August 1 and would also operate on Friday and Sunday nights “to accommodate the demand from commuters”, Eastern Cape Roads and Transport MEC Thobile Mhlahlo said yesterday.. Read More...
 
Official opening of R1,3-billion Eastern Cape factoryA R1,3 billion Steinhoff-PG Bison particle board factory built near Ugie in the north east forests of the Eastern Cape has been opened officially. The factory, which followed Steinhoff’s acquisition of a 67% stake in the North Eastern Cape Forests plantations, started production in December and has been on a steady ramp-up towards full production. . Read More...
 
East London’s R520m Mdantsane City opens for businessIt was a landmark day for Mdantsane yesterday when the township’s new R520-million mall was officially opened. The shopping centre, a project of the Billion Group, represents a growing trend in retailers moving into townships to capitalise on massive, new markets. . Read More...
 
Coega delivers R85m Cerebos factoryThe Coega Development Corporation (CDC) on Wednesday handed the completed R85-million Cerebos factory over to the company, and brought the number of completed manufacturing facilities in the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) to seven.. Read More...
 
R1,5bn soya bean plant for CoegaWidespread benefits, ranging from the creation of farm jobs in rural areas to the production of an alternative fuel, were promised yesterday at the announcement of plans for a R1,5-billion soya bean plant at the Coega Development Corporation industrial development zone.. Read More...
 
BCM releases new road detailsBUFFALO City Municipality (BMC) yesterday lifted the lid on the building of the R30.5 million first phase of a four-lane highway linking Beacon Bay and Gonubie. . Read More...
 
All systems go for R400m Tiffindell upgradeIt's all systems go for the R400-million Tiffindell expansion project which is set to put the Eastern Cape on the international ski map.. Read More...
 
R1,5bn soya bean plant for CoegaPlant should be operational by the end of 2009 says the Australian-based Rainbow Nation Renewable Fuels Limited.. Read More...
 
NMMU and PBMR company sign research agreementPort Elizabeth-based university NMMU is one of four South African universities to have signed a research agreement with the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) company. . Read More...
 
New restaurants set to open at East London AirportTWO major takeaway chain stores are to open their doors to the public by the end of this month as East London Airport’s multi-year upgrade plan starts taking off.. Read More...
 
R700m kick-start for Alcan smelter at CoegaIN a landmark move towards kick-starting construction at the $2,7-billion (R19-billion) Alcan smelter at Coega outside Port Elizabeth, the company yesterday announced that it had signed a R700-million deal with three firms for the plant‘s engineering design.. Read More...
 
Buffalo City to get a new 100-bed hospitalA new 100-bed hospital which will service the greater Buffalo City is to be built in East London.. Read More...
 
R174m facelift for PE airportIN a major boost for the region, the Port Elizabeth Airport is to receive a R174-million upgrade which will include lengthening the runway and building a double-storey parking arcade.. Read More...
 
Suburb slowly making friends with stadiumCONSTRUCTION is forging ahead on Port Elizabeth‘s 2010 World Cup stadium in Prince Alfred Park in North End, and euphoria, anxiety, excitement and tension are mounting among local residents.. Read More...
 
Work may start soon on Wild Coast toll roadCONSTRUCTION of the controversial N2 Wild Coast toll road between East London and Durban is expected to start “before the end of the year”.. Read More...
 
Alicedale welcomes investment bodyTOURISM town Alicedale was alive with possibility before the arrival today of President Thabo Mbeki and a large entourage of ministers, officials, security and members of his International Investment Council for a three-day conference.. Read More...
 
Bhisho seeks a partner for EC’s first toll roadBHISHO transport chiefs want to recruit big business to run the proposed toll road along most of the coastal R72 between East London and Port Elizabeth.. Read More...
 
Coega rail link with Northern Cape confirmedIN the strongest commitment to date that Transnet intends to upgrade the railway line between Coega and the Northern Cape, Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin has told a media briefing that the industrial development zone will be linked with the Northern Cape.. Read More...
 
EC’s R2m job drive gives hope to matricsMORE than 70 unemployed matriculants from the Eastern Cape have been placed in learnerships at the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ).. Read More...
 
Listed hotel group chooses EL for 40th LodgeEAST London’s first City Lodge-operated hotel opened on Friday.. Read More...
 
R600m upgrade plan for hospitalsBy Patrick Cull Political Editor THE Eastern Cape health department signed a R600-million public-private partnership (PPP) deal with the Netcare hospitals group yesterday, providing for total refurbishment and upgrading of Grahamstown‘s Settlers Hospital and a brand new hospital for Port Alfred. . Read More...
 
ECDC Playing a key role in developmentSince the inception of the R1,3 billion timber project in the Ugie-Malcear district in late 2005, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has been deeply involved as the implementation arm of the Provincial Government.. Read More...
 
R131m boost for Bay transportTHE Nelson Mandela Bay municipality will receive R131,2-million from the national treasury in the coming financial year (2007/2008) for 2010 Soccer World Cup transport-related infrastructure.. Read More...
 
ECDC Playing a key role in developmentSince the inception of the R1,3 billion timber project in the Ugie-Malcear district in late 2005, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has been deeply involved as the implementation arm of the Provincial Government.. Read More...
 
The Eastern Cape Development Corporation - Working hard for job creation and developmentBy working closely with the Eastern Cape Provincial and National government to boost economic development for the region, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has identified sectors that will have the great impact on job creation, empowerment and growth. Read More...
 
CMH ‘facelift’ gets under wayR350m overhaul still a deep mystery – downgrade or upgrade? “We are not reducing it to anything, there is no downgrading, we are upgrading. Let us leave it there”, Nomsa Jajula.. Read More...
 
R131m boost for Bay transportTHE Nelson Mandela Bay municipality will receive R131,2-million from the national treasury in the coming financial year (2007/2008) for 2010 Soccer World Cup transport-related infrastructure.. Read More...
 
Gonubie mall plan gets the best ratingFROM THE AIR: A view of the Gonubie area showing where the proposed mall would be developed – if the results of a municipality-ordered survey influence the ‘hold’ put on the mall plan by the prospective developers.. Read More...
 
Buffalo City set to get R18m faceliftOVER the next four months Buffalo city Municipality will resurface its worst roads, install new street lights and plant more trees.. Read More...
 
R2-billion Knysna River Reserve gets green lightPLANS for one of the most ambitious developments ever seen on the Garden Route took a step forward yesterday when Knysna‘s public amenities and housing committee gave the nod to the R2-billion Knysna River Reserve.. Read More...
 
It’s R1billion boom-time in Buffalo CityAN UNPRECEDENTED building boom pushed the value of building plans passed by the Buffalo City Municipality last year to over R1billion for the first time in history.. Read More...
 
Small Gonubie mall steal the thunderAlmost unnoticed, a new shopping centre on the corner of Gullsway and Main Road, Gonubie, is under construction and is expected to open for business in November this year.. Read More...
 
EC IDZs LEAD FLLOD OF CAPITAL PROJECTSA FLOOD of funds for capital infrastructure development will flow into the Eastern Cape in the next financial year.. Read More...
 
R3bn boost EC’s budget to R27bnTHE Eastern Cape’s budget was boosted by R3bn in Finance Minister Trevor Manuel’s budget speech in Cape Town yesterday, bringing the province’s funds to R27bn for the next financial year.. Read More...
 
Construction underway at Chintsa River Golfing EstateConstruction on the Chintsa River Golfing Estate on the Chintsa River is now well underway. Read More...
 
Hemingway’s mall set to begin building‘We’re committed,’ says Billion Group. Read More...
 
Alice’s looking glass shows brighter outlookTwo big projects and a new policy at Fort Hare to benefit the community. Read More...
 
New holding tank facility to cater to East Coast Rock Lobster FisherThe development of a formal East Coast Rock Lobster fishery is gaining momentum at Port St Johns on the Eastern Cape coast where the nod has been given for the construction of a holding tank facility.. Read More...
 
Planting trees, uprooting povertyJobs, dividends and land leases make for a wealthy countryside HANS MERENSKY HOLDINGS, a joint venture between the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Hans Merensky Foundation, is changing lives for the better in the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape through an aggressive rural development and forestation drive. . Read More...