(NEWS) Esteemed Delegation from Republic of South Africa Visits WMU

November

2014

Esteemed Delegation from Republic of South Africa Visits WMU

On 2 November, twenty-three students funded by the Government of the Republic of South Africa graduated from WMU. The event marked a milestone in maritime capacity building for South Africa which previously had only five graduates from WMU over the past 30 years.

In recognition of the milestone event, an esteemed delegation from South Africa was present for the graduation ceremony and additional meetings. A high-level delegation met with IMO-Secretary General and WMU Chancellor, Mr. Koji Sekimizu, on 1 November to discuss collaboration between IMO and the Ministry of Transport of South Africa. Later that evening, a celebratory dinner was hosted at the Malmöhus Castle by the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Sweden, HE Ms. Mandisa Dona Marasha, for the delegation from South Africa, the students from South Africa in the Class of 2014 and 2015, and WMU staff. On 3 November, the delegation met at WMU for a presentation of the University by Acting President Bellefontaine and to discuss further ways that WMU can support the maritime-related goals of the Republic of South Africa.

Dr. Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training for the Republic of South Africa was slated as a Guest of Honor for the graduation ceremony, but was unable to deliver his address due to illness. Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga, Deputy Minister of Transport for the Republic of South Africa, spoke on his behalf. She noted that South Africa is making a conscious effort to educate people with high level skills and knowledge to meet ambitious targets in maritime capacity building for South Africa, and the WMU graduation represented a significant step in support of those targets. She noted four critical areas of focus for South Africa including maritime transport and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas exploration, marine protection policies and ocean governance, and aquaculture.

She pointed out that South Africa is celebrating 20 years of freedom and democracy, and for the first time ever the Government is prioritizing the maritime sector. She referred to the National Development Plan that was launched by President Zuma on 15 October 2014 to promote economic growth and boost job creation. Under the plan, South Africa aims to take advantage of untapped maritime resources that have the potential to contribute over 16 million USD to the GDP, and can create over 1,000,000 jobs by 2033. She stated, “We would like to see the maritime sector changing the fortunes of our continent through ensuring better connectivity through trade and strategic utilization of our resources…Key to this are the high level knowledge and skills we are recognizing today.”

A MoU signed in 2013 with the South African Maritime Safety Authority provides for at least five students from South Africa to study each year at WMU over a five-year period. Under the Agreement, all students are funded by the Government of South Africa and are obligated to undertake their studies at WMU on research topics that advance the South African Maritime Agenda. In addition to the 23 students who recently graduated, the Government is currently funding 3 PhD students, and 11 students in the Class of 2015.

Roughly 25 percent of WMU graduates are from the continent of Africa. With the Class of 2014, the number of WMU alumni from Africa numbers over 1050 representing 48 African states. WMU Professor Larry Hildebrand is a member of the AU’s Expert Group on the Pan-African Governance Policy and has played a key role in recent agreements between WMU and various agencies in Africa.

Since 2013, WMU has entered into a number of significant agreements with agencies and institutions in Africa including AfriCoG, the Angolan Ministry of Transport, Berbera Maritime and Fisheries Academy (Somalia), the Foundation for Youth Development (Nigeria), Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (South Africa), and the Regional Academy of Marine Sciences and Technologies (Côte d'Ivoire). In addition, WMU has delivered professional development courses in Somalia in cooperation with EUCAP NESTOR, and in Djibouti supporting the Djibouti Code of Conduct. In support of the African Union’s 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime (AIM) Strategy, The first celebration of African Day of the Seas and Oceans was held at WMU this past July, and WMU is a partner in the Protection Measures for Merchant Ships (PROMERC) EU research project focused on counter-piracy measures.

The esteemed delegation from the Republic of South Africa included the following:

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TO SWEDEN

Ambassador Mandisa Dona Marasha
Head of Mission

Colonel Cornell F. Du Preez
Defence Attaché

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA

Brenda Ntombela
Head of Secretariet

MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Dr Blade Nzimande
Honourable Minister of Higher Education and Training

Mr John Pampallis
Special Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

Ms Sibongile Mncwabe
Chief of Staff to the Ministry of Higher Education and Training

Mr Mvuyisi Macikama
Chief Executive Officer of the National Skills Fund

Mr Ghaleep Jeppe
Chief, Director: International Relations: Department of Higher Education and Training

Mr Lucky Masuku
Stakeholder Relation, Ministry of Higher Education and Training

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga
Honourable Deputy Minister of Transport

NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Professor Derrick Swartz
Vice Chancellor

SOUTH AFRICAN MARITIME SAFETY AUTHORITY (SAMSA)

Commander Tsietsi Mokhele
Chief Executive Officer
Member of the WMU Board of Governors

Ms Sindiswa Nhlumayo
Executive Head, Centre for Maritime Excellence

SOUTH AFRICAN NAVY

Rear Admiral Kubu
Director, Human Capital Development

TRANSNET ACADEMY

Dr Erick Khoza
General Manager

TRANSPORT EDUCATION AND TRAINING AUTHORITY (TETA)

Ms Maphefo Anno-Frepong
Chief Executive Officer

UMFOLOZI TECHNICAL VOCATION EDUCATION AND TRAINING COLLEGE

Mr S Zungu
Principal

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