The Project
The Climate Resilient Development Strategy Framework (CRDSF) project has grown out of various civil society and municipal initiatives on climate change (such as the Nelson Mandela Bay Transition Network, the East Cape Combined Environmental Forum -ECCEF, Zwartkops Conservancy, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and the 2016 Metro plan on Climate Change); and various discussions with the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) that culminated in a stakeholder session in June 2022. The PCC then commissioned a team under the auspices of the Wilderness Foundation Africa (WFA) and in partnership with the metro’s stakeholders to drive a “climate resilient pathways” process specific to the greater Nelson Mandela Bay. In short, to develop a plan that builds a climate–smart metro by 2055.
The Presidential Climate Commission is an independent, statutory, multistakeholder body established by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Their purpose is to oversee and facilitate a just and equitable transition towards a low-emissions and climate-resilient economy.
In fulfilling this role, their focus is to:
• Create a social partnership around a just transition
• Define a vision for a just transition, and means of achieving that vision, covering the necessary sectoral shifts, technological innovation, employment opportunities, and climate finance
• Conduct independent analysis into climate change impacts on jobs, the economy, and policy
• Monitor progress towards mitigation and adaptation goals, as well as the achievement of a just transition linked to broader development objectives
• Engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including all spheres of government, business, labour, academia, communities, and civil society.
Wilderness Foundation Africa (WFA) (https://wildernessfoundation.co.za):
Wilderness Foundation Africa is an African-based conservation NGO that protects and sustains landscapes through its agile and innovative approach to conservation. Whether it is direct action anti-poaching, landscape wilderness management, developing young leaders from disadvantaged communities, or the development of innovative finance solutions, Wilderness Foundation focuses on lasting impacts. Wilderness Foundation Africa has been particularly focused on work within climate change.
There are four broad phases to the climate resilience project:
1. Launch (Sept 2023 to January 2024): Find the stakeholders, design and agree on the process, gain commitment from key stakeholders to the process
2. Scoping and Assessment (January 2024 to April 2024): By engaging with stakeholders identify what changes are coming as a result of climate change – what transitions can we expect, what the greater metro area looks like currently, and what initiatives are currently underway.
3. Drafting a strategy framework (May 2024 to August 2024) : Identify the key risks and opportunities, what areas within the metro are at high risk, map the complex systems that make the metro what it is, identify what pathways can help build a climate resilient metro.
4. Embedding the strategy framework: Agreeing with stakeholders an implementation plan and key interventions (short -, medium -, and long-term), gaining commitment to the interventions and the vision of the future greater Nelson Mandela Bay.
The Project's Team
Abigail Bahindwa
With a master’s degree in Botany, and training in social process facilitation, project management, and community-based natural resource management, Abigail has worked at SANBI as specialist advisor on environmental management, and with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as the Deputy-Director for Biodiversity Mainstreaming and Stewardship. Importantly, she has spent several years within the NMB municipality coordinating amongst others the Metropolitan Open Space System (MOSS) and developing the Strategic Environmental Assessment component of the metro’s Spatial Development Framework. Abigail's insights of how bio-regional and open-space planning happens within the NMB municipality will be an essential contribution to the team. On behalf of DEDEAT, and with Therese and Belinda, she is currently developing costed business plans for five climate change adaptation and resilience pilot projects in the OR Tambo District Municipality which place her at the forefront of making CRD work in practice.
Therese Boulle
Therese has been living and working in the metro for more than thirty years. With a master’s degree in public health, her work has spanned a broad variety of projects from policy work with clinic committees; research on ecosystem based adaptation on the SADC coast through the lens of livelihoods; co-authored a book on urban nature conversation linking communities and conservation; conducted training of community health workers, designed programmes on gender equity for adolescents and facilitated organisational redesign. Currently, she is working on a climate change project in OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape. Together with a team, they are identifying and understanding the hazards and risks of climate change, so as to develop projects which benefit local communities, that can serve as pilot projects for future projects and address the risks in resilient ways. As a long-time activist for social justice, combined with leadership roles in several NGOs promoting community development, and as a senior researcher at UCT, Therese’s commitment to social justice and insights on how public health is delivered at a municipal level will add an essential and often neglected wellbeing insight to the CRD perspective.
Weza Moss
Brings an important automotive manufacturing, corporate governance, and community/government relationship strength to the team. Having obtained a BA in Social Sciences from Fort Hare, Weza started his corporate life as a branch manager of Truworths before joining Volkswagen (VWSA) in various roles that spanned 16 years. At VWSA, Weza served in a corporate education role, as an Audi corporate sales manager, and in community and corporate affairs senior roles, amongst others. His experience post VWSA has been in the automotive components, property, and wool sectors as a director and chairperson of those enterprises. Being from both the key OEM of the metro and as a supplier to all of SA’s OEMs gives Weza a unique perspective on the metro’s core industry and enables a key insight into one of the key industrial changes climate change’s impact on industry will bring. It is critical for our CRD work that the team has a deep understanding of the transition from ICE to EV vehicles, Weza gives us insight and access to that “ecosystem”. In addition, Weza’s corporate affairs experience, particularly in dealing with northern hemisphere interests will serve us well in orientating the metro’s economy within the global marketplace.
Dr. Belinda Clark
As a registered environmental assessment practitioner, Belinda has worked in the environmental management field on various coastal and terrestrial ecosystem and development projects across South Africa for the past 18 years. With a PhD in Botany (Coastal Ecosystems), her additional skills lie in project management, strategic environmental management planning, community development, sustainable building solutions, environmental compliance monitoring and auditing, and environmental impact and risk assessment and planning. From working on projects such as an off-grid light industrial development zone in George, to working on wind farm environmental management plans, to being project manager on the MARISCO (Marine Research and Innovation for a Sustainable Management of Coasts and Oceans) project at NMU, to the upgrading and expansion of the Motherwell Community and Enviro Hub, to working with Abigail and Therese on the OR Tambo District climate adaptation and resilience projects for DEDEAT, Belinda brings a passion for working collaboratively to find sustainable development solutions at the interface of community, ecosystems, and development. Her intimate knowledge of the marine and terrestrial environment of the metro, and how ecosystem-based development can (or not) work within this unique system is a critical value-add to the team’s capacity and capability.
Luvuyo Bangazi
Luvuyo has 20 years’ experience in Marketing, Communications, Brand, Strategy, and Stakeholder Engagement. The first 10 years were in the private sector as Partner and Director at Boomtown Strategic Brand Agency. There he led teams in developing communication solutions for clients, and in particular the Public Sector. In June 2013, 9 years later after a stint at Acting Managing Director Luvuyo left to join his current employer, a client at the time. Since 1 July 2013 he has been with the Mandela Bay Development Agency as Marketing and Communications Manager. On 1 July 2023 he was appointed Corporate Services Executive responsible for Marketing, Communications, Human Resources, ICT, and Risk and Compliance for the 20-year-old R150m Annual Budget Municipal Entity. Luvuyo holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from NMU Business School as well as several qualifications in Tourism Management, Public Relations, International Marketing, Strategic Management and City Brand Leadership. Luvuyo is also a keen triathlete and has an intimate and personal insight into the ocean and land qualities of the metro and its international standing in sporting circles. He will add particular value to the team with his insights into the role a special purpose vehicle (SPV) can play within a municipal context to deliver keystone development projects across a complex social and ecosystem landscape and in the innovative messaging required to embed CRD practices.
Dawn McCarthy
Dawn has significant experience in the strategic and detailed aspects of planning and development in South Africa and in particular Nelson Mandela Bay, where she worked for 28 years, retiring in June 2023. She is well versed in the general operations of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) including governance and leadership aspects. Dawn has a thorough understanding of spatial development planning and legislation, strategic planning and projects, and budgeting and expenditure in Nelson Mandela Bay. Her very close involvement in municipal strategic work (including the IDP, Built Environment Performance Plan, Capital Budget Monitoring, Grant Monitoring and Management) and interaction with National and Provincial Departments has given Dawn extensive insight into key local government challenges. These include the importance of community and stakeholder relationships, good governance and leadership, intergovernmental alignment, integrated planning and budget processes as well as the need to pursue considered sustainable implementation strategies in the preparation and implementation of plans and policies. Dawn’s extensive planning experience in a leadership role within the municipality, her detailed knowledge of the metro, and her international recognition for sustainable community planning is an invaluable asset to the team’s insights in how to embed a CRD strategy framework at a metro level.
Neil Campher
Neil is an experienced social entrepreneur, businessman, and co-founder of CS Business Group. He has been involved in various socio-economic projects and transformation initiatives. His notable contributions include his work on the Mandela Bay Development Agency's Safety and Peace through Urban Upgrading project and the Cookhouse Wind Farm Community Trust social engagement strategy. His involvement in the Artisanal Charcoal Production Incubator project highlights his understanding of the interface between development, environment, and social upliftment.
Dr Gary M Koekemoer (team lead)
Gary's interest in complex systems led him to complete a PhD in philosophy and a Masters degree in Labour Relations. He served in community mediation during South Africa's transition to democracy and later worked in an executive HR role in FMCG corporations across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Gary's diverse background and passion for environmental activism have led him to serve on the national board of WESSA and chair their policy development sub-committee. As an open-water swimmer, he is involved in resolving the metro's sanitation challenges and the green pathway initiative.
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11 Newington Road,
Central, Port Elizabeth,
South Africa, 6001
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