Coega Hosts Coastal Clean Up for Marine Environment Preservation

Front: NMB Executive Mayor, His Worship Gary van Niekerk; flanked by – Left: Ms. Nomabhaso Totyi, Coega Sustainability Business Unit; Mr. Khwezi Tiya, Coega Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer; Dr. Stacy Webb, Sustainable Seas Trust Executive Director – Right: Ms. Mokgaetši Sebothoma, Coega Development Corporation Executive Manager: Corporate Services; Mr. Simphiwe Silwana, Coega Development Corporation Sustainability Manager; Mr. Sisa Xabanisa, Coega Development Corporation Environmental Manager

Gqeberha, South Africa, 15 September 2023 – Ahead of the International Coastal Clean Up Day 2023, the Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Gary van Niekerk, Coega Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khwezi Tiya and Sustainable Seas Trust Executive Director, Dr. Stacy Webb, today, joined Coega employees, investors located in the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and other stakeholders, for the second Annual Coega SEZ Coastal Clean Up Day.

Aligned to Coega’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 14 (Life Below Water), Paris Agreement on climate change, and in commemoration of International Coastal Clean Up Day on 16 September, the Coega SEZ Coastal Clean Up aims to raise awareness about the growing challenge of pollution on beaches and encourage behaviour change.

The Coega SEZ Coastal Clean Up aims to safeguard marine environments against land pollution, raise awareness about the growing problem of increased pollution levels on beaches, and encourage change in behavioural patterns that negatively affect the beach and marine environments. Targeted litter items on the day included plastic, metal, glass, paper, unrecyclables, and any other debris that may cause harm to land and ocean species.

According to Sisa Xabanisa, Coega Environmental Manager, “Hosting International Coastal Clean-up Day aligns with our belief that unity is the driving force behind meaningful and sustainable change. By bringing the Coega community and stakeholders together, along with the rest of the world, to commemorate the cause, we aim to champion change through unity. Hopefully, our collective efforts reflect our unwavering commitment to safeguarding marine environments for future generations. Plastic pollution is a massive problem for our coastal environments, and every small action to clean up is a big step towards making a difference.”

Coastal clean up efforts contribute to the preservation of both marine and terrestrial life by removing litter and pollutants from beaches and coastlines, reducing the presence of toxic chemicals, creating a safer coastal environment, and ensuring the safe disposal of collected litter.

Dr. Stacy Webb, Executive Director at Sustainable Seas Trust, says: “Our partnership with Coega is aligned with our goal of growing a network to create awareness and facilitate best practices around the conservation of our seas, and the management of the waste that flows into them. Together, we can create a future where Africa’s people and Africa’s seas flourish together.”

Coega Coastal Clean Up 2023 in Zone 10 of the Coega Special Economic Zone

The Coega SEZ Coastal Clean Up stands as a testament to Coega’s fundamental value of sustainability and helps prevent the contamination of critical habitats, such as mangroves and wetlands, which are essential for biodiversity and the wellbeing of land and marine species. Ultimately, these collective actions work together to ensure the sustainable coexistence of life on land and in our oceans.

Ms. Mareleze DuRandt, Coega Human Capital Solutions Administration Coordinator, shares insight on her participation: "At Coega, we recognise the importance of corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship. By actively participating, we aspire to demonstrate our commitment to a cleaner, healthier environment. It’s about taking proactive steps toward a sustainable future."

As the developer and operator of a preferred and competitive investment destination, and a leading SEZ in Africa, Coega is committed to fostering a harmonious coexistence with the natural environment, as a leading catalyst for the championing of socio-economic development.