The Joe Gqabi Economic Development Agency is an agency wholly owned by the Joe Gqabi District Municipality
The case for the Joe Gqabi Economic development Agency was in a document, entitled Concept Document for the establishment of a District Development Agency for Ukhahlamba District, which was presented to Council and the IDC, and formed basis of the IDC's decision to approve grant funding for Development Agency pre-establishment work. Since then the District has changed its name from Ukhahlamba to that of Joe Gqabi and the name of the Agency reflects this progression in name changes.
About Us
Constitutional Mandate
Section 152 of the 1996 Constitution mandates municipalities to promote the social and economic development of the community and to participate in national and provincial development programs. This expressively charges the sphere of local government with the responsibility of being integral player for the realization of growth and development objectives underpinning new development frameworks such as the National Development Plan (2011), New Growth Path (2010), the National Spatial Development Perspective (2006) and Provincial Growth and Development Plan.
Legislative & Policy Mandate
The Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 as amended specifically mandates municipal councils to adopt a single, inclusive and strategic plan for their development which is prepared after the start of the elected term of the municipal council. This strategic plan is referred to as the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), which contains the broader development priorities and objectives of each municipal council and LED embodied within the IDP.
General Mandate
The agency seeks to improve the living conditions of the population by means of actions among different social and economic actors to take advantage of endogenous resources by promoting local business capacities. In an attempt to realize economic potential JGDM Council established JoGEDA as its special purpose vehicle to catalyze the economy of the region. In the South African economic growth core Joe Gqabi District in particular its populace should feature as both players and beneficiaries. In delivering on its mandate, JoGEDA provides service delivery covering the three local municipalities within the Joe Gqabi District Municipality.
Projects
Maize Meat Hub Feedlot
The essential purpose of the maize-meat hub in Elundini Local Municipality is to increase income and employment for beneficiaries by developing the red meat value chain in a region which holds competitive advantage within livestock production. The proposed intervention was made in view of the existing market gaps and situational analysis that recommended a feedlot is setup in the Joe Gqabi District. Through the project JoGEDA aims to stimulate the involvement of historically disadvantaged farmers in partnership with commercial farmers in the formal maize and livestock industry in the province. Significant role players and stakeholders in the agriculture sector have agreed that there would be considerable value in developing a business venture that can involve the different types of communal cattle herds as well as the maize farmers. In 2020/21 JoGEDA will carry out signed operational agreement with local farmers as per stakeholder matrix for the project and develop business model to create value chain opportunities for farmers to market their product and convert them to market related returns.Read more
Elundini Middle Income Housing
This project includes the development of 16.5 hectors of land in Ugie. The piece of land has been made available by the Elundini Local Municipality. The land has been earmarked for the middle-income housing development. The focus for 2020/21 is the development is looking at developing the housing for Elundini Municipality community that will be sold to prospective home owners. The project is earmarked for 116 housing stands based on the existing township establishment.Read more
