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The Uitenhage Despatch Development Initiative (UDDI).

Vision: A leader in socio-economic development in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

Mission: Providing leadership and development services to improve the socio-economic conditions of the community.

Strategic Goals: As defined in the UDDI 2014 – 2019 strategic plan, the focus of the organisation is on becoming a leading socio-economic development agency within the Nelson Mandela Bay area by:

• Stimulating economic growth, investment and supporting entrepreneurship;
• Contributing to the social upliftment of the community through education and training;
• Effectively managing strategic resources;
• Building innovative teams and being a great place of work; and
• Establishing efficient business processes.

The vision, mission and strategic goals form the core foundation for the UDDI operations.

The UDDI has identified town regeneration as an instrument to enhance urban and township areas and for the creation of a vibrant, competitive environment which enhances social cohesion. The UDDI’s town regeneration programme encompasses the UDDI’s eco-hub model, infrastructural development/enhancement as well as community development.

The enterprise development programme is used as a tool to advance business incubation through:

• Multi-sector business support packages for small enterprises
• Accredited training – technical, administration, governance, finance and marketing
• Mentorship
• Networking and access to markets
• Introduction of new business solutions
• Unlocking investment opportunities

The UDDI’s focus on Education & Skills Development area mainly targets educators and learners in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) by way of providing a unique, exciting curriculum and educational experience while incorporating research and development initiatives benefiting the broader community.

NMB Science & Technology Centre

Programmes at the centre are designed to build enthusiasm and an affinity for science, technology and mathematics through fund and interactive engagements.

This programme mainly targets grades 6, 9 and 12 learners from disadvantaged schools in Nelson Mandela Bay but some outlying schools and other grades are also catered for. The programme includes hands-on fun experiments which are aligned to Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS).

The UDDI launched the R30 million Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre in March 2013. Located in the heart of Uitenhage’s central business district, the centre is a ground-breaker in its own right, being the first standalone science centre not part of an institute of higher learning in the Eastern Cape.

Programmes at the NMB Science & Technology Centre are designed to build enthusiasm and an affinity for science, technology and mathematics through fun and interactive engagements. Here learners discover the daily applications of science, technology and mathematics in their communities. It is intended that learners should begin to see these subjects as fun and enjoyable with the hope that they will continue with them until the end of their high school years.

Besides these internal programmes, the centre offers schools and learners the opportunity to be exposed to science and technology initiatives such as SciFest, National Science Week, the FameLab Competition, as well as other science and career expos.