Three years after entering a landmark agreement to advance Local Economic Development (LED) research in the Eastern Cape, the University of Fort Hare and the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ (CoGTA) LED Support Unit met on the Alice Campus earlier this week.
The 2022 MoU, signed by UFH Vice-Chancellor Prof Sakhela Buhlungu and the CoGTA Head of Department, committed the two institutions to a research partnership focused on assessing the role and effectiveness of the province’s local economic development agencies. The visit served to reaffirm their shared commitment and vision.
The engagement brought together senior representatives from both parties. They reflected on the progress made since the signing of the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding and discussed the path forward as the collaboration continues.
Led by the UFH Department of Applied Management, Administration, and Ethical Leadership, the research team is studying the agencies’ performance, strengths, gaps, and potential to drive sustainable economic growth.
According to UFH Business Management scholar Prof Willie Chinyamurindi, who is part of the team, they have managed to collect both primary and secondary data related to the work of local economic development agencies in the province. “In the process, a policy brief has been produced. This includes a publication in the journal Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review.”
“The next phase of the project is to analyse the qualitative data generated from interviews with CEOs and managers of local economic development agencies operating in the Eastern Cape Province. A launch event is envisaged in the winter of 2026. This will also include a symposium for all stakeholders.”
During this week’s visit, representatives from both parties reiterated the importance of evidence-based decision-making in strengthening LED structures and improving service delivery across municipalities.
“This partnership is important for the work of LED within the province of the Eastern Cape. We look forward to the findings. We desire to see this partnership continue to inform and enhance LED efforts not just provincially but the entire country,” said Mr Luthando Plaatjie, the Chief Director of Municipal Basic and Development Services at CoGTA.
“The renewed engagement signals continued momentum in the partnership, with both UFH and CoGTA emphasising their intention to intensify collaboration, strengthen municipal support, and ensure that research outputs translate into practical improvements for communities across the province,” Prof Chinyamurindi said.