who we are

The Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), established in 2003 by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), with support of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). The agency is a special purpose development company which has become the driving force behind urban regeneration in Nelson Mandela Bay. The MBDA operates under a Mandate in terms of its articles of association and service delivery agreement with the NMBM. While the MBDA falls under the local authority, it operates as a separate entity but works closely with the relevant Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Directorates.

Vision

The establishment of world-class, well-managed, sustainable and vibrant urban places in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Mission

To revitalise and promote designated, sustainable urban places, in partnership with the NMBM, to the benefit of the whole community.

Values

• Socio-economic development: We must be an agent of positive social and economic change.
• Inclusivity: We strive to understand and meet the needs of our diverse stakeholders.
• Value for money: We aim to deliver value on public expenditure and real returns for our stakeholders.
• Integrity: We act with openness, transparency and respect.
• Accountability: We take responsibility for our decisions and use of our resources.
• Collaboration: We work as a team and build partnerships as part of a wider team serving the city.
• Excellence: We continually seek ways to raise our standards.
• Innovation: We are open to new ideas and welcome our ideas being challenged.
• Sustainability: Everything we do makes optimal use of resources and has a lasting, positive impact.

Strategic Objectives

To realise the vision, the regional economic strategy focuses on eight strategic objectives which address urban renewal in the mandate area:

• Public participation: Engaging effectively with stakeholders and partners in order to foster understanding, buy-in and shared delivery of urban renewal.
• Key services: Promoting, facilitating and managing the basics of security, cleansing and regulatory compliance to strengthen public and investor confidence.
• Turnaround potential: Implementing catalytic capital projects in designated urban places as a stimulus for private sector investment.
• Promotion of heritage, arts and culture as an economic growth tool: Promoting opportunities for heritage conservation and management, while simultaneously creating markets for the city’s cultural industry to forge a unique identity for the place and its people.
• Promotion of products: Marketing the area as a first choice destination to live, work and play.
• Corporate values: Being an effective, accountable, learning, creative and caring organisation, respected by staff and stakeholders.
• Balance: Managing the area for environmental sustainability.
• Growth: Facilitating social and economic opportunities in all projects and activities in order to contribute to economic inclusion and growth.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER

www.mbda.co.za

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who we are

The Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), established in 2003 by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), with support of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). The agency is a special purpose development company which has become the driving force behind urban regeneration in Nelson Mandela Bay. The MBDA operates under a Mandate in terms of its articles of association and service delivery agreement with the NMBM. While the MBDA falls under the local authority, it operates as a separate entity but works closely with the relevant Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Directorates.

Vision

The establishment of world-class, well-managed, sustainable and vibrant urban places in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Mission

To revitalise and promote designated, sustainable urban places, in partnership with the NMBM, to the benefit of the whole community.

Values

• Socio-economic development: We must be an agent of positive social and economic change.
• Inclusivity: We strive to understand and meet the needs of our diverse stakeholders.
• Value for money: We aim to deliver value on public expenditure and real returns for our stakeholders.
• Integrity: We act with openness, transparency and respect.
• Accountability: We take responsibility for our decisions and use of our resources.
• Collaboration: We work as a team and build partnerships as part of a wider team serving the city.
• Excellence: We continually seek ways to raise our standards.
• Innovation: We are open to new ideas and welcome our ideas being challenged.
• Sustainability: Everything we do makes optimal use of resources and has a lasting, positive impact.

Strategic Objectives

To realise the vision, the regional economic strategy focuses on eight strategic objectives which address urban renewal in the mandate area:

• Public participation: Engaging effectively with stakeholders and partners in order to foster understanding, buy-in and shared delivery of urban renewal.
• Key services: Promoting, facilitating and managing the basics of security, cleansing and regulatory compliance to strengthen public and investor confidence.
• Turnaround potential: Implementing catalytic capital projects in designated urban places as a stimulus for private sector investment.
• Promotion of heritage, arts and culture as an economic growth tool: Promoting opportunities for heritage conservation and management, while simultaneously creating markets for the city’s cultural industry to forge a unique identity for the place and its people.
• Promotion of products: Marketing the area as a first choice destination to live, work and play.
• Corporate values: Being an effective, accountable, learning, creative and caring organisation, respected by staff and stakeholders.
• Balance: Managing the area for environmental sustainability.
• Growth: Facilitating social and economic opportunities in all projects and activities in order to contribute to economic inclusion and growth.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER

www.mbda.co.za

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MBDA is the driving force

The Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) has become the driving force behind urban regeneration in Nelson Mandela Bay’s inner city, with the aim of promoting economic and tourism development against the backdrop of urban renewal.

The mandate area of the MBDA covers the inner city from La Roche Drive to Mount Road and includes Humewood, Humerail, South End, Central Hill, Richmond Hill, the CBD area, North End and Mount Croix. The Uitenhage CBD, the Happy Valley Area and the new Nelson Mandela Bay stadium precinct have been added to the areas for which the Agency has become responsible for regeneration. 

The agency has invested in excess of R500-million in direct infrastructure  upgrading to date – a move that has yielded the desired result of increasing  private sector investment, particularly in areas where projects are now completed, such as Govan Mbeki Avenue and the Donkin Reserve. 

The scale of investment over the past 10 years is reflected in the below table of past and present projects, which, inter alia, include: 

1. Govan Mbeki Avenue upgrade 
2. Strand Street environmental upgrade 
3. Parliament Street environmental upgrade 
4. Donkin Reserve Environmental upgrade 
5. Route 67 public art programme 
6. Kings Beach environmental upgrade 
7. Uitenhage Market Square environmental upgrade 
8. Athenaeum Building upgrade 
9. Bird Street/Belmont Terrace upgrade 
10. Re-development of Tramways Building
11. Helenvale Resource Centre
12. Various strategic township projects in progress
13. Bayworld redevelopment
14. Veeplaas – Business Centre
15. Veeplaas – Car Wash
16. Veeplaas – Incubator
17. Helenvale Side Walks
18. Helenvale Sports Field
19. Helenvale Parks
20. Campanile

The Agency has completed or is in the process of completing the following capital projects to date: 

Govan Mbeki & Parliament Street

The environmental upgrading of the old Main Street of Port Elizabeth, now known as Govan Mbeki Avenue, was the first capital project undertaken by the Development Agency. Around R100 million rand was used, the street received an extensive and much welcomed facelift and has been reshaped to its original character and given back to pedestrians.

After the completion of Govan Mbeki Avenue the MBDA moved over to Parliament Street. The street received some much needed beautification and has become famous for its restaurants, coffee shops and cocktails lounges and a number of office premises.

Uitenhage Market Square

After the success of the Govan Mbeki Avenue and Parliament Street upgrading, the Agency was asked to also look at inner city upgrading in the old Uitenhage CBD. As a first step it was agreed with all parties, both technical and political, that the Uitenhage Market Square would be an ideal place to begin to create a new belief in the heart of Uitenhage. The upgrading was completed in March 2011 and is aimed at attracting new private sector redevelopment to the area. The project cost roughly R30 million.

It is already achieving much acclaim and the Square is being better used for social interaction. It is now hoped that further development will take place in the Uitenhage CBD, building on the completed work.

Donkin Reserve Environmental Upgrade

The environmental upgrading of the Donkin Reserve was about creating an activity space that means something to all residents of the city.

Extensive and inclusive public involvement processes were successfully run to obtain ideas and inputs from a very broad section of the city’s communities.

Apart from being a space to use for activities, it is also designed as a central hub of art works and links right down to Strand Street via the Route 67 Art Journey which tells the history and growth of the city in parallel with a celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life, and also that the city is named after this iconic man.

Strand Street Redevelopment

The upgrading of Strand Street saw the recreation of old Jetty Street, albeit in the form of a pedestrian link between Vuyisile Mini Square and Strand Street. Vuyisile Mini Square, the central city’s main square and the heart of its planned cultural precinct, is now be linked to the historic Campanile.

The project is also dealing with the strengthening and improving of pedestrian links towards the Baakens River as well as the upgrading of the long distance taxi terminus that serves both residents and visitors who use minibus taxis to travel to different parts of the City’s hinterland.

Kings Beach Redevelopment

In the 2011 the MBDA began its makeover of the Friendly City’s premier beachfront area, King’s Beach. The final product envisaged is the re-creation of one of the City’s tourism crown, attracting not only the spending power of outside visitors but drawing the City’s own residents to use, enjoy and appreciate the area again.

On the first phase which was completed in 2012, the MBDA started with the re-landscaping of the park area of King’s Beach with the inclusion of a mini lake and play area for kids to enjoy. Later phases include further landscaping elements as well as the provision of more parking and also a skate park for all BMX bikers and skateboarders to enjoy.

Route 67

The MBDA’s Route 67 consists of 67 Public Art Works symbolising Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of work dedicated to the Freedom of South Africa and includes 67 steps leading up the second largest flag in Africa. The artworks were designed by local artists from the Eastern Cape. The route is proud celebration of our cities heritage and history. This is a must see stop for the whole family to walk and to enjoy.

The Route 67 starts at the Campanile and climbs the staircase to Vuyisile Mini Market Square which is the centre of the City. From the City centre the route continues through the staircase at St Mary’s Terrace, the experience of the route erupts in a celebration of colour, art and heritage that meanders up to the Donkin Reserve to the Great flag on top of the hill. Route 67 forms part the greater Nelson Mandela Bay Arts Journey which includes a number of Art Galleries and different locations such as the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Museum, the newly renovated Athenaeum Building, the Red Location Museum, Uitenhage Market Square and the artEC Art Gallery to name a few.

Upgrade of the Athanaeum and Little Theatre

The MBDA is spent over R4 million on renovations to the Athenaeum Building and Little Theatre on Belmont Terrace, converting it back to its former glory with the aim to develop an arts and crafts precinct and that the premises will be used 7 days a week, attracting residents and tourists to it and to the surrounding areas.

At present the Athenaeum is a buzz with a number of stage productions and conferences hosted from the Little Theatre as well as art exhibitions, spoken word and poetic events, launches, workshops and functions, the list goes on. There is also a coffee shop where visitors, employees from the local businesses in the nearby and surrounding areas as well as NMMU Business School can enjoy.

Tramways Building Upgrade

The redevelopment of the Tramways Building has commenced and once completed will be the new corporate headquarters of the MBDA. It could serve as a catalyst for the development of the area over time for non-industrial purposes.

The Tramways redevelopment forms part of the envisaged Baaken Valley/ Bridge Street development which will connect with the future waterfront development on the Transnet land cleared for this development by the Transnet National Port Authority to further grow this leisure and recreational precinct. The result of this development will see the area transformed and will attract both national and international tourists and private sector investors, as the MBDA works on the philosophy that investing public sector money in needed areas will be a catalyst for private sector investment.

Bird Street / Belmont Terrace Upgrade

The MBDA has started the exciting rejuvenation of the area around Bird Street and Belmont Terrace. It forms part of the phased upgrading of the Central area of Port Elizabeth. After the upgrading of the Donkin Reserve, Parliament Street, Govan Mbeki Street and Strand Street, the MBDA has focused its efforts on Bird Street/ Belmont Terrace.

This area is bursting at the seams with history. There many are iconic heritage buildings in and around this precinct such as the recently renovated Athenaeum Building and the PE Club – and many Port Elizabeth citizens have fond memories of living or working in the area.

But the upgrade does not just entail the preserving of the areas’ history; it is as much about enjoying the present and creating a great place for the future. Since the area share links with the Donkin Reserve and Route 67, arts and culture take centre stage. Already a wide range of artists live, work or display in the area. After the upgrade is complete it is envisioned that it would form part of the art and culture precinct that already exists.

Before the actual upgrading could begin, the MBDA invited input from different groups of users through a public participation process – people who live, work or have an interest in the area. A parallel process was started to study the heritage and the arts and culture functions of the area.

Ideas from these processes were all carefully considered by the appointed consulting team when they developed the final design for the upgrade. Construction is well on its way on this project.

route 67

 Visit our Route 67 website for more details

Visit the Donkin Reserve in Central and take a walk down to the old lighthouse where, incidentally, you will find yourself surrounded by a mix of exquisite old Victorian churches, newly renovated, terraced cottages on Donkin Street, a lighthouse that once guided ships into Algoa Bay, and a large pyramid built by a former governor in memory of his deceased wife.

These are landmarks that always made Central special. Nowadays, however, there are more contemporary elements added to the reserve. There is the large metal cut-out resembling Nelson Mandela, fist raised in triumph, leading a line of South Africans as they vote peacefully on 27 April 1994.

Across the lawns there are sheltered booths of sea-blue hues, in the shape of ship sails. Near the terraced houses is a massive set of silver pipes that catch the famous winds of Port Elizabeth and turn them into tunes. And across from the elegant Edward Hotel, is a modern statue of a female holding a chair – open for interpretation by any passer-by. Sometimes, that’s the real charm of public art.

One of the most remarkable elements of Route 67 – a collection of 67 art pieces celebrating the years Nelson Mandela devoted to public life – is the mosaic at the base of the pyramid.

Stroll about this outdoor display and you’ll be exposed to the best elements of the Eastern Cape: the indigenous peoples, the settlers, modern-day sports personalities, Karoo scenes complete with windmills and springbok, nautical settings, and even modern-day traffic circles.

Then walk down the coloured steps past posted artworks, which continue to tell the South African story. Look back up at the lighthouse and you’ll see a wall with more incredibly finished figures: taxi passengers, newspaper vendors and jazz trumpeters, to name a few.

Art Route 67 has also been designed as an important tourism hub for the city, paying respect to its heritage, culture and arts. And as you stand next to a celebrating Mandela, raise your fist with his and wish the City of Port Elizabeth and all its people well…Funding for this project came from the South African National Lottery.

the athenaeum & little theatre

The Athenaeum is a creative hub buzzing with potential and possibilities. Situated in Central; Port Elizabeth and surrounded by residences and tourist sites. We are passionate and proactive as an institution of arts and culture in our community.

Athenaeum is a receiving house this means it relies on revenue created from hiring out the spaces it has. These spaces are The Little Theatre, the foyers and 2 exhibition spaces and leased studios.

We at The Athenaeum are a cultural melting pot in Central and the greater Nelson Mandela Bay Metro by creating a platform for recreation where members of society come together to learn and teach each other about our different cultures, so as to deal with the stereotypes that feed into our prejudices such as xenophobia and racism.

As an institution sensitive to social issues it is with regret that we admit these prejudices do persist in our communities.

As an arts institution we harbour the philosophy that our arts are best incubated in our cultures therefore by embracing our cultures creating an endless spring of new arts: arts related in the

For more information please visit: www.theathenaeum.co.za

To plan your future production / Art event please contact the administrators: Athenaeum Council

Address: c/o Castle Hill and Belmont Terrace, Port Elizabeth

 the tramways 

The newly revamped historic and iconic building is now ready to host your bespoke events. The Tramways offers a more than 1000m2 canvas to create your own masterpiece, a secure and guarded parking lot and easy access at market related rates.

We are less than 10 minutes from the Port Elizabeth International Airport, Beach Front, City Centre and Heritage routes criss-crossing Nelson Mandela Bay.

We cater for:

• Conferences
• Food Markets
• Exhibitions
• Craft Shows
• Product/Service Launches
• And so much more. .

For more information contact us on  041 811 8200 or tramways@mbda.co.za

parking:

As you feed down towards Govan Mbeki Avenue, dedicated parking for The Tramways Building is on your right, underneath the flyover. It is well signposted.