Local Economic Development Challenges and Solutions Explored at Workshop

BY: .

Enhancing the understanding of the tools for Regional Economic Development and exchanging knowledge between government departments, institutions of higher learning and RLED practitioners was the goal of the Economies of Region Learning Network event hosted by the Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L).

The School presented the forum in partnership with the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and the Economies of Regions Learning Network (ERLN), a project managed by the Government Technical Advisory Centre of the National Treasury.

The event was part of the GSB&L’s Regional and Local Economic Development Initiative two-week Winter School programme which created a platform for robust engagement with national and international industry experts, networking, sharing ideas and exploring research collaboration to encourage the growth of KwaZulu-Natal's economy.

In her welcome address, Dr Jennifer Houghton of the GSB&L’s Regional and Local Economic Initiative, said: ‘We are excited to work with the ERLN as it moves us into a national space. This gives us an opportunity to be a community of practice that thinks critically and learns together through the sharing of experiences.’

The learning event explored topics such as the framework for engaging with the Regional Economic Development Agenda which was delivered by GSB&L academic, Dr Shamim Bodhanya. 

Tools for Regional Economic Development and an update on the data technical working group were presented by ERLN convenor, Ms Kirsten Pearson while Mr Maoto Molefane of the Department of Trade and Industry presented on special economic zones regulations and Ms Sonja Niederhumer delivered an overview of graphic harvesting as a facilitation tool.

Young researchers and academics from the GSB&L also got an opportunity to present their research on LED.

Development Lecturer Mr Pfano Mashua, who presented his research on reducing youth unemployment through informal business development, said it had been a great experience to hear other people’s views about his work.

‘It was good learning experience to hear the discussions that were triggered by our presentations. I learned a lot about regionalism and clusters from different individuals and organisations,’ said Mashua.

Thandiwe Jumo