MBDA manager joins four others in US government sponsored leadership programme

Saturday, 31 August 2019, Nelson Mandela Bay

Luvuyo Bangazi, the marketing and communications manager of the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), joined four others from around South African for the annual US government-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Programme from 1 to the 24 September.

The initiative is wholly funded and managed by the US embassy and seeks to forge strong partnerships and an exchange of skills and expertise between the two countries. The team is comprised of various disciplines in planning, development, stakeholder engagement and project management, all with special focus on urban regeneration.

"The initiative fits well with the MBDA's strategic direction that seeks to insource expertise, develop into a learning institution, produce knowledge and work with partners to achieve shared goals" said MBDA CEO Ashraf Adam.

The 21-day trip will take the South African delegation across the US, visiting and engaging with similar organisations and economic rejuvenation civil society partners.

The traveling team includes representatives from National Department of Public Works, Planning and Strategy - Johannesburg Development Agency, Metro Planning - City of Johannesburg, as well as the Manager: Braamfontein Precinct, JDA.

"The selection of an MBDA representative as one of five South Africans is once again a feather in the cap of the Agency, with noticeable outputs that have gained international recognition".

"I am convinced that this team will learn a lot over there and bring that experience back home to improve our own delivery," concluded Adam.