In 2004 the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) was established to implement a number of projects that all work together to create jobs and grow the economy in the region. The MBDA has been established by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality to re-engineer and revitalise the inner city of the metropolitan area. A master plan has been created for the dynamic growth and development of projects such as the Statue of Freedom, Bayworld, The International Convention Centre, Auto Park at Uitenhage, the Coega Industrial Development Zone, Red Location Museum, Beachfront Development, the Port Elizabeth Harbour redevelopment and the 2010 Soccer Stadium. Another objective of the MBDA is to position the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality as a unique and desirable tourist destination. Through carefully planned metro development, the MBDA will help position the Eastern Cape Province as the fastest growing tourist destination in the country and will establish the metro as a destination in its own right.

The implementation of the abovementioned projects will lead to the ultimate goal of turning the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality into a sought-after destination with a metropolitan vibe. The Waterfront and Kings Beach project will develop a new mixed use waterfront and beach related precinct. It will include entertainment, residential development, marina, yacht clubs, waterfront offices, pubs and restaurants. The Statue of Freedom will be erected at the seaward most point of the South Harbour where it meets Kings Beach and will act as a symbol of the life and work of Nelson Mandela and his comrades and their unwavering commitment to the future of a free South Africa. The statue will be a staggering 122 meters tall, which compares to some of the highest monuments in the world, such as the 96-meter tall Statue of Liberty.
One of the leading tourist attractions and another massive MBDA development project in Port Elizabeth is Bayworld. Combining a cultural history museum, an oceanarium and reptile park, Bayworld is the first of its kind in Southern Africa. It is located in the heart of the Port Elizabeth beachfront and serves up a feast of edutainment to nearly 300 000 visitors a year. The main aim of the complex is to stimulate a greater awareness of the need to conserve South Africa’s natural and cultural heritage, through research and education programmes that focus on marine life, reptiles, maritime and local history. The oceanarium, which features a fascinating underwater world with an impressive collection of fish as well as dolphin and African penguin presentations, offers entertainment for the whole family.

Situated 20km east of the Bay, the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) is another major development in the metro. It is the country’s largest single integrated industrial and commercial property development. It consists of 11 500 hectares of industrial land, with defined areas for an aluminium smelter and related industries, as well as a ferrous metals cluster. Coega, described as the “most sophisticated industrial estate development in Africa”, has created a wide range of property development opportunities that are not available anywhere else on the continent.

The new deep-water Port of Ngqura forms an integral part of the Coega IDZ. The Port of Port Elizabeth and the Port of Ngqura will coexist, where the Port of P.E. will provide support services to the Port of Ngqura in terms of IT, finance, human resources, procurement and maintenance of assets. The Port of Port Elizabeth will focus on the motor vehicle, fruit, fishing and tourism industries. In an effort to facilitate continuous improvement of services offered to customers, the Port of Port Elizabeth will soon be launching a Customer Service Centre, which will act as a one-stop-shop for customers.

The Port of Ngqura is currently being developed on the Coega River, 20 kilometres east of Port Elizabeth. The depth of the channel and its location in the protected Algoa Bay, make it one of the best positions for a harbour on the South African coast. The bay, which is protected from the prevailing southwesterly winds by a spit of land, has 330 anchor days a year. The Port of Ngqura is a multi-user deepwater port on the Coega River with an initial depth of 16 metres to accommodate vessels up to 80 000 tonnes deadweight. The port has been designed to handle containers and various bulk materials, and to take account of projected business opportunities as well as changes in world shipping and logistics operations.

Port Elizabeth is not only developing fast, but is also well-known throughout the world as the ‘Watersport Capital of Africa’. Flaunting an atmosphere of relaxed year-round fun, Algoa Bay is known for its many hours of sunshine, superb weather conditions and moderate climate. Its breathtaking seashore boasts a perfect combination of warm water and protected beaches, which lends itself to limitless water sport action. It is a Mecca for all beach and watersports enthusiasts, as it hosts an abundance of action packed activities throughout the year. Adrenaline-junkies will delight in activities such as yachting, windsurfing, surfing, jet skiing, canoeing, kite-surfing and power-boating, while sun worshippers will find solace in hours of sunbathing and cooling off in the waves. Those who enjoy meeting sea-life face to face will delight in hours of scuba diving and snorkelling.

From the waters to the land, this area of the Eastern Cape boasts a rich animal life. It is arguably one of South Africa’s principal malaria-free game viewing and hunting areas. Several private game farms with numerous price ranges including exclusive and upmarket venues, guarantee abundant wild animal species as well as various antelope and birdlife. This ensures visitors plentiful game viewing experiences, especially the Big Five, near Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch. The area has several beautiful natural parks, with plentiful vegetation, fauna and panoramic views along unspoilt walking trails – a pleasure for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The Addo Elephant Park, 72 kilometres outside Port Elizabeth, is well worth a visit with its breeding herd of over 400 elephants.

As the ‘Friendly City’, Port Elizabeth definitely lives up to its name through its numerous accommodation facilities. King’s Tide Boutique Hotel rates as one of the best places to stay in the area. It offers luxury accommodation where the guest’s comfort is of the highest importance. The Willows Resort offers affordable thatched cottages set in tranquil and cosy surroundings, while Bishop’s Lodge is situated close to all amenities with breathtaking views over the ocean.

Not only is the infrastructure of the Port Elizabeth metro getting a serious facelift, but its entertainment and accommodation options are also developing to compete with the best in the world. The Madiba Bay Resort is a coastal development, which will stretch along the coast for approximately 30km and will incorporate a safari park, golf course and holiday resort. Visitors can expect a number of exciting establishments to sprout all over Port Elizabeth in the next few years.

Port Elizabeth combines the best of all worlds – the economic opportunities and benefits of a thriving city with its inhabitants’ genuine, warm hospitality. This combination of balmy weather plus the range of entertainment options for locals and visitors, accounts for this coastal city’s increasing popularity. It’s a city that pulsates with the constant ebb and flow of its promising waves.