Meet the core Cacadu Regional Economic Development Initiative team, Mickey Mama, David Schmidt and Wendy Fisher. Together, the team forge strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in the region, to promote economic development.

Mickey Mama is the Director: Economic Development at Cacadu District Municipality. Mickey, in addition to providing strategic direction for economic development activities within the district, is primarily responsible for mainstreaming the initiative within district and local municipalities’ policies, plans and programmes at political and administrative levels. Mickey says, “For the Cacadu Region the LEDI present s an opportunity to be creative in coming up with catalytic LED projects.  Of course these projects find space within the economic strategic framework, thus the location of the pilot within the district and working closely with the department. Central to this initiative is the strengthening of partnerships between the local government, private sector, institutions of higher learning as well as other relevant stakeholders. I am confident that together we will deliver on the identified initiatives.”  

David Schmidt is the Process Facilitator. David is responsible for the overall implementation of the initiative and provides strategic direction for the team. In addition, David will be undertaking the review of the district’s Economic Growth and Development Strategy. David says, “The Cacadu region has great potential.   It has great tourism destinations.  It has a diverse and productive agriculture.   It has two excellent universities and good research and innovation capacity.   It has a metropolitan city at its core with the best port facilities in the country with Coega.  To realise the potential will however require coordinated effort.    It will also require improvements in government services.  A greater preparedness from economic roleplayers to share their knowledge and skills will also be essential.   I look forward to contribute to this through the LEDI process.”

Wendy Fisher the Programme Coordinator. Wendy is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the programme. In addition, Wendy, together with David, will be undertaking the review of the district’s Economic Growth and Development Strategy. Wendy says, “It is very exciting to be involved in this ground-breaking initiative, as it has the potential to change the face of local economic development in the country which will result in real regional benefits to industrial development and local communities alike.”

The team is responsible for the facilitation of catalytic economic development programmes that will result in regional economic growth, built on sound partnerships between the public and private sectors.