Mayor Launches Presidential Employment Programme (PEP) - 444 PEP Participants Started Work All 444 participants of the PEDI Presidential Employment Programme (PEP) recently gathered together for the first time at the Philippi Village amphitheater.
The PEP Beautification & Placemaking team is making a difference in Philippi -
Mayor Launches new Philippi Agrihub - Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Ald. James Vos celebrated the launch of the new Philippi Agrihub together with representatives from the City’s Economic Growth departments (Urban Catalytic Investment; Area Economic Development; Property), Provincial Government, Department of Agriculture, and other guests.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers descend on Cape Town’s Philippi East in joint operation - More than 750 officers from the Cape Town Metro Police, Traffic Services, Law Enforcement and the South African Police Service participated in an integrated law enforcement operation in Philippi East on Wednesday.
4,753 Residents Registered on Jobseekers Database - Two weeks ago, we posted here about the need for unemployed Philippi jobseekers to get registered on the City of Cape Town’s Jobseekers Database, and that we would assist them with their registration.
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces.
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock. “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces. Resilient Cape Town offers a roadmap for a 21st Century metropolis to enable the city to become more resilient to growing physical, social, and economic challenges. It envisions Cape Town as a compassionate, connected, and capable city where Capetonians collaborate across households, communities, and institutions, to build collective responses to the current and future social, environmental and economic challenges. Food security partnerships The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) was established in 1998 as a Section 21 Company by the City of Cape Town in partnership with the Western Cape Provincial Government, businesses, and the community. From the outset, its primary aim was to promote economic growth and development in the Philippi Industrial area. PEDI trains emerging farmers and creates market access for them to sell their produce and support their families. Most recently, PEDI has redirected their efforts to ensure that food grown by farmers is going directly back to the communities from which it came.”
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock. “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces. Resilient Cape Town offers a roadmap for a 21st Century metropolis to enable the city to become more resilient to growing physical, social, and economic challenges. It envisions Cape Town as a compassionate, connected, and capable city where Capetonians collaborate across households, communities, and institutions, to build collective responses to the current and future social, environmental and economic challenges. Food security partnerships The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) was established in 1998 as a Section 21 Company by the City of Cape Town in partnership with the Western Cape Provincial Government, businesses, and the community. From the outset, its primary aim was to promote economic growth and development in the Philippi Industrial area. PEDI trains emerging farmers and creates market access for them to sell their produce and support their families. Most recently, PEDI has redirected their efforts to ensure that food grown by farmers is going directly back to the communities from which it came.”
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock. “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces. Resilient Cape Town offers a roadmap for a 21st Century metropolis to enable the city to become more resilient to growing physical, social, and economic challenges. It envisions Cape Town as a compassionate, connected, and capable city where Capetonians collaborate across households, communities, and institutions, to build collective responses to the current and future social, environmental and economic challenges. Food security partnerships The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) was established in 1998 as a Section 21 Company by the City of Cape Town in partnership with the Western Cape Provincial Government, businesses, and the community. From the outset, its primary aim was to promote economic growth and development in the Philippi Industrial area. PEDI trains emerging farmers and creates market access for them to sell their produce and support their families. Most recently, PEDI has redirected their efforts to ensure that food grown by farmers is going directly back to the communities from which it came.”
City of Cape Town’s Informal Trading Plan - City of Cape Town’s Informal Trading Plan Formal businesses in the Philippi area have a number of concerns with the current informal trading situation.
City Services Workshop with Aldermen and Councillors - City Services Workshop with Aldermen and Councillors The PMU team held a virtual workshop on 10 February with City of Cape Town line department managers responsible for the Philippi area. Our aim was to address service delivery challenges in Philippi and find ways for City and the PMU to collaborate on fixing them.
Philippi community, farmers to benefit from R40 million investment -
Grant Funding for PEDI Approved by Council -
Pedi signs agreement with city to train urban farmers - The City of Cape Town and the Philippi Economic Development Forum have signed a Memorandum of Agreement that sets out targets for the next 12 months in relation to PEDI’s work in urban agriculture. The MOA follows on from Council approving funding support of R 2,6 million for the current financial year, and will see 22 emerging farmers trained in organic farming methods this year. Pedi’s Philippi Urban Agriculture Academy (PUAA) trains emerging farmers to become fresh produce suppliers. The initiative has entered phase two, with the establishment of an ‘Agri-Hub’ for urban and small-scale farmers. At present the hub serves a network of just under 50 urban farmers who are drawn from the areas of Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Philippi, Mfuleni and the Bo-Kaap. ‘The training academy was launched two years ago with the first phase aimed at establishing the methodologies for producing organic crops in tunnels and open fields. The academy also established a seedling growing tunnel which can grow as much as 130 000 organic seedlings at any one time. This facility is one of only a few organic seedling producers in the Cape Metropole and certainly the only in the Philippi area,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos. The methodologies trialed at the PUAA will be shared with this network of urban farmers to bring their farms and crops to a standard that can be traded at the highest price in local, national and even international markets. ‘All this helps to bring urban and small-scale farmers to the forefront of trading their crops in a market dominated by large-scale commercial farmers. Never before was there a facility that is able to bring urban and small-scale farmers to a central space to trade, and where value-added processes can change the price points of their crops. This, in turn, will be a catalyst for economic growth and development in the area,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg. The farmers will be assisted to achieve Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) status on their farms which will assist them to demonstrate assurance of the quality of their produce. The academy also plans to take in a graduate intern for a year to hone their academic skills at the academy. Additionally, three employment opportunities will be created for unemployed matriculants from the Philippi area and surrounds for those who intend to pursue studies in agriculture. ‘The value of urban agriculture cannot be overstated and can be seen as an important sector in the local economy that helps to ensure food security, stimulate economic growth, and address unemployment,’ said Alderman Vos. The academy currently operates at the Philippi Fresh Produce Market on Stock Road, Philippi, where 13 local residents are employed under the supervision of farm manager, Ms Zodidi Meke. Two years ago, Zodidi herself was an unemployed graduate. She has excelled at the academy, and has already been acknowledged with a farmer’s award by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture at their ‘Women in Agriculture’ awards ceremony last year. The academy also employs a soil scientist to assist with norms and standards on the farm. ‘We have to constantly look at ways to help unlock economic opportunities and strengthen community partnerships. Unemployment remains a huge concern for all of us and we need to do all we can to help create jobs. Our partnership with PEDI holds immense benefits for residents who can train to become food producers. Such partnerships enable us to fulfil our mandate and create an opportunity city that benefits all its residents,’ said Alderman Twigg. Alderman James Vos and Alderman Grant Twigg went on a site tour of PEDI to inspect the facilities and progress being made in urban agriculture. The full press release from the City of Cape Town can be read here.
Pedi releases vision for informal traders - Pedi releases vision for informal traders A research report outlining a strategy for developing micro-enterprises in the Philippi East Industrial Area has been completed. The document, commissioned by the Philippi Economic Development Initiative in partnership with the City of Cape Town, and prepared by the Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation, is now being used as the basis for planning a way forward to assist informal traders to become more sustainable and to accelerate economic inclusion in the area. Authored by SLF’s Kayla Brown and Andrew Charman, the report explores the potential arising from developments in the precinct that are either underway or in planning. It provides an exciting vision for how street trade can be formalised and what infrastructure and services are required for micro-enterprises making use of public land in the Philippi area. The full report can be downloaded HERE.
Indego’s vision for the future of Philippi - Indego’s vision for the future of Philippi A fascinating insight into the possibilities that can be harnessed in the Philippi area are contained in this remarkable document researched and produced by Karen Harrison for Indego consulting services. This work was compiled in a presentation for a joint meeting of PEDI, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Provincial Department of Agriculture. This is worth a read. SEE THE FULL PRESENTATION
Pedi Agriculture Academy – One year on -
Junction Mall on track -
100% pass for Beautiful Gate matrics - Beautiful Gate is celebrating its Class of 2017 after all learners in the matric cohort of the organisation's After School programme passed their school-leaving exams.
PEDI helps academics engage with communities -
Contractors update business owners on Stock Road upgrade -
Work begins on Ithemba Labantu sportsground site - More than five years since the idea was first proposed, the Ithemba Labantu community centre has begun work on developing a new sports facility that will bring benefit to the community of Philippi.
NCOP visits Philippi -
PEDI presents Philippi vision to Western Cape Parliament -
Heritage Day event in Philippi -
PEDI welcomes probe into PHA value - PEDI has welcomed the announcement by the Provincial Department of Agriculture that a study will be undertaken to understand the agricultural value of the Philippi Horticultural Area.
Tragic death of Councillor Gwangxu - The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) is deeply distressed by the loss of a leading member of the Philippi community, Councillor Xolile Gwangxu, who has given so much to the people of the area through his work as a Director of PEDI and as a highly regarded and trusted Councillor.
PEDI Urban Agriculture Academy launched - The R3-million PEDI Urban Agriculture Academy was launched today in the precinct of the Philippi Fresh Produce Market, showcasing a ground-breaking organic vegetable growing system. This alternative to conventional farming has been welcomed as a model that can be economically transformative for the area which struggles with poverty and unemployment.
New runway plan gets green light - Big changes are on the cards for the Philippi area as the Airports Company of South Africa has just been granted environmental approval for its R3.18 billion plans to realign the runway at Cape Town International Airport.
PEDI Agriculture Academy taking shape - Work is under way to create an emerging farmer training facility at the PEDI Urban Agriculture Academy in Philippi.
Babalwa Jama joins PEDI - Youth development activist Babalwa Jama has joined the PEDI board, bringing with her a wealth of experience in issues facing the youth of the Philippi area.
PEDI hosts informal traders meeting - A meeting of informal traders in the Philippi East area has given traders an opportunity to express their views on the impact of changes coming to the area that are likely to affect their business operations in the near future.
Law enforcement going strong - The management of the peace officer project in the Philippi area has been taken over by the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement office. This follows the pilot phase of the peace officer project in terms of which PEDI had agreed to give the officers space for their base station at the PEDI office.
Invitation to a Business Opportunity Workshop - The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme will be hosting it's 8th Business Opportunity Workshop on Wednesday, 28 September 2016. This event includes a focus on Philippi. See here for your invitation.
City’s new vision for Philippi - The City of Cape Town has unveiled its vision for a massive new MyCiTi interchange in the heart of Philippi that is set to transform the area fundamentally. Announcing the plan yesterday, Mayoral Committee member for transport Brett Herron gave details of how the City hopes the convergence of of six MyCiTi routes on the corner of Eisleben Road and Govan Mbeki Road will be a catalyst to spark development in the area.
PEDI moves to Philippi Village - PEDI is delighted to announce that we have taken up offices in the Philippi Village precinct. We are excited to now be located in this busy hub in the heart of Philippi East .
Calling entrepreneurs - Young entrepreneurs with great ideas are invited to pitch their ideas to the SAB KickStart Truck that will be at Philippi Village this Friday, 24 June 216, or to enter online before 15 July to win business assistance.
Dhladhla Foundation -
Aerotropolis - Cape Town is on the brink of an exciting new phase of its history with much discussion and research under way on how best to turn it into an Aerotropolis city that can bring economic and social benefits to the people of the region.
Industrial Survey shows opportunities - Philippi is set to become a focus for development of a metal industry cluster, particularly in the area of metal furniture manufacture, after a City of Cape Town study showed that this industry is already taking shape in the area and could be consolidated to boost the local economy.
Peace Officer Project Launch - A pilot project to deploy a team of specially trained law enforcement officers to the Philippi East area was launched at the Philippi Business Retention and Expansion summit hosted by PEDI on 17 April.
Ithemba Labantu -
Beautiful Gate: Working for Family -
Teguka Business Park -
Plastoil -
Transforming the Central Suburbs – Thomas Swana - In Philippi East, a suburb at the heart of the city’s Eastern region, the challenges seem at first glance to be as great as anywhere. It is a poor area, where unemployment is high and opportunity has been constrained by history.
Edith Stephen Wetland Park -
Planners focus on Philippi - Planners from a range of departments from the City of Cape Town gathered at Philippi Village to hear from researchers about the key services that Philippi needs to be able to grow.
Stock Rd Upgrade Begins - Work has started in Stock Road to prepare for the expansion of the MyCiTi public transport network, with contractor Martin & East having begun grading and clearing work.
The Opportunity Cycle - There are several parts of Cape Town where communities share a dream of transforming their bleak and broken horizons to clean, landscaped and welcoming residential and business zones. There are a series of catalysts that can fundamentally alter the trajectory of their story, but finding the right keys in the face of the entrenched inheritance of disadvantage is dauntingly difficult, often seemingly impossible.
Partnership for Tunnel Farm - PEDI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dhladhla Foundation to develop a Tunnel Farming operation in the heart of Philippi that will not only provide jobs for local residents, but will also eventually be the location of a training academy for emerging farmers.
Transforming the Borcherd’s Quarry/N2 interchange - A major Provincial Government investment of R610m will see the transformation of the N2/Borcherd's Quarry interchange – a project that will fundamentally change the way that Philippi fits into the economy of the City of Cape Town.
Agriprotein Turns to Flies - Agriprotein is an exciting venture in the waste economy space that will see the world’s first commercial-scale fly farming operation being set up in Philippi.
Turning Waste into Food - A thriving social and environmental start-up business is starting to make waves in Cape Town. Not only has Waste to Food managed to show that there is real commercial value in recycling our food waste, but the business has now been recognised with an award from the University of Stel-lenbosch’s Small Business Academy.
Philippi Village rises - Out of the ruins of a derelict cement factory in the heart of one of Cape Town’s poorest suburbs, an astonishing hub of enterprise and activity is rising. Philippi Village has ambitions to change the way local business in the area is conducted, offering the kind of A-grade office environment you might expect in the buzz of Cape Town’s trendier urban spaces.
The Road to Better Fortunes - The reimagining of Philippi East, a blighted suburb of Cape Town that has struggled to shake off the yoke thrust upon it by Apartheid’s economic design, is one step closer to possibility as authorities prepare to break ground on the first of a series of catalytic infrastructure projects that hold the promise of radical change.
Mayor Launches Presidential Employment Programme (PEP) - 444 PEP Participants Started Work All 444 participants of the PEDI Presidential Employment Programme (PEP) recently gathered together for the first time at the Philippi Village amphitheater.
The PEP Beautification & Placemaking team is making a difference in Philippi -
Mayor Launches new Philippi Agrihub - Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Ald. James Vos celebrated the launch of the new Philippi Agrihub together with representatives from the City’s Economic Growth departments (Urban Catalytic Investment; Area Economic Development; Property), Provincial Government, Department of Agriculture, and other guests.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers descend on Cape Town’s Philippi East in joint operation - More than 750 officers from the Cape Town Metro Police, Traffic Services, Law Enforcement and the South African Police Service participated in an integrated law enforcement operation in Philippi East on Wednesday.
4,753 Residents Registered on Jobseekers Database - Two weeks ago, we posted here about the need for unemployed Philippi jobseekers to get registered on the City of Cape Town’s Jobseekers Database, and that we would assist them with their registration.
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces.
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock. “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces. Resilient Cape Town offers a roadmap for a 21st Century metropolis to enable the city to become more resilient to growing physical, social, and economic challenges. It envisions Cape Town as a compassionate, connected, and capable city where Capetonians collaborate across households, communities, and institutions, to build collective responses to the current and future social, environmental and economic challenges. Food security partnerships The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) was established in 1998 as a Section 21 Company by the City of Cape Town in partnership with the Western Cape Provincial Government, businesses, and the community. From the outset, its primary aim was to promote economic growth and development in the Philippi Industrial area. PEDI trains emerging farmers and creates market access for them to sell their produce and support their families. Most recently, PEDI has redirected their efforts to ensure that food grown by farmers is going directly back to the communities from which it came.”
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock. “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces. Resilient Cape Town offers a roadmap for a 21st Century metropolis to enable the city to become more resilient to growing physical, social, and economic challenges. It envisions Cape Town as a compassionate, connected, and capable city where Capetonians collaborate across households, communities, and institutions, to build collective responses to the current and future social, environmental and economic challenges. Food security partnerships The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) was established in 1998 as a Section 21 Company by the City of Cape Town in partnership with the Western Cape Provincial Government, businesses, and the community. From the outset, its primary aim was to promote economic growth and development in the Philippi Industrial area. PEDI trains emerging farmers and creates market access for them to sell their produce and support their families. Most recently, PEDI has redirected their efforts to ensure that food grown by farmers is going directly back to the communities from which it came.”
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock. “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces. Resilient Cape Town offers a roadmap for a 21st Century metropolis to enable the city to become more resilient to growing physical, social, and economic challenges. It envisions Cape Town as a compassionate, connected, and capable city where Capetonians collaborate across households, communities, and institutions, to build collective responses to the current and future social, environmental and economic challenges. Food security partnerships The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) was established in 1998 as a Section 21 Company by the City of Cape Town in partnership with the Western Cape Provincial Government, businesses, and the community. From the outset, its primary aim was to promote economic growth and development in the Philippi Industrial area. PEDI trains emerging farmers and creates market access for them to sell their produce and support their families. Most recently, PEDI has redirected their efforts to ensure that food grown by farmers is going directly back to the communities from which it came.”
City of Cape Town’s Informal Trading Plan - City of Cape Town’s Informal Trading Plan Formal businesses in the Philippi area have a number of concerns with the current informal trading situation.
City Services Workshop with Aldermen and Councillors - City Services Workshop with Aldermen and Councillors The PMU team held a virtual workshop on 10 February with City of Cape Town line department managers responsible for the Philippi area. Our aim was to address service delivery challenges in Philippi and find ways for City and the PMU to collaborate on fixing them.
Philippi community, farmers to benefit from R40 million investment -
Grant Funding for PEDI Approved by Council -
Pedi signs agreement with city to train urban farmers - The City of Cape Town and the Philippi Economic Development Forum have signed a Memorandum of Agreement that sets out targets for the next 12 months in relation to PEDI’s work in urban agriculture. The MOA follows on from Council approving funding support of R 2,6 million for the current financial year, and will see 22 emerging farmers trained in organic farming methods this year. Pedi’s Philippi Urban Agriculture Academy (PUAA) trains emerging farmers to become fresh produce suppliers. The initiative has entered phase two, with the establishment of an ‘Agri-Hub’ for urban and small-scale farmers. At present the hub serves a network of just under 50 urban farmers who are drawn from the areas of Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Philippi, Mfuleni and the Bo-Kaap. ‘The training academy was launched two years ago with the first phase aimed at establishing the methodologies for producing organic crops in tunnels and open fields. The academy also established a seedling growing tunnel which can grow as much as 130 000 organic seedlings at any one time. This facility is one of only a few organic seedling producers in the Cape Metropole and certainly the only in the Philippi area,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos. The methodologies trialed at the PUAA will be shared with this network of urban farmers to bring their farms and crops to a standard that can be traded at the highest price in local, national and even international markets. ‘All this helps to bring urban and small-scale farmers to the forefront of trading their crops in a market dominated by large-scale commercial farmers. Never before was there a facility that is able to bring urban and small-scale farmers to a central space to trade, and where value-added processes can change the price points of their crops. This, in turn, will be a catalyst for economic growth and development in the area,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg. The farmers will be assisted to achieve Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) status on their farms which will assist them to demonstrate assurance of the quality of their produce. The academy also plans to take in a graduate intern for a year to hone their academic skills at the academy. Additionally, three employment opportunities will be created for unemployed matriculants from the Philippi area and surrounds for those who intend to pursue studies in agriculture. ‘The value of urban agriculture cannot be overstated and can be seen as an important sector in the local economy that helps to ensure food security, stimulate economic growth, and address unemployment,’ said Alderman Vos. The academy currently operates at the Philippi Fresh Produce Market on Stock Road, Philippi, where 13 local residents are employed under the supervision of farm manager, Ms Zodidi Meke. Two years ago, Zodidi herself was an unemployed graduate. She has excelled at the academy, and has already been acknowledged with a farmer’s award by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture at their ‘Women in Agriculture’ awards ceremony last year. The academy also employs a soil scientist to assist with norms and standards on the farm. ‘We have to constantly look at ways to help unlock economic opportunities and strengthen community partnerships. Unemployment remains a huge concern for all of us and we need to do all we can to help create jobs. Our partnership with PEDI holds immense benefits for residents who can train to become food producers. Such partnerships enable us to fulfil our mandate and create an opportunity city that benefits all its residents,’ said Alderman Twigg. Alderman James Vos and Alderman Grant Twigg went on a site tour of PEDI to inspect the facilities and progress being made in urban agriculture. The full press release from the City of Cape Town can be read here.
Pedi releases vision for informal traders - Pedi releases vision for informal traders A research report outlining a strategy for developing micro-enterprises in the Philippi East Industrial Area has been completed. The document, commissioned by the Philippi Economic Development Initiative in partnership with the City of Cape Town, and prepared by the Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation, is now being used as the basis for planning a way forward to assist informal traders to become more sustainable and to accelerate economic inclusion in the area. Authored by SLF’s Kayla Brown and Andrew Charman, the report explores the potential arising from developments in the precinct that are either underway or in planning. It provides an exciting vision for how street trade can be formalised and what infrastructure and services are required for micro-enterprises making use of public land in the Philippi area. The full report can be downloaded HERE.
Indego’s vision for the future of Philippi - Indego’s vision for the future of Philippi A fascinating insight into the possibilities that can be harnessed in the Philippi area are contained in this remarkable document researched and produced by Karen Harrison for Indego consulting services. This work was compiled in a presentation for a joint meeting of PEDI, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Provincial Department of Agriculture. This is worth a read. SEE THE FULL PRESENTATION
Pedi Agriculture Academy – One year on -
Junction Mall on track -
100% pass for Beautiful Gate matrics - Beautiful Gate is celebrating its Class of 2017 after all learners in the matric cohort of the organisation's After School programme passed their school-leaving exams.
PEDI helps academics engage with communities -
Contractors update business owners on Stock Road upgrade -
Work begins on Ithemba Labantu sportsground site - More than five years since the idea was first proposed, the Ithemba Labantu community centre has begun work on developing a new sports facility that will bring benefit to the community of Philippi.
NCOP visits Philippi -
PEDI presents Philippi vision to Western Cape Parliament -
Heritage Day event in Philippi -
PEDI welcomes probe into PHA value - PEDI has welcomed the announcement by the Provincial Department of Agriculture that a study will be undertaken to understand the agricultural value of the Philippi Horticultural Area.
Tragic death of Councillor Gwangxu - The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) is deeply distressed by the loss of a leading member of the Philippi community, Councillor Xolile Gwangxu, who has given so much to the people of the area through his work as a Director of PEDI and as a highly regarded and trusted Councillor.
PEDI Urban Agriculture Academy launched - The R3-million PEDI Urban Agriculture Academy was launched today in the precinct of the Philippi Fresh Produce Market, showcasing a ground-breaking organic vegetable growing system. This alternative to conventional farming has been welcomed as a model that can be economically transformative for the area which struggles with poverty and unemployment.
New runway plan gets green light - Big changes are on the cards for the Philippi area as the Airports Company of South Africa has just been granted environmental approval for its R3.18 billion plans to realign the runway at Cape Town International Airport.
PEDI Agriculture Academy taking shape - Work is under way to create an emerging farmer training facility at the PEDI Urban Agriculture Academy in Philippi.
Babalwa Jama joins PEDI - Youth development activist Babalwa Jama has joined the PEDI board, bringing with her a wealth of experience in issues facing the youth of the Philippi area.
PEDI hosts informal traders meeting - A meeting of informal traders in the Philippi East area has given traders an opportunity to express their views on the impact of changes coming to the area that are likely to affect their business operations in the near future.
Law enforcement going strong - The management of the peace officer project in the Philippi area has been taken over by the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement office. This follows the pilot phase of the peace officer project in terms of which PEDI had agreed to give the officers space for their base station at the PEDI office.
Invitation to a Business Opportunity Workshop - The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme will be hosting it's 8th Business Opportunity Workshop on Wednesday, 28 September 2016. This event includes a focus on Philippi. See here for your invitation.
City’s new vision for Philippi - The City of Cape Town has unveiled its vision for a massive new MyCiTi interchange in the heart of Philippi that is set to transform the area fundamentally. Announcing the plan yesterday, Mayoral Committee member for transport Brett Herron gave details of how the City hopes the convergence of of six MyCiTi routes on the corner of Eisleben Road and Govan Mbeki Road will be a catalyst to spark development in the area.
PEDI moves to Philippi Village - PEDI is delighted to announce that we have taken up offices in the Philippi Village precinct. We are excited to now be located in this busy hub in the heart of Philippi East .
Calling entrepreneurs - Young entrepreneurs with great ideas are invited to pitch their ideas to the SAB KickStart Truck that will be at Philippi Village this Friday, 24 June 216, or to enter online before 15 July to win business assistance.
Dhladhla Foundation -
Aerotropolis - Cape Town is on the brink of an exciting new phase of its history with much discussion and research under way on how best to turn it into an Aerotropolis city that can bring economic and social benefits to the people of the region.
Industrial Survey shows opportunities - Philippi is set to become a focus for development of a metal industry cluster, particularly in the area of metal furniture manufacture, after a City of Cape Town study showed that this industry is already taking shape in the area and could be consolidated to boost the local economy.
Peace Officer Project Launch - A pilot project to deploy a team of specially trained law enforcement officers to the Philippi East area was launched at the Philippi Business Retention and Expansion summit hosted by PEDI on 17 April.
Ithemba Labantu -
Beautiful Gate: Working for Family -
Teguka Business Park -
Plastoil -
Transforming the Central Suburbs – Thomas Swana - In Philippi East, a suburb at the heart of the city’s Eastern region, the challenges seem at first glance to be as great as anywhere. It is a poor area, where unemployment is high and opportunity has been constrained by history.
Edith Stephen Wetland Park -
Planners focus on Philippi - Planners from a range of departments from the City of Cape Town gathered at Philippi Village to hear from researchers about the key services that Philippi needs to be able to grow.
Stock Rd Upgrade Begins - Work has started in Stock Road to prepare for the expansion of the MyCiTi public transport network, with contractor Martin & East having begun grading and clearing work.
The Opportunity Cycle - There are several parts of Cape Town where communities share a dream of transforming their bleak and broken horizons to clean, landscaped and welcoming residential and business zones. There are a series of catalysts that can fundamentally alter the trajectory of their story, but finding the right keys in the face of the entrenched inheritance of disadvantage is dauntingly difficult, often seemingly impossible.
Partnership for Tunnel Farm - PEDI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dhladhla Foundation to develop a Tunnel Farming operation in the heart of Philippi that will not only provide jobs for local residents, but will also eventually be the location of a training academy for emerging farmers.
Transforming the Borcherd’s Quarry/N2 interchange - A major Provincial Government investment of R610m will see the transformation of the N2/Borcherd's Quarry interchange – a project that will fundamentally change the way that Philippi fits into the economy of the City of Cape Town.
Agriprotein Turns to Flies - Agriprotein is an exciting venture in the waste economy space that will see the world’s first commercial-scale fly farming operation being set up in Philippi.
Turning Waste into Food - A thriving social and environmental start-up business is starting to make waves in Cape Town. Not only has Waste to Food managed to show that there is real commercial value in recycling our food waste, but the business has now been recognised with an award from the University of Stel-lenbosch’s Small Business Academy.
Philippi Village rises - Out of the ruins of a derelict cement factory in the heart of one of Cape Town’s poorest suburbs, an astonishing hub of enterprise and activity is rising. Philippi Village has ambitions to change the way local business in the area is conducted, offering the kind of A-grade office environment you might expect in the buzz of Cape Town’s trendier urban spaces.
The Road to Better Fortunes - The reimagining of Philippi East, a blighted suburb of Cape Town that has struggled to shake off the yoke thrust upon it by Apartheid’s economic design, is one step closer to possibility as authorities prepare to break ground on the first of a series of catalytic infrastructure projects that hold the promise of radical change.
Mayor Launches Presidential Employment Programme (PEP) - 444 PEP Participants Started Work All 444 participants of the PEDI Presidential Employment Programme (PEP) recently gathered together for the first time at the Philippi Village amphitheater.
The PEP Beautification & Placemaking team is making a difference in Philippi -
Mayor Launches new Philippi Agrihub - Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Ald. James Vos celebrated the launch of the new Philippi Agrihub together with representatives from the City’s Economic Growth departments (Urban Catalytic Investment; Area Economic Development; Property), Provincial Government, Department of Agriculture, and other guests.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers descend on Cape Town’s Philippi East in joint operation - More than 750 officers from the Cape Town Metro Police, Traffic Services, Law Enforcement and the South African Police Service participated in an integrated law enforcement operation in Philippi East on Wednesday.
4,753 Residents Registered on Jobseekers Database - Two weeks ago, we posted here about the need for unemployed Philippi jobseekers to get registered on the City of Cape Town’s Jobseekers Database, and that we would assist them with their registration.
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces.
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock. “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces. Resilient Cape Town offers a roadmap for a 21st Century metropolis to enable the city to become more resilient to growing physical, social, and economic challenges. It envisions Cape Town as a compassionate, connected, and capable city where Capetonians collaborate across households, communities, and institutions, to build collective responses to the current and future social, environmental and economic challenges. Food security partnerships The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) was established in 1998 as a Section 21 Company by the City of Cape Town in partnership with the Western Cape Provincial Government, businesses, and the community. From the outset, its primary aim was to promote economic growth and development in the Philippi Industrial area. PEDI trains emerging farmers and creates market access for them to sell their produce and support their families. Most recently, PEDI has redirected their efforts to ensure that food grown by farmers is going directly back to the communities from which it came.”
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock. “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces. Resilient Cape Town offers a roadmap for a 21st Century metropolis to enable the city to become more resilient to growing physical, social, and economic challenges. It envisions Cape Town as a compassionate, connected, and capable city where Capetonians collaborate across households, communities, and institutions, to build collective responses to the current and future social, environmental and economic challenges. Food security partnerships The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) was established in 1998 as a Section 21 Company by the City of Cape Town in partnership with the Western Cape Provincial Government, businesses, and the community. From the outset, its primary aim was to promote economic growth and development in the Philippi Industrial area. PEDI trains emerging farmers and creates market access for them to sell their produce and support their families. Most recently, PEDI has redirected their efforts to ensure that food grown by farmers is going directly back to the communities from which it came.”
PEDI Food Security Collaborations and Partnerships - Covid-19 local food security response: Mobilising partnerships to build community resilience during an acute shock. “Cape Town’s Resilience Strategy is a commitment to ensure that the City thrives in the future regardless of what shocks and stresses it faces. Resilient Cape Town offers a roadmap for a 21st Century metropolis to enable the city to become more resilient to growing physical, social, and economic challenges. It envisions Cape Town as a compassionate, connected, and capable city where Capetonians collaborate across households, communities, and institutions, to build collective responses to the current and future social, environmental and economic challenges. Food security partnerships The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) was established in 1998 as a Section 21 Company by the City of Cape Town in partnership with the Western Cape Provincial Government, businesses, and the community. From the outset, its primary aim was to promote economic growth and development in the Philippi Industrial area. PEDI trains emerging farmers and creates market access for them to sell their produce and support their families. Most recently, PEDI has redirected their efforts to ensure that food grown by farmers is going directly back to the communities from which it came.”
City of Cape Town’s Informal Trading Plan - City of Cape Town’s Informal Trading Plan Formal businesses in the Philippi area have a number of concerns with the current informal trading situation.
City Services Workshop with Aldermen and Councillors - City Services Workshop with Aldermen and Councillors The PMU team held a virtual workshop on 10 February with City of Cape Town line department managers responsible for the Philippi area. Our aim was to address service delivery challenges in Philippi and find ways for City and the PMU to collaborate on fixing them.
Philippi community, farmers to benefit from R40 million investment -
Grant Funding for PEDI Approved by Council -
Pedi signs agreement with city to train urban farmers - The City of Cape Town and the Philippi Economic Development Forum have signed a Memorandum of Agreement that sets out targets for the next 12 months in relation to PEDI’s work in urban agriculture. The MOA follows on from Council approving funding support of R 2,6 million for the current financial year, and will see 22 emerging farmers trained in organic farming methods this year. Pedi’s Philippi Urban Agriculture Academy (PUAA) trains emerging farmers to become fresh produce suppliers. The initiative has entered phase two, with the establishment of an ‘Agri-Hub’ for urban and small-scale farmers. At present the hub serves a network of just under 50 urban farmers who are drawn from the areas of Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Philippi, Mfuleni and the Bo-Kaap. ‘The training academy was launched two years ago with the first phase aimed at establishing the methodologies for producing organic crops in tunnels and open fields. The academy also established a seedling growing tunnel which can grow as much as 130 000 organic seedlings at any one time. This facility is one of only a few organic seedling producers in the Cape Metropole and certainly the only in the Philippi area,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos. The methodologies trialed at the PUAA will be shared with this network of urban farmers to bring their farms and crops to a standard that can be traded at the highest price in local, national and even international markets. ‘All this helps to bring urban and small-scale farmers to the forefront of trading their crops in a market dominated by large-scale commercial farmers. Never before was there a facility that is able to bring urban and small-scale farmers to a central space to trade, and where value-added processes can change the price points of their crops. This, in turn, will be a catalyst for economic growth and development in the area,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg. The farmers will be assisted to achieve Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) status on their farms which will assist them to demonstrate assurance of the quality of their produce. The academy also plans to take in a graduate intern for a year to hone their academic skills at the academy. Additionally, three employment opportunities will be created for unemployed matriculants from the Philippi area and surrounds for those who intend to pursue studies in agriculture. ‘The value of urban agriculture cannot be overstated and can be seen as an important sector in the local economy that helps to ensure food security, stimulate economic growth, and address unemployment,’ said Alderman Vos. The academy currently operates at the Philippi Fresh Produce Market on Stock Road, Philippi, where 13 local residents are employed under the supervision of farm manager, Ms Zodidi Meke. Two years ago, Zodidi herself was an unemployed graduate. She has excelled at the academy, and has already been acknowledged with a farmer’s award by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture at their ‘Women in Agriculture’ awards ceremony last year. The academy also employs a soil scientist to assist with norms and standards on the farm. ‘We have to constantly look at ways to help unlock economic opportunities and strengthen community partnerships. Unemployment remains a huge concern for all of us and we need to do all we can to help create jobs. Our partnership with PEDI holds immense benefits for residents who can train to become food producers. Such partnerships enable us to fulfil our mandate and create an opportunity city that benefits all its residents,’ said Alderman Twigg. Alderman James Vos and Alderman Grant Twigg went on a site tour of PEDI to inspect the facilities and progress being made in urban agriculture. The full press release from the City of Cape Town can be read here.
Pedi releases vision for informal traders - Pedi releases vision for informal traders A research report outlining a strategy for developing micro-enterprises in the Philippi East Industrial Area has been completed. The document, commissioned by the Philippi Economic Development Initiative in partnership with the City of Cape Town, and prepared by the Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation, is now being used as the basis for planning a way forward to assist informal traders to become more sustainable and to accelerate economic inclusion in the area. Authored by SLF’s Kayla Brown and Andrew Charman, the report explores the potential arising from developments in the precinct that are either underway or in planning. It provides an exciting vision for how street trade can be formalised and what infrastructure and services are required for micro-enterprises making use of public land in the Philippi area. The full report can be downloaded HERE.
Indego’s vision for the future of Philippi - Indego’s vision for the future of Philippi A fascinating insight into the possibilities that can be harnessed in the Philippi area are contained in this remarkable document researched and produced by Karen Harrison for Indego consulting services. This work was compiled in a presentation for a joint meeting of PEDI, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Provincial Department of Agriculture. This is worth a read. SEE THE FULL PRESENTATION
Pedi Agriculture Academy – One year on -
Junction Mall on track -
100% pass for Beautiful Gate matrics - Beautiful Gate is celebrating its Class of 2017 after all learners in the matric cohort of the organisation's After School programme passed their school-leaving exams.
PEDI helps academics engage with communities -
Contractors update business owners on Stock Road upgrade -
Work begins on Ithemba Labantu sportsground site - More than five years since the idea was first proposed, the Ithemba Labantu community centre has begun work on developing a new sports facility that will bring benefit to the community of Philippi.
NCOP visits Philippi -
PEDI presents Philippi vision to Western Cape Parliament -
Heritage Day event in Philippi -
PEDI welcomes probe into PHA value - PEDI has welcomed the announcement by the Provincial Department of Agriculture that a study will be undertaken to understand the agricultural value of the Philippi Horticultural Area.
Tragic death of Councillor Gwangxu - The Philippi Economic Development Initiative (PEDI) is deeply distressed by the loss of a leading member of the Philippi community, Councillor Xolile Gwangxu, who has given so much to the people of the area through his work as a Director of PEDI and as a highly regarded and trusted Councillor.
PEDI Urban Agriculture Academy launched - The R3-million PEDI Urban Agriculture Academy was launched today in the precinct of the Philippi Fresh Produce Market, showcasing a ground-breaking organic vegetable growing system. This alternative to conventional farming has been welcomed as a model that can be economically transformative for the area which struggles with poverty and unemployment.
New runway plan gets green light - Big changes are on the cards for the Philippi area as the Airports Company of South Africa has just been granted environmental approval for its R3.18 billion plans to realign the runway at Cape Town International Airport.
PEDI Agriculture Academy taking shape - Work is under way to create an emerging farmer training facility at the PEDI Urban Agriculture Academy in Philippi.
Babalwa Jama joins PEDI - Youth development activist Babalwa Jama has joined the PEDI board, bringing with her a wealth of experience in issues facing the youth of the Philippi area.
PEDI hosts informal traders meeting - A meeting of informal traders in the Philippi East area has given traders an opportunity to express their views on the impact of changes coming to the area that are likely to affect their business operations in the near future.
Law enforcement going strong - The management of the peace officer project in the Philippi area has been taken over by the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement office. This follows the pilot phase of the peace officer project in terms of which PEDI had agreed to give the officers space for their base station at the PEDI office.
Invitation to a Business Opportunity Workshop - The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme will be hosting it's 8th Business Opportunity Workshop on Wednesday, 28 September 2016. This event includes a focus on Philippi. See here for your invitation.
City’s new vision for Philippi - The City of Cape Town has unveiled its vision for a massive new MyCiTi interchange in the heart of Philippi that is set to transform the area fundamentally. Announcing the plan yesterday, Mayoral Committee member for transport Brett Herron gave details of how the City hopes the convergence of of six MyCiTi routes on the corner of Eisleben Road and Govan Mbeki Road will be a catalyst to spark development in the area.
PEDI moves to Philippi Village - PEDI is delighted to announce that we have taken up offices in the Philippi Village precinct. We are excited to now be located in this busy hub in the heart of Philippi East .
Calling entrepreneurs - Young entrepreneurs with great ideas are invited to pitch their ideas to the SAB KickStart Truck that will be at Philippi Village this Friday, 24 June 216, or to enter online before 15 July to win business assistance.
Dhladhla Foundation -
Aerotropolis - Cape Town is on the brink of an exciting new phase of its history with much discussion and research under way on how best to turn it into an Aerotropolis city that can bring economic and social benefits to the people of the region.
Industrial Survey shows opportunities - Philippi is set to become a focus for development of a metal industry cluster, particularly in the area of metal furniture manufacture, after a City of Cape Town study showed that this industry is already taking shape in the area and could be consolidated to boost the local economy.
Peace Officer Project Launch - A pilot project to deploy a team of specially trained law enforcement officers to the Philippi East area was launched at the Philippi Business Retention and Expansion summit hosted by PEDI on 17 April.
Ithemba Labantu -
Beautiful Gate: Working for Family -
Teguka Business Park -
Plastoil -
Transforming the Central Suburbs – Thomas Swana - In Philippi East, a suburb at the heart of the city’s Eastern region, the challenges seem at first glance to be as great as anywhere. It is a poor area, where unemployment is high and opportunity has been constrained by history.
Edith Stephen Wetland Park -
Planners focus on Philippi - Planners from a range of departments from the City of Cape Town gathered at Philippi Village to hear from researchers about the key services that Philippi needs to be able to grow.
Stock Rd Upgrade Begins - Work has started in Stock Road to prepare for the expansion of the MyCiTi public transport network, with contractor Martin & East having begun grading and clearing work.
The Opportunity Cycle - There are several parts of Cape Town where communities share a dream of transforming their bleak and broken horizons to clean, landscaped and welcoming residential and business zones. There are a series of catalysts that can fundamentally alter the trajectory of their story, but finding the right keys in the face of the entrenched inheritance of disadvantage is dauntingly difficult, often seemingly impossible.
Partnership for Tunnel Farm - PEDI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dhladhla Foundation to develop a Tunnel Farming operation in the heart of Philippi that will not only provide jobs for local residents, but will also eventually be the location of a training academy for emerging farmers.
Transforming the Borcherd’s Quarry/N2 interchange - A major Provincial Government investment of R610m will see the transformation of the N2/Borcherd's Quarry interchange – a project that will fundamentally change the way that Philippi fits into the economy of the City of Cape Town.
Agriprotein Turns to Flies - Agriprotein is an exciting venture in the waste economy space that will see the world’s first commercial-scale fly farming operation being set up in Philippi.
Turning Waste into Food - A thriving social and environmental start-up business is starting to make waves in Cape Town. Not only has Waste to Food managed to show that there is real commercial value in recycling our food waste, but the business has now been recognised with an award from the University of Stel-lenbosch’s Small Business Academy.
Philippi Village rises - Out of the ruins of a derelict cement factory in the heart of one of Cape Town’s poorest suburbs, an astonishing hub of enterprise and activity is rising. Philippi Village has ambitions to change the way local business in the area is conducted, offering the kind of A-grade office environment you might expect in the buzz of Cape Town’s trendier urban spaces.
The Road to Better Fortunes - The reimagining of Philippi East, a blighted suburb of Cape Town that has struggled to shake off the yoke thrust upon it by Apartheid’s economic design, is one step closer to possibility as authorities prepare to break ground on the first of a series of catalytic infrastructure projects that hold the promise of radical change.