UFH hosts yet another insightful Archbishop Thabo Makgoba annual lecture -delivered by Mr Luvuyo Mosana
The Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Annual Lecture once more lived up to its objective of creating a platform for insight and meaningful dialogue on local economic development.
In its fifth year running, themed: Leadership in Local Economic Development, the lecture is a joint venture between the University of Fort Hare and the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust.
The session was held on the 23rd of August at the ABC Hall on the East London campus, the first in-person session since post Covid-19 regulations. The event was also live-streamed to a virtual audience.
Joining virtually, the Arch gave background to the purpose of the lectures which are also held at six other universities. “The aim is to get Africans talking and to create solutions for African problems,” he said. The Arch’s son Nyakallo Makgoba attended the live event on behalf of his father.
Since its inception in 2018, the lectures have been honoured by highly influential speakers who are key role players in the economic development sector. They include Ms Thokozile Xasa, the then Minister of Sport and Recreation; Mr Thembinkosi Bonakele former SA Competition Commissioner; Dr Lulu Gwagwa, SA’s first black Town Planner; and Dr Batandwa Siswana who is a public finance specialist.
This year was no exception, the keynote speaker was Mr Luvuyo Mosana, the Chief Executive Officer at the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council (ECSECC), a public entity organization whose vision is to see a prosperous and productive Eastern Cape where all people realize their potential.
As the CEO, Mr Mosana is responsible for facilitating policy strategy and technical dialogue with stakeholders on socio-economic development issues, designing and facilitating the implementation of strategies and interventions aimed at growing the economy, creating jobs, and combating socio-economic disparities.
He also designs and packages strategic development and or infrastructure projects for resources leveraging from government, SOEs and the private sector. He also leads consultants and contractors to ensure timely and efficient program implementation.
Mr Mosana holds a Masters degree in Politics and Political Economy from Nelson Mandela University, a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree from the University of Fort Hare. He has also completed trainings in Strategic Planning & Management at the University of the Witwatersrand, Public Service Management, and Public Budgeting & Fiscal Management in Sweden and Organizational Development at the New School For Social Research University in New York.
Speaking from his rich knowledge and experience in development planning and executive management Mr Mosana gave a passionate and profound address on the state of leadership in local economic development.
He spoke about some of the crisis that impedes local economic development such as the current Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine which has impacted the cost of living.
Mr Mosana also reminded the audience and participants of a saying that states; “From all crises, there is a silver lining.”
He also spoke passionately about the importance of leaders knowing their purpose. “It is critical for leaders in local development to understand their why. To be elected in a position of responsibility, among other things, the first is to establish your purpose.”
The key address was followed by an equally insightful and robust question-and-answer session.
Click here to watch the recording of the session:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1-u2ubnw7Y