EAST LONDON- The Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency(ECRDA) has marked the beginning of 2025 with two significant appointments, welcoming Mr. Simpiwe Somdyala as the new Chief Executive Officer(CEO), Mr. Bongo Giyose as the Executive for Rural Financial Services and Mr. Somdyala brings an impressive 30-year background in Small Medium and Micro Enterprises(SMME) development, enterprise finance and agribusiness to the table.
His experience spans various roles, including CEO of Amadlelo Agri (PTY) LTD, General Manager for Corporate Affairs at Old Mutual Limited and CEO of the Old Mutual Masisizane Fund. He holds an Honours B Com and an MBA degree with additional certifications from prestigious universities.
Mr. Giyose on the other hand boasts over 15 years of experience in development finance with a proven track record in the Eastern Cape province, as the new executive for Rural Financial Services he will lead funding mobilization, financing activities and investment facilitation across the province.
In addition, Mr. Giyose holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration and an MBA degree from the Nelson Mandela Business School. These appointments are part of the ECRDA’s efforts to rebuild and stabilize the organization, focusing on its mandate of rural development.
Furthermore, the agency aims to improve its governance and address past challenges with the only remaining executive-level vacancy being that of Corporate Services, which is expected to be filled by the end of January 2025.
According to ECRDA Chairperson of the Board Nondumiso Maphazi, “These appointments together with the ones we announced in September 2024, are part of a necessary ingredient in rebuilding and stabilizing this organization to focus on its mandate of rural development.”
In a statement released on 6th January 2025 by ECRDA Communication Service Manager Noba Tembu Pako, the ECRDA is optimistic about its future, building on improvements made in the 2023/24 financial year including an improved audit outcome from a disclaimer to a qualified opinion.
photograph: supplied
