The Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) is the department of the Western Cape Government responsible for economic planning, economic policy, and economic development within the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
The Department is also responsible for achieving breakout economic growth, with an economy that is sustainable, resilient, and diverse, generating confidence, hope, and opportunities to thrive.
Vision
The Department’s vision is a Western Cape that has a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable economy, characterised by growth, employment and equitable opportunities, and built on the full potential of all.
The department’s organisational structure encompasses:
- Integrated economic development
- Administration
- Business regulation and governance
- Trade and sector development
- Tourism, arts and entertainment
- Economic planning
- Strategic initiatives
- Skills development and innovation
Mission
To achieve this vision, the department leads the Western Cape economy using its understanding of the regional economy, its ability to identify economic opportunities and potential, and its contribution to government economic priorities.
The department is the critical link between communities, business and government. It not only implements projects and programmes, but also influences economic growth, development and inclusion, a key strategic objective of the Western Cape Government.
Goal
The goal of the Department is to create the opportunities for businesses and citizens to grow the economy and employment. This is to be achieved by embracing five key focus areas:
- Infrastructure-led growth
- Enabling business environment
- Economic strategy and policy
- Decreased skills gap
- Demand-led private sector driven support
Reporting Entities
- Freeport Saldanha
- Wesgro (Cape Town and Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency)
- Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ)
Office Bearers/Management
| MEC: | Dr Ivan Meyer (Minister: Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism) (Democratic Alliance) |
| Head of Department: | Jo-Ann Johnston |
| CFO: | Mymoena Abrahams |
| Deputy Directors General: | – Rashid Toefy (Economic Operations) – Ilse Van Schalkwyk (Strategic Economic Accelerators and Development) |
| Chief Directors: | – Helen Davies (Green Economy) – Nezaam Joseph (Skills Development) – Tim Parle (Digital Economy) – John Peters (Economic Enablement) – Ilse van Schalkwyk (Economic Sector Support and Tourism, Arts and Entertainment) |
| Directors: | – Tshegang Chipeya (Research, Policy and Planning) – Fayruz Dharsey (Municipal Economic Support) – Goodwell Dingaan (Agri-processing Sector) – Olivia Dyers (Digital Leadership) – Michelle Ellis (Red Tape Reduction) – Herman Jonker (Coordination of Industrial Development) – Cheryl Julies (Strategic and Operational Support) – Rahima Loghdey (Skills Incentives) – Melissa Parker (Provincial Skills and Partnership) – Jacques Stoltz (Tourism) – Ajay Trikam (Energy) – Joshua Wolmarans (Enterprise Development) |
| Senior Management: | – Sharon Daniels-Robertson (Office of the HOD) – Janelle Hartman (Office of the HOD) – Courtney Titus (Office of the HOD) |
| Communications Officers: | – Joe-Mark Arnold (Head of Communications) – Viola May |
Contact Details
The contact details of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | 12th Floor, NBS Waldorf Building, 80 St George’s Mall, Cape Town, 8001 |
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 979, Cape Town, 8000 |
| Telephone: | 021 483 9226 |
| Fax: | 021 483 3409 |
| Email: | ecohead@westerncape.gov.za |
| Website: | www.westerncape.gov.za/edat |
