Did someone say ‘aerotropolis’?
Sanelisiwe Mabaso
When you hear the term ‘aerotropolis’, what comes to mind?
30 girls who form part of Qhakaza Girl got the answer to that very question and much more when they went on a tour of Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone in Durban.
Qhakaza Girl is an initiative that was developed with the aim of developing young women into STEM sectors (Science, Technology, Engeneering and Mathematics sectors), and help them improve their knowledge before stepping into the workforce. The initiative is made up of 30 students from various universities and colleges around Durban.
This was the first collaboration between Qhakaza Girl and Dube TradePort. Amanda Mathe, founder of Qhakaza Girl explained the reason behind the collaboration.
“The reason why we collaborated with Dube TradePort was because the Economic Zone has three things attached to it. It has an aerotropolis unit, an agri-hub and an innovation precinct. The girls will get an experience of what is currently existing in the agriculture business and they get to engage with members of Dube TradePort,” she said.
She further added that the tour would “fast track and pipeline this year’s cohort’s job opportunities of the future”.
Amanda Mathe, centre, with girls from Qhakaza Girls on their tour of Dube Trade Port.
Makhosazane Ntamane, a 3rd year I.T student from the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) said she learnt about the importance of technology.
“I learnt that, basically, it is important for me to take chances and not limit myself because Africa is very capable. I also learnt how important technology is. All this is possible because of technology,” she said
An aerotropolis is a metropolitan sub region where the layout, infrastructure is similar in form to a traditional metropolis. The Durban aerotropolis is centred around the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone.
Quick Facts
- The Dube TradePort Corporation is named after John Langalibalele Dube.
- Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone forms the heart of the first purpose-planned aerotropolis in Africa.
