The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has paid tribute to two women who have been at the forefront of organisation's efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This comes as South Africa commemorates Women's Month under the theme, 'The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: Realising Women's Rights', in recognition of the 150th birthday anniversary of Mme Charlotte Makgomo Mannya Maxeke.
Leading the charge at the CDC is a women duo comprising the CDC Unit Head for Human Resources and Chair of the COVID-19 Task Team, Zola Ngoma and CDC Unit Head for Safety, Health, Environment and Quality, and leader of the COVID-19 Vaccination Drive, Viwe Biyana.
"Our work in earnest started a little over a year ago, following the lockdown announcements and regulations by the South African government.
"The CDC's COVID-19 Task Team has aptly provided strategic and operational guidance to the organisation and continues during the varying lockdown alert levels to effectively curb the spread of the pandemic within the CDC and ensure that the organisation creates a safe and healthy workplace, and complies with the published government regulations," Ngoma said.
With the CDC having a strategic operational footprint in South Africa and on the continent, the organisation has had to cope with and rapidly adjust to the 'new normal', a feat that Ngoma admitted "has not been easy".
The CDC has implemented vital operational measures for business continuity.
Key amongst these has been providing employees with tools of trade to remain productive, engaged and effective, while working from home during the lockdown period.
The CDC has been conducting most of its business through online systems, holding online meetings with local and international clients, investors and stakeholders alike to increase the investment pipeline and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
It has also extended its Health and Safety Wellness Primary Healthcare services to include the testing for the pandemic by a qualified Occupational Medicine Practitioner and registered nurses at the CDC Wellness Centre.
"Part of the CDC's phase 2 response to the pandemic is the recent certification of the CDC Wellness Centre in Zone 4 of the Coega (SEZ) as a COVID-19 public vaccination site, following approval by the Department of Health (DOH)," Biyana said.