Nelson Mandela Bay iHub

23/03/2026

Take your business to the next level with the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub.

Whether you are starting out or scaling your business, the iHub provides the tools, environment and support you need to grow and succeed.

At the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub, you gain access to:
✔ Business Development Support
✔ Market Access Opportunities
✔ Dedicated Business Officer Support
✔ Professional Reception Services
✔ Modern Workspace with Free Internet and Coffee
✔ A Collaborative Ecosystem of Strategic Partners

Join a thriving community of entrepreneurs and innovators who are building impactful businesses across the Eastern Cape.

📩 Ready to grow your business? Connect with us today, email [email protected]
🌐 www.nmihub.co.za⁠
📱 Follow: Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub

19/02/2026

🎙️ ON AIR ALERT

Tune in to Tru FM (89.3 – 107.8 FM) this 19 February 2026 at 12h45 as Akhona Dano, Nelson Mandela Enterprise Development Officer, unpacks the MICT SETA Learnership.

This insightful discussion will cover:
✔️ What the MICT SETA Learnership is about
✔️ Who qualifies and how to apply
✔️ Opportunities in the Film and TV creative sector
✔️ How this programme empowers future creative and digital professionals

If you are a young person looking to build a career in Film and TV, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

📻 Tune in to Tru FM or stream live online.

Let’s drive skills development for a digital future.

Listen here: https://listen.trufm.co.za/listentrufm/

19/02/2026

Everything You Need to Know About the NQF 5 Film & TV Learnership 2026 - FAQs

1. What qualification is offered in this programme?
This is a 12-month NQF Level 5 Learnership in Television and Film Production offered in association with MICT SETA.

2. Who can apply?
Applicants must:
• Be between the ages of 18–35
• Reside in Gqeberha and surrounding areas
• Have passed Matric

3. Is there a stipend?
Yes. A monthly stipend of R2 500.00 will be paid for the duration of the 12-month learnership.

4. What documents are required to apply?
Applicants must submit:
• SAPS certified copy of ID (not older than 3 months)
• SAPS certified copy of Matric certificate or highest qualification (not older than 3 months)
• Specific MICTSETA affidavit downloaded from https://nmihub.co.za
• If you only have a Statement of Results (S.O.R), include a SAPS affidavit explaining why
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)

5. Where do I download the required affidavit?
The specific MICTSETA affidavit is available for download on our website: https://nmihub.co.za

6. How must the affidavit be completed?
All affidavits must include your full name exactly as it appears on your ID document.

7. How do I apply?
Email your CV and required documents to: [email protected]
Subject line: Your Name – NQF 5 Learnership

8. What is the closing date?
Applications close on 24 February 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

18/02/2026

CALLING ALL ASPIRING FILM and TV CREATIVES IN GQEBERHA!!

The Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub, in association with MICT SETA, is offering a 12-Month NQF 5 Learnership in Television and Film Production for the Class of 2026.

If you are between the ages of 18–35 years old, passionate about media and ready to build a career in the film and television industry - this opportunity is for YOU.

You will receive:
✨ Industry-relevant training
💼 Hands-on practical experience
💰 Monthly stipend of R2 500

NB:
📍 You must reside in Gqeberha and surrounding areas
📩 Send your CV and required documents to: [email protected]
📅 Closing Date: 24 February 2026

Don’t miss your chance to step into the world of production and turn your passion into a profession.

09/02/2026

Olem Business Boutique and SMSolutions recently received technical support through the Hatch Programme, delivered by Innovator Trust, a valued partner of the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub.

This support focuses on strengthening operational capacity and digital readiness, including business-grade laptops, connectivity, software licences and cybersecurity tools. This is the kind of practical, hands-on enablement that plays an important role in helping entrepreneurs build stronger, more resilient businesses.

We can’t wait to see the impact this support will have on their growth.

04/02/2026

Join us in welcoming Mzi Ndungane, founder of Obatat Projects, to the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub.

Obatat Projects specialises in network infrastructure provisioning, with a strong focus on optic fibre network development. The company delivers end-to-end services across the full network lifecycle, including network planning, infrastructure build and ongoing maintenance. Through this integrated approach, Obatat Projects plays a key role in strengthening digital connectivity and supporting reliable communications infrastructure.

We are excited to support him and his team as they scale their operations and contribute to the growth of South Africa’s digital and telecommunications ecosystem.

Welcome to the iHub Mzi!

04/02/2026

Take a look at this feature on one of our startups, Rodney Luis, founder of JR Prodigy Venture, that is using smart technology to respond to South Africa’s ongoing water challenges.

At a time when water scarcity is a daily reality across the country, it is encouraging to see local innovation gaining national attention. We are extremely proud to see entrepreneurs from our ecosystem being recognised for work that is both practical and impactful.

🔗 Read the full article: [https://iol.co.za/business-report/entrepreneurs/2026-02-01-how-an-eastern-cape-entrepreneur-is-using-smart-technology-to-tackle-south-africas-water-crisis/]

As South Africa faces mounting water shortages, Eastern Cape entrepreneur Rodney Louis is using smart technology to help municipalities, businesses and communities reduce losses and protect a scarce resource.

26/01/2026

This past week, the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub formally handed over the new Innovation Hub centre in Pacaltsdorp, George, to the George Municipality, marking an important step in strengthening local entrepreneurship support within the community.

Developed in partnership with the George Municipality, the centre has been established to support entrepreneurs and SMMEs through access to space, business support, skills development and innovation-led programmes aimed at enabling sustainable growth across multiple industries.The centre is expected to become operational from late February / early March and further information will be shared in the coming weeks.

Entrepreneurs and local stakeholders are encouraged to look out for upcoming announcements as we prepare to welcome businesses into the space.

22/01/2026

As we step into the new year, we reflect on the work delivered by startups incubated at the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub over the past year. Women-led enterprises within our ecosystem have demonstrated strong growth across innovation delivery, employment creation, revenue performance and leadership visibility.

SMSolutions, a women-led startup incubated at the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub, continued to strengthen its position in digital systems development and smart city innovation. Over the past year, the business was recognised at the GovTech Awards 2025, placing second in the Innovative Women in Youth category for its contribution to the Smart City Development Programme, with a focus on citizen engagement and citizen-centric service delivery.

SM Solutions also launched EventIQ, its digital event registration and management platform. The system was deployed at large-scale national events including the Black Management Forum Annual Conference and Awards and the 20th ICT Summit Tech Week, demonstrating its scalability and reliability in high-volume environments. This body of work reflects a commitment to practical digital solutions that put people first and respond directly to real-world service delivery needs across South Africa.

25/12/2025

Dear Valued Stakeholder,

As we approach the end of the year, we reflect with gratitude on the partnerships and collaborations that have shaped our journey. This year has been a significant one for the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub, marked by the growth of our startup ecosystem, the launch of innovative digital solutions and national recognition for entrepreneurs incubated within our centres.

Throughout the year, we have remained committed to advancing innovation, digital skills development and entrepreneurship across the Eastern Cape. Together with our partners, we continue to create an enabling environment where startups can grow, scale and compete at national and international levels.

Thank you for being an integral part of our journey and for your continued support as we work towards building a future driven by innovation, inclusion and sustainable economic growth.

The Board, Management and staff of the Nelson Mandela Innovation Hub wish you a restful and joyous festive season and every success in the year ahead.

24/11/2025

We are proud to celebrate our incubated startup, Olem Business Boutique, for receiving three awards, including the prestigious Pinnacle Award, at the 2025 Innovator Trust Women in Tech Conference and SMME Awards.

This achievement reflects the organisation’s commitment to excellence, innovation and meaningful impact within South Africa’s tech and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Congratulations to Aphiwe Tafeni and the OBB team, your dedication continues to demonstrate the calibre of businesses being built in the Eastern Cape and nurtured within our innovation community.

The iHub remains committed to supporting women-led, high-growth enterprises as they scale, create jobs and transform industries.