The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) proudly recognises its dedicated employee, Lihle Mpongoma, for once again taking on the challenge of the iconic Comrades Marathon. Known as one of the world’s toughest ultra-marathons, this race is a true test of resilience, endurance, and determination.
His participation in the 2025 edition of this legendary race reflects not just his commitment to health and wellness but also the spirit of perseverance we value within our organisation. The ECPTA family commends Mpongoma for his inspiring efforts and for flying the ECPTA flag high on such a prestigious platform.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations and immense pride to Mpongoma. Your passion and grit continue to motivate us all!
DID YOU KNOW?
The Eastern Cape’s Nature Reserves are opening doors for green investment. The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) continues to position itself as a strategic partner in driving green economy initiatives and infrastructure development within the province’s protected areas. In an exciting development for both the tourism and automotive sectors, the Agency has partnered with the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) to support the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in the province, opening new opportunities for sustainable tourism investment.
Earlier in May, the AIDC-EC team launched its Electric Vehicle Road Trip (EVRT), a three-day expedition across key Eastern Cape routes, aimed at testing and documenting the experience of using the province’s growing network of EV charging stations. The journey served as a strategic platform to spotlight locations with untapped investment potential within the green mobility and eco-tourism sectors.
Among the stopovers was Silaka Nature Reserve, which was strategically identified for inclusion in the province-wide EV infrastructure rollout, following a series of engagements between AIDC-EC and ECPTA. The installation of a fully operational EV charging station within the reserve is now complete, positioning Silaka as one of the first nature-based destinations in the Eastern Cape to offer this amenity.
In addition to enhancing visitor convenience, the availability of EV infrastructure within nature reserves such as Silaka offers potential for complementary investments in eco-friendly accommodations, nature-based experiences, and hospitality services tailored to sustainable tourism markets.
The successful collaboration between ECPTA and AIDC-EC underscores the province’s commitment to fostering a green economy and invites both public and private sector stakeholders to explore investment partnerships within the Eastern Cape’s conservation and tourism sector.
