KEY roleplayers in the development of Nelson Mandela Bay will share a platform at next week’s The Herald/ Boardwalk Future Perfecting Seminar, where delegates will get crucial updates on the expansion of the Boardwalk, investment at the Coega industrial development zone, the Fifa World Cup in the city as well as inner- city development.

The seminar will be held at the Boardwalk conference centre on Thursday morning.

Guest speakers will include the Boardwalk general manager Clifford Ngakane, who will outline details of the R1-billion planned investment for the expansion of the Boardwalk – the biggest single investment the city has yet seen.

Also speaking at the event will be Coega Development Corporation chief executive Pepi Silinga. With planned investment of more than R66-billion in the IDZ, it is the largest industrial infrastructure investment in the history of Mandela Bay.

Silinga will give a real-time update on the opportunities and plans for Coega’s future.

The third speaker will be Errol Heynes, Fifa World Cup local organising committee head in Mandela Bay, who will give an up-to-date status of preparations for the footballing spectacle and how business owners can position their businesses for the event as well as beyond 2010.

Also speaking at the event will be Mandela Bay Development Agency architect Dorelle Sapere, who will give an update on how inner city developments are transforming the city’s future, and the input that the development agency is having with regard to this.

The seminar is being co-ordinated by the Ukuvula Foundation, a non-profit initiative of the Ukuvula Group.

Ukuvula Group chief executive Alfred da Costa said: “The Future Perfecting Seminar is a smorgasbord of key updates and business opportunities on the future of our metro and investment in it.”

Ukuvula director and foundation trustee Neil Campher said the charity beneficiary of the event would be the Railways to Life project, which aims to raise 45000 school shoes and socks nationally for underprivileged pupils.

“Attendees and companies are encouraged to pledge their support by donating R150 to the Ukuvula Foundation and through the Railways to Life project co-ordinator, PE-born radio personality Lupi Ngcayisa, a DJ with Metro FM. The event will benefit local learners in support of this national initiative,” he said.

The seminar runs from 8.30am to 11.30am and costs R160. Bookings, information: Charmaine Smith, Studio55 Events and Productions, 041- 3657591.