A new chapter in marine and coastal tourism has begun as Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and the Africa Coastal Marine & Maritime Tourism Alliance (ACMMTA) officially entered into a strategic partnership. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on 18 March 2025, marks a significant collaboration aimed at enhancing research and project-based learning in the tourism space.
Spearheaded by Dr Lynn Jonas from the NMU Tourism Department and Mr Lusanda Fibi, President of ACMMTA, this partnership paves the way for collaborative engagement in tourism-focused events, community-based initiatives, and research projects.
According to the agreement, staff and students from the NMU Tourism Department will actively participate in, and contribute to, events and projects led by ACMMTA. This initiative aims to foster academic-industry synergy, allowing students hands-on experience while simultaneously contributing to the sustainable development of coastal and marine tourism initiatives across Nelson Mandela Bay and beyond.
The project will run from 1 February 2025 to 31 December 2027 and does not carry direct financial implications for the university. Instead, it focuses on mutual knowledge exchange, capacity building, and integrated tourism development.
Signatories include Dr Lynn Jonas (Project Initiator), Dr Shireen van Zyl (HOD), and faculty leadership at NMU, with Mr Lusanda Fibi representing the ACMMTA.
This MoU represents a forward-thinking move to align academic excellence with real-world impact in South Africa’s growing tourism sector.
