Who we are
The Fort Cox Centre for Entrepreneurship, Incubation and Rural Development — trading as CEIRD — was established as a Non-Profit Company with the Fort Cox Agriculture & Forestry Training Institute as its sole beneficiary.
CEIRD was created to bridge a critical gap in South Africa’s agricultural sector: agricultural graduates who complete their studies but lack the capital, business skills, and market access to become self-employed farmers.
We exist to change that — through hands-on incubation, SETA-accredited training, R10,000 production input packages, and direct linkages to markets and offtake partners across the Eastern Cape.
From poultry and vegetables to citrus, livestock and agro-processing, we walk with graduates from idea to enterprise — and on to commercial viability.
Vision, Mission & Values
Our Vision
An Eastern Cape where every agricultural graduate has a pathway to a thriving, commercially viable farming enterprise — and where rural communities are food-secure, economically active, and climate-resilient.
Our Mission
To incubate, train, and support unemployed agricultural graduates and emerging farmers — through hands-on programmes, R10,000 production input packages, mentorship and market access — until they become self-sustaining agribusinesses.
Our Values
- Integrity — transparent, accountable in every action.
- Empowerment — graduates own their journey.
- Excellence — practical, market-ready outcomes.
- Partnership — government, industry, community.
- Sustainability — for people, land and enterprise.
Board of Directors
Mr. Mkhululi Mankazana
Mr. Mkhululi Mankazana
Dr. B. Jack Pama
Dr. B. Jack Pama
Mr. K. Mbokotho
Mr. K. Mbokotho
CEIRD Staff
Mr. Msimelelo Baleni
Mr. Msimelelo Baleni
Mr. Xolela Nomnqa
Mr. Xolela Nomnqa
Mrs. Unathi Mbangeni Mdolo
Mrs. Unathi Mbangeni Mdolo
Our Partners
Department of Agriculture
Department of Labour
Spar
Grow with us for a greener Eastern Cape.
Apply to JoinVoices from our graduates
“The incubation gave me the practical skills, but the Production Input package was what actually got my layer house running. Today I supply Spar every week.”
Read story →“CEIRD didn’t just teach me poultry production — they walked with me through the first cycle, through the first crisis, and through the first sale. That changed everything.”
Read story →