The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) at the Agricultural Institute in Bloemfontein with Agriculture South Africa (AgriSA) and the Agricultural Business Chamber (AgBiz) marks an important commitment to strengthening planning, research and coordination across the public sector. The agreement formalises a partnership that places evidence, collaboration and structured analysis at the centre of how decisions are made especially with regard to the Free State agricultural road network.
This MoC reflects a shared understanding: that reliable information and rigorous research are essential to improving how South Africa invests, plans and delivers public programmes particularly in the infrastructure space.
Key Areas of Cooperation:
The MoC establishes cooperation in:
- Shared research and data, ensuring that partners work from a common, reliable base.
- Joint analytical work, including economic, statistical and spatial analysis.
- Technical support for planning, helping government prioritise projects effectively.
- Skills development, ensuring that institutions have the expertise needed to deliver.
- Long‑term scenario development, supporting strategic foresight and planning.
This creates a structured foundation for better alignment across institutions, stronger evidence pipelines and more deliberate decision‑making.
The Role of the Centre of Excellence
The Centre of Excellence is central to the success of this partnership. Its role is to provide the research, analysis and methodological rigor required for credible planning. This includes:
- Developing models and tools that guide prioritisation.
- Conducting assessments that clarify risks, opportunities and community needs.
- Producing research that strengthens planning at national, provincial and municipal levels.
- Ensuring that all analytical work is grounded in evidence, integrity, and quality.
