The Idea Processor: Aspire PDP Pilot

A professional development programme (PDP) was developed and piloted in 2012 in response to research conducted during the formal five year review of Aspire, the Amathole Development Agency in the Eastern Cape Province. Tahirih Michot conducted the research in 2010 as part of the five review process. The conclusion of the research was that there was sufficient material from the experience of the organisational CEO, Phila Xuza, to create a leadership programme which would be designed to support other practitioners working in the field of economic development. The pilot programme involved a group of CEO's from other economic development agencies in the Eastern Cape as well as partnering institutions such as SALGA and GIZ. The outcome of the pilot was extremely positive and a decision was made to develop the programme so that it could be offered to practitioners around the country!