KZN MEC for EDTEA visits RBIDZ for oversight inspection as he completes 100 days in office

THE Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) is Kwazulu-natal’s Special Economic Zone for sustainable quality investments, world-class industrial infrastructure and attracting local and foreign investors.

Recently, as part of commemorating his

100 days in office and beyond, RBIDZ hosted leader of government business and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Siboniso Duma for an oversight inspection. The MEC inspected multi-billion rand catalytic investment projects such as the operational Nyanza Light Metals’ Product Testing and Development Centre that forms part of the first phase of the multi-billion rand titanium pigment processing plant.

He also assessed the advanced construction progress of the R1.5 billion edible oils refinery, Wilmar Processing SA.

These projects are set to further grow KZN as an investment destination of choice, while

also economically positioning South Africa as the ultimate “gateway to Africa” among foreign investors.

“It is a special day for us to visit these two strategic catalytic projects as we have surpassed 100 days in office. It’s a big day for us and we are happy to be here. In the morning, we launched the Mkhuze Airport terminal building, which is going to cover the length and breadth of the umkhanyakude District.

The government’s scope is to create enabling environments,” said Duma.

Significantly, both projects continue to play a vital role in ensuring sustainable development and demonstrate RBIDZ’S efforts to deliver on its mandate amid the weakened economy post the global pandemic, civil unrest and recent KZN floods. Moreover, these projects add value to strides directed at rebuilding the economy, driving inclusivity, job creation, skills transfer and development, and accelerated growth, while positioning KZN as a preferred investment hub – for local and

international.

Domestic and foreign direct investments and catalyst investments, by their nature, have proven to be key drivers of economic stimulation and job creation by virtue of their labour intensive and absorptive nature, while improving domestic production.

Wilmar Processing SA

A subsidiary of leading Asian agri-business group Wilmar International, Wilmar Processing SA is constructing a palm oil processing facility that will refine edible oils at the RBIDZ Phase 1A estate.

The company has increased its investment value to R1.5bn from R1.3bn, which is a positive nod to the economic recovery strides being made. Wilmar is one of the anchor tenants in RBIDZ Phase 1A estate – and with the progress made thus far at its construction site, completion and commissioning by March 2023 is assured.

The new manufacturing facility promises an array of direct operational jobs, over and above

those created during construction.

Nyanza Light Metals

The Nyanza Light Metals Product Testing and Development Centre, valued at R210 million, is operational in Phase 1F estate. The titanium dioxide chemical company is currently testing its products that will feed to the main commercial plant, which will be constructed in the 2023/24 financial year as phase 2 of the project. Nyanza’s manufacturing plant will produce more than 80 000 tonnes per annum of titanium dioxide pigment as well as other related products including water treatment chemicals such as gypsum, iron and aluminium sulphate.

Chairperson of the RBIDZ board, Dr Sakhile Ngcobo, said RBIDZ is a preferred destination not just for South African investors, but also for international ones – and the entity is strategically guided by its mandate.

“We are proud of the work which we

have done and continue to do. Our aim is to attain an R10bn company by the end of next year – and we believe it is achievable. Nyanza Light Metals is a multi-billion rand investment, with R250m already spent.

“We are busy with a number of other projects, one of them being the R74bn gas to power project for Eskom, which will supply the provincial and national grid with about 3 000 megawatts.”

Driven by its mandate of attracting domestic and foreign direct investments, RBIDZ takes paramount responsibility to drive industrial activities and ensure that all investment endeavours are fully supported with prosperous outcomes for all partners. In the main, these outcomes should include job creation, the articulation of transformation activities, and inclusive economic growth.

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