Mtuba chief adds voice to terminal plea
Untapped export market leads to calls for container facilities to handle fresh produce at the Port of Ricahrds Bay.
ZULULAND is missing the boat on a large gap in the exports market with no container facilities to handle local fresh produce at the Port of Richards Bay.
This is the sentiment of Mtubatuba’s Inkosi Myson Mkhwanazi, CEO of Amalala Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
Amalala Holdings deals in hardwood charcoal from planted casuarina forests.
It is owned by five communities around Richards Bay and has, together with several other leaders in the area, successfully negotiated a 30% share in an entity (yet to be named) pursuing container shipping connections for Richards Bay.
Another shareholder in this venture is Siyakhapuka Investment Holdings (with a 40% stake), which in March challenged the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) at the Ports Regulator in Durban after TNPA denied it a concession to develop a facility at the local harbour.
Mkhwanazi now hopes the Regulator will give them the go-ahead for a container terminal, stating it would significantly uplift impoverished people’s livelihoods if they can export their fresh produce to Europe, Asia and the United States.
‘Today, the unemployment figure in this area is about 45%, with poverty and lack of resources the order of the day,’ said Mkhwanazi.
‘I feel a responsibility to better the lives of my people. It is with this in mind that I became involved as a partner to secure a container terminal in Richards Bay.’
He believes cooled containers, with as small as 20 ton consignments, should be taken to the doors of supermarkets in foreign countries.
‘The area of the Mpukunyoni Tribal Authority, together with other tribal communities, can produce fruit, vegetables and meat for the export market.
‘I am also convinced the Zululand business community will be able to attract more investment in new industries should they be allowed to create container shipping connections.
‘These investments are vital for job creation and economic growth,’ Mkhwanazi said.
Siyakhapuka Managing Director Jan Scheepers said if all goes well, the parties will dilute shares to an international operator when a deal is reached with the Ports Regulator.
The entity, overall, is 72.5% black owned.
