Massive investments to boost SMMEs

INVESTMENTS worth billions entering Richards Bay over the next three years will create massive opportunities for local SMMEs (small, medium and macro enterprises).

The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) has signed up a number of capital projects, including Sizabantu Piping Solutions (SPS), ProStar Paints, industrial and cleaning chemicals company Elegant Afro Chemicals, and titanium dioxide pigment producer Nyanza Light Metals.

Speaking at an engagement session in Richards Bay hosted by the RBIDZ, SPS CEO Don Coleman said once construction is completed on their facility at the RBIDZ Phase 1A site in three months, contract opportunities will be vast.

‘We will need services in recruitment, engineering, electrical, security, cleaning and gardening, catering and accommodation for foreign stakeholders, transport and logistics, IT work, painting and certification,’ said Coleman.

‘People who are experts in our unique PVC piping solutions will also be coming to Richards Bay from Spain to offer free training to emerging construction contractors over the next two years.

‘Because our product is much simpler to install than steel and concrete pipes, but designed to handle bulk water networks from dams and rivers, it would not require large construction companies to do the work.

‘The training will afford smaller contractors to do work for government projects.’

Nyanza is expected to invest around R8-billion in its factory and aims to start construction in 2018/2019 at the RBIDZ Phase 1F industrial park in Alton.

‘This project alone will most likely transform the local economy,’ said RBIDZ Chief Financial Officer Mzamo Khuzwayo.

‘It is at a bankable feasible stage and will be highly lucrative, creating hundreds if not thousands of jobs.

‘The factory will most certainly require maintenance and other services our local SMMEs must take advantage of.’

Elegant Afro Chemicals Marketing Director Noliphiwe Ntuli said its plant in the pipeline, which will produce chlorine, caustic soda and their derivatives, will call for services including warehousing, transportation, packaging and waste management.

‘The project started off with estimations of around R1-billion, but it has tripled as we look at further opportunities,’ said Ntuli.

‘This is a capital intensive project that will greatly assist with job creation, regional economic growth, skills development and training in Zululand.’