Unemployment remains a pressing concern across Northern KZN, prompting a detailed examination of the promised Clothing and Textile Special Economic Zone, as brought to light a few years ago.
In August 2021, the former Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikalala, revealed the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Reconstruction and Transformation Plan.
Crafted in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this comprehensive plan aimed to stimulate inclusive economic growth, distribution, and employment through Public-Private Partnerships. Among the designated priority sectors was the clothing and textile industry.
During the announcement, Zikalala reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to establishing the Clothing and Textile Special Economic Zone. The zone’s scope was outlined from Newcastle to Ladysmith, promising economic revitalization.
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Nearly three years later, the fate of this project remains uncertain, hanging in the balance as a promise yet to be fulfilled.
In her recent State of the Province Address, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, acknowledged the province’s myriad challenges. “As KwaZulu-Natal, we faced an uphill battle in ensuring that investor confidence is unwavering, despite challenges with loadshedding, the civil unrest, ageing utilities’ infrastructure, some of which could not withstand the recent floods. Yet we remain determined to continue in our quest to ensure that investors know that KwaZulu-Natal is and remains the most favoured investment destination in Southern Africa,” said the Premier.
However, Dube-Ncube underlined the province was still committed to establishing new leather and textile Special Economic Zones in the Newcastle and Ladysmith corridor, with an estimated investment of R600 million. She stressed the proposed SEZs were anticipated to generate 4,500 job opportunities, complementing existing SEZs like Dube Trade Port and Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ).
While the Premier did not divulge what had been done to actually bring about the realisation of the Special Economic Zones, it has been reported by Global Africa Network that the province’s two established zones, Dube TradePort (at King Shaka International Airport) and Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) are attracting investments in a range of targeted sectors, agricultural exports and logistics, manufacturing and energy, among others.
This has seen TradeZone2 at Dube TradePort being complete and attracting investors, which includes:
Futurelife, food processors, R57-million
LM Diapers, expansion of plant, R75-million
Synergy Blenders, chemical manufacturing, R93-million
As the community reflects on these developments, we invite your thoughts and perspectives on the matter. Your insights are instrumental as we collectively navigate the economic landscape of our region. Share your views in the comment section below.
