The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development,
Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Mr Sihle Zikalala launched the first phase of the Isithebe Industrial Park revitalisation in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, 4 October 2016.

The R49-million project is part of the Revitalisation of Industrial Parks Programme of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti). Isithebe is one of ten industrial parks that the department has prioritised for revitalisation as part of the programme.

“The first phase of the revitalisation includes the security infrastructure upgrade, fencing, street lighting and critical electricity requirements, but in the case of Isithebe we have upgraded the roofs of some of the
factories within the industrial park,” says Davies.

According to Davies, a large variety of industries operating from Isithebe contribute significantly to the economy of the area, providing 15 000 to 20 000 jobs. These include textiles, clothing, weaving and dying, steel fabrication, furniture manufacturing, plastics, polypropylene bags, chemicals, paper products and packaging, foundry work, white goods, workshops and engineering, foam manufacturing and conversion, plastic injection moulding and stationery.

Davies adds that the dti has recognised that these parks have the capacity to serve as catalysts for broader economic and industrial development in their host regions, mainly townships and rural areas.

MEC Zikalala says the Isithebe Industrial Estate is one of the biggest in KwaZulu-Natal and is home to many industries and factories that have contributed immensely to the growth of the economy of the province.

The Group Chairman of Ithala, Dr Mandla Gantsho says his agency, acknowledges with appreciation the magnitude of the contribution made by the department and recognises with gratitude the positive impact it
will make, not only on Isithebe Industrial Estate but on the community, the region and the province as a whole.

Ithala has several industrial estates under its ownership including Isithebe, Ezakheni and Madadeni Industrial Estates, which collectively have created over 40 000 jobs affording up to an estimated 300 000 people in regional areas a livelihood.

The 414 hectare Isithebe industrial estate located in Mandeni and midway between the ports of Durban and Richards Bay, is a one-stop shop providing leasing of property; property maintenance and water, electricity, solid waste removal, sewage disposal and fire protection. There is approximately 535 000 m2 of Ithala owned industrial property and approximately 100 000 m2 of privately owned industrial property.

Industrial estates represent the tools for sustainable development by making an invaluable contribution to job creation and the country’s economic growth. The diversification of activities through industrialisation and manufacturing attracts valuable investments in the areas in which the industrial estates are located.