DTIC Minister conducts successful RBIDZ visit
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau engaged extensively with government leadership at a visit to the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ).
MEDIA STATEMENT
SUCCESSFUL VISIT BY DTIC MINISTER PARKS TAU TO THE RICHARDS BAY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ZONE
Richards Bay, KwaZulu‑Natal | 8 May 2026
The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) successfully hosted the official visit of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, in a programme that reaffirmed government’s commitment to advancing industrialisation, investment, and inclusive economic growth through the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Programme.
The visit formed part of the Minister’s ongoing engagements with strategic industrial platforms across the country, aimed at strengthening investor confidence, addressing operational challenges within industry, and ensuring that SEZs continue to play a meaningful role in driving economic development, job creation, and skills transfer.
During the visit, Minister Tau engaged extensively with government leadership including MEC for Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, Rev. Musa Zondi, MEC for Department of Transport and Human Settlement, Siboniso Duma, Deputy Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, RBIDZ executives, investors, and strategic partners, receiving detailed briefings on the progress achieved within the Zone, the current state of the investment pipeline, and the strategic priorities required to unlock further growth. The Minister’s insights emphasised the importance of policy certainty, coordinated government support, and practical interventions to support companies and investors, particularly in challenging economic conditions.
The Minister reaffirmed the dtic’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen investment and enhance the competitiveness of industrial development zones such as RBIDZ. The engagement highlighted the importance of collaborative problem‑solving to ensure that viable projects are supported to implementation and that businesses are safeguarded to protect jobs and livelihoods.
A significant highlight of the visit was the tripartite signing agreement between Nyanza Light Metals, the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone, and East China Engineering Science and Technology. This milestone symbolised the commencement of a new phase in the long‑standing Nyanza development and marked readiness for the next stage of construction, which is anticipated to begin in the coming months.
The Nyanza project represents a transformational, once‑in‑a‑kind industrial development in Africa, with the potential to significantly reshape the economic and social landscape of the Richards Bay region. The project is expected to create approximately 2 400 jobs during construction and around 800 permanent jobs during its operational phase, contributing to employment creation, skills development, economic empowerment, and long‑term industrial capability.
The Minister also received an overview of RBIDZ’s investment pipeline, valued at approximately R249 billion, with a significant portion driven by energy‑related and manufacturing projects. These developments underscore RBIDZ’s position as a strategic industrial node within KwaZulu‑Natal and a critical contributor to national industrial objectives.
The visit further reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the KwaZulu‑Natal Provincial Government, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) as shareholder, RBIDZ, and the broader investor community. Collectively, these stakeholders continue to work towards enabling infrastructure development, supporting investor needs, and driving sustainable industrial growth.
RBIDZ CEO, Thabane Zulu welcomed the Minister’s continued hands‑on approach in engaging industry players to identify solutions for financially challenged companies, recognising that supporting viable enterprises is essential to safeguarding jobs and improving the lives of South Africans.
Zulu expressed his appreciation for the Minister’s successful visit and reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the dtic, the province, investors, and partners to accelerate project implementation, unlock inclusive growth, and deliver long‑term economic impact for KwaZulu‑Natal and South Africa.
Enquiries:
Choice Sihiya – RBIDZ Communications Manager
Mobile: 084 207 5823
Email: choice.sihiya@rbidz.co.za | sindiswa.thusi@rbidz.co.za
