Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ)
The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) is a purpose-built, secure industrial estate on the North-Eastern coast of KwaZulu-Natal, linked to the international deep-water port of Richards Bay.
RBIDZ is tailored for the manufacturing of goods and production of services. The RBIDZ is deemed a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and aims to encourage international competitiveness through world-class infrastructure, tax, VAT and duty free incentives to qualifying entities.
COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES:
- Close proximity to the deep-water port
- Availability of Natural Resources
- Agglomeration of Primary Producers
- Reasonable land rentals and values
- Mineral beneficiation
Positioning our people to economic transformation opportunities is key to the RBIDZ in driving Radical Economic Transformation.
Upbeat in becoming a motor-force for change and taking a central role in the radical transformation of the economy of the province, the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) is deliberately focusing on opening opportunities for emerging contractors as part of efforts aimed at fast-tracking their entry into the mainstream economy. RBIDZ is an organisation made of real people with a real dedication and passion to effect real change in South Africa. This commitment to delivery is apparent in all dealings with not only potential investors but also internal and external stakeholders as well.
As an agent for economic development within the region, RBIDZ continues to live out its mission and vision to be the preferred Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for quality investment through utilizing the competitive advantage of the Richards Bay area to attract sustainable investments that stimulate economic growth, job creation, and beneficiation of resources and the empowerment of people.
Job creation remains central to achieving government’s objectives of inclusive growth, radical structural economic transformation, distributing the benefits of growth more widely and consequently reducing dependency on the welfare system, by broadening economic participation. The pattern and pace of economic growth needs to be adjusted and accelerated to achieve this outcome. It continues to require investment and interventions by both the public and private sectors to enable a conducive environment to further stimulate the generation of employment opportunities and inclusive economic growth.
It is for these reasons that recently, RBIDZ organized an SMME seminar at Hlanganani Hall in Esikhaleni Township. More than 200 entrepreneurs explored opportunities available and discussed possible agreements ranging from supplying and contracting. Richards Bay IDZ CEO – Pumi Motsoahae articulated his sentiments after the 3rd annual SMME seminar that “Investing in skills development is similar to investing in the future and prosperity of this country”.
The strategic objective of the event was to provide a platform for dialogue between SMMEs, funding institutions as well as RBIDZ locators. The seminar further allowed for SMMEs to get information on funding and development opportunities in order to properly align themselves to the demands of the respective companies which are already located on the various industrial estates as well as acquire insight from organisations due to set up in the immediate future. Locators or investors under the IDZ programme provided in-depth knowledge of their operations as well as their projected timeframe for factory set up allowing SMMEs to acquire adequate knowledge of the operational requirements and opportunities within the value chain.
“We are cognisant of the fact that we have to aggressively implement the programme of action as categorically highlighted by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Sihle Zikalala in the recent Budget Policy presentation”, RBIDZ CEO remarked. Mr. Motsoahae further stressed that it was important for the entity to move with speed in assisting MEC Zikalala to achieve life-changing targets on job creation as contained in the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy. “Zikalala in his capacity as MEC and Chair of the Economic Cluster has singled out SMMEs and co-operatives as deserving attention. Working with various government departments, entities, financial institutions including other stakeholders, we want to invest in training and mentorship of SMMEs”, he said.
The rapid expansion of RBIDZ creates more investment opportunities including possibilities for many small players to enter the mainstream economy. Already, emerging contractors are involved in the infrastructure development programme which is an indication of the seriousness RBIDZ is attaching to radical economic transformation.
RBIDZ with its world-class infrastructure development is poised to accelerate economic growth and cement its position as an investment destination to both local and foreign direct investors. Construction activities within the region have been positively welcomed as the RBIDZ Phase 1A industrial estates on Medway Road as well as Phase 1F on Alumina Alley in Alton have drastically transformed the Richards Bay landscape.
Numerous developing companies both locally and nationally have enjoyed the benefits of being associated with RBIDZ. A joint venture between Asihambe Construction – a local women construction company and DC Earth Moving & Plant Hire which is a Durban-based company was awarded the R45-million upgrade of Medway Road leading into the newly erected RBIDZ Customs Control Area (CCA) gate complex. The aim of expanding the road was to accommodate the increasing traffic to the RBIDZ Phase 1A Industrial Estate with an estimated completion period of one year.
A locally-based company Yomndeni Sons is yet another emerging company that bears testimony to RBIDZ’s efforts of assisting SMMEs in order to bring about radical economic transformation. Operating in Richards Bay and the surrounding Zululand region, Yomndeni Sons focuses primarily on construction, civil works, building supplies and plant hire both in public and private sectors. The company started its operations in the year 2015. Their first breakthrough was in 2016, where they partnered with the RBIDZ in the construction of Sizabantu Piping System (SPS) Molecor, a PVC-O pipe manufacturing factory located on RBIDZ Phase 1A industrial estate. Since then, Yomndeni Sons has also been contracted to carry-out brickwork, plastering & paving for the Richards Bay Techno-hub also located within the industrial estate.
Continuously fulfilling its mission to create job opportunities and become an employer of choice, the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone has answered to the call of Radical Economic Transformation and sustaining jobs with a multi-billion rand investment pipe line. On the 11th of April 2017, RBIDZ officiated the signing of a partnership agreement between Nyanza Light Metals – a titanium giant, and Avertana. A technology partnership between Johannesburg-based Nyanza Light Metals and Avertana of New Zealand will lead to the construction of a R4.5 billion plant in Richards Bay where titanium dioxide pigment (TiO2) will be produced from slag. The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) extended a grant of R17,1 million to the company for feasibility studies and has also approved an investment allowance of R900 million. About 550 permanent jobs and 1 200 indirect jobs are anticipated when the plant is fully operational, with 800 being created during construction. Building of the plant is expected to start in 2018, with production scheduled to begin in 2020.
COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT
In the interest of recognizing female talents and upskilling local people RBIDZ has confidently backed the employment of Nkosingiphile Goodness Luthuli, a female back-tip operator on Medway Road. Traditionally viewed as a male industry due to the intensive manual labour, Goodness has demystified these stereotypes by thriving in a male-dominated sector.
Goodness began her career within the construction industry in 2011 and has since never looked back. She was introduced to the field of heavy duty vehicles when she worked as a general worker, cutting and pruning trees at Port Durnford forest. Realizing that only men where operating such heavy machinery she enquired about how she can also become an operator from her employer. She was advised to acquire a driver’s licence and once certified to drive, the company would arrange for the necessary training needs. Through sheer determination Goodness acquired the necessary accreditations and was able to fulfil her dream of operating heavy construction machinery.
As a black female driver Goodness explained that she has faced vast challenges, such as being undermined owing to her gender but encourages more females to consider the field of construction.
It is very interesting to note the reactions of my male colleagues when they realise that a female is skilled in operating such machinery. My ability to conduct myself professionally as well as efficiently is what ultimately wins their respect” she said.
This job is like any other, it is not gender that determines your success but it is skill and composure under strenuous situations.
My employers are very accommodative of me, further adding that she is allocated separate changing areas and also enjoys full benefits such as adequate maternity leave, etc. RBIDZ recognizes that although significant progress in female empowerment has been made in numerous fields, much still needs to be achieved.
Invest in RBIDZ today.
The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone SOC Ltd
Captains Walk Building
Pioneer Road, Tuzi Gazi Waterfront
Richards Bay
035 788 0571
info@rbidz.co.za
