I wish to report to the people of KwaZulu-Natal that just after lunchtime, we had a fruitful meeting with the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  

The meeting was chaired by Premier Sihle Zikalala who has demonstrated solid leadership over the past months.

He has been a pillar of strength and always available to address the business community, leaders of society and ordinary members of society. Under his capable leadership, we are confident that we will prevail over the challenges we are facing.

The meeting today was attended by CEOs and representatives of the following companies:-

• Zululand Chamber of  Commerce and Industry;
• Richards Bay Minerals;
• Mondi;
• Sappi;
• South 32;
• Tronox;
• Isizinda Aluminium;
• Foskor;
• Port of Richards Bay;
• Richards Bay Coal Terminal;
• Richards Bay Industrial Development Zones.

All parties agreed to work together even more and to build on the solid foundation laid during COVID-19 level 5.

Critically, as the department we have undertaken to address the following issues raised by CEOs.

Assistance for local based SMMEs and emerging contractors who are suppliers: These have been affected by lockdown and need to access UIF and relief funding provided at national and provincial level. Trade and Investment KZN is currently attending to these issues as part of Business Retention Programme;

Safety, Peace and Stability in Richards Bay: The team assigned by Premier Sihle Zikalala ahead of lockdown will continue to work with law enforcement agencies and community leaders to ensure a conducive environment for big business;

Lack of public transport for workers performing essential services – especially those working night shifts and awkward hours: In this regard, we will engage with the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison – Bheki Ntuli;

Critically, we offered to move with speed to deal with congestion in our ports. The economy of KwaZulu-Natal is driven largely through the transport and logistics sectors based on the two major ports housed in the Province, namely Port of Richards Bay and the Port of Durban.

Both ports are economically strategic not only to the Province of KZN, but also to the national economy of South Africa since they are linked to the economic heartland of South Africa, Gauteng, via road and rail networks. The Port of Durban is also a transit point for cross border container traffic for our neighbouring countries -- a Gateway to Southern Africa.

The Ports of Richards Bay and Durban are important contributors to international trade and a significant enabler for South Africa’s and the Province’s economic development.

On Tuesday 5 May, myself and MEC Ntuli we met with Moshe Motlohi: General Manager – Port of Durban Transnet NPA. Another meeting is scheduled for the next week to discuss the implementation of de-congestion strategy.

Transnet is creating significant capacity ahead of demand and will therefore be well placed to accommodate significant future volumes and trade growth for both ports and rail in the KZN province.

Issued by The KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism And Environmental Affairs