09 November 2020 *Durban* : I wish to congratulate the hard working technical team that has ensured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding involving the South African Technicians Association and our entity - Ithala Development Finance Corporation Limited and its subsidiary, Ithala SOC - the financial services provider. Following the signing of this MoU, we can state without a shadow of doubt that the wheels of radical economic transformation have been oiled. As part of the revitalization of the township economy we have taken a decision to assist emerging entrepreneurs that are involved in the automotive industry. This is part of reengineering our economy post COVID-19. We have agreed to ensure that though Ithala SOC we provide the following services to the members of SATA:- ●Corporate banking; ●Retail banking; ●Insurance products to qualifying suppliers, licensees, service providers and/or any other qualifying individuals/ entities participating or wishing to participate in the automotive repair sector; Provide support in relation to enhancing meaningful participation of historically disadvantaged individuals in automotive repair sector. Over the years this industry has had a profound and wide-ranging effect on the city and suburban communities. We want the impact of the sector to be felt in the township and rural communities. I am saying this because an automotive repair or service facility located in the city and suburbs has a jobs multiplier of 3.6. This means that for every one job at the facility, there are an additional 2.6 jobs supported in the local economy. More inner-city residents are hired to work in these centres located in urban settings. These residents often live close to the facility, and they tend to spend their disposable income where they live--thus when people live and work in a community, the jobs multiplier effect of the rand spent only increases. We want the same benefits to be felt in the township and rural communities. COVID-19 has taught us that nobody must be left out of economic opportunities as this will create social instability. The fact of the matter is that there are millions of cars in the township and rural areas that require repair and service. We are already in negotiations with big players in the automotive industry and we want them to use these Auto Repair Centres. In addition, we have said government departments across the province must use these centres for the repair of government fleet. Undoubtedly, this is an area where jobs will be created to absorb thousands of people who lost their jobs during the lockdown. We want township based young people, who are trained as artisans and mechanics, to work in these repair automotive centres. In this regard, Ithala Development Finance Corporation shall, subject to its own financing criteria and policies offer the following products and services:- ●Provide access properties owned by Ithala where service providers in the automotive repairs sector could locate their businesses; ●Asset based finance; ●Working capital; ●Bridging finance and other relevant credit facilities and financial assistance to new entrants and existing service providers in the automotive repairs industry; Provide concessionary and other discounts including but not limited to business loan repayment holidays for SATA members. Critically, the signing of the MoU, paves the way for the department and its entities to collaborate with SATA to ensure that more than 36 members of the organization are able to provide the following services to all tiers of government within the fleet management value chain: ●Fleet service and maintenance; ●Tyre and window fitment, exhaust and battery changing; ●Panel beating and spray painting; ●Establishment of an automotive incubator for skills development and transfer; ●Automotive mechanical workshops for heavy duty and agricultural maintenance, engine overhaul and body work; As part of second tier of opportunity generation, SATA has furthermore identified the following niche opportunities: ●Mobile service workshops; ●Government fleet disposal; ●Towing and logistics services. It should be remembered that the automotive sector has suffered billions of losses as a result of COVID-19. This has resulted in job losses with millions of people facing the jaws of abject poverty. Ahead of the outbreak, we were moving with speed to ensure that our Automotive Supplier Park SEZ, located in the South of Durban, is operation in 2021. We had projected the creation of 1339 jobs through an investment of R2.2 billion. I must hasten to add that we even had successful negotiations with TOYOTA. The automotive manufacturer agreed to be one of our tenants in our Supplier Park. We wish to reiterate our commitment to ensure that we move with speed to resuscitate those negotiations with Toyota and many other companies involved in the sector. We can report that we agreed with Toyota South Africa that they should lobby automotive suppliers to its patent company in Japan to locate their operations in our SEZ. It is important to point out that ahead of lockdown, we were excited by the fact that Toyota was about to start assembling new Hino 500 series truck here in Durban. These would be exported to Europe and Africa. We expect this province to earn foreign currency with our export capacity being boosted significantly. One can never over-emphasise the contribution that has been made by Toyota into our economy. The company spends R24, 2 billion on procurement with previously disadvantaged communities benefitting. Employment in the sector in KZN. Ahead of lockdown our figures showed that the entire Transport Equipment sector employed more than 14 815 in the province and 9 242 people in eThekwini. I am mentioning here companies such as Toyota, Bell Equipment, Mahindra and many SMMEs in the retail sector. What we are undertaking to do as part of ensuring recovery in this sector is to be aggressive in our approach aimed at attracting new investments into our Automotive Supplier Park. We want to ensure that jobs are created in the provision of bulk infrastructure development. We also want to promote innovation and localisation in particular through the manufacturing of the first South African Car in KZN. In Kenya they have Mobius; In Uganda they have Kiira; In Malaysia they have Proton; In India they have Tata; In KZN we want to have our own brand. In addition, we have planned to invest more in Research and Development (R&D) Infrastructure to promote Electronic Vehicles. This is an area we want to explore in order to re-engineer the sector. Ends Issued by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube Enquiries Ndabezinhle Sibiya - 082 375 4742 Nathi Olifant - 060 970 5113 Skhumbuzo Makhanya Chair - South African Technicians Association 072 981 2022   view more

The wheels of radical economic transformation will be set in motion tomorrow when I hand over vehicles such as bakkies, bakery equipment, catering equipment, animal feeds and other machinery to twelve (12) emerging entrepreneurs in uMgungundlovu District. This follows a rigorous process undertaken by my Department to assist those that applied for funding through Operation Vula Fund. This is the successful Tier 1 batch among the three tiers of funding within Operation Vula. It should also be noted that these are not the only Tier 1 beneficiaries within uMgungundlovu Municipality, however, following a successful due diligence done over these 12 business, I felt it was prudent that we hand over the equipment to the beneficiaries in order to speed up economic recovery. I must also point out that the work which include due diligence for Tier 2 and 3 is continuing. I will make similar announcements in due course when we are ready. Job losses as a result of COVID-19 have resulted into spiraling levels of poverty. Many people have been retrenched and condemned to rural villages and peri-urban informal settlements with no means of survival. It is for these reasons we will be going to other ten (10) remaining districts to hand over millions worth of equipment. I wish to pause and express my appreciation to all emerging entrepreneurs who have demonstrated their determination to be the creators of wealth. For those who were not successful in this round of applications, another window will open soon and we shall be taking in applications. We remain determined to use the resources of the state at our disposal to relegate our sad history of apartheid designed economic exclusion to the distant memories of only those of us who lived through those turbulent times. Importantly, being the second largest contributor towards the national Gross Domestic Product, the success of KZN is crucial for the success of the whole country. In this regard, the department and all our entities are intervening to stimulate different sectors of the economy as guided by the economic reconstruction and transformation plan. We are giving the necessary support to the people of this province across all corners including the townships and rural areas. We want to enable them to produce local products and services for domestic consumption and exports. Critically, we reiterate our position that the lockdown regulations, which resulted in the disruption of global value chain, have presented indigenous people with the opportunity to be self-sufficient and produce their own goods. Members of the media are invited to attend the handing over of the equipment. COVID-19 Regulations will be strictly observed. To learn more about Operation Vula please visit: www.operationvula.gov.za   view more

08 October 2020 Durban: Today, the people of KwaZulu-Natal welcomed Emirates flight from Dubai at the King Shaka International Airport. The flight touched down after 13h00. On Sunday I was at the airport to welcome the Qatar Airways flight. I did indicate I was encouraged by the speed at which the national government was moving to resolve the issues that resulted in the cancellation of the Emirates flight. We thank the national government, Airport Company of South Africa, Carla da Silva - the Chair of the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa, Emirates and all stakeholders in the aviation industry for their collective approach in addressing this matter. The arrival of the flight is the beginning of another 10 years of strong partnership between KZN and Emirates. It should be remembered that the first Emirates flight between Durban and Dubai arrived on the 1stOctober 2009. Over the years the airline has carried more than 2 million passengers on the route. Emirates SkyCargo also remains a key enabler in facilitating global trade and export in South Africa by carrying more than 3 8120 039 tonnes of cargo to and from Durban over the last five years, with the majority being automotive and shipping components and perishables. Ends *ISSUED BY THE MEC FOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS NOMUSA DUBE-NCUBE*   view more

05 October 2020 Durban: I wish to reiterate our position that as we reconstruct and transform our economy, the aviation sector remains critical. Yesterday, at 17h00 we welcomed Qatar Airline - the first international flight since the lockdown in March. We express our appreciation to the Qatar Airline, pilots and cabin crew who made it possible for the passengers to arrive in Durban safely. The arrival of Qatar Airline marks the new chapter in the history of aviation industry in KwaZulu-Natal since the outbreak of COVID-19. I was impressed by the level of compliance with health protocols aimed at fighting the spread of COVID-19. And, as the department we have committed to working with Airport Company of South Africa and all airliners to ensure adherence to the safety measures as stipulated by the national government. Importantly, we are encouraged by the speed of the national government in resolving issues that resulted in the cancellation of Emirates Airline. We are confident that Emirates will fly to Durban in the next few weeks. It should be remembered that the first Emirates flight between Durban and Dubai was on 1, October 2009. The airline has since carried over two million passengers on the route. In addition, Emirates SkyCargo also remains a key enabler in facilitating global trade and export in South Africa by carrying a more than 3 8120 039 tonnes of crago of cargo to and from Durban over the last five years, with the majority being automotive and shipping components and perishables. We want to add more tonnes agricultural products to this list of goods exported to other countries through our Dube Trade Port. Also, I can also indicate that other airlines such as British Airways has also indicated that they will be resuming their flights to Durban in Durban. Also, we are expecting Air-Mauritius, Turkish Airlines and other international airlines to land back in KZN. Critically, I commit to work with Airport Company of South Africa, the airline industry and all other stakeholders - as guided by the national government in order to ensure the implementation of all protocols aimed at fighting the spread of COVID-19. On the 27th September 2020, I issued a statement acknowledging the fact that before the lockdown, King Shaka International Airport had served between 5 to 10 million passengers. This includes domestic and international travellers into the province. I acknowledged the fact that before lockdown, King Shaka International Airport had served between 5 to 10 million passengers. This includes domestic and international travellers into the province. Stats show that around February, air transport and tourism industries in SA supported a total of about 472 000 jobs and contributed about R180 billion to Gross Domestic Product each year. Today, I wish to reiterate my commitment to continue to work with all the airliners to position this province as a destination for tourists and for those who want to do business. We are looking forward to a period characterized by the prosperity and the growth of aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors. Working with all stakeholders, we offer to double our efforts to ensure the implementation of the KZN economic reconstruction and recovery plan. #KZNHASITALL #BELIEVEIT Ends ISSUED BY THE MEC FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS- NOMUSA DUBE-NCUBE Enquiries Ndabezinhle Sibiya - 082 375 4742 Nathi Olifant - 060 970 5113   view more