Page 9 - KZN Business Sense 11.1

KZN SECURES R100 BILLION

Heather Flack, Business R7bn KZN R100.1 Billion Investment left towns like Ladysmith,
Leader, Flair Accounting (7%) Portfolio Sector Breakdown Newcastle, and Port Shepstone
economically stranded. Whether
or a R12bn Tourism, Property & Mixed-Use: this geographic diversification
province (12%) R38bn survives contact with commercial
Fthat has R38bn Renewable Energy & Green Technology: reality, where investors naturally
watched (38%) R18bn gravitate toward established
factories close, Manufacturing & Industrial: infrastructure, remains the
shipping R25bn R25bn central test.
containers (25%)
The alignment with South
pile up at Agro-Processing & Agriculture: Africa’s G20 presidency and
the port, R12bn the Just Energy Transition
and unemployment figures R18bn Skills Development & Other:
climb relentlessly past 30%, (18%) R7bn framework positions KZN to
access international climate
the announcement felt almost (Source: 2-25 KZN Trade and Investment Conference | finance and technology
surreal: R100.1 billion in Estimates based on announced flagship projects
investment pledges, 34 major partnerships that could accelerate
the green manufacturing sector.
projects, and the promise of This is not merely about local job
300,000 jobs. KwaZulu-Natal, from Msunduzi and King R85.2 billion in pledges, and between Richards Bay and the creation; it is about positioning
the perennial underperformer Cetshwayo to the rural reaches of according to MEC for Economic N3 corridor, the conference the province within global supply
in South Africa’s investment uMkhanyakude and Amajuba. Development Musa Zondi, more signals renewed commitment
stakes, had just exceeded its The flagship projects tell a than 80% of those projects have to infrastructure that has chains for renewable energy
components and green hydrogen.
own ambitious target by over R5 compelling story. Colenso Power, already broken ground. Those languished for years. The Port of
billion. a R9.78 billion hybrid energy developments are on track to Durban’s congestion, which saw R100 billion in pledges is not, by
The figures emerged from the facility in the uThukela district, create over 68,000 permanent jobs a 73% reduction in vessel waiting itself, economic transformation.
and 119,000 temporary positions.
times following the Presidential
2025 KwaZulu-Natal Trade and will produce hydrogen, ammonia, eThekwini Working Group’s It is a statement of intent. The
real measure will come in the
Investment Conference held and fertiliser while generating That conversion rate, if intervention, suggests that quarterly reports, the construction
at Durban’s ICC in October, 10,000 jobs in communities accurate, would represent a coordinated government action
where Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli that have been economically significant departure from the can produce results. sites, and the employment figures
over the next 24 months. For
declared it a defining chapter dormant since the coal industry’s national norm. The question for KZN business owners who have
in the province’s investment decline. Dubai-based IFA Hotels KZN businesses is whether the The tourism and property weathered floods, load-shedding,
story. Business owners across the & Resorts is expanding its provincial administration can developments along the North and port delays, the question is
province are really asking: will Zimbali footprint with a R20 maintain this momentum while Coast and South Coast present not whether the province needs
these pledges translate into actual billion investment in a new addressing the structural barriers opportunities for local suppliers, this investment. It is whether
spades in the ground, or will they estate and marina on the North that have historically deterred contractors, and service this time, finally, the machinery
join the long list of conference Coast. Mulilo Energy Holdings investors: port congestion at providers. The Zimbali expansion
commitments that quietly fade is bringing significant renewable Durban, unreliable electricity alone will require construction of government can move fast
enough to convert promises into
into bureaucratic oblivion? capacity online, while Salt Rock supply, water infrastructure materials, labour, and ongoing
City and Seaton Estate represent deficits, and the glacial pace of hospitality services that could prosperity which will undoubtedly
The Numbers That Matter major mixed-use developments municipal approvals. sustain hundreds of small boost investor confidence. 
The R100.1 billion portfolio targeting the province’s growing What This Means for KZN businesses in the iLembe district
spans five critical sectors: middle class. Business for the next decade. T: +27 (0)31 207 1572
M: +27 (0)76 555 7529
renewable energy, advanced The Credibility Question The Path Forward E: heather@flairaccounting.co.za
manufacturing, agro-processing, For manufacturers in W: www.flairaccounting.co.za
tourism and mixed-use Sceptics have reason to pause. Pinetown and Mobeni, the Premier Ntuli’s Secondary
developments, and skills Investment conferences across energy investments are the Cities Network initiative
training. What distinguishes South Africa have historically headline worth watching. deserves particular attention.
this round from previous produced impressive headline Projects like Colenso Power By deliberately directing
conferences is the geographic figures followed by disappointing represent precisely the kind of investment beyond Durban’s
spread. Unlike earlier investment implementation rates. However, baseload capacity that could metropolitan boundaries,
drives that concentrated capital the provincial government points reduce dependence on an the provincial government
in eThekwini, these pledges are to an encouraging precedent: unreliable national grid. For is attempting to address a
distributed across all 11 districts, the 2024 conference secured the logistics sector operating structural imbalance that has

NEW BUSINESS TRADE HUB FOR PMCB

he Pietermaritzburg and micro enterprises move
and Midlands Chamber from survival to sustainable
Tof Business (PMCB) growth through practical access
has announced the formation to markets, resources and
of a new business trade hub, opportunities.
a major initiative aimed at The PMCB has also appointed
strengthening export readiness Amanda Bouwer as finance
and facilitating international and administration manager,
trade for regional businesses. succeeding Gill Adie, who
The European Union funded retired at the end of December
project will be spearheaded 2025 after 13 years of dedicated
by Lucrisha Polton, who has service. Bouwer brings more
been appointed the trade hub than 20 years’ experience in
manager from 1 January.
finance, including international
Polton, founder of corporate exposure, further
AfriCrafters, brings extensive strengthening the chamber’s
experience in enterprise operational capacity. 
development and ecosystem
building, with a strong focus Finance and Administration Manager Amanda Bouwer (left) and Lucrisha Polton who has been tasked with setting up
on helping small medium W: www.pmcb.org.za the PMCB’s Business Trade Hub.

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