Industrial parks are being developed around the country to kick-start growth and development.
The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has invested R28 million into revitalising the Ga-Rankuwa Industrial Park, which is set to attract new investors and create jobs for local residents.
The first phase of the project included the installation of 8.5km of fencing, boom gates, swing gates, pedestrian gates and the installation of guardhouses including services, toilets and electrical work, closed-circuit television, the refurbishment of high mast lights and paving.
The industrial park has approximately 283 developed units; 210 are fully occupied by manufacturing and commercial businesses while 73 are available for leasing.
The services of 17 small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) and five women-owned companies were used during the refurbishment.
According to Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, the main objective of the industrial parks programme is to accelerate economic growth, diversify economic activity, attract investment, create jobs and address inequality.
The programme is also aimed at supporting job creation in the manufacturing and related sectors.
“The industrial parks are recognised as catalysts for broader economic and industrial development in their host regions. To date, seven industrial parks have already been launched: Babelegi in Gauteng, Isithebe in KwaZulu-Natal, Phuthaditjhaba and Botshabelo in the Free State, Vulindlela and Komani in the Eastern Cape, and Seshego in Limpopo,” said Minister Davies.
So far, R511 million has been invested in revitalising these parks.
The Minister said the dti has forged strategic partnerships for the implementation of the programme on a national scale, working with the provinces, their agencies as well as municipalities.
“In the case of Ga-Rankuwa, the dti is working with the North West Development Corporation, which owns the park. The City of Tshwane has also played a vital role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the programme,” said Minister Davies.
One of the companies currently operating in the industrial park is GRE Industries, which manufactures car parts for the automotive industry and other products for the mining industry.
The chief executive officer of the company, Elton Marshall, told Vuk’uzenzele that the company has close to 200 employees, most of whom are from Ga-Rankuwa.
Marshall said employing local residents is a win-win situation because employees can just walk to work and do not spend their salaries on transport.
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