KwaZulu-Natal Business 2023-24
A unique guide to business and investment in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The 2023/24 edition of KwaZulu-Natal Business is the 15th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2008, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the KwaZulu-Natal Province. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there is a special feature on the growth and importance of the recycling sector, with increasing activity covering cover paper, board, e-waste and rubber. The overview of the regional economy notes the importance of energy and the steps being taken by KwaZulu-Natal to turn Richards Bay into an energy hub. The fact that the province is also angling to create additional Special Economic Zones suggests that the two existing zones, at Richards Bay and the Dube TradePort at King Shaka International Airport, are living up to expectations in terms of attracting investment and boosting employment. The creation of a joint venture by Transnet and a private operator of ports is a significant step for the Port of Durban. To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.globalafricanetwork.com under ebooks. Updated information on KwaZulu-Natal is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces, our flagship South African Business title and the latest addition to our list of publications, Journal of African Business, which was launched in 2020.
A unique guide to business and investment in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.
The 2023/24 edition of KwaZulu-Natal Business is the 15th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2008, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there is a special feature on the growth and importance of the recycling sector, with increasing activity covering cover paper, board, e-waste and rubber.
The overview of the regional economy notes the importance of energy and the steps being taken by KwaZulu-Natal to turn Richards Bay into an energy hub. The fact that the province is also angling to create additional Special Economic Zones suggests that the two existing zones, at Richards Bay and the Dube TradePort at King Shaka International Airport, are living up to expectations in terms of attracting investment and boosting employment. The creation of a joint venture by Transnet and a private operator of ports is a significant step for the Port of Durban.
To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.globalafricanetwork.com under ebooks. Updated information on KwaZulu-Natal is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces, our flagship South African Business title and the latest addition to our list of publications, Journal of African Business, which was launched in 2020.
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OVERVIEW<br />
Development finance and<br />
SMME support<br />
Small businesses are thriving on the Wild Coast.<br />
SECTOR INSIGHT<br />
Ithala paid out R146-million<br />
in 2022.<br />
Pamela Gumede of GPN Amangunie Trading Company and<br />
Siphokazi Nogojela of Poshy A Printing and Branding<br />
The Enterprise and Supplier Development programme of<br />
the Wild Coast Sun is having a big impact.<br />
Self-taught graphic designer Siphokazi Nogojela has<br />
seen her business, Poshy A Printing and Branding, grow<br />
tremendously since she teamed up with the hotel who provided<br />
her small business with an industrial printing machine and access to<br />
training. She now employs five staff members between her offices at<br />
Msizazwe and Wild Coast Sun.<br />
Having worked at Wild Coast Sun as a seamstress, Pamela<br />
Gumede submitted a business plan to the hotel in 2021 and now<br />
GPN Amangunie Trading Company employs four seamstresses from<br />
a rent-free space within the complex. Her latest order is for 700 sheets<br />
and 1 700 pillows.<br />
Since an SMME conference was hosted at the Wild Coast Sun in<br />
2022, Sun International has put about 15 new SMMEs on its books as<br />
new suppliers and businesses which it supports.<br />
At Africa’s Travel Indaba in May 2022, 22 local SMMEs were invited<br />
to display their offerings to 3 700 South African, African and overseas<br />
delegates and guests.<br />
As part of the cluster initiative of the eThekwini Municipality,<br />
there is a specific SMME programme called <strong>Business</strong> Accelerators.<br />
These are sector-specific and run by the Durban Chemicals Cluster,<br />
Durban Automotive Cluster, KZN Clothing and Textiles Cluster and<br />
the eThekwini Furniture Cluster.<br />
The programme has resulted in<br />
45 black-owned SMMEs signing<br />
commercial agreements with<br />
leading manufacturers, delivering<br />
R3.6-million in new market<br />
opportunities and 250 new jobs.<br />
The intention is to be supporting<br />
2 000 SMMEs by 2025, with 200<br />
new contracts in place with the<br />
formal manufacturing sector.<br />
The provincial government’s<br />
Sukuma 100 000 surpassed<br />
its target by creating 137 000<br />
job opportunities in 2021, with<br />
all government departments<br />
participating in focussing<br />
on opportunities for youth<br />
employment. Examples of<br />
companies that received support<br />
under the project are Gelanison<br />
Agric, an agricultural initiative that<br />
produces high-value crops using the<br />
hydroponic system, and AdNotes,<br />
a telecommunications company<br />
which is 100% black and youthowned.<br />
The company received<br />
funding from the KZN Youth Fund<br />
and provides Internet services in the<br />
Ugu and King Cetshwayo Districts<br />
and eThekwini Metro.<br />
Funding options<br />
Operation Vula Fund is an SMME<br />
grant funding scheme run by the<br />
KWAZULU-NATAL BUSINESS <strong>2023</strong>/<strong>24</strong><br />
36<br />
PHOTOS: Wild Coast Sun
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