CONTENTS CONTENTS
CONTENTS CONTENTS KwaZulu-Natal 2021/22 Edition Introduction Foreword 8 A unique guide to business and investment in KwaZulu-Natal. Special features Regional overview of KwaZulu-Natal 10 Infrastructure projects will help the province build back better. Ports and exports: KwaZulu-Natal has an abundance of both 18 Companies in a wide range of sectors are seeing potential in Africa and China. Economic sectors Agriculture 26 A Value Chain Master Plan promises solutions for the sugar industry. Forestry and paper 30 A beekeeping project has reduced forest fires. Mining 31 Coal mining and processing has resumed. Engineering 32 A respected university unit is expanding its brief. Oil and gas 33 A new tanker will improve port services. KWAZULU-NATAL BUSINESS 2021/22 4
Inspiring hope and enabling dreams Growing with KwaZulu-Natal since 1863. s tandard Bank has a long and storied history in KwaZulu-Natal where we have had a presence for more than 150 years. In 1863 the bank opened its third South African branch in Durban. Over the decades Standard Bank has continued to evolve and adapt with South Africa’s sociopolitical and structural changes. Under the new dispensation Standard Bank has enjoyed strong and cordial working relationships with government and municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. Africa is our home, we drive her growth, and we do this by being a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the countries in which we operate, and by making life better for our fellow Africans by doing business the right way. We want to fulfil dreams, help people take steps in life and organise and execute our strategies at the right time, on the right channels while fulfilling humanity. This means evolving to being a platform business. And our platform’s purpose is to match the individual needs of users and facilitate the exchange of goods and services, enabling value creation for all participants. Client centricity places our clients at the centre of everything we do. Driving growth Our people and processes are outwardly focused on our clients as their needs and expectations change. Standard Bank’s business activities have social, economic and environmental (SEE) impact in the economies and communities in which we operate. There are seven specific areas in which we believe we can best drive Africa’s growth, while making a positive impact on society, the economy, and the environment: • Financial inclusion. • Job creation and enterprise development. • Infrastructure. • Africa trade and investment. • Climate change and sustainable finance. • Education and skills development. • Health. We are in the business of inspiring hope and enabling dreams. We believe that dreams matter because they fuel our growth. Soon we will be the most truly digital, the most truly human, the most competitive, the most profitable, and the most purpose-driven services group in the history of Africa. ■ Image by Captureson Photography on Unsplash
