Yesterday (Monday) saw the launch of a R20-million revitalisation programme for the Vulindlela Industrial Park in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti).
“The revitalisation of the Vulindlela Industrial Park was part of efforts to decentralise the country’s industrialisation in order to deepen and strengthen the industrial base of the South African economy,” said the dti’s deputy director-general of Special Economic Zones and Economic Transformation, Sipho Zikode.
The programme will be rolled out in phases, with the first phase focused on upgrading the infrastructure of the park including security, fencing and critical electricity requirements, according to a dti statement released today (Tuesday).
The park is currently made up of a mixture of manufacturers, services and suppliers of various products for the local market.
“The park currently has 87% occupancy and the more occupants it attracts the more jobs it will create and the tax base will increase. It is important to broaden the scope to attract investors and diversify the economy that will be able to carry us even when times are tough,” added the Eastern Cape Development Corporation’s CEO, Buhle Dlulane.
Vulindlela is the second industrial park to be “revitalised” in the Eastern Cape following the launch of the programme at the Komani Industrial Park by the minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, last year.
