Yesterday (Thursday) saw the launch by GWK Farm Foods of a new R400-million wheat flour mill and pasta and biscuit factory in Modderrivier, near Kimberley. The Westra Wheat Mills factory is the first producer of food-related fast-moving consumer goods in the Northern Cape.
Products made at the new factory include spaghetti, penne, macaroni, white and brown bread, and cake flours for retail and bulk delivery.
Deputy minister of trade and industry, Mzwandile Masina, said the new facility was already implementing the National Development Plan’s vision of making agriculture and agro-processing the primary economic activity in South Africa by investing and creating jobs in the sector.
“As government we will be focusing on agro-processing in order to be able to open new markets, especially abroad. We are also upgrading the infrastructure on the continent to ensure the smooth movement of goods and people - especially for those who are exporting and importing. This is to ensure that intra Africa trade is practical,” he said.
The chairman of the board of directors at GWK, Frank Lawrence, said the company was “extremely proud” to have been bold enough to enter the agro processing space and to show its commitment to agriculture and the development plans of the country.
