/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Today the Leader of Government Business Siboniso Duma heaped praises on the Mayor of Ilembe District  Cllr Thobani Shandu  and the Mayor of KwaDukuza Local Municipality Cllr Lindi Nhanca for working with all spheres of ANC government to ignite the entrepreneurship revolution.

Creating a generation of wealth and job creators was the rallying call during the launch of the SA Invest One Stop Shop in the City Centre. This event was attended by Chief Executive Officers of entities, captains of industry and emerging entrepreneurs from municipalities under Ilembe.

He called on the local leadership to continue to work with entities under his department and all spheres of government to guide the development of the following catalytic projects:-

Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate: The total project value is R2.5 billion with a total of 5000 job opportunities during construction. This investment has created 400 temporary jobs during construction phase and 180 permanent jobs.

2.    Nonoti Beach Resort which is  owned by the community of Nonoti through Inqaba Community Trust – R1.5 billion and public facilities at R70 million. These are expected to create a total of 500 permanent jobs opportunities.

3.    The Blythedale Coastal Resort  - The development is valued at R15 billion To date, in excess of R500 million of private investor funds have been invested into the creation of this development. 110 000 construction jobs and 15 000 permanent jobs. All technical processes have been approved (Environmental Impact Assessment, Geotechnical studies, traffic impact assessment, zoning and concept designs).

4.    ClubMed Tinley Manor Resort  - is the privately owned project valued at R1.6 billion. This project will create 550 permanent job opportunities, 1500 indirect jobs and 1000 jobs during construction phase.

KwaDukuza is strategically located between Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone and Dube Trade Port. One Stop Shop facilities located in these economic zones have facilitated billions of investments and created jobs.

Duma and local mayors committed towards growing the economy of local municipalities through catalytic projects which will in turn stimulate entrepreneurship revolution.

"As we rebuild these areas, as engines of provincial economic development, we want to ensure inclusive economic growth, redistribution of wealth and the creation of an equal society. We speak here of new KZN where there are equal access to opportunities. A new KZN whose development is not founded on the exploitation of the many by the few. We say we must work together to defeat poverty as poverty creates a vicious cycle of hunger and across different generations," Duma pointed out.

He further pointed out that investors and entrepreneurs in the entire district of Ilembe were no longer required to travel to Durban to access services offered by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission and South African Revenue Services. 

This One Stop Shop boasts a portal that enables investors and local entrepreneurs to do company registration, company annual returns and director amendments processes.  It will assist those who wish to access SARS services such as registration for Income tax or Vat registration.

In addition, the facility offer business mentorship progammes which are combined with services that include assisting entrepreneurs to apply for funding through many funding instruments offered by the ANC government.   

“In order for us to reach growth targets, entrepreneurs should not only go to Durban to apply for Ithala Business Loans.  This service will now be offered to entrepreneurs in this One Stop Shop. If things go according to plan, this One Stop Shop will also ensure that black industrialists are allowed to apply for funding that is offered by the KZN Growth Fund,” he stated.

He pointed out that government was using the Black Industrialists Programme to drive conomic transformation within different sectors of our economy. 

“We are determined to ensure that our people benefits from natural resources.  This province is blessed with natural resources too many to mention. We must work together to convert such resources into wealth that builds rural and township economies for the benefit of the African child.”

He frowned against unemployment stating that it created social instability, crime, moral decay and compounded the impact of under-development. 

“The ANC government in this province is therefore focusing on the elimination of all the root causes of poverty and under-development.”

He concluded: "We are also radically eradicating long queues associated with VISA Applications. From now onwards, businesses that need to apply for tourism and business VISAs will now receive these services from this One Stop Shop.

Issued by the Leader of Government Business and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Siboniso Duma