New manufacturing plant in eThekwini to create over 4000 jobs: Ramaphosa

In his opening address, the president stated that the launch of the Newlyn project was part of his investment promotion drive for economic growth and job creation.

The plant is expected to help alleviate freight congestion between the country’s two economic hubs on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban.

The terminal is Africa’s largest multi-modal rail which is expected to strengthen intra-trade relations between South Africa and other African countries.

Ramaphosa said the completion and launch of the Newlyn Park Bayhead Rail Terminal project at the Port of Durban is a much-needed boost to South Africa’s logistics infrastructure network, following the devasting floods that hit Durban last year.

“It is the attainment of a vision, a vision of a man who stood at the investment conferences that we have held and articulated a clear direction where he wanted to go as a businessman, as a leader of the workers who are gathered here today.

“This terminal is also a symbol of recovery and resilience for the city of Durban, for the eThekwini Metro, for KwaZulu-Natal and indeed our country."

Ramaphosa said the plant needs to help grow the economy.

“In order for this rail terminal project to deliver full benefits to South Africa for the purpose that it was designed for, it has to have trains and slots to be made available to clients.

"This will lead to a significant increase in revenue for Transnet and NETCO corridor through the migration of cargo from road to rail aside from the investment of approximately R3.4 billion, some 4 000 direct construction jobs have been created and now I’m pleased to know that more than 1000 employees are currently employed full-time in this facility and this number is expected to grow."

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