Office of the Premier 2021/03/02 - 22:00
Rofhiwa Marubini
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura has hailed the Gibela-Rail manufacturing plant as an example of how government working in collaborating with the private sector to re-industrialize and boost local manufacture can unlock the transformative potential of the industry.
Premier Makhura was speaking during his visit at the Gibela-rail Manufacturing plant in Dunnottar Nigel, on Wednesday, 3 March, where he was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Dikeledi Magadzi, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industy and Competition, Fikile Majola, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Parks Tau and Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mzwandile Masina.
The visit was part of the provincial government's effort to unlock the potential of each metro or district, in order to enhance the sectoral and industrial comparative advantage of each corridor of the Gauteng City Region.
The Gibela-rail manufacturing plant was officially unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa in October 2018 as one of the most ambitious re-industrialisation initiatives and the biggest passenger rail modernisation project.
The factory uses 85 South African suppliers who produce cables, metallics, interiors and subsystems.
The State-of-the-Art trains produced in the plant consume less energy than old trains, and have a light weight stainless steel structure.
The trains also adhere to global safety standards, with an anti-crash system, monitoring system to ensure the trains run on time..
Premier Makhura said "As government we are determined to resuscitate the manufacturing sector for its potential not only to create job opportunities but also support secondary industries."
Since its launch in 2018, the facility has created 5 129 jobs, trained 2 540 people through its skills development programme and benefitted 3 620 community members from its local upliftment programmes.
Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mzwandile Masina, said placing the Gibela manufacturing plant at Ekurhuleni is boosting the economy and also creating employment in the Ekurhuleni city.
The activities of the factory have added R8, 1 billion into the Gauteng City Region's GDP.
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