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New R1.9-billion industrial park breaks ground at Giba Gorge
The R1.9-billion Giba Business Estate , the largest light industrial and logistics development to break ground within Durban ’ s Outer West in more than three years , will not only create hundreds of short term and permanent jobs but also significantly boost the greater eThekwini region ’ s GDP .
Speaking at the official sod turning for the development on Wednesday 16 August 2023 , spokesperson for developers Sultex Investments , Nel Nathoo and Shaaz Moosa , explained that the development marked the opening up of new land for industrial development that was up until now zoned for agricultural use .
Strategically located adjacent to the west bound carriageway of the Mariannhill Toll Plaza along the N3 , it will rejuvenate the Giba Business Park , creating important business opportunities for the logistics and SME light industrial sectors .
“ Sultex Holdings is a black-owned company with a level one BBBEE score . It comprises a group of local Durban businessmen who are collectively undertaking this prestigious project as an expression of its commitment to the eThekwini region . This substantial investment in this project is testimony to their confidence in the region ,” he said .
“ Sultex Holdings has employed a full black professional team . The development is being led by Nathoo Mbeyane Engineers and Re-Invent Property Development Managers , companies whose track records have led to the commencement of the project ,” he added .
The Westmead Industrial Park and the Mahogany Ridge Industrial Park lie to the North-East of Giba Business Estate , making this a natural extension of this sought after industrial node along the busy route Durban Gauteng corridor . It offers easy access to all major national highways . The N3 , N2 and the M7 interchanges are all less than 10km away , providing access to both northbound and southbound routes .
The development , which has been earmarked as one of the city ’ s key catalytic projects by the eThekwini Municipality , will see the development of 220 000 square meters of platformed sites of various sizes . The Giba Business Estate comprises of 22 sites aimed at the light industry , warehousing and the allied logistics sectors .
Nathoo said that the Giba Business Estate would be developed in two phases . Work had already begun on the infrastructure and platforms for the first phase which was due for completion in July 2024 .
Early investors will benefit from its proximity to the N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg which is in the throes of a R20-billion , eight-year upgrade by SANRAL , he pointed out .
The upgrades to both this and the N2 form part of national government ’ s Strategic Integrated Projects , SIP2 : Durban - Free State - Gauteng Logistics and Industrial Corridor . SIP2 aims to strengthen the logistics and transport corridor between South Africa ’ s main industrial hubs , improve access to Durban ’ s export and import facilities and raise efficiency along the corridor .
Nathoo added that the launch of the project also corresponded with other major projects within the Outer West corridor , such as the development of the Cato Ridge dry port and logistics hub by Transnet , further development of the Hammarsdale precinct by various stakeholders and the creation of Westown at Ntshongweni which has been pitched as the new residential and commercial hub for Durban ’ s Outer West . It is expected to generate approximately R15-billion in investment over the next 10 to 15 years .
Attending the sod turning , Pravin Gordan said he endorsed the project that on completion it would give long-term
Sultex Investments
The Giba Business Estate sod turning was held on site on 16 August 2023 .
employment to 4 661 local communities , which will uplift the area .
Speaking at the ceremony , eThekwini mayor , councillor Mxolisi Kaunda , said that the Giba Business Estate represented a silver lining for eThekwini and thanked the consortium of investors for its vote of confidence in the future of the city as an investment destination .
“ Catalyst projects such as this one are planned and designed to cause a corresponding and complementary development reaction . They are projects of sufficient magnitude to stimulate ongoing redevelopment . The Giba Business Estate is much like Cornubia and Riverhorse Valley to the north of the city and the proposed Automotive Supplier Park to the south . It is an important part of the City ’ s 10 Point Port City Industrial Plan which will not only begin to re-industrialise the city , but ensure continued sustainable economic growth for the region ,” he said .
Moosa said that the Giba Business Estate presented important turnkey development opportunities for investors as well as SME ’ s and other end users . Companies and manufacturing entities could construct their own bespoke developments catering for their specific configurations and needs .
Whilst kick-starting industrial growth in the area , the project also supports the ecotourism aspect of Giba Gorge . It is expected to have a significant social impact on the neighbouring informal community , both in terms of job creation and by increasing business opportunities within the logistics industry and SME light industrial sectors .
The Giba Business Estate encompasses eco-friendly green zones aimed at reducing the site ’ s carbon footprint and environmental impact . Infrastructure to support high-speed fibre and solar electricity generation as well as state-of-the-art security have also been included in the planning . CLA
6 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • October 2023