SA Affordable Housing July - August 2019 // Issue: 77 | Page 10

EVENTS
At the sod turning guests comprised Corobrik directors, members of the dti, various industry players and media representatives.
permitted by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
The water collected will be used in the process during
manufacturing and an on-site effluent plant will process all
waste to the most pristine and pure state.
The project has already created more than 200 jobs on site
during the construction phase, and on commissioning at least
60 people will be employed at the factory. Corobrik has also
invested in the training of 30 members of the community to
work on the brick laying of the factory, and existing staff will
be trained and up-skilled to operate the new factory.
“This factory will serve both Corobrik as well as South
Africa with jobs, environmental integrity, with dignified,
quality-built structures with financial rewards for all of our
stakeholders,” Meyer concluded.
Bryan Soldaat, director: Resources Based Industries for
the Department of Trade and Industry, delivered the
keynote address, he said, “It is a great pleasure to be a part
of this momentous occasion that signifies a milestone in the
history of Corobrik as a pioneer in manufacturing and
supply of critical material for the construction industry.”
Since its establishment in 1902, and as a household
name, Corobrik has grown in leaps and bounds to be a
diversified strategic player. The sod-turning ceremony and
the R801-million investment solidifies an important
partnership built between business and government, and
the role that business plays towards achieving the country’s
economic and strategic goals.
The manufacturing industry is one of the key priority
centres in the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) according
to Soldaat, which is what is referred to as the ‘guidebook’
8
JULY - AUGUST 2019
for the dti and the country. “Through IPAP we have
identified and listed the particular sectors that we know as
drivers, and the construction industry is one of them. So, in
IPAP, construction contributes to play a pivotal role in the
creation of employment opportunities. The government’s
R855-billion budget for infrastructure expenditure
provides a positive incentive for growth in the sale of
Corobrik products,” said Soldaat.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently launched the
significant local and international investment programme
that will contribute to the growth of the South African
economy. Corobrik’s new factory will contribute towards
achieving the president’s trillion-rand target.
Soldaat continued, “The new factory will double
production of the old factory and boasts state-of-the-art
equipment from Germany. This will contribute to the
enhancement of our technology competency, and the
transfer of critical skills to existing employees. We are very
pleased - as the dti - as we understand that the new factory
will not displace any employees, but instead will upskill and
re-skill existing employees.
“It is encouraging to see such investment and expansion,
and the dti is keen to support local supply and enterprise
development, as well as empowerment. Thank you to
Corobrik for inviting us [the department] today. Our doors
are open in terms of being able to walk this path of
investment with you and thank you for the jobs that you
have already created,” Soldaat concluded.
The ceremony was performed before guests networked
over some refreshments and a light lunch.
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za