The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has injected R35 million to assist the Free State’s first-approved Black Industrialists Programme.
Deputy Minister Bulelani Magwanishe and Premier of the province, Sisi Ntombela, on Wednesday bestowed Kevali Chemicals (PTY) Ltd the honour of being the province’s Black Industrialists Programme (BIP) beneficiary.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Harrismith, the Deputy Minister said Kevali contributes to developing skills in the province.
“Kevali is an ideal Black Industrialists beneficiary because it contributes to the translation of industrial skills to viable enterprises, it addresses issues of water security which have become a threat to the continent as a whole and that it will provide much needed job opportunities to the community of Tshiame,” he said on Wednesday.
Kevali Chemicals is the Free State’s first black manufacturing company within the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics sector.
The company was awarded an investment injection of R35 million under the Black Industrialists Scheme (BIS) to ensure that it acquires machinery and equipment to commence a new line of production and manufacturing.
The manufacturing capability has also enabled Kevali to have complete control of its supply chain.
Located in Tshiame, the SEZ was launched by former President Jacob Zuma in April last year and in March, former Free State Premier Ace Magashule said the SEZ was scheduled to start with construction later that month.
“It is important to highlight that this initiative would have never been accomplished had it not been for government’s policy intervention alongside the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the private sector. I must also take this opportunity to invite the provincial government of the Free State to partner with us to ensure that we continue locating more Black Industrialists in the province,” said Magwanishe.
Magwanishe further concluded by extending an invitation to Kevali Chemicals to form part of the dti’s delegation of companies that will showcase products and services at the China Expo in December.
Free State Member of the Executive Committee for Agriculture, Benny Malakoane, encouraged the company to grow from strength to strength.
“To Kevali, the challenge is upon yourselves to grow this company. You need to ensure that you venture out and explore the market. Do not focus alone on transacting with government alone but diversify your portfolio to an extent that catapult yourselves into being leaders in this sector in years to come,” he said.
Kevali Chemicals, which was founded in 2014, is Free State’s first black manufacturing company within the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics sector to manufacture a range of water treatment chemicals, hygiene and sanitation solutions, as well as adhesives.
The company’s product description includes the provision of water treatment services, adequate solutions to ensure safe food and beverage products for end users and the supply of environmental friendly adhesives for labelling and packaging. – SAnews.gov.za
