R50 million upgrade for Phuthaditjhaba Industrial Park

The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has completed the first phase of the revitalisation of the Phuthaditjhaba Industrial Park in the Free State.

At a cost of R50 million, the revitalisation included the upgrading of security infrastructure including fencing, street lighting, installation of boom gates, pedestrian gates, CCTV cameras and control room, and the refurbishment of high mast lights.

This initiative is part of the dti's Revitalisation of Industrial Parks Programme, which aims to upgrade state-owned industrial parks across the country to promote industrialisation and increase their contribution to job creation and the country's economic growth.

Special Economic Zones and Economic Transformation Deputy Director-General Sipho Zikode, said: “We are witnessing the fruits of the importance of collaboration and using the expertise available in government and its affiliates.The industrial parks and the dti have collaborated with the Development Bank of Southern Africa, which is our technical partner the Free State Provincial government; and the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality.”

The next milestone will see national and provincial political leaders launch the park officially after which the second phase of the revitalisation programme will begin.

Free State Development Corporation CEO Ikraam Osman is the manager tasked with overseeing the park and said the upgrading will have a positive impact both to the park and the surrounding areas as it will attract more investors who will contribute to job creation for the local people.

The park was built more than 40 years ago and hosts 296 factories.