By Nangamso Mabindla
21 April 2006

THE East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) is happening. These were the words of the zone's chief executive, Simphiwe Kondlo, at the launch of the Automotive Supplier Park on Friday, 21 April.

Kondlo said that with recent investments of more than R300-million and the new 25 hectare Automotive Supplier Park; the IDZ was on the right track. "We are excited at what we have achieved in the last 18 months. We are one of the front runners of government initiatives; and occasions like these give us a chance to show that the government's commitment is not misplaced."

In 2005 the IDZ announced its first four tenants, with a combined investment of R300-million. "Our investors are already moving in strides. Factories have been started already and we are hoping to open some of them during the course of the year. With these investments we are looking at creating employment for our people," Kondlo said.

Still in its first phase, the zone has 430 hectares of land; of that, 130 hectares are ready for sale and 50 hectares are ready for leasing. Kondlo invited potential investors to put money into the IDZ as it had world-class infrastructure.

Turning his attention to the benefits of the Automotive Supplier Park, Kondlo said it would contribute to Buffalo City's vision of being the automotive hub of the province.

"A critical element of the [park's] success into the future is DaimlerChrysler's W204 project. We have worked closely with the automotive manufacturer to ensure appropriate synchronisation with its requirements," he explained.

"These have been duly incorporated into the development and layout of the [park]. Logistics as well as the [park] layout were developed in close co-operation with DaimlerChrysler South Africa's logistics and factory planning department."

The automotive industry was important to the success of the zone as DaimlerChrysler was one of the largest employers in the city, with more than 3 000 employees. The other sectors the zone aimed to focus on included agriculture and information and communications technology.

Speaking at the launch, Buffalo City Executive Mayor Zintle Peter said she was happy that the zone was on the right track and that soon jobs would be created to ease the city's 53 percent unemployment rate.

"We are very happy to be partners with the IDZ in our quest to boost the city's economy," Peter said. "Your achievements are really a good contribution to the City's vision. These developments come at a time of exciting economic growth in our country. We are really proud of the zone."

Peter pledged the City's commitment to working with the IDZ. "You are one of our biggest partners; we are going to do everything in our power to ensure that the zone and the rest of our partners succeed in their efforts."

Following the formalities, the mayor; the chairman of the IDZ, Zolile Tini; Niels Anderson from DaimlerChrysler South Africa; and Kondlo performed a sod turning at the park.