E185M JONSSON FACTORY TENDER AWARDED, 2 700 JOBS COMING

NHLANGANO – Construction Associates has been awarded a E185 810 580.60 tender to build a government factory shell that will be utilised by Jonsson Workwear in Nhlangano.

The tender was announced by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, yesterday during an official site launch for the commencement of the construction. Khumalo stated that they were going to be aided by Micro-Projects and that the factory shell would take one year to construct, starting yesterday.

Factory

The factory will be built inside the Magindaneni Farm behind FTM Garments in Nhlangano. It was said that the factory was going to come with over 2 700 jobs, during construction and after its completion. Khumalo shared that the firm was initially to be built in Matsapha and had to be changed to Nhlangano. This, he said, came as an advantage in that it was placed outside the busy Mbabane-Manzini corridor. He said it was part of government’s decentralisation development model. The essence of the model, he said, was to address social and economic development challenges through synchronising planning across all government spheres.

“In practical terms, local government is planning to build factory shells and provide services that will realise improved livelihoods across the country. The joint product will uplift the broader populace. “The presence of the decentralisation of firms and other government services to the other minor towns outside of the Mbabane and Manzini corridor informs and improves the whole country’s business ecosystem,” the minister said. Speaking about the coming factory, Khumalo stated that it came at a time when the country was in dire need to create jobs and also increase productivity. Khumalo mentioned that he believed that the establishment of the investment was going to improve the livelihood of emaSwati in Nhlangano and surrounding areas, as well as open up other business opportunities.

He said the project was going to hire above 200 people during construction as well over 2 500 during its operationalisation. Khumalo added that he was convinced that the availability of the firm would significantly decrease the migration of the youth from Nhlangano to the Manzini/Matsapha corridor and bring an improved town environment.

Handover

During the launch, Minister Khumalo stated that they had four priorities for the project - to be done on time, finish on time, it be in the best quality and within budget. “An increased demand on business opportunities in the retail sector, agricultural sectors, transport sector and housing is also expected to be the spin-offs of this project,” he added. It was said that the drawings of the factory were put together by Swaziland Consulting Engineers’ technical team, while Quantec was said to have done the quantities. Central Agencies and EIPA facilitated the investment. Khumalo appreciated Nick Jonsson for considering Eswatini as the investment destination of choice. He also urged micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to provide and supply some goods and services that may be required by the main contractor.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Construction Associates Wayne Levendale, said the competition was a bit stiff but they greatly appreciated being awarded the tender. He stated that the construction of the factory shell was going to come with new job opportunities and business for local entrepreneurs, including cleaning services, food services and up skilling local labour. “Construction Associates really takes pride in the standard of works and understands the importance of this factory to the Shiselweni Region and the country at large. With its core values being agility, accountability, commitment, teamwork and embracing change, we pledge to deliver quality work,” Levendale said. Maseyisini Member of Parliament Mduduzi Dlamini, appreciated the existence of the factory shell and emphasised that locals were supposed to be prioritised in as far as employment was concerned.

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