The R1.9-billion Giba Business Estate was launched 16 August 2023 by Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda and developers Shaaz Mossa and Nel Nathoo of Sultex Investments.
This is the largest light industrial and logistics development to break ground within Durban’s outer west region in more than three years.
The development will not only create hundreds of short term and permanent jobs but also significantly boost the greater eThekwini region’s GDP.
The development marked the opening of new land for industrial development that was previously zoned for agricultural use. Minister Gordhan reiterated that it is incumbent on government to make it as easy as possible for businesses to invest.
He urged government officials to ensure that red tape is reduced, and decisions are made quickly to enable investment and employment creation. Minister Gordhan was pleased with the work of the City’s Catalytic Projects Unit.
“It is important for youth to be empowered to become business people so they can help grow the economy and create employment. In many places around the world, the lack of inclusivity and inequality is a major challenge. We need to make sure that with this project and others, as many people as possible benefit and share in the prosperity of the project. We thank the investors for their confidence in the City,” he said.
This is the largest light industrial and logistics development to break ground within Durban’s outer west region in more than three years.
Speaking at the sod turning ceremony which included local community members, Mayor Kaunda said: “We are honoured to stand before you today to launch yet another strategic investment project in the outer west region that will change the socio-economic landscape for the area, particularly for the community of Ward 15.”
Mayor Kaunda said the Giba Business Park is a welcome addition to a string of catalytic projects the City is implementing in this region.
These developments include the Keystone Logistics Park in Hammarsdale, Westown in Shongweni and the Dry Port in Cato Ridge which inject billions of rands of investment in the outer west region.
“Today we are celebrating another milestone as we unveil a R1.9-billion project that will not only support the thriving logistics sector along the N3 corridor, but also create jobs and business opportunities for local entrepreneurs. With this project alone, we intend to create about 492 jobs during construction phase and about 4 661 permanent jobs post construction,” Mayor Kaunda explained. “We are also delighted that this project will contribute to the financial health of the Municipality as it will contribute over R60-million in rates revenue after three years of its commissioning.”
Strategically located adjacent to the west bound carriageway of the Mariannhill Toll Plaza along the N3, the development will rejuvenate the Giba Business Park, creating important business opportunities for the logistics and SMME light industrial sectors.
The Giba Business Estate comprises 22 sites aimed at light industry, warehousing, and the allied logistics sectors.
The Westmead Industrial Park and the Mahogany Ridge Industrial Park lie to the north-east of Giba Business Estate, making this a natural extension of this sought-after industrial node along the busy Durban Gauteng corridor. It offers easy access to all major national highways. The N3, N2, and the M7 interchanges are all less than 10km away, providing access to both northbound and southbound routes.
The development, which has been earmarked as one of the City’s key catalytic projects by the eThekwini Municipality, will see the development of 220 000 square meters of platformed sites of various sizes.
The Giba Business Estate comprises 22 sites aimed at light industry, warehousing, and the allied logistics sectors.
Nathoo said that the Giba Business Estate would be developed in two phases. Work had already begun on the infrastructure and platforms for the first phase which was due for completion in July 2024.
Early investors will benefit from its proximity to the N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg which is in the throes of a R20-billion, eight-year upgrade by SANRAL, he pointed out.
The upgrades to both this and the N2 form part of national government’s Strategic Integrated Projects, SIP2: Durban-Free State-Gauteng Logistics and Industrial Corridor. SIP2 aims to strengthen the logistics and transport corridor between South Africa’s main industrial hubs, improve access to Durban’s export and import facilities and raise efficiency along the corridor.
Mayor Kaunda said the Giba Business Estate represented a silver lining for eThekwini. He thanked the consortium of investors for their vote of confidence in the future of the City as an investment destination.
“Catalyst projects such as this one are planned and designed to cause a corresponding and complementary development reaction. They are projects of sufficient magnitude to stimulate ongoing redevelopment. The Giba Business Estate is much like Cornubia and Riverhorse Valley to the north of the City and the proposed Automotive Supplier Park to the south. It is an important part of the City’s 10 Point Port City Industrial Plan which will not only begin to re-industrialise the city but ensure continued sustainable economic growth for the region,” he said.
Moosa said that the Giba Business Estate presented important turnkey development opportunities for investors as well as SMME’s and other end users. Companies and manufacturing entities could construct their own bespoke developments catering for their specific configurations and needs.
The Giba Business Estate encompasses eco-friendly green zones aimed at reducing the site’s carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Infrastructure to support high-speed fibre and solar electricity generation as well as state-of-the-art security have also been included in the planning.
Contact
To find out more about- or discuss opportunities available in the development, please contact Invest Durban today:
