Despite a challenging 2018 the Coega Development Corporation is ending the year on a high with four construction projects currently underway.

Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC unit head brand, marketing and communications says this has been in part, achievable through sheer dedication, hard work and the will to succeed.

“As we wind down the year, we have managed to turn the Coega SEZ into a construction site for investors currently busy with construction of their facilities,” adds Dr Vilakazi.

These investors have pledged a total private sector investment of R11.750 billion, and they include BAIC SA (R11 billion), OSHO Cement (R600 million), Akacia Medical (R100 million) and HELLA (R50 million).

Jointly, these investors are putting a dent on unemployment by creating much-needed jobs during construction.

“From 1 April 2018 to date, the CDC has secured five new investors against a target of four (4), at mid-year.  The total investment value amounts to R393 million against a target of R346.5 million. This is an achievement of 113%,” explains Dr Vilakazi.

For the first time, the CDC recorded impressive accumulative numbers of jobs with over 112 974 since its inception, signed 14 new investors, trained 6 674 people, spent R707 million on SMMES, and recorded 43 operational investors with R7.079 billion in private sector investment.