KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala will tomorrow, Thursday 20 August 2020, preside over a ceremony to receive a state-of-the-art surgical mask making machine at the Msinga Clothing Factory.
The BFOSA Semiautomatic Surgical Mask Machine, worth R4.2 million, is capable of manufacturing over 1.2 million surgical masks in one week.
The machine, which will be assembled on site tomorrow, has been donated by the Health and Welfare Sector Education & Training Authority to the Msinga Clothing Factory owned by Lelly Mntungwa.
Two years ago, Mntungwa revived a shoe factory which had been closed for 20 years, and turned it into a clothing factory.
She did this with the help of the Department for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs which, at that time, was led by Premier Sihle Zikalala.
The factory used to employ more than 3000 people before it was shut down, 20 years ago. When she revived it in 2019, Mntungwa started with 49 employees. Since then the factory has grown as it now employs 260 people.
Of the 260 people, 200 are permanent and 60 temporary workers due to the Covid-19 demand for masks. The majority of workers are women and the youth.
Msinga is one of the most impoverished rural areas in the country with a high rate of unemployment amongst women and the youth.
This is a true story of women economic empowerment which is one of the priorities of the KZN provincial government.
Members of the media are cordially invited to cover this important event.
Details are as follows:
Venue: Msinga Clothing Factory, Keates Drift.
Date: Thursday 20 August 2020
Time: 12h00
For enquiries, contact:
KZN Provincial Government Spokesperson
Lennox Mabaso
Cell: 082 884 2403
Bongani Mthethwa
KZN Premier Media Liaison
Cell: 083 253 0748
