Black Industrialists have a key role to play in Government’s Infrastructure Programme - Deputy Minister Masina
Emerging Black Industrialists in the country have a key role to play in the R5 trillion government infrastructure programme. This was said by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina, during his visits to factories based in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng today.
Deputy Minister Masina visited Plasma Cut and Naledi Inhlanganiso factories which both operate in the steel sector.
The visits were part of the Taking the dti to the Factories campaign. The campaign is aimed at offering the political leadership of the department an opportunity to interact with directors of companies which have received funding from the dti in order to assess the impact of the financial support.
Masina said it was important to acknowledge the role that emerging Black Industrialists can play in the country’s economy and that with enough support they too can make a huge impact and benefit in the government infrastructure programme and other sectors.
“The dti is currently mobilising state resources from different Development Finance Institutions in order to assist Black Industrialists who can grow the economy and create sustainable jobs,” said Masina.
Masina also said he was encouraged to see young people in management positions, adding it showed willingness from companies to transform.
The Managing Director of Plasma Cut, Mr Litha Gqoboka, said as a company they welcomed the Black Industrialists programme as it will encourage other entrepreneurs to mentor black engineers in the steel and manufacturing sector.
Gqoboka said they were encouraged by government’s continuous work to transform the economy and address the imbalances of the past.
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