First phase of train manufacturing site set to take immediate effect

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The purpose of the meeting was to update the local community on the latest development in the Dunnottar train manufacturing saga, which according to Bambisa, is still on track.

He added that PRASA recently obtained around 78ha of land next to the Dunnottar army base at a cost of R1 billion (invested in the factory) for a period of 19 years, but that 10 years will be invested in the manufacturing process itself.

Construction of the train manufacturing facility in Dunnottar is set to begin soon, as the site was officially handed over to PRASA this month.

Since portions of the demarcated property falls within the Blesbokspruit wetlands, it means that all indigenous plants will carefully have to be removed, preserved until the area has been flattened out for the construction purposes, and thereafter re-planted.

“It is anticipated that the actual construction of the facilities of which the bids are currently in adjudication stage, will begin in May. The overall construction programme will last approximately 18 months, paving the way for the start of local manufacturing,” Bambisa said.

He also reiterated the meaning of the word ‘local’ by saying “In this context, local means an individual that is mainly domiciled and registered within the geographical borders of South Africa.”

Bambisa concluded the meeting by saying the recruitment process is in its final stages and also urged local job seekers to register accordingly on the Gibela website, namely www.gibela-rail.com

Community development manager of Gibela, Sipho Bambisa addressing hundreds of job seekers during a meeting held at Alrapark Community Hall on January 15, where it was announced that construction of the train manufacturing site in Dunnottar will commence in July 2017.