Despite planned upgrades, the Isithebe Industrial Estate still needs revitalisation to remain competitive.

Located within the Mandeni municipality, the industrial hub plays an important role in attracting large-scale manufacturing and industry to the region.

During a recent visit by the Courier, it was evident that many factories were in poor condition, some visibly vandalised. One factory left vacant just a few months ago had already been stripped of part of its roof.

Isithebe is a key economic pillar for the iLembe region, providing thousands of jobs and housing around 45% of all manufacturers in the district. It is also home to about 70% of the region’s textile production, making it essential to maintain this area at full operational capacity.

Violent unrest in 2016 and 2018 added to the estate’s challenges, weakening investor confidence.

Although several revitalisation initiatives led by the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) are in the pipeline, significant issues persist.

Despite this, Sitandiwe Dimba of Ithala Development Finance Corporation (IDFC), which owns and leases around 150 factories and employs between 12 000 and 15 000 people, says they continue to attract investment.

“The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) recently completed phase 2 of its Industrial Parks Revitalisation Project, which included security upgrades such as fencing, high mast lights and the construction of a technology digital hub.

Phase 1, completed in 2018, consisted of the re-roofing of several factories, the construction of sidewalks and electricity upgrades. The DTIC has invested about R100-million for both phases and IDFC is currently in the process of applying for funding for phase 3,” said Dimba.

She said the corporation has an annual capital budget aimed at refurbishing vital infrastructure and ensuring that factories remain attractive for investors.

At the 2023 industrial park seminar, the iLembe Chamber of Commerce proposed an alternative estate management model for state-owned industrial parks, which included a focus on precinct management.

The Chamber envisaged that this model would result in more inclusive management, and would contribute significantly to the visual appeal of the estate.

Public spaces need to be made attractive to create the impression of a well-maintained, organised, and high-quality industrial environment.

The municipality’s Integrated Development Plan published in June, said Isithebe had been identified as part of the proposed Richards Bay Special Economic Zone (SEZ). If the proposal succeeds, the region could benefit from fiscal incentives designed to accelerate industrial investment.

To fully unlock this potential, upgrades to the transportation and infrastructure network are essential. This includes improvements to the existing rail system, which would require support from Transnet and Prasa.

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