Local people ask to be considered
They want to work at the train manufacturing plant in Donnottar.
“Consider us for work at the new train manufacturing plant”, is the plea of the unemployed.
This new plant will be built outside Donnottar and when in full production will manufacture trains for Transnet to be used on the South African railways.
Construction of the plant will start later this year.
Tebogo Rakgabyani, chairman of the Unemployed People’s Co-operative Federation of South Africa says this movement has over 3 000 unemployed people who have already requested Gibela Rail to take their skills into consideration when they need employees for the new plant.
“The people in Kwatsaduza are desperate,” he says.
He also says there are artisans and several skilled people on their database of members who can get work at this manufacturing plant.
“Our members ask for opportunities,” he says.
The Addie sent questions pertaining the movement’s pleas, to Pamella Radebe, spokesman of Gibela Rail.
However, we have yet to received a reply.
In December she commented that bidders for the tenders to build the manufacturing plant have been requested to take into account the economic development commitments of the people of this area and to consider local people who filling posts at the new plant.
At the time, she could not say how many people will benefit through being employed at the new plant, because it depends on the company that receives the tender to build the plant.
Zweli Dlamini, mayoral spokesman says it is important to note that Ekurhuleni always subscribes to a policy that improves local economies.
“It is obvious that our wish will be to see a lot of locals finding jobs in the project, but we must also acknowledge the fact that this is a specialized industry and therefore we will not have the necessary skills to carry out the work.”
He says the metro regards the establishment of his manufacturing plant as “a major game changer” for the eastern part of Ekurhuleni.
“We have a lot of unemployment and poverty, and therefore any opportunity to turn this around is highly appreciated.” says Dlamini.
