WITH Richards Bay being home to the South32 Hillside smelter, the largest aluminium smelter in the Southern Hemisphere, downstream aluminium opportunities in the area are abundant.
For this reason, the Downstream Centre for Aluminium Technology (DACT) was established in Richards Bay to assist entrepreneurs to succeed in the industry with the help of funding from the Seda Technology Programme and South32.
Speaking at DACT’s annual general meeting on Thursday, Centre Manager Phumudzo Madzunya expressed her excitement with the team’s accomplishments over the past financial year.
‘The centre’s performance for this financial year has been outstanding with our core targets exceeded, all thanks to the hard word and collaboration of the entire team.
‘We are pleased to report the following achievements: 22 new SMMEs established, 129 clients supported and 43 jobs created.
‘DACT continues to ensure sustainability of businesses in the aluminium industry through an incubation programme, which provides support in terms of compliance, infrastructure, technology support, business administrative support and skills development.’
Plans for progress
Madzunya said there are plans in place to upgrade facilities and equipment to improve the centre’s value offering.
‘This will also include the additional services catered for engineering businesses in Alton and surrounding areas.
‘The centre is also in the process of finalising its ISO 9001 certification, which will give current and future incubators and stakeholders the assurance of quality service offerings.
‘We are also strengthening our relationships with various stakeholders, including the City of uMhlathuze, Seda uThungulu Branch, Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation, and the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone.’
Challenges
DACT Chairperson Craig Ullbricht said despite the ups, there has also been a fair share of downs.
‘Some of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs were difficulty in obtaining funding, difficulty in expanding and transforming their businesses and insufficient marketing abilities.
‘The small scale of individual businesses places them at a disadvantage, so they need assistance to upgrade their professionalism, standard of management and competitiveness.
‘These challenges are handled at the centre with continuous support from the Board and the Seda Technology Programme.
‘I am confident DACT will find innovative ways to address these challenges and continue to establish strong successful business.’
