ABOUT

 

 

 

 

 

 

KwaZulu-Natal province Premier Edward Senzo Mchunu

Population: 10.3 million people (2011 census)

Capital: Pietermaritzburg

Major Cities: Durban, Newcastle, Richards Bay, Vryheid

Executive Committee Chair: Dr. Jean Bailey (jeanbaileyphd@aol.com)

Map: link to map

MOU: Thursday, January 15, 2015

Other Members:Senator (Ret) Verna Jones Rodwell (Vice-Chair);  Tara Patterson Hammons, J.D. (Executive Director) Frank Islam; Prof James E. Craigen, Sr.; Henry Osborne;  Sheila Khatri, Dr. Charles E. Lewis, Jr.; Dr. Sonya Smith; Ms. Rosalee Morris Daley,  Senator (Ret) Michael Bowen- Mitchell, Marshella Toldson, Dr. Luniqe Estime, Dave Kunes,  Sindile Dlamini, and Nomsa Dlamini.

INTRODUCING THE PROVINCE OF KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA

Situated on the eastern seaboard of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal has direct access to both the Indian and Pacific Ocean rims. The region’s strategic geographical position on world trade routes provides effortless access to major global markets, such as South America, Europe and Far East.

KwaZulu-Natal is an enticing, sophisticated and spectacular destination. As one of South Africa’s nine Provinces, it is the country’s second largest economy. The ambitious future growth of the Province lies primarily in its positioning as the Gateway to Africa. Nowhere else on the continent is the combination of sea, land and air logistics being more developed, and optimised, as it is in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Province boasts two of the largest seaports in Sub-Saharan Africa: Durban Container Terminal, which has recently been widened and deepened; and Richards Bay Harbour, the country’s busiest deep water and break bulk port, and home to the privately operated Richards Bay Coal Terminal. Both ports are backed by a world-class rail and road infrastructure, giving KwaZulu-Natal a key competitive advantage. The N2 is an important corridor connecting Durban and Richards Bay, and the N3 links Durban with a double lane artery to the bustling capital of Gauteng. When it comes to fast, agile access to global markets, King Shaka International Airport is Southern Africa’s premier air logistics platform. Situated at the Dube TradePort, this area truly prioritizes integrated air services.

KwaZulu-Natal is a major role player in manufacturing as well as the transport and logistics sectors in South Africa and is a premier domestic and international tourist destination. KwaZulu-Natal enjoys the strategic and competitive advantage of being a global gateway for trade into Southern Africa and to the world. Its strategic location and highly developed industrial sector ensure a competitive edge for both local and foreign investors and unique advantages for local exports.

Investment in KwaZulu-Natal continues to emerge as a major contributor to South Africa’s growing economy and its favourable business environment has made the province a sound investment destination for investors from around the world.

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

KwaZulu-Natal is South Africa’s second largest economy, contributing on average, 15.9% (2016) to the country’s GDP. The province of KwaZulu-Natal is the second most populous province following the Gauteng Province, representing 19.6% of the country’s population in 2017.

Economic activities in KwaZulu-Natal are primarily centred in the Durban Metropolitan Area and in Pietermaritzburg, with significant concentrations in the City of Umhlathuze (Richards Bay and Empangeni), Ladysmith/Emnambithi and the Newcastle/Madadeni Region.

ECONOMIC SECTORS

Major economic sectors in KwaZulu-Natal include:
• Agriculture including agri-processing and forestry
• Manufacturing (automotive, chemical, textiles, electronics, pulp and paper products)
• Finance, Services, Real Estate and Property Development
• Wholesale and Retail Trade
• Transport, Aviation and Logistics
• Communications
• Tourism and Hospitality Development

MANUFACTURING SUCCESS FACTORS

• Easy access to raw materials, timber, minerals and water;
• Excellent infrastructure and logistics;
• Readily available skilled and semi skilled labour force;
• Two of Africa’s largest ports (Durban and Richards Bay);
• Two Special Economic Zones; and,
• Attractive investment incentive schemes.
Key provincial role-players include Toyota South Africa, Tongaat Hulett, Illovo, Samsung, Defy, Sumitomo Rubber, Unilever, Nestle, Clover, Mondi and Sappi amongst others.

REASONS TO INVEST IN KWAZULU-NATAL

• Close proximity to, and within easy access of South Africa’s two largest ports – Durban and Richards Bay
• King Shaka International Airport;
• A large labour pool;
• Diverse culture;
• Gateway to other African countries;
• Low land and building costs;
• World-class transport and telecommunications infrastructure;
• Two Special Economic Zones offering attractive incentives;
• Advocacy and lobbying for investor incentives; and
• Idyllic climate.

SOME INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Aluminium conversion and fabricated products;
• Automotive parts and components;
• Beneficiation and value-addition of resources;
• Electronics;
• Business process outsourcing;
• Engineering;
• Chemicals and
• Petro-chemicals;
• Wood products;
• Food processing; and
• Clothing, textiles, leather and footwear.

For more information, please visit: www.tikzn.co.za

INITIATIVES

Key Components of the MOU

• The promotion of development and co-operation and the exchange of knowledge, skills and expertise in the following fields –

• the enhancement of economic development through business, trade and investment;

• the promotion of tourism;

• agriculture development and agribusiness;

• education and training exchange programmes;

• social development exchange programmes;

• port collaboration and maritime exchange programmes;

• the exchange of heritage and cultural preservation exchange programmes, and

• sport exchange programmes;

Premier Mchunu reported on the Delegation Visit to Maryland and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to the Cabinet of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. The report was adopted on January 29, 2015. It included the following conclusive assessment and proposed way forward.

The KwaZulu-Natal Maryland cooperation arrangement presents a unique opportunity for both parties to benefit primarily from investment and trade exchanges. Moreover, with Maryland’s strengths in research and development practiced at the best institutions known as the John Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, this partnership amplifies collaborative exchanges to  bolster growth between both regions.

Opportunities in biotechnology was also highlighted as a potential key growth area that KwaZulu-Natal should consider. Port collaboration and maritimeexchanges offer training and job opportunities for port users. In summary, the cooperation arrangement is specifically aimed at strengthening economic, trade and investment, scientific, cultural and human relations Between the tworegions.

Follow up activities:

• Attended DBED/Department of Commerce Conference on Doing Business in Africa February 11, 2015
• Meeting with DBED , February, 2015
• Meeting between Secretary of State and South Africa Department of Social Development representatives, January, 2015; Hosted Follow up delegation and developed MOU, September 2015
• Meeting with South Africa CEO for Transnet Port Authority, March, 2015 – Awaiting the date for technical visit to Maryland re MOU and signing of MOU
• Established FaceBook Page for the MD/KZN Sister States (NOTE THAT MD/KZN was requested to be added to the State Sister States website and to the Sister State Logo) – Sheila Khatri
• Presented Citation to the Honorable Graca Machel, Widow of President Nelson Mandela, on May 16, 2015 at Morgan State University (Senator Jones-Rodwell)
• Secretary of State Wobensmith attended South Africa National Day at Embassy on April 30
• Follow up correspondence with key Maryland Investors in South Africa, e.g., Marriott Corporation
• Hosted  Manager of Eastern Cape  Transnet Ports, July, 2015
• Coordinated contacts for Maryland Trade Delegations to South Africa in June and September, 2015
• Organized follow up delegation to KZN and participated in National Innovation Conference (Dr. Jean Bailey and Dr. Sonya Smith)
• Hosted South Africa Department of Social Development delegation for partnership with Maryland and Follow up development of the Implementation Strategy  with the Maryland Departments of Higher Education, Early Childhood Education, Human Services,  and Behavioral Development (September, 2015 – Present)
• Co-Chaired conference on Women in STEM with the Howard University ADVANCE-IT, National Science Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology, October, 2015
• Hosted the Speaker of the National Parliament of South Africa, Honorable Baleka Mbete,  January, 2016
• Convened the Symposium on the 40th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum , with Special Guest, the Honorable Baleka Mbete, June 2016.
• Attended Secretary of State delegation to St. Mary’s College and Morgan State University
• Co-facilitated the Maryland/South Africa Business Forum hosted by Maryland Department of Commerce, Maryland Secretary of State, and  the Embassy of South Africa, May, 2016
• Attended the Prince George’s County Department of Economic Development/Embassy of South Africa Mutual Briefing, July 2016
• Attended the Africa Aerospace and Defense Show in Pretoria, South Africa in partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce, September, 2016
• Follow up meetings with KwaZulu-Natal Officials, including the Consul General and Commercial Attache for the US Consulate in Durban; the Director of Planning and the Senior Advisor to the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal
• Established partnership with Essence, Inc., Durban Municipality and the City of New Orleans to implement workshops, identify sponsors and participants in the Durban Essence Festival/Business Fair to be held in Durban in November, 2016 – 2019

THE LATEST

Next Steps

• African City Symposium 27-29 June 2022. Register here. Learn more.
• Strategic Planning Meeting of Committee and Development of Action Plan
• Schedule Technical Visit for the Transnet Port Authority (Late June) and Finalize MOU with the Transnet Port Authority
• Schedule Meeting/Reception for new South African Ambassador, H.E. J Mahlangu
• Facilitate the Signing of the MOU with the Department of Social Development, finalize implementation plan with Maryland Departments,  and initiate activities –  November 2016 and future
• Assist with Maryland (Maryland, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County)Trade Delegation to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)  South Africa
• Organize Maryland/South Africa Business Council in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Embassy of South Africa
• Continue program to enhance Women in STEM fields with Dr. Sonya Smith
• Initiate planning for Durban Essence Festival 2017

Deputy Secretary of State Luis Borunda and Maryland – KwaZulu-Natal Sister State Committee Chair Dr. Jean Bailey welcome the delegation from the South African National Asssociation of Social Housing Organizations (NASHO) to Maryland on August 14.

The Maryland-KwaZulu Natal Sister State Committee engages members of South African NASHO visiting Maryland and D.C. for information exchange tour and training. Members and guests met at the Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore.

 

CONTACT

Jean Bailey

Chairperson of the Maryland – KwaZulu-Natal Sister State Committee

Email: jeanbaileyphd@aol.com