Zuko Godlimpi, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, right, at the reopening of the Gledhow Mill in KwaDukuza.
Image: Supplied
Ahead of the sugar cane crushing season, Zuko Godlimpi, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, attended the reopening of the Gledhow Mill in KwaDukuza on Wednesday.
The sugar cane crushing season is set to start in May.
The Gledhow Mill entered voluntary business rescue in March 2023 following financial distress.
The mill's reopening follows a R1.8 billion expansion project by its new owners, saving 440 jobs and ensuring the future of over 200 sugar cane growers.
Speaking at the reopening, Godlimpi confirmed that the mill would remain operational.
“We have discussed some hard conditionalities on how they must improve and revamp their operation so that they are more efficient and sustainable going into the future. To the workers, they should be reassured, as far as the government is concerned, we will do our level best to keep them in employment.”
He will sign off on Phase 2 of the Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan (SIMP) on Friday.
Phase 1 of the SIMP was established as a partnership between government and the private sector to stabilise and transform the sugar sector.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, said in a statement that the South African sugar industry remained a strategic agro-processing value chain, supporting rural livelihoods, small-scale growers, and regional economies, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
“The industry is currently facing several structural challenges, including the risks of potential mill closures that could significantly affect cane growers, rural employment, and associated value chains.
“Notwithstanding the challenges faced by the industry, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and government development finance institutions like the Industrial Development Corporation remain committed to supporting the reopening of the sugar cane mills to preserve jobs and sustain the rural livelihoods in KwaZulu-Natal.”