In a multi-million rand investment that will create over 25 000 job opportunities and rekindle the hopes of people in KwaZulu-Natal, the South African Breweries (SAB) is set to expand its operations after setbacks including the Covid-19 pandemic and the devastating floods in April and May.

Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has described SAB’s R825 million investment into its Prospecton Brewery as an overwhelming vote of confidence in the future of the province.

“As the provincial government we are pleased that this injection will lead to the creation of 25 000 additional jobs throughout the value chain and we can safely say that this investment will positively impact at least 125 000 people in our province. There is no better pride in someone than being able to put food on the table and to be able to give dignity to a family by taking care of its needs for shelter and education,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.

The investment announced by SAB’s Chief Executive Officer Richard Rivett-Carnac today will also benefit local suppliers to the tune of R652 million as the Brewery is going to procure services from them.

“We applaud SAB for this show of confidence in the province that will over time, inject an additional R4.4 billion to the province’s Gross Domestic Product. Indeed, this is a major boost for the KwaZulu-Natal economy as it goes beyond the bricks and mortar here at SAB to impact the economic growth of not only the province, but by extension, our country as well. This investment also has another important effect, which is to shine the spotlight on KwaZulu-Natal and to attract further investment into our provincial economy,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.

Already in this province, SAB is a major player directly employing 572 employees, 50% of whom are based in Prospecton. Furthermore, South African Breweries has established a firm socio-economic footprint in KwaZulu-Natal with the company investing more than R20 million per annum in socio-economic development ventures in the province, thus making a huge impact in the development of local communities.

Premier Dube-Ncube also welcomed the positive initiatives being rolled-out by SAB through their campaign which encourages responsible drinking.

“The responsible drinking campaign demonstrates that the SAB is serious about playing a role in reducing and preventing the harmful use of alcohol and in being a good corporate citizen. The province recently launched the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, which runs from 25 November until 10 December. KwaZulu-Natal is taking the campaign further having resolved to make fighting Gender-Based Violence a matter of 365 days of the year, and not just 16 days,” concluded Premier Dube-Ncube.

Premier Dube-Ncube also reaffirmed that the provincial government is hard at work to rebuild the province after economic setbacks such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the July 2021 unrest and the flood disasters, so that KwaZulu-Natal becomes a destination of choice for investors.

Ends

Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government on behalf of Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube