DEPUTY MINISTER MAGWANISHE AND PREMIER NTOMBELA TO BESTOW FREE STATE’S FIRST BLACK INDUSTRIALISTS PROGRAMME BENEFICIARY   The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Bulelani Magwanishe together with the Premier of the Free State Province, Ms Sisi Ntombela will bestow Kevali Chemicals (PTY) Ltd the honour of being Free State’s first Black Industrialists Programme (BIP) beneficiary at a ceremony that will take place at the Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Harrismith, on Wednesday, 6 June 2018.   Kevali Chemicals, which was founded in 2014 is Free State’s first black manufacturing company within the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics sector to manufacture a range of water treatment chemicals, hygiene and sanitation solutions as well as adhesives.   According to Deputy Minister Magwanishe, the Black Industrialists Scheme is a grant programme of the Black Industrialists Policy that aims to unlock the potential within black industrialists operating in South African economy through deliberate, targeted and well-defined financial and non-financial interventions.   “Kevali has the honour of being the first company specialising in the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics sector to have ever been approved since the establishment of the Black Industrialist Programme in 2016. The company is housed within theMaluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and will provide much needed job opportunities to surrounding communities of Harrismith which are gripped by high levels of unemployment,” says Magwanishe.   Magwanishe adds that he hopes Kevali’s approval as a BIP beneficiary and the setting up of operations within the Maluti-A-Phofung SEZ will attract an influx and occupancy uptake from prospective local and international companies within the SEZ.   “It is through increased occupancy within our SEZs that we will ensure that direct jobs are created, our communities are uplifted and the economy of the country is grown to the benefit of all South Africans from all areas of the country,” he says.   Kevali’s product description includes the provision of water treatment services, adequate solutions to ensure safe food and beverage products for end users and the supply of environmental friendly adhesives for labelling and packaging. The BIP supported Kevali to acquire machinery and equipment to commence the new manufacturing and production line for water treatment, cleaning and disinfecting as well as adhesives.   Enquiries: Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson Tel: (012) 394 1650 Mobile: 079 492 1774 E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti