STREAMLIN: Health foods’ manufacturing facility located near the King Shaka International Airport in KwaZulu-Natal…

By  Lehlohonolo Lehana

South African health foods manufacturer Futurelife, wholly owned by food and beverage company PepsiCo South Africa, has opened its new manufacturing facility in the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone (SEZ), in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

The R75-million modern factory, located near the King Shaka International Airport, has been designed to streamline production processes, enhancing efficiency and flexibility to better meet the evolving needs of the company’s customer base.

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Siboniso Duma, says the investment in a new Futurelife manufacturing facility at the Dube Trade Port Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has created hope for a better future for the province.

Cutting the ribbon to officially mark the factory opening for business, Duma emphasised the important role that the factory will play in sustainable economic development in KwaZulu-Natal. Duma said locating the business within the Dube Trade Port SEZ will ensure efficiencies in the operations while reducing the logistics costs.

Ahead of the COVID-19 lockdown, about 315 000 people were employed in manufacturing, representing just of 12% of total formal and informal employment. He said the plant is an integral part of the provincial industrial strategy which aims to stimulate the manufacturing industry in order to increase employment.

“This launch is a result of your ability to work together to master new state-of-the-art technologies and to do this all on schedule. If we are to realise the province’s full potential and discharge our shared commitment to create a better life for all South Africans, then increased investment in the province is of critical importance.

“The fact that Futurelife already sources 87% of its raw materials locally, gives local producers an advantage of future upstream integration as Futurelife continues to pursue growth into regional and international markets,” Duma said.

Futurelife, which previously had its operations in Pinetown for 14 years, was fully acquired by food and beverage company, PepsiCo South Africa in 2023.

Former Futurelife Managing Director and now PepsiCo South Africa’s Commercial Vice President Mark Bunn said the exceptional facility is a testament to the company’s commitment to transforming and improving South Africans’ health and well-being.

“The new factory embodies our dedication to contributing positively to the local community and ultimately the broader economy.

The company has its origins in KwaZulu-Natal and has experienced significant growth and success within this region and, over time, in South Africa at large. “We are, therefore, unwavering in our commitment to giving back to the very community and economy that has played a pivotal role in our journey.

Our dedication extends beyond business as usual; it’s a pledge to support and enrich the local community and economy through our endeavours, ensuring a lasting positive impact for years to come,” Bunn said.

Bunn said the company currently has a staff complement of 186 and anticipates creating an additional 24 direct jobs in the next five years of its operations within the new facility. He added that the company anticipates growing 30% of its business into export markets in Asia, Middle East, Europe, North America and the rest of the African continent.

Dube Trade Port SEZ CEO, Hamish Erskine said the investment is significant for FutureLife, and serves as a notable endorsement for the SEZ, as an investment destination in South Africa.

“As the Special Economic Zone operator, we welcome this investment and look forward to working with and supporting FutureLife in their development journey, as we also continue to build a highly secure and functional industrial precinct, “Erskine said.

Dube Trade Port Special Economic Zone is home to 46 operational business enterprises, which have collectively created 10 803 jobs, as at March 2023.

‘ASIBE HAPPY’ AT Joy of Jazz

REPERTOIRE: Songstress Zonke’s popularity as the people’s favourites unrivalled as Mbira kept the crowd on their feet…

By  Priscilla Malinga

Joy of Jazz 24th edition closed last weekend on a high note at the famous Sandton Convention Centre, leaving thousands of fans calling for more.

Like any other year, this festival is always one of the events to look forward to. The line-up was on fleek and I specifically looked forward to Zonke and Sumthing Soweto’s performances as much as I love Jazz.

It was guitars, drums and saxophones as people chose their favourites performing at different stages to watch.

I like this event.  There is always orderliness when it comes to collecting accreditations. When you walk inside the venue, the programs are available without a hitch. The sound is always on point and the performances on time.

As media, we are lucky to be allocated a venue where we are able to sit and watch performances from the comfort of a media room while being pampered. Standard Bank came back as a main sponsor after they were not part of the festival in 2022.

On Saturday, we were on time to watch Mbira Amu Faku on stage singing her blockbuster ‘asibehaopy song’ wearing a black outfit, along with the crowds in chorus.

Ami Faku kept a formidable stage presence and, watching her perform, was quite an experience. She also sang Abalelele among the other favourites. Buhlebendalo from The Soil was next as she belted her own repertoire, including Vusela.

Zonke was obviously the people’s favourites as her act followed Mbira on stage, wearing a blue top and jeans. She still looked fabulous and her voice hasn’t changed. She sang a mixture of songs from different albums including feelings, and Jikizinto and Uyandithanda.

When she finished, Izinkabi followed albeit to a diminished crowd as a lot of people went out to see Robert Glasper, an international American pianist, record producer, songwriter and musical arranger. Also performing on the night was Ernie Smith, a reggae singer with a deep baritone voice who had his greatest success in the late 1960s and 1970s.

With both giving electric performances, it was difficult to choose – which is always the case when both your favourites are performing at the same time. On Saturday, the crowd was also wowed by Simphiwe Dana, Sumthing Soweto, Marumofemme, DJ Happy j, 4everjazz Nothemba Madumo and DJ Catsro and DJ kenzhero expeience and featuring Melo B Jones.

All the acts performed at different stages, namely Dinaledi, Conga, Mbira and Lounge Jazz stages.

May Joy of Jazz continue to pleasure us with this magnificent event for the next 24 years. Tickets sold at R950 for a Day Pass and R1 800 Weekend Pass – steep price but worth every cent, given the world-class bill which keeps attracting hundreds year in and year out.