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President Cyril Ramaphosa: South32 Hillside Aluminium anniversary
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thami Ntuli, Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr
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[{"type":"text","content":" Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thami Ntuli, Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau Deputy Ministers, MECs, Executive Mayor of the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, Cllr Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Mayor of the uMhlathuze Local Municipality, Cllr Xolani Ngwezi, Chief Executive Officer of South32, Mr Graham Kerr, Chief Operating Officer of South32, Mr Noel Pillay Representatives of state-owned enterprises, Members of the diplomatic community, Representatives of business and organised labour, Traditional, community and faith leaders, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my privilege to be here to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hillside Aluminium smelter and to pay tribute to South32 for its sustained commitment to investing in the provincial and national economy. Since its operations began in 1996, Hillside Aluminium has contributed significantly to our country’s industrial capabilities. When President Nelson Mandela opened the smelter in April 1996 he said: “The ultimate yardstick by which we must measure our efforts is the extent to which they promote sustained economic growth and development, create jobs and eliminate poverty.” Today, we can say that Hillside Aluminium has delivered. It is reported that the smelter currently supports 3,650 direct and indirect jobs, contributes to an estimated 29,000 jobs across the economy, and plays a key role in supplying aluminium to the local downstream industry. Hillside Aluminium is not only a smelter; it is a producer of skills. It is known for its highly skilled artisans, rigorous engineering, tight process control and an uncompromising safety culture. The apprenticeships, bursaries and learnerships provided by Hillside Aluminium are more than corporate programmes. They have strengthened South Africa’s national skills pipeline. They prepare young people for the high-demand jobs of future industries, from advanced manufacturing to the green economy. Hillside Aluminum has shown that its roots are firmly planted in the community through sustained community and social investment, strengthening education, economic participation, health and well-being. These programmes have reinforced the principle that large industrial operation...