BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MATSAPHA – Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade revealed that 9000 jobs will be created in Kingdom of Eswatini in the next year, with lots of textile factories opening this year to absorb 6000 unemployed Emaswati. Minister Manqoba Khumalo revealed this when he was touring the newly expanded Clockwork Giant Clothing factory in Matsapha.
“When the factory started, the investors pledged to invest about E400 million in the factory, which will hire about 850 Emaswati over 10 years. As we discussed during the tour today, the company has already hired 650 people of the 850 in 2 years. We are hoping that this means they have to re-evaluate their assumptions as the business seems to be working very well,” said Minister Khumalo.
The Minister added that “this is apparently because of Covid-19 as well, wherein the factory found increased demand for medical apparel, amongst other things. The factory now ships to over a dozen countries in the world including Germany, Austria, The UK, and Italy.” Minister Khumalo noted that it is commendable that a single company has grown to hire 650 people in the past 2 years when other businesses were struggling with the pandemic.
The Minister also gave an update about other ongoing factory development projects in the country.
“There’s currently a factory shell in Matsapha that will be completed next year and it will give about 1000 Emaswati employment. There is also another factory under development in Ndzevane and that project is expected to start operating in August 2022. This particular project is expected to offer employement to about 1000 people by August 2023.” commented Minister Khumalo. He added that “there’s a Jonsson factory in Magindaneni at Gege which is about to hire 3000 people.”
Minister Khumalo added that there are also other factories which are expanding their operations in the country. To this effect, he mentioned that FTM Garments in Nhlangano is looking to hire two to three thousand people in the next two years. Minister Khumalo also revealed that by the end of the current year’s recently approved budget, 9000 jobs will be created in total – with additional jobs being created after this fiscal year.
