Minister Gordhan to oversee Transnet’s conclusion of historic land claim agreement in Richards Bay for future port expansion and provide update on third party rail slots

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Pravin Gordhan, will tomorrow oversee the historic conclusion of the land claim agreement between Transnet SOC Ltd (Transnet) and the Isizwe sase Mandlanzini Trust, which paves the way for expansion of the Port of Richards Bay.

The Agreement is an important milestone, not only for Transnet, but also for the Mandlanzini Community and for the economic development of the King Cetshwayo District and the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Minister Gordhan will be joined by Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza, Transnet GCEO, Ms Portia Derby, KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Ravi Pillay, Mayor of the King Cetshwayo District, Cllr Thamsanqa Ntuli, Mayor of City of uMhlathuze, Cllr Xolani Ngwezi and iNkosi Mthiyane of the Mandlanzini Mambuka Trust.

The Port of Richards Bay is one of the main dry bulk ports focusing on four major activities; dry bulk, break bulk and liquid bulk, and is the largest exporter of coal in the country.

Government has prioritised massive investment in the port system across the country to improve efficiency through the upgrading and expansion of port infrastructure.

The land agreement ceremony is scheduled as follows:

Date: Friday, 1 April 2022

Time: 09h00

Location: Action Cricket Hall, Tuzi Gazi Waterfront, Port of Richards Bay

Minister Gordhan and Ms Derby will then lead a Media Briefing to provide an update on the process to open the rail network to third party operators.

Media briefing will be held as follows:

Date: Friday 01 April 2022

Time: 11h00

Source: Government of South Africa