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Lesufi welcomes investment in the transformation and localisation of the glass industry

Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi has lauded the partnership between the South African Breweries (SAB) and Isanti Glass as an important step in growing the economy of Gauteng.

“Today we welcome a new player to support our efforts to create job opportunities and to ensure that we pump this economy. The COVID-19 pandemic affected us, so we need to gallop as fast as possible to create jobs and opportunities for our people.

Premier Lesufi was speaking at the Isanti Glass plant, the first black majority-owned glass manufacturing company in South Africa on Monday, 11 July. He was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Fikile Majola.

The partnership between Isanti Glass and SAB will help deliver on SAB’s commitment to convert all its existing suppliers to align with the country’s transformational goals.

Premier Lesufi said Isanti Glass is a new player in glass manufacturing and cautioned them to not only serve their customers but also to preserve the environment and create more opportunities for the locals.

Deputy Minister, Majola added that the deal aligns with South Africa’s National Development Plan while ensuring the security of supply for SAB in the medium and long term.

“SAB has provided an offtake of ten years making sure Isanti Glass succeeds. This plant has 450 direct employees and an additional 250 that are providing services to Isanti which gives us an average of 700 jobs. They are producing over 150 tons of glass in this factory daily and they are going to add a furnace which will add to production and job creation.

Isanti Glass Chairman, Shakes Matiwaza said the company has a diverse client base, including beer, soft drinks, wine, spirit, and food processors. Isanti will continue supplying these clients while becoming a key glass supplier for SAB.

SAB CEO, Richard Rivett-Carnac said: “Our investment in Isanti Glass was a no-brainer for us. It made perfect sense. We wanted to contribute to the transformation of the glass industry. Furthermore, we saw this as an opportunity to strengthen the transformation of our supply chain to create a more sustainable and inclusive future.

“Glass is a critical input into our value chain, and we intend to continue partnering with black industrialists and local Small Medium and Micro enterprises (MMEs) in our value chain to accelerate growth and transformation in the communities in which we operate.”

By Lerato Mailoane

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