BELFAST — The eMakhazeni Brick Manufacturing Plant will officially open on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, marking a milestone in local economic development in the Nkangala District.
The opening is expected to bring together district and local leaders, business stakeholders and community members from eMakhazeni Local Municipality and surrounding areas.
Situated in Ward 3, Siyathuthuka, the plant has been fully refurbished and is now producing bricks for housing and infrastructure projects across the region.
The Nkangala Economic Development Agency (NEDA) told the Highveld Chronicle that the refurbishment had reached 100% physical completion.
Practical completion was achieved on 6 July 2026, with all outstanding work finalised on 24 July 2026.
The project is currently within its Defects Liability Period, which runs from 24 July 2026 to July 2027, during which the contractor is responsible for rectifying any defects.
NEDA Chief Executive Officer Prince Mangani clarified that the R10 million represents the overall project budget, while R7 million was spent on Phase 1.
"The total approved budget for the eMakhazeni Brick Manufacturing Plant project was R10 million. However, the actual expenditure incurred during Phase 1, which focused on the refurbishment of the existing facility, was R7 million, against a phase 1 budget allocation of R7.2 million," Mangani said.
The refurbishment was fully funded by NEDA through a grant allocation from Nkangala District Municipality (NDM), the agency's sole shareholder.
The project is being implemented through a formal Memorandum of Understanding between NEDA, eMakhazeni Local Municipality (ELM) and eMakhazeni Development Agency (EDA).
According to NEDA, the refurbishment created 35 employment opportunities and benefited 12 local subcontractors as part of efforts to support local businesses and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
The plant is now operational, with a production capacity of approximately 4 000 bricks per day, and has recruited 12 local labourers to support manufacturing operations.
"This contributes directly to local employment creation and skills development," Mangani said.
The plant's products have also recently passed laboratory tests confirming compliance with quality requirements of the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).
Mangani said the results strengthen confidence in the quality and reliability of the locally manufactured bricks.
The brick manufacturing plant forms part of NEDA's broader plan to establish Economic Stimulation Zones across all six local municipalities in the Nkangala District.
Other planned projects include a Water Treatment Chemicals Project in Thembisile Hani, which will begin with a distribution warehouse before expanding into manufacturing.
In Steve Tshwete, NEDA is planning a renewable energy farm, with municipal approval and feasibility studies expected to be pursued during the 2026/27 financial year.
“Rather than replicating the same brick manufacturing model everywhere, NEDA intends to facilitate municipality-specific projects aligned to local economic potential,” Mangani said.
“NEDA aims to create Economic Stimulation Zones in all six municipalities to drive local industry, jobs and inclusive growth using local resources and investment.”
