In a renewed effort to boost economic development and job creation in KwaZulu-Natal, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Rev. Musa Zondi, and the MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Martin Meyer, conducted a joint oversight visit and walkabout at the dormant Bata Shoe Factory in Tugela Ferry, Msinga.

Once a vital source of employment in the area, the factory has not been functional for years, leaving behind a legacy of unfulfilled potential. The visit by the two MECs was aimed at assessing the current state of the facility and initiating plans to restore it to operational status.

“The factory is no longer functional, and that’s a serious concern for us,” said MEC Rev. Zondi during the walkabout. “Our presence here today is a clear message that government is committed to unlocking this asset for the benefit of the community.”

The oversight visit included a detailed tour of the factory premises, where both MECs engaged local stakeholders about the possibilities of revitalisation. Mr. Meyer emphasised the importance of restoring the building’s infrastructure to make it viable for industrial use again.

“A structure like this cannot be left to deteriorate when it has the potential to change lives,” said Meyer. “Our goal is to get it back into working condition so it can attract investment and create sustainable job opportunities for the people of Msinga.”

“This is more than just an inspection it’s a step towards reclaiming the dignity of this community through economic empowerment,” MEC Rev. Zondi concluded.

The provincial government’s intervention signals a strong political will to turn abandoned infrastructure into engines of growth starting with the revival of the Bata Shoe Factory.