The Sappi Saiccor Mill in Mkhomazi, KwaZulu-Natal is boosting job creation in its surrounding local communities. Sappi Limited is a leading global producer of dissolving wood pulp, packaging papers, printing and writing papers and biomaterials.
At the 2020 Investment Conference, the giant company committed an R14 billion investment on its various plants across the country. The funds will be spent over a five-year-period on maintenance, expanding capacity, investing in new products and improving the company’s environmental footprint.
Mpho Lethoko, General Manager Communications, Sappi Southern Africa said as part of the company’s investment in the country, the mill’s production capacity is being increased in an R2.7 billion capacity expansion project known as Vulindlela.
As part of the Vulindlela project, all general workers seeking employment through Sappi or its contractors are required to attend training at the Sappi Skills Centre where they will receive basic skills required for job opportunities. Sappi provides the training for community members with the necessary skills to become more employable or to start their own businesses.
According to Lethoko “Since the opening of the Sappi Skills Centre on 1 February 2018, the lives of many young people in communities near the Sappi Saiccor Mill have changed for the better. This includes not just those who were seeking employment for the expansion project, but also some 160 youngsters who have been trained in various programmes aimed at empowering them to be self-sufficient,”.
Sphesihle Ngcobo (22) from Danganya, is one of the community members who has benefitted from the skills development initiative. He was accepted into the skills centre for training and completed a plumbing course, he also learnt life skills and business essentials.“I have always loved working with my hands, and plumbing is like a puzzle, with all the pieces fitting together, and because I can use my hands, I really enjoy it. I learnt a lot and I am very grateful,” he said.
The young man is now employed as a Pulp Marker at the mill and uses his plumbing skills in part-time work, which he offers on a pro bono basis to his neighbours. The training has enabled seven of the young people from the local communities to be accepted for the apprentice programme in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at the mill and 11 to find permanent employment in the mill. Thirty-four Sappi programme participants are now running their own businesses, while others have found leadership or employment opportunities elsewhere.
“The training that Sappi offered at the centre has not just equipped them with new skills, but it has also enabled the young people to find a purpose and the inspiration and drive to succeed,” said Lethoko.
