LOCAL information and Communications Technology (ICT) company Yekani Manufacturing officially launched a R1-billion factory in East London yesterday, 05 June 2018.
The 28 000m² “smart factory” is in a customs-controlled area at the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ).
Project funders included the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) and private financial institutions, with “a significant portion” coming from Yekani’s own coffers, the company said, adding that the project would create an estimated 1 000 jobs.
“Our technologically advanced facility is geared to manufacturing innovative technology products for clients in the automotive, defence, aerospace/aviation industries as well as consumers,” said Yekani Group CEO Siphiwe Cele.
“We want the world to know that Africans are capable of pioneering new technology and at Yekani – we have this belief that our strength lies within our biggest asset, our people.”
Originally SATV, the company was established in 1974 in East London and has changed ownership a number of times before being bought by the Yekani Group two years ago.
The 100% Black-owned Electronics ICT heavyweight makes electronic devices for a range of sectors, including telecommunications, utility metering, consumer electronics and education. It was the first in Africa to manufacture Cathode-ray tube televisions (CRT) and was a contract manufacturer of components for companies like Samsung and MultiChoice.
Cele said one of the most pressing challenges facing South Africa is the quality of education. Yekani Technology, with the help of its sister company Yekani Manufacturing, manufactures and supplies devices purpose built for education.
“Two years ago, the Department of Education in Gauteng introduced a five-year e-learning paperless classroom initiative in township schools and those with 100% pass rate in last year’s matric finals received brand new tablets. The Department of Education in Gauteng led by the MEC of Education, Panyaza Lesufi entered into a partnership with one of Yekani’s local resellers to provide these tablets to the selected township-based schools.
“As Yekani, we are happy to have played our part in this education initiative – a project aimed at improving learning for students by providing digital textbooks and past papers.”
He said the launch of the new factory would allow the company, “to showcase our capability, flexibility, expertise and quality as well as contribution to the development of the manufacturing industry, not only in the country but also in the African continent”.