Heritage Cases

Information Decision Systems (Pty) Ltd (IDS) has been appointed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) to manage the Special Needs and Skills Development Programme which is aimed at providing pro-bono environmental services to qualifying businesses. Under this programme, IDS undertakes Basic Assessments (BAs) for applicants who can demonstrate that they have “special needs”, in particular, where applicants cannot afford to undertake the necessary BA process. This led to the IDS undertaking this BA for proposed development of uMzimkhulu Factory in Nomdaphu, within the uMzimkhulu Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. UMzimkhulu Factory is located in within the Nomdaphu rural area under the administration of the Sondzaba Tribal Authority. Umzikhulu is approximately 22km North East from the site. The Leratong Victim Empowerment Co-operative Ltd proposes to establish a 51 019 m2 metal works factory in the uMzimkhulu Factory. In 2017 the applicant identified a need, in the metal industry for roof sheet that needs to be satisfied. That need was to manufacture roof sheet and sell directly to hardware shops, at a factory price. The products will be Corrugated iron sizes 0,25mm, 0,27mm, 0,3mm and 0,4mm. IBR 0,3mm and 0,4mm. At present, within a radius of 200 km, there are no manufacturers of this product. That was the best option for the co-operative to grow and be independent of government. Operative activities include the production of roof sheet through a machine that is a forming machine. The coils or sheets are not produced on site however will be formed into their respective profiles.