For Kashimee Bikramchund of Serengeti Projects, the unveiling of the multi-million rand Defy warehouse in Ladysmith which is expected to create 130 jobs, was a bitter-sweet moment.
Serengeti projects, which is situated in uMhlanga, was awarded a tender in 2017 to turn the old Transnet railway shed into a warehouse. Her husband Rishi was heading the project until tragedy struck. “We faced many challenges, but we kept on going. On 11 January my husband tested positive for Covid-19 and passed away on 17 January.” Bikramchund, who cried throughout the recent unveiling event, said her world had come to a complete stop, but that she had to continue with the project . “I took up my husband’s position and worked to ensure that it was 95% complete. My husband would have been so proud.” Premier Sihle Zikalala unveiled the R170 million warehouse, together with Defy’s regional director and CEO Evren Alba. The warehouse has the capability of loading/ unloading in excess of 200 trucks per day and a storage capacity of 100,000 cubic metres of products.
This is expected to contribute positively to the province’s efforts towards economic growth and job creation, said Zikalala, who delivered the keynote address at the official launch of the warehouse. “We, as a government and as a district are truly proud to be working together with Defy, as they had rooted themselves here in Ladysmith, to bring one of the biggest world-class warehousing and distribution centres,” said Zikalala. He said an investment of this nature was encouraging to see and that it gave hope to many. Albas said it was a big moment for the company. He said they were planning on getting a railway line to run from the warehouse to Durban so that distribution could be done via rail. The day not only marked the official opening of the warehouse, but it also celebrated the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in Turkey. “We would like to continue the tradition of this great day in Ladysmith, by using one of the buildings on-site to build a youth skills development centre,” announced Albas.
