Work is being done to stave off closure of the Goodyear Tyre factory in Kariega: Godlimpi

Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi has again moved to assure the nation that work is being done to stave off closure of the Goodyear Tyre factory in Kariega in the Eastern Cape.

Earlier this year Goodyear announced the shutdown of the facility in Nelson Mandela Bay as part of restructuring operations in South Africa.

After nearly 80 years of tyre production, the announcement dealt a major blow to South Africa’s already fragile industrial sector.

Unions previously raised concerns about the impact of more job losses in a province already burdened with the highest unemployment rate in the country.

Godlimpi addressed the matter on the sidelines of the G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial meeting in Gqeberha on Friday.

“We did indicate that we were negotiating with a potential partner to take over from the previous company and that work is underway, but I cannot give more detail than that, but something is coming. Gqeberha is not going to be a ghost town.” Godlimpi said

He says he expects the interventions in place to yield results.

“I’m quite convinced that we will be giving you a positive announcement soon. The work that the DTIC is doing is progressing very nicely.” he added.