BHUNYA: Jane Mkhonta-Simelane,the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs has applauded Montigny Investments,a forestry company for creating jobs.
The Environmental Affairs Minister disclosed this on Thursday, when touring the company whose business falls under her Ministry,she then expressed appreciation on behalf of Government for what she described as a good working relationship that exists between the company and residents of the surrounding areas.
Montigny Investments has directly and indirectly,employed between eleven thousand(11000) and twelve thousand(12000) emaSwati.
During the tour,the Tourism and Environmental Affairs Minister noted that ever since the company took over from SAPPI back in 2014,the number of employees had increased significantly.
“This also means more revenue to the country. The expansion of the company will also create more employment for Emaswati,” she said.
The Minister was hosted by Montigny Chief Executive Officer Andrew Le-Roux and the senior management.
In a subsequent interview, she mentioned that her interest in Montigny was not only about jobs, but forestry tourism and environmental issues,both of which were very important pillars of the ministry.
The Minister said she was also impressed that the company outsources large portions of its business to contractors owned by Emaswati adding that, government advocated for Private Public Partnerships (PPP).She further explained that,the reason for the visit was also to determine how exactly the Government could support the growth of the company for the creation of more employment opportunities.
Minister Jane Mkhonta-Simelane said she was impressed with the good relationship that the company has with neighboring communities.
“I have noted that there are homes within the plantation, and that the areas occupied by the homes have not been burnt. This is testament that the community plays an important role in keeping the plantation safe,” said the Minister.
On another note,the Minister encouraged Emaswati to take care of the plantation saying it remains the second largest after the Eswatini Sugar Association in terms of revenue.
BHUNYA: Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs has applauded Montigny Investments,a forestry company for creating jobs. In picture, the Minister posed other MPs and Montigny Management including Regional Administrator Prince Gija.