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Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Reporter
CONSTRUCTION of the state-of-the-art $30 million tile and ceramic plant in Norton is almost complete, with production expected to start in April.

The plant, touted as the biggest in Southern Africa, is set to employ at least 1 700 people, with priority being given to those living in or around Norton.

Zimbabwean workers will constitute 98 percent of the total workforce.

Sunny Yi Feng Tiles Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd will invest a total of $1 billion in the project that is set to produce tiles for the domestic and international markets.

In an interview, Sunny Yi Feng logistical general manager Mr Ray Long said construction was almost complete and the engineers were now finalising installation of equipment.

“Construction work is almost done and we are now finishing up on installing the relevant equipment,” he said.

“By end of March, we must be through with the installation ahead of the official opening of the factory in April.”

Mr Long hailed the Government of Zimbabwe for supporting the project.

“We are happy with the support we are getting from the Government,” he said. “With this kind of support, we foresee a bright future in our endeavours to contribute towards turning around the economy of Zimbabwe.”

The plant is situated on 100 hectares that have been voluntarily shed off Mallock Farm, owned by widow of national hero General Vitalis Zvinavashe, Mrs Margaret Zvinavashe.

Tile production will begin in April with production of porcelain tableware (chinaware) earmarked for December 2019.

This will be Zimbabwe’s first porcelain venture, with Africa spending an estimated $3,9 billion importing porcelain yearly.

Among the biggest importers are Nigeria, South Africa and Algeria.

Since late last year when construction work commenced, Sunny Yi Feng Tiles has recruited at least 400 workers from around Norton.

Construction was at one stage stalled after the local authority and other stakeholders raised environmental concerns.

An all-stakeholder committee comprising Norton Town Council, Chegutu Municipality, as well as the traditional and political leadership resolved the issues.

Government, last year, allocated the investor 100 hectares of land in Norton with the consent of the former land owner Mrs Zvinavashe.

This followed the approval of the project by the Government of Zimbabwe.