Tata Steel KZN live! Thursday, 3 April 2008, marked the culmination of 19 months of hard work, when the MEC of Finance and Economic Development, Zweli Mkhize, switched on Furnace 1 at Tata Steel KZN (TSKZN) in Alton North, Richards Bay, South Africa. This was a very historic day for the TSKZN team as well as Tata Steel in India, as it was not only the successful switching on of Furnace 1 but also the success of the first greenfield overseas project of the Tata Group outside India, commissioned on South African soil.

With an array of dignitaries ranging from the MEC of Finance and Economic Development, Zweli Mkhize, the mayor of the city of Umhlathuze, Zakhele Mnqayi, the mayor of Uthungulu district municipality, Stan Larkan, the consul general of India based in Durban, H Shringla, the MD of Tata Africa, Raman Dhawan, and many other distinguished guests, the event was set for success.
In his address the MEC said: “Today, I am honoured and humbled to stand before you to celebrate the fulfillment of Tata Steel KZN’s promise to the people of South Africa and KwaZulu Natal – the construction of a state-of-the-art ferrochrome smelting plant that boasts the tag of being “the cleanest in the world.” He went on to thank Tata Group for the confidence they have shown in our country, its people and its government.

The mayor of Umhlathuze, Mnqayi, officially welcomed all present into his municipality and committed their continued support of Tata Steel KZN from the municipality. Echoed were the words of congratulations from the chairman of the board of TSKZN, AM Misra, who said: “This is a very proud moment for Tata Steel and the Tata Group.” To witness the success of the project was a proud moment for all. The MD of Tata Africa, Raman Dhawan, mentioned the Tata Group’s commitment to South Africa and the economic relationship between South Africa and India, in particular the future investment plans by the Group; which range from hotels, bus assembly plants, telecommunications, mining etc.

Somdeb Banerjee, MD, Tata Steel KZN, was also very proud about today’s occasion which reflected a dream coming true. He mentioned that despite all the delays encountered before the project started and during its construction, the Tata Steel KZN team pulled together in the right direction and ensured that the work was done and completed. He expressed his vote of thanks to the support he got from the MD of Tata Steel.