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Businesses operating in Empangeni are many and varied
Covenant Fellowship Church International Bible College
Formally established in 1994, CFCI was holding Bible studies from mid-1992 and now constitutes 21 churches across KwaZulu-Natal. Church leader Collins Dlomo pioneered the HOPE project focusing on healing outreaches, development and evangelism, with the project evolving into a covenant public business partnership and non-profit organisation.
The initiative looks after families affected by HIV/Aids and recently built a R2.4million clinic in Nkandla.
Wellness Alkaline Water
Established six months ago, Wellness Alkaline Water is the town’s first business to offer clients mineral water enhanced with alkaline as a means of fighting lifethreatening diseases.
Senzelwe Mazibuko Physiotherapists
Physiotherapist and business professional Senzelwe Mazibuko opened his private physiotherapy practice in 2002 to provide clients treatment for developing, maintaining and restoring maximum movement and function. He established the Ejimini Fitness Club in 2008 to provide affordable fitness and wellness services.
Matrix Pools
Maintenance and cleaning company Matrix Pools was established in 1984 and was acquired by the Van Heerden family in 2000. They expanded the business to include a shop to cover the whole pool spectrum and the business is now run by the son.
Plant-A-Tree Garden
Plant-A-Tree Garden Nursery has a long history in Empangeni. It began as a business operating off the pavement and is now a sanctuary celebrating nature. Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
Nursery Owned and operated by Alma Gouge, Plant-A-Tree Garden Nursery began years ago on Empangeni’s pavements. Self-taught and driven by a passion for gardening, Gouge now owns the only nursery in Empangeni. It specialises in herbs, indigenous plants and seedlings. The nursery is particularly proud of selling well-priced seedlings to small farmers and hawkers who sell vegetables at the town’s community market. Traditional plants and herbs are sold to natural healers.
Good road links and tourism opportunities
Biyela Shopping Centre is one of the newer commercial property investments in Empangeni. Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
Accessibility
Empangeni is about 5km from the N2 national freeway, 165km north of Durban and a near neighbour to Richards Bay. The upgraded John Ross Highway linking the two towns and the N2 has boosted accessibility into both towns, while the King Shaka International Airport and Dube Tradeport are less than two hours’ travel away for tourism and trade-related requirements.
Tourism opportunities
Empangeni is considered one of the gateways to Zululand and its game parks. This offers investors opportunities for building tourismbased businesses ranging from restaurants to hotels and smaller accommodation options as well as speciality tour requirements.
Labour
The reality of a struggling economy is the availability of labour across the board. High unemployment rates mean investors can secure employees from unskilled to semi-skilled and skilled with relative ease.