Takealot Anchors R6bn Investec's The Brickworks Development in Durban Amid Industry Growth

In a significant move for South Africa's logistics sector, Investec Property, part of the renowned investment bank, has successfully negotiated a deal with the Naspers-owned e-commerce titan Takealot. The deal will position Takealot in a substantial new distribution warehouse in The Brickworks, a logistics park undergoing construction in Durban, with a total projected investment of R6 billion.

The Brickworks is situated on a previously industrial expanse of 157 hectares in Avoca, adjacent to the Riverhorse Valley. The area was selected despite its exposure to the unrest witnessed during the 2021 KZN riots – a testament to Investec's confident advances under unperturbed demand for industrial real estate in the region.

The Durban logistics park is strategically critical for South Africa as it is situated near the Port of Durban, the largest container port in the country. The Takealot Group's commitment to establishing a new distribution center at The Brickworks is expected to create an economic ripple effect, including the creation of thousands of jobs – a boon for a province still grappling with the ramifications of the recent Covid-19 pandemic, the 2021 riots, and the catastrophic floods of 2022.

The Brickworks is being developed on the lot that once housed the old Corobrik factory, effectively identified as one of the last remaining pieces of significant industrial land in the northern corridor of the eThekwini Metropolitan Area. This visionary plan has received strong support from the eThekwini Municipality, which anticipates the park to play a pivotal role in transforming the region into a top-tier logistics center for the continent, optimizing supply chain prospects for KwaZulu-Natal and consequently inducing nationwide economic growth.

A promising indicator of The Brickworks' potential is its collaborative partnership established through eThekwini's City 'One Stop' Catalytic Project Unit. Joint-CEO of Investec Property, David Rosmarin, emphasizes the park's prime location and its importance in enhancing the flow of trade through the Southern African region.

The Takealot distribution center's initial phase is set to cover approximately 43,000 square meters, reserving an additional 20,000 square meters for future growth. Extended over a decade, the overall investment in the project amounts to R6 billion.

Takealot Group's executive chairperson, Mamongae Mahlare, underlined the company's ethos of propelling the economy by fostering job creation and extending market access to small and medium-sized enterprises. With the impending entry of US behemoth Amazon into the South African market, Takealot's new facility in The Brickworks will strengthen its logistical prowess, offering same-day and next-day delivery capabilities for the regional clientele.

The eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda lauds this development as quintessential for South African logistics and a narrative of entrepreneurial commitment and value generation. Furthermore, the planned security features within the new distribution center, detailed by Rosmarin, promise a secure environment backed by an integrated security ecosystem and seasoned professionals.

This infrastructural development, representing a fusion of vision, economic strategy, and security, is more than a logistic advancement; it is a testament to the resilience and forward-thinking nature of South African commerce and industry.