The Eastern Cape Provincial Government embarked on a Pre-SOPA visit in Gqeberha, where Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane led a delegation to the Forensic Laboratory, the South African Breweries (SAB), as well as the set of the telenovela 'Gqeberha The Empire'

SAB unveiled the Ibhayi Brewery expansion project today. According to SAB, the investment will add 14 000 additional jobs in the beer sector and will add R2.5 billion to the country s GDP per annum, accelerating economic growth for the Eastern Cape province.

Eastern Cape Premier, Mr Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane commended SAB for following through on the commitment made during the Presidential Investment Conference and for benefitting the surrounding communities through this expansion project. The investment has provided employment opportunities for local members of the Ibhayi community and 28 companies have been contracted for civil construction with eight SMME companies appointed.

On the other hand, Premier Mabuyane visited the set of Gqeberha The Empire in New Brighton, where he met with the cast and crew of this telenovela. Tshedza Produtions produces the telenovela and it is one of the investors that were announced during the Eastern Cape Provincial Investment Conference.