The Premier of the Free State, Mr Ace Magashule, suitably dressed in his safety protective equipment, signaled the commencement of the civil works at the excavation site of the new Sasol Wax plant at Sasol's Sasolburg site today, marking the dawn of the new economic era in the Free State.

As the backacter moved the first soil on the construction site, the Premier, stated: "What a proud moment this is for the Free State. We are heralding a new era of economic growth and prosperity in our province. We are moving towards "an inclusive and diversified economy" and will today, as part of the budget vote for the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, announce a number of high impact economic projects, of which the Sasol investment is paramount."
 
The Premier, together with a number of MEC's and members of the Free State Legislature, visited the Sasol One Site as part of his engagement strategy with stakeholders. The visit coincided with the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs' budget vote which was delivered in Sasolburg today.
 
The R8,4 billion Wax Expansion Project at Sasol One Site in Sasolburg forms part of the larger Sasol Expansions Programme which is estimated at R14 billion.
 
The first phase of the project will come into operation in 2012 and the second phase is planned for 2014, the expansion will double the Sasol Wax production of hard wax in South Africa. The Wax expansion project is estimated to create approximately 3 500 job opportunities during construction and 70 – 100 permanent employment positions.
 
At a recent Sod Turning ceremony for the project which was held on the 11th March 2010, Andre de Ruyter, Group General Manager, Chemical Cluster for Sasol Limited said: "This is a significant investment for the Sasol One Site Sasolburg and demonstrates our commitment to our South African asset base. It is in line with Sasol's strategy to leverage our advanced proprietary technology and is also aligned with our longer term plans to significantly grow the chemicals businesses of the Sasol Group."
 
Willem Louw, Managing Director of Sasol Technology,who accompanied members of the Free State Legislature on the site visit said: "The commencement of the expansion programme of Sasol, Sasolburg this year not only coincides with the 60th anniversary of the founding of Sasol Limited in 1950 but it is also the beginning of an exciting new era of growth for the Free State. We are committed towards investment in South Africa and economic growth in the areas in which we operate. 2010 is surely going to be an exciting year!"
 
Ends.