The coastal town of Atlantis, near Cape Town, has undergone a significant economic transformation over the past decade, largely driven by substantial investment bolstered by China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
At the heart of this shift is the Chinese electronics giant Hisense, which established a factory in the area. The facility has created hundreds of jobs and has become a vital pillar of the local economy.
In the underprivileged community of Atlantis, the Hisense industrial park was one of the first Chinese companies in South Africa to form part of the BRI. Since opening in 2013, the factory has brought more than just jobs - it has been a catalyst for change, providing hundreds of local residents with stable employment.
With a focus on manufacturing high-quality appliances for both local and international markets, the factory has become a vital part of this community's economic framework.
Aurielle Dialy, who has been with Hisense since the factory first opened, said she has found a deep sense of purpose and pride in her work.
"What makes it so incredible is the fact that Hisense has given us an opportunity in Atlantis to produce for our families, to our neighbors and surrounding areas in Atlantis. And what I have learned at Hisense all these years, is I will never compare it with any other place and that is why I have a passion for my job, its almost like I belong here, I am part of this family and that is what makes Hisense so very, very special for us," said Aurielle Dialy, a quality supervisor in Hisense's TV Department.
According to the company, Hisense boasts 34 industrial parks and production bases both domestically and internationally, with over 100,000 employees globally.
For an underprivileged community such as Atlantis, this factory has brought desperately needed jobs.
"The challenges in Atlantis currently [lie within] human settlements--of poverty and also in terms of unemployment. And a company like Hisense is really assisting because this specific corporate has really assisted people in the area with its skills and also making sure that we address the challenges of poverty in the community,” said Allister Lightburn, Atlantis Ward Councilor of City of Cape Town.
Hisense is empowering its workers in Atlantis, like 26-year-old Michyla Matthews, who started at the factory five years ago. She now provides for her child and dreams of learning new skills.
"For the 5 years that I have been working here I have built up a lot of experience, Hisense has taught me so much things that I never knew and with the fact that I stand up every morning knowing that I can provide for my little son. Since I started here, I could work for my own child and the feeling that you could work for your own child is just so amazing. In the future I would like to grow in this company, not just as working on other lines, because I have worked on other lines, I would like to grow like into management or maybe something better in life,”said Michyla Matthews, a Hisense employee in the Fridge Department
According to the World Economic Forum, over the last 20 years, China has become sub-Saharan Africa's largest bilateral trading partner, largely through programs tied to the BRI.
"Hisense came to South Africa in 1996. We had our strategy that we must expand our business into overseas; South Africa would be our first stop in Africa. After that we went into Europe, America, Asia Pacific. Actually this factory we started from 2013 and it is also China's strategy [which] we call the One Belt One Road. At that moment, the China-Africa fund combined with Hisense to invest in this factory. So far, for both our TV and fridges, we are the number one in market share in the South Africa side," said Tommy Jiang, general manager of the Hisense South African Factory.
Hisense's South African base employs hundreds of people while producing 1 million televisions and 500,000 refrigerators annually for South Africa and over a dozen African nations.
"Now this factory has around 700 permanent contracted persons. Currently, we have about 500,000-unit capacity. And next year, in the short term we need to increase our fridge factory capacity from the current 500,000 to a 550,000-capacity. From the TV side, also we are looking at manufacturing more from across the border countries. We are going to carry on to invest in this country and this factory to change and improve local communities and people’s lives, that's our vision as well,” said Tommy.
Hisense has established a clear presence in Atlantis, creating jobs and boosting economic growth. The company's plans to expand are expected to drive production, which signals a bright future for the firm and the local community.
Chinese electronics giant reshapes South African coastal town
