by Xinhua writer Wang Lei

CAPE TOWN, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Every morning around seven o'clock in Atlantis, a town about 50 kilometers north of Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, Marlon Jacobs begins his day by driving over 20 minutes to his job at the Hisense SA Industrial Park.

When speaking to Xinhua about his work, Jacobs, 37, beams with joy. This job has given him the means to own a house, a car, and to support his family -- achievements he could hardly have imagined more than a decade ago.

Named after the legendary lost civilization, the town of Atlantis where Jacobs was born and raised was once a thriving manufacturing hub in the 1970s and later became a forgotten industrial mecca. In 2013, when most factories in the area had closed and the unemployment rate reached almost 50 percent, Chinese home appliance giant Hisense established an industrial park here, launched TV and fridge factories, and provided much-needed employment opportunities for the local community.

Jacobs was among the first to be employed at Hisense. "When I started with Hisense in 2013, I didn't have a job and was not married," he told Xinhua.

Jacobs married the same year he began working at Hisense. Now a father of two, he works as a quality technician at the fridge factory. In 2018, he even had the opportunity to take his first-ever flight, traveling to China and spending two weeks in Qingdao, where Hisense is headquartered.

"It has changed my life exponentially, from unemployed to being employed, owning a home, driving a car, being able to provide for the family, and I couldn't be any happier," he said.

Hisense has also made a huge difference in the local community by employing over 700 people. "Hisense didn't just change 700 lives; it transformed 700 families," Jacobs observed. "When you consider the families, the impact reaches 2,400, maybe even 2,800 people. The difference Hisense has made in our community is immense, and for me personally, it has been a life changer."

To date, the Hisense SA Industrial Park has created over 1,000 direct jobs and over 5,000 indirect ones. Hisense places great emphasis on developing local talent, something Jacobs has experienced firsthand. "I've been with Hisense for over 11 years, starting when the factory first opened. I've grown a lot, learned a lot, and I'm still happy to be here," he shared.

Ayrton Minnies, another long-time employee who began working at Hisense SA when the Atlantis plant first opened, had a similar positive experience with Hisense. Over the past 11 years, Minnies has worked in nearly every department.

"As the process technician team leader in the TV factory, my role involves training new employees and introducing all new models to the production line, ensuring that everyone understands how the process works," Minnies explained.

Minnies said his current mentor is Mou Xing, the Chinese process engineer in his department. "Over the past years, I've worked with two engineers before him, each bringing different skill sets, which they passed on to us. I've gained a lot of experience by learning from all three engineers."

As his skills improved, so did his position and salary. "Since I started working here, I've bought three cars," Minnies proudly told Xinhua.

Mou, the Chinese process engineer, expressed satisfaction with his mentee. Mou said his primary role is to guide and train local technicians like Minnies, who in turn train local operators to master TV production technology.

"Through years of training, collaboration, and hands-on experience, many local employees like Minnies at our factory have gained the ability to work independently," Mou said. "Even when Chinese engineers are not on site, they can resolve technical issues and ensure a smooth production flow on their own. Hisense SA attaches great importance to talent development, and through a mature and robust training system, it has significantly enhanced the skill level of the local workforce. This, in turn, accelerates industrialization in South Africa."

Perhaps this focus on talent development is why Hisense SA not only retains loyal long-term employees like Jacobs and Minnies but also attracts management talent like Tom Tshitshi, who "jumped ship" to join the company.

Tshitshi, who had worked with four companies before joining Hisense SA in 2021, is now the production manager at its TV factory. He believes that "what sets Hisense apart from other companies is its significant investment in manufacturing. They are more advanced compared to other international companies, producing high-quality TVs that are also affordable."

Tshitshi also joined Hisense SA with his professional growth in mind. "In terms of my career, Hisense doesn't just give you responsibilities; they ensure that they invest in your education and professional development," he said.

"Last year, Hisense sent me to China for advanced training in leadership, quality control, manufacturing technology, and processes," Tshitshi said. "I also learned about the systems already in place in China that we hope to implement in South Africa in the future."

Tshitshi emphasized that through the training of local employees, Hisense ensures that the skills at its South African facility align with those at its headquarters, enabling them to produce the same high-quality products.

"We implement the highest standards of quality in production to ensure every product meets our specifications, ensuring compatibility with our customers' needs," he said.

Hisense's commitment to high-quality products has earned it a leading market share in South Africa and popularity among consumers. For over 11 years, the Hisense SA Industrial Park has grown to produce 10 million TVs and 500,000 refrigerators annually, serving not only South Africa but also over ten other African countries. In 2022, the first refrigerators from this facility were exported to Europe, enhancing the global reputation of "Made in South Africa."

The park's success has also spurred local industry growth. Jacobs said that all foam and carton packaging for TVs and refrigerators is sourced locally, cutting transportation costs and supporting local businesses. This exemplifies the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa.

Hisense SA actively fulfills its social responsibilities by integrating itself into and giving back to the local community.

Shi Lang, financial manager at Hisense SA, explained that besides offering career counseling for employees, the company collaborates with local vocational and technical schools to provide internships and training opportunities.

"We are deeply involved in local social welfare activities, such as donating products and materials to orphanages, hospitals, and schools," said Shi. "During last year's severe flooding in South Africa, we provided aid to the disaster area, actively fulfilling our social responsibilities and supporting local communities."

Looking ahead, Tshitshi noted, "We've already started producing TVs and fridges in South Africa, contributing to our growth in the country. If needed, we could expand to manufacturing washing machines and microwaves here, creating more jobs for South Africans."

"If it could change my life, it can change the lives of hundreds of others too," Jacobs said. Enditem

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