South Africa’s first smartphone factory fails, two years after much-hyped launch.
South Africa’s first smartphone factory is for sale to the highest bidder. Africa’s first smartphone factory in Durban has failed, two years after its launch by President Cyril Ramaphosa amid much fanfare.
Mara Phones received R1.5 billion from Standard Bank and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to set up and operate the factory.
The factory, now on auction, employed 200 people at its opening. Meanwhile Twitter reacts with shock to the news , with most confused and stating they didn’t even know Mara brand existed in South Africa.