Thursday 06th September, just shy of 20 months since its founding in December 2016, CAMASA (the Commercial Aviation Manufacturing Association South Africa) held its 2nd AGM characterised by industry-wide Stakeholder participation constituted of Government – including National and Provincial Agencies, Technology-focused Academia and Institutes dedicated to supporting the Aerospace Industry, Manufacturing (both aviation and space technologies) and a sprinkling of Aviation Services Companies where CAMASA’s resolve to double the Industry was confirmed and a new and expanded Board of Directors elected to carry out this mandate. Today, CAMASA launches its formal presence at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD2018) Exhibition in a sustained effort to realise its goal for the Industry.

Unconventional of a typical AGM, the day saw Delegates arriving as early as 07h00 to an equally untypical chilly September morning for a 3-session workday that concluded more than 10 hours later that day.

In the second Stakeholder Feedback session, CAMASA reported back to Stakeholders activities it was ceased with over the last 15 months and set out initiatives underway and planned for the coming year. Recognising that Commercial Aerospace manufacturing is integrated, increasingly consolidating and dominated by a handful world conglomerates, said initiatives included outward missions into North Africa, the EU and China. Like-minded industry associations and constituent aerospace manufacturing entities were visited and invitations extended for these to visit SA, and some of these are consequently attending the 2018 Africa Aerospace and Defence show accordingly. Explicit public private Partnerships (PPPs) are key to successful supply into the worldwide commercial value chain, consequently, the department of Trade and Industry has launched the Commercial Aerospace Industrial Development Strategy to map out requisites for such PPPs in South Africa. The study which CAMASA actively contributes to and supports is set to be concluded before the end of 2018. AFRICA has been identified as the growth target by Commercial Aviation majors, and CAMASA encourages SA’s aviation services sector – in particular, the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul, to equally target this market at our doorstep. The feedback session provided robust discussion which CAMASA appreciated and noted the valuable input received.

The AGM wrapped up the morning proceedings just before lunch. True to its inclusive approach, the CAMASA AGM incorporated not only existing members – naturally entitled to participate as per CAMASA governance, but also prospective members wishing to join CAMASA henceforth. Non-manufacturer Stakeholders were encouraged to stay and observe the proceedings – and a great number did so. With so much interest in CAMASA work, Members resolved to create a fourth membership category constituted of Institutional – typically, academic and regulatory (dti, SA CAA), Allied & Associate – typically, Aerospace services sector and Associations and Research/Educational Stakeholders in the Aerospace Industry. An expanded Board was elected giving additional weighting to small businesses.

The afternoon was dedicated to tackling one of the most urgent industry constraints affecting small and medium members’ market access, viz., Certification. Certification is a “right to participate” that is designed to ensure all of Aerospace manufacturing is at an equal standing i.t.o product quality assurance and safety at a world-wide level. As such it is a material barrier to entry, and is characterised by high cost of acquisition of such certificate(s). Discussion led to the identification of 6 case studies that will be advanced in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority, and will include relevant Government Departments tasked with assuring reciprocity across foreign jurisdictions.

CAMASA at the 2018 Africa Aerospace and Defence show. True to their unwavering commitment to the Aerospace Industry in Tshwane, TEDA, the Tshwane Economic

Development Agency of the Tshwane Municipality joins hands with CAMASA in raising the Industry visibility and presence in the region with the first CAMASA Stand at the bi-annual Aerospace show in South Africa. Having actively supported Industry development through initiatives to forge stronger ties with global aviation manufacturing in outward missions, TEDA puts shoulder to the wheel in the inward advancement of the Industry at this CAMASA Stand to showcase Industry activities in the region. 

Commercial Aviation and Aerospace Design and Manufacturing represents combined export sales of around 3.0bRand per year, employs around 3 000 skilled workers and have a demonstrated local added content of at least 40%.

Some of the key objectives of CAMASA include:

• Forging a strong bilateral growth agreement between Industry and Government

• Doubling the Industry in 5 years

• Localisation of imports of materials and components

• Leveraging and deploying the Advanced Manufacturing Skills

• Transformation of the Sector including Ownership, Skills- and Supplier Development with particular emphasis on Black Industrialisation;

• Driving the industrialization and commercial deployment of leading edge Technologies

• Establishing a Best-Practice Advanced Manufacturing hub by applying Leading technology

• Promote direct partnerships with international OEM and Technology Partners

• Forging stronger ties with the global Aviation and Advanced Manufacturing companies

• Active collaboration between various International certification entities

CAMASA and its members are also active participants in forums such as Manufacturing Circle, BRICS Business council and other associations like AMD and CAASA.