The metals and engineering sector, which has been seriously under-performing in recent years, will come under microscopic scrutiny when stakeholders from business, labour and Government meet at the second Southern
African Metals and Engineering Sector in May. To be held at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in Sandton from 26 to 27 May 2016, the 2nd annual Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba will be officially
opened by former Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

The IDC’s Divisional Executive of Corporate Affairs, Zama Luthuli, said that it is important that institutions such as the IDC support such critical initiatives, given the important role of the sector in the national economy. “The indaba provides an occasion both for industry players and Government to engage and come up with solutions to address issues impacting the sector,” said Ms Luthuli. SEIFSA Chief Executive Officer Kaizer Nyatsumba said the Federation was delighted to welcome the IDC on board “as a strategic partner for the 2016 Metals and Engineering
Indaba”.

“In many ways, the partnership between SEIFSA and the IDC, proud institutions both in their 70s, is eminently logical and sensible. SEIFSA and the IDC are instrumental in the industrialisation of the country, in our case through the contribution of the metals and engineering sector,” Mr Nyatsumba said.

Some of the issues to be discussed during the indaba include:

• Moving Forward or Going Back: Is Manufacturing in Southern Africa Doing Better
• than It Did a Year Ago?
• Government Policy Interventions for a Sustainable, Globally Competitive Steel
• Sector
• Transformation As a Strategic Weapon/Business Enabler in Southern Africa
• Partners, Not Adversaries: How to Forge a Stronger Partnership Between Business
• and Labor to Improve Southern Africa’s International Competitiveness
• A Delicate Balancing Act: The Link Between the Metals and Engineering Sector and
• the Mining, Construction and Car Manufacturing Industries
• The National Development Plan: What Projects are actually Being Implemented
• and Do We have the Necessary Human Capital?

Delegates registering for the second Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba before mid-March will enjoy a 10% discuss. Details are available on www.meindaba.co.za