Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel will address hundreds of delegates attending the fifth Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba taking place at the IDC Conference Centre on Thursday and Friday.
Along with National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa Director Mike Mabasa, National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufactures Executive Director Renai Moothilal and Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) Chief Economist Dr Michael Ade, Minister Patel will provide a critical assessment of the likely impact of the new Automotive Production and Development programme on the metals and engineering sector.
In November last year, the Cabinet adopted the revamped South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM), which replaced the Automotive Production Development Programme. The plan aims to double employment in the sector from the current 112 000 to 224 000 jobs by 2035, and position South Africa to produce 1% of global vehicles, or 1.4-million vehicles.
“There is no doubt that SAAM will have a positive impact on South Africa’s economy and jobs. The metals and engineering sector should benefit from the plan, given the fact that it is a supplier to car manufacturers. It is for this reason that we decided that it would be appropriate to invite the Minister to address delegates to the Indaba so they can better understand how our sector will benefit from the plan,”SEIFSA CEO Kaizer Nyatsumba said this morning.
Now in its fifth year, the Indaba is organized and hosted by SEIFSA. Its core objective is to provide a platform for policy makers, labour representatives and businesses operating in the metals, engineering and related sectors to discuss the challenges facing the sector and collectively to devise sustainable solutions aimed at ensuring its sustainability.
The Indaba will also deliberate on the following topics, among others:
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A Growing Chinese Presence in South Africa: How Should Local Business Respond?
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The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Manufacturing: Is South Africa Ready – Or Will It Be Left Behind?
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Re-imagining Industrial Strategy and the National Development Plan: A Progress Report on Their Implementation.
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Africa is Open for Business: Is Local Manufacturing Ready to Leverage Opportunities Presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area?
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The Economy, Labour Stability and the 2020 MEIBC Negotiations on Wages and Conditions of Employment
The line-up of speakers includes:
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NUMSA General Secretary Irvin Jim;
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Ayanda Mngadi, Chairperson of the Manufacturing Circle;
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Elias Monage, Executive Chairman of Afika Holdings and Member of the South African Chapter of the BRICS Business Council;
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Massmart and Asphen Pharmacare Holdings Chairman Kuseni Dlamini;
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Patrick Bond, Professor at the Wits School of Business; and
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Dr Thulani Dlamini, CEO of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research;
Mr Nyatsumba encouraged those who have yet to register for the 2019 Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba to do so speedily to avoid missing out.