Leading figures within the Sub-Saharan manufacturing sector will convene in Durban, South Africa at the 2019 Kwa-Zulu Natal Manufacturing Indaba to debate pressing issues impacting the region’s industrial landscape. Discussions will underscore the manufacturing sector’s innovations, exploring near and long-term prospects for technological advancements such as blockchain and where digitalisation plays a more prominent role within the Province. 

Ayanda Mngadi from Hulamin and Chair of the Manufacturing Circle, is to officially open the Province’s leading manufacturing symposium and welcome attendees, citing her expert opinion on the current manufacturing landscape in the Province. 

Praveen Balgobind from Nampak will engage the audience with a case study on how industry leaders are strategically and holistically developing and expanding manufacturing businesses. Horst Weinert from SEDA will be revealing findings associated with the Industry 4.0 Readiness Assessment as well as delving into aspects concerning Innovation and Efficiency towards Industry 4.0 and hosting a survey to assess Industry 4.0 readiness in the Province.

An in-depth discussion pertaining to prevalent trends with reference to Industry 4.0 and IoT and how these impact manufacturing businesses will be presented by Thomas Copley of Sumitomo Rubber. 

Dr Martyn Davies of Deloitte will steer a dialogue focused on the role of financial mechanisms to assist manufacturers within the region. Panel members, Rajen Reddy: KZN Oils, Tsidiso Disenyana: ECIC, Lodewijk Nell: EcoMetrix Africa, Siby Diabra: Proparco and Simangele Ngcobo: Richards Bay IDZ will exchange perspectives on the topic at the hand. 

Pat McGrady: SAPPI, Trevor Graham: Whirlpool Corporation, Nokululeko Shinga: the dti, Kevin Cilliers: NCPC-SA and Horst Weinert: SEDA will be directed in conversation by moderator Dr Ramika Bani: Durban University of Technology, regarding Approaching Manufacturing Innovation, Efficiency, Productivity & Creativity to developing sustainable companies.

Panel members Duane Newman from Cova Advisory & Associates, Rachel Malatji from the dti, Samantha Naidoo from Kaytech, General Mthembu from Mthembu Tissue as well as Jeannine van Straaten from Proudly South African will be directed in conversation by moderator Neville Matjie from TIKZN regarding implementing a new approach contributing towards a transforming Manufacturing Base through expanding the business, inclusive growth, enterprise development and black industrialists.

Ina Cronje from TIKZN will conclude a productive and riveting dialogue, making important headway into understanding the potential of the province’s manufacturing realm and the considerable impact KwaZulu Natal’s industrialists ultimately have on the nation’s economy.

The aforesaid influential industry experts are set to ensure that the 2019 Kwa-Zulu Natal Indaba will be packed with invaluable insights and opinions that are sure to shape the future of the nation’s industrial landscape in its entirety.