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Business leaders from the BRICS nations visit the TASEZ plant in Silverton

TASEZ talks investment opportunities to BRICS businesses

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In the week prior to the 15th annual BRICS summit due to take place in South Africa from 22 – 24 August 2023 under the watchful eye of chairperson President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) played host to a delegation of business leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and China. A high-level group of business leaders from the BRICS nations are in South Africa to explore investment opportunities across a wide range of economic sectors, including the automotive manufacturing sector. The group visited the TASEZ plant in Silverton on Monday, 14 August 2023 and was warmly welcomed by a large TASEZ team, headed up by board chair Lionel October and CEO Dr Bheka Zulu, eager to talk business opportunities and investment incentives. “We want to showcase our special economic zone to big investors who want to take up occupancy in our hub,” October said. Tshwane is uniquely placed as an automotive hub, with Ford based in the TASEZ plant and BMW and Nissan in the nearby industrial area. October sees the city becoming the gateway to Africa for the automotive sector. With Phase 1 of the TASEZ development complete and fully occupied by anchor tenant Ford and nine manufacturers producing components required for the Ford Ranger, the TASEZ team are now looking to implementing the development plans for Phase 2 and 3. “We are looking for two or three other global companies to take up the incentives available in the zone, along with the infrastructure and support TASEZ supplies,” October said. “We are excited to be hosting businesses from some of the largest countries in the world,” Dr Zulu said. “This is an important milestone for us, to engage with world business leaders and share with them our plans.” The BRICS group incorporates more than 40% of the global population and over 25% of the world’s economy. With this in mind, it is critical for South Africa’s economic and social growth and development to encourage foreign direct investment into the various sectors. “We do not see our SEZ in isolation, there are numerous linkages that will expand the reach of what happens in our hub,” Dr Zulu noted.

TASEZ launches exciting brand campaign

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The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) is taking bold new steps to make sure it becomes renowned as Africa’s first automotive city and a world-class hub for the industry. Monday, 24 July 2023 saw the launch of a major communications and branding campaign drawing attention to the work TASEZ in attracting investors, manufacturers, and stakeholders from around the world. Campaign messages on social media platforms, at selected notable sites across the country including international airports, and on digital billboards across the Gautrain, will raise awareness of the unique opportunities and benefits offered by the special economic zone, and at the same time, establish TASEZ as a powerful and distinct top-of-mind brand. The objectives of the six-month campaign are to: Together, we can propel TASEZ to greater heights in the global automotive landscape.

TASEZ congratulates Ford on Car of the Year win

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For the first time in its history, a bakkie has won the prestigious South African Car of the Year award, with the accolade going to the Ford Ranger. The award is particularly welcomed in Gauteng, following the crucial investment Ford has made into boosting the country’s automotive sector, particularly in the City of Tshwane where Ford has an extensive plant in Silverton and a large investment in the nearby Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ). TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu congratulated the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa on its win. “We are proud to be able to say that the 2023 Car of the Year is produced by a company within TASEZ.” The Gauteng MEC for economic development, Tasneem Motara, echoed his sentiment, adding that the quality of the product as well as the innovation that had gone into it augured well for the future of the automotive sector. From an overall investment of R16-billion in 2021, Ford ploughed some R3.4-billion into TASEZ to build a factory to manufacture the Ranger chassis as well as to support suppliers of Ford components. “The Ford Ranger’s triumph represents a milestone for the industry, setting a new benchmark, and symbolising a noteworthy accomplishment for one of South Africa’s primary export products,” the chairperson of the 2023 competition, Mabuyane Mabuza, noted at the announcement on 1 June 2023. Congratulating all the finalists, Dr Zulu stressed the importance the sector played in the country’s economic growth, particularly in Gauteng. “The South African automotive industry is the fifth largest exporting sector out of more than 100 sectors and accounts for 18,7% of the country’s manufacturing output.” South Africa’s automotive sector is one of the country’s largest economic sectors, contributing 4,3% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) – 2,4% manufacturing and 1,9% retail, according to figures from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa). Motara added that as the leading auto manufacturing hub in the country, “we’re committed to developing the sector through our support for the implementation of the South African Automotive Master Plan 2035 (SAAM) and through our Special Economic Zones”. The SAAM’s long-term aim is to see production grow to 1.4 million vehicles a year by 2035, and the use of local content rise to 60%. “This growth will play an important role in tackling the challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality,” Motara said. The Car of the Year competition is held by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists, with the 2023 edition seeing 21 finalists vying for overall honours.

TASEZ welcomes new colleagues

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We extend a warm welcome to three new colleagues who have joined our TASEZ family: Rembuluwani Mavhungu and Noluthando Mkhathini, who are both members of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, and Khutso Semetjane. Rembuluwani will be taking up the position of financial reporting manager. He has worked in the finance and auditing field for more than eight years in the both private and public sectors, including spending time in the office of the Auditor-General. A registered Chartered Accountant, Rembuluwani also holds two post graduate diplomas in accounting science and applied accounting science on the back of his business degree in finance and accounting. Noluthando is joining us as financial accounting manager. She too has two post graduate diplomas in accounting sciences and in finance, banking, and investments, following her degree in accounting at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Noluthando has extensive experience in public entities, having worked for provincial and local government departments and development agencies for 14 years. Khutso will be taking up the important role of TASEZ’s stakeholder engagement manager. He brings with him a wealth of experience in stakeholder engagement as well as in dispute resolution. He too has a finance background, holding a national diploma in internal auditing, and previously held anumber of finance positions at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation. We wish Rembuluwani, Noluthando and Khutso all the very best as they join a team that is committed to transforming South Africa’s socio-economic future and building a strong, inclusive, and innovative automotive industry. Vangile NeneCorporate Services Executive

TASEZ sets standards for SEZs – Ugandan MPs

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A visit from a Ugandan parliamentary delegation has highlighted the importance of South Africa’s Special Economic Zones in attracting much-needed foreign investment to growing a country’s economy and creating jobs.

Growing the auto industry through partnerships

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The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) continues to deliver on its aim of building an inclusive economic industry. It has officially joined forces with the communities of nearby Mamelodi, Eesterust and Nellmapius, through the Community Project Committee (CPC), committing to work together to create job opportunities while at the same time building an inclusive automotive industry. This commitment was formalised on 16 February 2023 when TASEZ and the CPC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Pretoria’s Menlyn Maine. The documents, including a social compact, detail and highlight TASEZ’s responsibilities to the local communities and their commitment to supporting the project. Based in Silverton, TASEZ is Africa’s first automotive city, a hub that provides tenants with a prime location close to an established automotive industry, links to regional and international markets, customised solutions and support services to boost business efficiency, and a number of incentive packages. As a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), TASEZ has been given the mandate to be a catalyst for employment, transformation, socio-economic development, and industry growth. Transforming the auto industry “Part of the transformation agenda is that you need to take the communities with you and broaden the economic participation,” said TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu at the signing ceremony. “The development of special economic zones must include a social element – in that you cannot develop state-of-the-art facilities within communities that are not benefiting from the project. The needs and requirements of the surrounding communities must be considered.” Among the aims of TASEZ is to provide programmes targeted at small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and for corporate social investment (CSI) programmes, along with skills development programmes, Zulu said. The construction of the first phase of TASEZ helped create 5 000 jobs, with 204 local SMMEs benefitting by procurement spend, the executive manager of business development at TASEZ, Msokoli Ntombana, noted. To date, permanent employment for 1 950 people has been secured, with the vast majority (60 to 70%) coming from local communities. “The government has invested R4.2-billion into the project and the investors that have taken occupation have invested a further R4.5-billion,” Ntombana added. A living document The terms of reference in the MoU also highlighted the communities’ commitment to making the project a success. “This is going to benefit the community greatly. We will make sure the project is a success and minimise stoppage time,” said CPC chairperson, Shiba Madonsela. Madonsela noted the MoU provided a clear agreement and partnership. “The community must know that this is a living document, and they will see the results of it. While signing this I have a feeling of joy as it bonds TASEZ and the community together.” Describing it as a milestone, Madonsela said: “With the partnership between the community and TASEZ, the economy will grow, the project will create employment opportunities, and our youth will be upskilled in fields such as robotics.” Community engagement specialist and CPC secretary Zama Ndebele described the occasion as extremely important. “History has shown that when the community and government work together a project will be a success.” He added: “This [agreement] is close to my heart. It gives meaning to how projects in the country can be managed.” It would be one of the building blocks that will lead to Tshwane becoming the automotive city. Zulu added that the partnership with the local communities was long overdue, and he was looking forward to what lies ahead. “We will travel together as partners to make this a success.” The occasion has set the tone for the relationship between the communities and TASEZ; one of partnership, respect, and a willingness to succeed.

Vangile Nene joins TASEZ team

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TASEZ has appointed  Ms Vangile Nene as its Executive for Corporate Services, reporting to the CEO Dr Bheka Zulu. Nene previously worked with government as Chief Director: Professional Services and State Technical Capacity at the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Here, Nene designed, developed, and oversaw the execution of frameworks and policies. She also oversaw the implementation of human capital investment, engineering, and professional services capacity building programmes in addition to providing marketing and public relations experience. She took up these positions after spending almost six years in the financial services industry, which gave her a good grounding for her career development. Most of Nene’s roles have involved developing strategies and ensuring the successful execution thereof. In addition, she is also highly qualified, with an MBA from Regenesys Business School, during which she studied 14 modules across a range of disciplines, which followed public management and marketing courses. Nene has also attended a range of further education symposiums across a variety of aspects.