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Building an integrated, productive and prosperous southern Africa

In his latest weekly letter, From the Desk of the President on 17 August 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa talks about the importance of turning the southern African region into one that creates jobs, grows industries, develops infrastructure and improves lives. This week, South Africa has the honour, as the incoming chair, of hosting the 46th Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in eThekwini. As it starts its SADC chairship, South Africa’s focus is on the practical steps needed to further integrate the economies of SADC and build a dynamic regional market. This is becoming increasingly important in the context of growing turbulence in the global economy. Conflicts in faraway places are causing great disruption to trade, raising the prices of fuel, grain and fertiliser, and reducing the prospects for growth. It is precisely at such a moment that we should be clear about what SADC means for South Africans. Our membership of SADC is not just a matter of foreign policy. It is about the creation of jobs and improving the quality of life of South Africans. It is about the growth of our industries, the development of our infrastructure and the health and well-being of our people. As a community of 16 countries with a combined population of nearly 400 million people, SADC has abundant natural resources, a youthful population and the means to produce everything that its people need. Yet, trade among SADC countries only stands at around 20% of our combined total trade. Collectively, Southern Africa has abundant energy resources, minerals and land. We have skills, technology, industrial capabilities and strong financial institutions. Yet, we still import much of the goods and services we need from beyond our shores. For example, our region holds much of the world’s critical minerals, yet we export the ore and import the battery. We are supplying an industrial revolution taking place elsewhere and buying back its products at a price set by others. That is why we need a dynamic common market in which we trade with each other. No country in this region can, on its own, build an integrated power system, develop cross-border corridors, manage shared water resources or withstand the full force of climate change. We need to link our economies through corridors of goods, services and industry. We are developing the Maputo, North-South, Trans-Kalahari, Beira and Lobito corridors, but we need to do more so that they become living arteries of commerce, carrying freight, electricity, data and people. We have the Southern African Power Pool, which means that electricity generated in one country powers businesses and lights homes in another. Our task now is to widen that pool to ensure that all parts of Southern Africa have a reliable supply of affordable energy. We must similarly develop our shared water resources so that every country has the water it needs to supply its industries and its people in a sustainable manner. We need to remove the costs that we have imposed on ourselves, from reducing the price of phone calls and money transfers to reducing waiting times at our borders and harmonising customs procedures. Our ambition must not be limited to more trade with each other. We must produce goods and services together. We must assemble cars in one SADC country from parts manufactured in another, using materials produced in a third. While we need to invest in infrastructure and industry, our region’s most precious asset is our people. More than half of SADC’s population is under the age of 30. To realise this demographic dividend, we must ensure that every young person is given the best foundation for success in life. As a region, we should work together to ensure that every child has sufficient food and water, that they have quality health care and can access early childhood development. To realise their potential, we need to invest in our schools, universities, technical and vocational colleges and research institutions. These are some of the actions that this Summit will consider as we work to achieve SADC’s Vision 2050 for an integrated, productive and prosperous region. As South Africa takes up the chairship of SADC, we do so in the knowledge that our own prosperity is bound up with that of our neighbours. It is now up to all of us to turn this aspiration into a reality, and to turn the enormous potential that our region has into growth, development and jobs.

She is TASEZ: From corporate career to automotive entrepreneur

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase Nomboniso Zuma’s journey from the corporate world to building a growing automotive business is a story of determination, opportunity and what becomes possible when women step into industries where they have historically been underrepresented. Leaving the security of a corporate career to build a business is never an easy decision. For Zuma, it was a leap of faith that has taken her from the corporate world to the helm of a growing automotive enterprise employing 23 people. Today, as Chief Executive Officer of Fez Simplicity, Zuma has her sights firmly set on the next step: building a leading seating engineering and interior design company and ultimately becoming a Tier 1 supplier. Her story is precisely the kind of story TASEZ wants to tell this Women’s Month. Through its She is TASEZ campaign, the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) is celebrating the women whose ambition, expertise and determination are helping shape its success – and showing young women that there is a place for them in South Africa’s automotive and manufacturing industries. For Zuma, the journey began while she was still working in the corporate sector, when she joined her mother in building the family business. “It’s been quite a journey, but it’s also been rewarding as an entrepreneur. It’s never easy, but you have to have the grit for it, and if you’re determined, you will reach the places that you want to go to,” she says. The decision to leave corporate employment required persuasion, but Zuma had recognised something bigger: an opportunity for women in the automotive industry. “I saw that there is an opportunity within Fez Simplicity. There’s a big opportunity for women within the automotive industry to tap into this industry and see the business grow,” she says. That opportunity has grown considerably. Fez Simplicity began as a fitment centre. When customers needed upholstery and seat covers, the company saw a gap in the market and decided to bring the service in-house. What started as a small studio in a garage with two women has grown into a business employing 23 men and women. It is a telling example of entrepreneurship in action: identify a need, take a risk, invest in an idea and create something that did not exist before. But growth in the automotive sector comes with its own demands. Breaking into a market dominated by established suppliers requires persistence. Meeting automotive quality standards requires investment in machinery, skills and internationally recognised certifications. For Fez Simplicity, funding, access to quality materials and ISO 9000 accreditation have been important milestones on its journey towards supplying major original equipment manufacturers. This is where the role of TASEZ became significant. Zuma first encountered TASEZ at an exhibition, where she was introduced to programmes designed to help small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) operating in the automotive industry. That relationship opened access to exhibitions, business support and assistance in strengthening the company’s internal systems and compliance. For Zuma, the value of that support has been about more than a single intervention. It has been about access – access to opportunities, networks, exposure and the broader automotive ecosystem. “They said, ‘We are here to support you. We want to see you grow and succeed, and we’re here to be your partners,’” she says. That partnership is an important part of the She is TASEZ story. The campaign is not simply about celebrating women who already occupy senior positions. It is about recognising the journeys that brought them there, the businesses they are building, the people they employ and the doors they are opening for others. Zuma’s story is particularly powerful because it demonstrates what women can contribute when they enter sectors such as automotive manufacturing and engineering – sectors that have traditionally been seen as male-dominated. It also demonstrates why enterprise and supplier development matters. A growing SMME is not just a business on a balance sheet. It can become an employer, a supplier, a skills developer and, ultimately, a participant in increasingly sophisticated industrial value chains. Fez Simplicity now has dedicated upholstery and seating production teams alongside its fitment centre and is looking beyond its current market. Its ambitions extend into locomotive and marine applications, while its ultimate goal is to become a leading seating engineering company and a Tier 1 supplier. That ambition is at the heart of She is TASEZ. Because the women being celebrated this Women’s Month are not simply beneficiaries of economic opportunity – they are creating it. They are employing people, building businesses, solving problems, entering technical fields, making decisions. And they are demonstrating to the next generation that automotive manufacturing, engineering, and technology are not industries in which women have to ask whether they belong. They belong because they are already there. Zuma’s story also carries a message for the young woman who may be considering entrepreneurship but is unsure whether she has what it takes. Her answer is simple: grit and determination matter. And so does having people and institutions willing to support the journey. She is TASEZ is about making those journeys visible. Throughout Women’s Month, TASEZ will tell the stories of the women driving its success – women whose experiences can inspire the next generation to pursue careers, businesses and leadership roles in STEM , manufacturing and the automotive sector. Nomboniso Zuma is one of those women. She left the corporate world. She saw an opportunity. She took the risk. She expanded a business. And she is not finished yet. “I have big plans and bigger ambitions for Fez Simplicity to become a leading company in South Africa and a Tier 1 company,” she says. With women like Zuma taking their place in the automotive value chain, the future of South Africa’s industrial economy looks considerably bigger too. She is an entrepreneur; a manufacturer; an employer; an automotive leader. She is Fez Simplicity. She is TASEZ. (You can also meet Nomboniso Zuma on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqgj5pK3zF4)

TASEZ honours women of 1956 by creating opportunities for women today

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase As South Africa marks the 70th anniversary of the historic Women’s March to the Union Buildings, the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) is honouring the women of 1956 by helping more women gain a foothold in South Africa’s industrial economy. This year’s Women’s Day theme, “Empowered women empower the nation”, resonates strongly with TASEZ’s work in creating jobs, developing skills and opening opportunities for women-owned businesses. The growth of TASEZ has created thousands of employment opportunities. Women accounted for 32% of the permanent jobs created during Phase 1, while women also benefited from employment opportunities generated during construction. Women-owned businesses have also gained opportunities through TASEZ’s procurement and Enterprise and Supplier Development programmes. These initiatives are helping small businesses build capacity, access markets and become part of the automotive value chain. For women entrepreneurs, entering the automotive industry can provide a platform to grow beyond small-scale operations and build sustainable businesses. TASEZ’s support of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) is therefore an important part of broadening participation in an industry that has traditionally been dominated by larger companies and, in many areas, by men. Skills development is another key part of this work. Through the TASEZ Training Academy and partnerships with training and educational institutions, the zone is helping young people acquire skills that match the needs of the automotive and manufacturing sectors. Giving women access to these opportunities can help them enter technical and industrial careers and compete for jobs in a growing sector. The economic impact reaches beyond the workplace. Women who secure employment, build businesses or develop new skills can support their families, employ others and contribute to their communities. That makes economic empowerment an important part of the legacy of the Women’s March. In 1956, more than 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings to challenge laws that restricted their freedom. Their action demonstrated the power of women to organise, lead, and demand change. Seventy years later, women continue to shape South Africa – this time through their participation in the economy. At TASEZ, that means creating more opportunities for women to become workers, entrepreneurs, suppliers, professionals and leaders in the automotive sector. The message of Women’s Day remains as relevant today as it was in 1956: when women have the opportunity to succeed, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. Empowered women help build stronger families, businesses, communities and a stronger nation.

From logistics to clean energy: Potent Conceptials is turning waste into opportunity

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase What began as a logistics consulting business has evolved into an innovative clean energy enterprise that is transforming waste cooking oil into biodiesel, demonstrating how South African entrepreneurs are finding sustainable solutions to support both industry and the environment. Speaking on the sidelines of the 2nd International Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Infrastructure and Investment Conference, Mooketsi Makena, co-founder and owner of Potent Conceptials, said the company’s journey reflects how enterprise support, innovation and partnerships can unlock new opportunities within the automotive and transport sectors. Founded in 2020, Potent Conceptials initially focused on consulting services for the logistics industry before expanding into technology and, more recently, renewable energy. “When we started in 2020, we started as consulting agents within the logistics industry. Our focus was on RTMS (road transport management systems) and PBS (performance-based standards that monitor the operational performance of heavy-duty vehicles), and then we went into the ICT sector, where we are still developing a data and compliance management app for the logistics sector. Late last year, we started our biodiesel manufacturing project,” Makena said. The company’s latest venture aims to produce cleaner-burning biodiesel from used cooking oil, with plans to expand into other sustainable feedstocks. “Biodiesel is clean diesel, so it has fewer emissions. We’re producing it from used cooking oil, and we’re looking at using alternative feedstocks such as sunflower seeds and other oilseeds. When you drive, you’re driving cleaner,” he said. Makena said the idea emerged after he recognised both a market opportunity and an environmental challenge. “I saw a gap in the market within the clean energy industry. Around the world, the focus is now on clean energy. At home we had used cooking oil that we couldn’t dispose of properly. When I researched what could be done with it, it led me to biodiesel. It helps the environment – no more clogged drains and no more soil pollution,” he explained. His company’s work aligns with the automotive industry’s growing emphasis on reducing emissions and adopting more sustainable fuels, highlighting the role that innovative small businesses can play in supporting South Africa’s transition to greener mobility. Makena said support from the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) has been instrumental in helping Potent Conceptials gain exposure to investors and potential business partners. “The support I get from TASEZ is important because this is actually the second exhibition that they have sponsored for me. The first one was the Energy Indaba, where I got amazing leads. They are giving me access to investors, partners, and also the market that I need to tap into, so they are quite beneficial,” he said. That support reflects one of the key themes emerging from the conference: that Special Economic Zones are not only attracting investment into strategic industries, but are also creating opportunities for innovative small businesses to commercialise new technologies, access markets and contribute to South Africa’s industrial development. Makena believes innovation is also about making better use of the tools and resources already available. “Young people have tools that we’re not using correctly. AI can give you ideas and teach you new skills. If we focus on learning about areas such as clean energy, we can unlock many opportunities,” he said. Looking ahead, Potent Conceptials aims to establish a fully operational biodiesel production facility capable of producing between 70 000 and 150 000 litres of biodiesel a week, helping to supply cleaner fuel solutions to the transport and automotive sectors while advancing South Africa’s green industrial economy.

Lwams Africa’s manufacturing journey shows the power of supplier development

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase A business that started as a car wash in 2018 has grown into a diversified manufacturing company producing automotive components, homeware, medical waste containers and 3D-printed products – a transformation that underscores the role of supplier development and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in building South Africa’s industrial base. Speaking on the sidelines of the 2nd International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference in July 2026, Zwi Nelwamondo, Managing Director of Lwams Africa Group, said the company’s evolution reflects a deliberate strategy to move beyond participating in the automotive industry as a supplier of services to becoming a manufacturer. “Lwams Africa Group was founded in 2018. We were only doing the car wash business in 2018, and then in 2020 we got a contract to supply these number plates. We just wanted to add value into the automotive value chain, not only by being a middleman, but rather being a manufacturer,” said Nelwamondo. Lwams Africa Group is a Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) enterprise development beneficiary. The shift into manufacturing laid the foundation for a broader product portfolio. Today, the Pretoria-based company manufactures household products including lunch boxes, plates and microwave covers, produces medical waste buckets, and offers in-house 3D printing services using its own equipment and proprietary designs. “Everything is in-house. We’ve got our own machines. We own our designs as well,” Nelwamondo said. He said expanding the business required significant investment in manufacturing equipment, with access to finance proving to be one of the company’s biggest hurdles. “My challenge was more on the finance to acquire equipment. We approached government, and they assisted with funding, and then we were able to get equipment that is currently running in our facility,” he explained. Nelwamondo also credited supplier development initiatives with accelerating Lwams Africa Group’s growth, helping it become part of the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone family through its connections to anchor tenant Ford. The company joined Ford’s supplier development programme after responding to a public call for applications. “We applied to be part of the programme, and fortunately enough we got to be part of the supplier development. Ford really played a big role in the success of our company from the inception up until now, and we are looking forward to a continuous relationship going forward,” he said. His experience reflects one of the central themes of the conference – that industrialisation depends not only on attracting investment into SEZs, but also on developing local enterprises capable of integrating into manufacturing value chains and expanding their capabilities over time. For emerging manufacturers, conferences such as the International SEZ Infrastructure and Investment Conference also provide an important platform to connect with potential customers and partners. “A platform like this assists small businesses like us because it’s access to the market. We get to meet other businesses that can be interested in our product offering, and already we’ve got a couple of leads through the engagements we’ve had,” Nelwamondo said. His company’s journey from a small car wash operation to a diversified manufacturer demonstrates how targeted supplier development, government support and access to market opportunities can enable South African businesses to move up the industrial value chain while contributing to a more resilient and competitive manufacturing sector.

Deputy President unveils 20-year blueprint to make SEZs engines of South Africa’s industrial revival

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase Deputy President Paul Mashatile has unveiled an ambitious 20-year strategy to transform South Africa’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) into globally competitive industrial hubs, warning that underperforming zones could lose their designation if they fail to deliver jobs, investment, and exports. Delivering the keynote address at the second International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference at the Durban International Convention Centre on Friday, 17 July 2026, Mashatile said South Africa had entered a “third phase” of industrial development, with SEZs positioned at the centre of the country’s manufacturing-led growth agenda. The conference, attended by government leaders, investors, industry executives, and international partners, focused on the role of SEZs in reigniting industrialisation and positioning South Africa as a competitive investment destination. Mashatile said South Africa’s industrial policy had evolved from the Industrial Development Zone programme introduced in 1997 to the current SEZ model, which is now being strengthened through a new Spatial Industrial Development Strategy. “We are not planning for the next election cycle. We are planning for the next generation,” he said. Central to the strategy is a 20-year development framework approved by Cabinet that will subject every SEZ to formal performance evaluations every five years. The first phase will focus on auditing every zone and establishing measurable performance indicators covering investment attracted, jobs created, exports, and linkages with small businesses. Zones that fail to achieve at least 60% of these targets after five years will face intervention, restructuring, repurposing or even de-designation. Mashatile said future success would depend on reliable infrastructure, effective governance and stronger integration between SEZs, municipalities and surrounding communities. “No zone can thrive in isolation,” he said, outlining six criteria that will guide future industrial development, including infrastructure corridors, natural resource advantages, industrial parks, district economic planning, socio-economic needs and community integration. The deputy president said South Africa’s SEZ programme had already demonstrated its value. Referring to a World Bank assessment, Mashatile said the programme had attracted R14.8-billion in revenue while creating more than 30 000 jobs across industries, including automotive manufacturing, agro-processing, and renewable energy. He singled out the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) and the Coega Industrial Development Zone as examples of successful industrial platforms that have strengthened skills development and local supply chains. However, he acknowledged that lessons had been learnt from earlier industrial zones, where some investment represented companies relocating rather than establishing new operations. Government’s renewed approach, he said, aims to ensure that SEZs stimulate genuine economic growth while delivering benefits to surrounding communities rather than functioning as isolated industrial enclaves. Mashatile said the new industrial strategy is built around three priorities: decarbonisation through low-carbon industries, diversification of manufacturing into higher-value exports, and digitalisation to improve productivity across the economy. The ultimate objective is to raise manufacturing’s contribution to South Africa’s gross domestic product from its current level of about 12%, while addressing unemployment, particularly among young people and women. The deputy president also highlighted the incentives available to investors operating in qualifying SEZs, including a preferential 15% corporate tax rate, manufacturing tax allowances, VAT and customs relief, and employment incentives for youth. Provincial development agencies would continue to provide serviced industrial land, infrastructure, and skills programmes, while municipalities would be expected to accelerate planning approvals and increase procurement opportunities for local small businesses. “Incentives are not entitlements,” Mashatile cautioned. “They are part of a compact. In return, we expect investment, exports, jobs and transformation.” Despite the incentive package, Mashatile acknowledged that South Africa faces intense international competition. With more than 5 400 SEZs operating globally, he said the country could not rely on low costs alone to attract investment. “We compete by being the most strategic, the most reliable, and the most inclusive.” He urged SEZ executives, municipal leaders and investors to work together to improve infrastructure, expand industrial clusters and deepen local supplier participation. Addressing investors directly, Mashatile said South Africa remained open for business but expected investment to contribute meaningfully to local development. “We are not open for extraction. We want you to benefit here, to train here, and to partner with our small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) here.” In closing, Mashatile called for renewed commitment to ensuring that SEZs become catalysts for inclusive economic growth across all provinces. “Our SEZs must become engines of investment, innovation, and opportunity, not islands of prosperity, but catalysts for inclusive growth that will uplift every province and every community across our country.”

TASEZ positioned as a flagship for South Africa’s next phase of industrialisation at SEZ Conference

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase South Africa’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are expected to play an increasingly important role in driving industrialisation, investment and export-led growth, with the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) well-positioned as one of the country’s leading examples of what a modern, high-performing SEZ can achieve. Opening the exhibition component of the 2nd International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference in Durban on Thursday, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, said the country’s network of SEZs has become a significant contributor to industrial development and will form a central pillar of the government’s long-term economic strategy. Addressing more than 1 000 delegates from government, industry, development finance institutions, and international partners, Tau highlighted the scale of South Africa’s SEZ programme, noting that 13 designated SEZs across eight provinces now host 224 companies, which have collectively invested R31.7-billion and created more than 28 000 jobs. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has invested approximately R12-billion in bulk and top-structure infrastructure to support the zones. “The exhibition floor shows policy in practice,” Tau said, encouraging delegates to engage directly with investors, incentive packages, and development opportunities represented by the country’s SEZs. Among the country’s standout performers is TASEZ, which has rapidly established itself as one of South Africa’s flagship industrial zones. Situated adjacent to Ford Motor Company’s Silverton Assembly Plant in the City of Tshwane, the automotive-focused SEZ has become a benchmark for integrated industrial development, attracting major investment, strengthening local supplier networks, and supporting South Africa’s automotive manufacturing ambitions. The minister cited the expansion of another successful automotive-focused zone, the uMlathuze TradePort Special Economic Zone, as evidence that targeted infrastructure investment can unlock substantial private-sector participation. He noted that the expansion had attracted R16-billion in private investment, alongside billions more from public investors, and created more than 3 300 direct jobs. For TASEZ, these outcomes reinforce the value of the automotive SEZ model. The zone has already become a critical component of South Africa’s automotive value chain by enabling supplier localisation, supporting component manufacturers, and strengthening export competitiveness around one of the country’s largest vehicle assembly plants. Tau also announced that the government will use the conference to table an independent World Bank review of South Africa’s SEZ programme. The findings will inform a revised implementation model aimed at encouraging greater private-sector participation, strengthening financial and non-financial incentives, and introducing mechanisms to improve the performance of underperforming zones. Responding to questions from the media, Tau confirmed that the government had accepted many of the World Bank’s recommendations and was aligning them with its broader industrial strategy. “We see SEZs as a critical part of the industrialisation pathway for South Africa,” he said. Rather than setting arbitrary investment targets, Tau said the government wants SEZs to become catalysts for broader economic development, generating opportunities throughout supply chains and creating value beyond the zones’ boundaries. “It is about the supply chains, the suppliers that come into the industries in the SEZs. It is about value chains that are created,” Tau said. That vision closely aligns with TASEZ’s development model. The Tshwane-based SEZ has consistently focused on expanding local procurement, developing small and medium-sized enterprises, investing in workforce skills, and creating an automotive ecosystem capable of competing internationally. As South Africa prepares for the transition towards new energy vehicles and deeper participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), TASEZ is increasingly positioned to support regional manufacturing and export growth. Throughout the two-day conference, delegates are expected to discuss strengthening SEZ infrastructure, financing industrial development, expanding regional value chains, and unlocking export opportunities through the AfCFTA. The programme also includes export masterclasses, investor discussions, the inaugural SEZ Achievement Awards, and the presentation of new investment commitments and partnership agreements. For TASEZ, the conference represents more than an opportunity to showcase its achievements. It offers a platform to demonstrate how a strategically planned automotive SEZ can accelerate industrialisation, attract investment, and build resilient manufacturing value chains, precisely the role government envisages for South Africa’s next generation of economic development.

SEZ leaders: Speed, scale and certainty will determine South Africa’s investment future

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase South Africa’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have already proved their value in attracting major investments, but faster decision-making, world-class infrastructure and globally competitive incentives will determine whether the country secures the next wave of industrial investment. That was the central message from a high-powered panel discussion, moderated by Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Environment and Nature Conservation Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, during the second day of the 2nd International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference in Durban. Bringing together leaders from Ford Motor Company South Africa, DP World, Aspen Pharmacare, AIH Group, Nyanza Light Metals and Afreximbank, the discussion explored why investors continue to see South Africa’s SEZs as strategic destinations despite intensifying global competition. Ford South Africa President Neale Hill said the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone had demonstrated how SEZs strengthen global competitiveness by shortening supply chains, improving quality control and supporting just-in-time manufacturing. He noted that South Africa competes not with local manufacturers but with Ford plants around the world for future investment, making efficiency and cost competitiveness essential. Nyanza Light Metals President and CEO Donovan Chimhandamba described South Africa as one of Africa’s most compelling industrial destinations, highlighting its engineering expertise, sophisticated financial markets and mineral wealth. He said the company’s US$870 million titanium beneficiation investment in the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone reflects growing confidence in South Africa’s ability to move beyond exporting raw minerals towards high-value manufacturing. Aspen Pharmacare’s Dr Stavros Nicolaou argued that South Africa remains the continent’s strongest long-term investment proposition, particularly as Africa’s population and healthcare demand continue to grow. He said SEZs help level the playing field against heavily subsidised international competitors while creating opportunities to build pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity closer to African markets. The discussion also highlighted the critical role of finance in accelerating industrialisation. Afreximbank’s Andrew Masuwe outlined the bank’s recently announced US$14 billion country programme for South Africa, including dedicated support for industrial development and project preparation, following South Africa’s accession as a member state. Looking ahead, panellists agreed that South Africa’s SEZs must evolve further by reducing regulatory delays, improving logistics, expanding utility infrastructure and attracting complete industrial value chains rather than isolated factories. They also called for stronger coordination across government and greater use of public procurement to build the scale needed for globally competitive manufacturing. Closing the session, MEC Ramokgopa said South Africa’s SEZs should become catalysts for broader industrial ecosystems that create inclusive local economic growth, rather than remaining isolated centres of excellence. The challenge now, she said, is to ensure the country’s investment offering remains globally competitive while delivering lasting benefits to communities and the wider economy.

TASEZ named South Africa’s best newcomer SEZ

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) has been recognised as South Africa’s best newcomer Special Economic Zone, receiving one of the inaugural SEZ Achievement Awards during the 2nd International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference in Durban. The award was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who joined the SEZ Achievement Awards Gala Dinner virtually on 16 July 2026, where the government honoured outstanding performance across the country’s SEZ programme. The awards recognise excellence in leadership, governance, investment attraction, job creation, innovation, export growth, small, medium, and micro enterprise (SMME) integration, localisation, and sustainable industrial development. TASEZ’s recognition reflects its rapid emergence as one of South Africa’s flagship industrial development projects. Established to support the expansion of automotive manufacturing, the zone has attracted major investment, created thousands of jobs, strengthened local supplier development, and advanced skills development, positioning itself as a catalyst for industrial growth within the country’s automotive value chain. The award comes as the government places renewed emphasis on SEZs as key drivers of industrialisation and economic growth. Opening the conference, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed that South Africa’s industrial future depends on expanding manufacturing capacity, attracting investment, and building globally competitive industrial ecosystems. He described SEZs as strategic instruments for reindustrialising the economy, increasing exports, creating quality employment and strengthening South Africa’s position in regional and global value chains. The recognition also reinforces TASEZ’s growing reputation as a model for modern industrial development. As Africa’s leading automotive-focused SEZ, TASEZ has demonstrated how strategic infrastructure, close collaboration between government and industry, and a commitment to localisation and skills development can translate into tangible economic outcomes. Receiving the best newcomer award from President Ramaphosa underscores TASEZ’s contribution to South Africa’s industrialisation agenda and its role in helping build a more competitive, investment-driven manufacturing economy.

Manufacturing Indaba 2026 highlights why industrial ecosystems matter

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase South Africa’s manufacturing sector took centre stage this week as government, business, labour, and academia gathered at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg for the 13th Manufacturing Indaba, held from 14 to 15 July 2026 under the theme “Made in Africa: Scaling Growth, Shaping Trade”. The annual conference brought together policymakers, investors, manufacturers, and industry experts to discuss how the continent can strengthen industrial capacity, expand value-added production, and compete more effectively in global markets. The discussions unfolded against a backdrop of sluggish manufacturing growth, infrastructure constraints, and increasing global competition. Yet the prevailing message from speakers was one of opportunity: Africa can no longer afford to remain primarily an exporter of raw materials but must instead become a producer of higher-value manufactured goods. Delivering the opening keynote, Deputy President Paul Mashatile challenged delegates to reimagine Africa’s industrial future. “Our future should not solely be determined by the extraction of our natural resources in their raw form, but by the manufacturing, refinement and exportation of finished products,” he said, adding that a thriving manufacturing sector is essential for job creation, inclusive growth, and long-term prosperity. Mashatile further argued that industrialisation is about more than factories. “Manufacturing is also about people. It is about restoring dignity through decent work, creating opportunities for young people, strengthening communities and giving business the confidence to invest, expand and innovate,” he said. Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition John Steenhuisen echoed those sentiments but warned that manufacturing competitiveness continues to be undermined by weak municipal infrastructure, unreliable water and electricity services, and inefficient logistics networks. He said strengthening localisation, improving ports, and developing regional transport corridors would be critical if South Africa is to grow exports and reduce dependence on imported manufactured goods. Why TASEZ has a central role to play in South Africa’s manufacturing future Those priorities align closely with one of South Africa’s most significant industrial developments: the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ). While not a focus of the conference programme itself, TASEZ represents the type of integrated industrial ecosystem repeatedly highlighted by speakers as essential to Africa’s manufacturing future. Rather than simply providing factory space, the automotive-focused SEZ combines world-class infrastructure, supplier development, skills training, logistics and investment facilitation to strengthen local manufacturing value chains. Located adjacent to Ford South Africa’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, TASEZ has become a strategic component of the country’s automotive manufacturing industry. It has attracted billions of rand in investment, enabled the localisation of automotive component production and created thousands of construction and permanent jobs while strengthening South Africa’s position as a vehicle export hub. The zone also supports key national industrial objectives by expanding local supplier participation, increasing local content and developing skills required for advanced manufacturing. These objectives mirror many of the themes discussed throughout the Manufacturing Indaba, including localisation, industrial competitiveness, technology adoption, and regional value chain development. Engineering News reported that speakers repeatedly stressed that sustainable industrialisation requires complete industrial ecosystems rather than isolated factories. Government support, stronger regional markets, strategic investment, technology adoption, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) were all identified as essential building blocks for future manufacturing growth. The conference also placed significant emphasis on digital transformation. Delegates heard that Africa must invest in robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced engineering, coding, data science, and modern artisan development if it is to compete in an increasingly technology-driven manufacturing landscape. These emerging priorities present new opportunities for TASEZ, which has increasingly positioned itself not only as an automotive manufacturing hub but also as a platform for skills development, supplier growth, and industrial innovation that supports the South African Automotive Master Plan and the country’s broader reindustrialisation agenda. As South Africa works to rebuild manufacturing confidence, the Manufacturing Indaba reinforced a simple but significant message: industrialisation is no longer just about producing more but is about producing smarter, adding greater value locally and building resilient industrial ecosystems capable of competing globally. For TASEZ, that vision is already taking shape. The zone demonstrates how targeted infrastructure investment, localisation, supplier development and collaboration between government and industry can translate national industrial policy into tangible manufacturing capacity. As the country seeks to position itself as a gateway for African manufacturing under the AfCFTA, TASEZ stands as a practical example of how special economic zones can help turn the ambition of “Made in Africa” into an economic reality.