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TASEZ positions enterprise and supplier development as cornerstone to automotive transformation

By Mandla Mpangase Enterprise and supplier development (ESD) is central to expanding the participation of South African micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the automotive industry and strengthening local manufacturing, according to the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ). Speaking on the sidelines of the 2nd International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference in Durban in July 2026, TASEZ Enterprise and Supplier Development Senior Manager Sibusiso Khuzwayo said ESD provides a practical mechanism for opening opportunities across the automotive value chain while advancing industrial transformation. “Enterprise and Supplier development under B-BBEE (broad-based black economic empowerment) has a framework that looks at procurement, enterprise development and supplier development,” Khuzwayo said. “We have not yet seen significant participation by MSMEs in the automotive sector, and ESD is the vehicle that will ensure they become part of the value chain, from production through to the aftermarket.” The 3% net profit after tax allocated for ESD may be used for financial and non-financial interventions to ensure MSMEs participate in the mainstream automotive industry. Khuzwayo said TASEZ occupies a unique position between government, community and industry, enabling it to identify supply chain opportunities and develop programmes that respond to both policy priorities and industry demand. “We don’t manufacture vehicles. We host businesses that manufacture vehicles and components, which allows us to understand what industry needs and what government wants, and then develop programmes that bring the two together,” he said. He described ESD as “the cornerstone” of transforming South Africa’s automotive sector. “If we develop MSMEs, the economy moves faster. The more opportunities we create for small businesses, the more jobs they create and the greater the economic impact.” A key focus, he said, is expanding opportunities for women-owned businesses, young entrepreneurs, people with disabilities and military veterans through partnerships with organisations that specialise in supporting these groups. “We first have to find the right businesses, understand what they can offer and then match those capabilities with industry needs.” Working with partners such as Ford and the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), TASEZ is identifying supply chain gaps where local companies can replace imported products. “If an imported component takes 10 weeks to arrive, but a South African company can produce it locally within hours, that is an opportunity. But businesses must be competitive on price, while consistently delivering the quality the automotive industry demands.” Khuzwayo urged emerging suppliers to build capability progressively instead of focusing immediately on supplying vehicle manufacturers. “Ford should be the cherry on top. Businesses should first build experience with Tier 3, Tier 2 and Tier 1 suppliers. By the time they reach an OEM (original equipment manufacturer), they are ready to meet the industry’s demanding standards.” He acknowledged that misconceptions about B-BBEE and unrealistic expectations from some entrepreneurs remain obstacles to successful supplier and enterprise development. “Many businesses believe the first requirement is funding, but the industry is looking for capable suppliers that understand quality, consistency and the realities of supplying the automotive sector.” Alongside developing new enterprises, TASEZ is strengthening businesses in the maintenance space who already are within its supplier base. More than 80% of suppliers supporting TASEZ’s maintenance activities are black-empowered businesses, with supplier development workshops helping them improve their competitiveness and understanding of the quality of work expected. “Our priority is to sustain the suppliers already working with us while creating a pipeline of new enterprises that can participate in the automotive value chain,” Khuzwayo said. The conference highlighted the growing role of Special Economic Zones as catalysts for industrialisation, localisation and inclusive economic growth. For TASEZ, enterprise and supplier development is increasingly becoming one of the most effective tools for ensuring that these benefits extend beyond major manufacturers to South Africa’s emerging businesses and entrepreneurs.

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.

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.

South Africa’s industrial future will be decided by what happens after Durban

News / By Tasez

By Andile Sangweni, TASEZ CEO The 2nd International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference, taking place in Durban on 16 and 17 July, has the potential to redefine how South Africa thinks about industrial development in an era of slowing global growth, rapid technological change and increasing competition for investment. And the timing could not be more important. If its programme is any indication, this is not simply another investment conference. It is an opportunity to redefine how South Africa thinks about industrial development. For too long, South Africa’s economy has struggled to escape low growth, high unemployment and declining industrial competitiveness. Manufacturing’s contribution to GDP has steadily contracted, while many industrial towns have become shadows of what they once were. At the same time, global supply chains are being rewritten as countries seek resilience, localisation and regional manufacturing hubs. South Africa cannot afford to watch from the sidelines. The conference theme of “Reigniting industrialisation through world-class special economic zones” recognises that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are no longer simply fenced industrial estates offering tax incentives. Around the world, successful SEZs have evolved into sophisticated ecosystems that combine infrastructure, logistics, skills development, innovation, research, housing and investment into integrated economic regions. The Durban programme reflects this shift. It begins not with discussions about incentives, but with the launch of South Africa’s new Industrial Policy before moving into a keynote address by President Cyril Ramaphosa – an acknowledgement that industrialisation must once again occupy the centre of economic policy. Equally significant is the discussion asking the fundamental question: “Why invest in SEZs now?” Rather than relying on theory, the panel brings together leaders from Ford Motor Company South Africa, DP World Mozambique, AIH Group and Nyanza Light Metals to provide an investor’s perspective on why SEZs remain attractive destinations for global capital. That conversation matters because governments do not create jobs—businesses do. Governments create the environment in which investment becomes possible. Perhaps the most important evolution in thinking is reflected in the session examining SEZs as engines for smart city development. This signals a departure from the traditional notion of industrial parks as isolated manufacturing precincts. Instead, delegates will consider how Special Economic Zones can become complete economic ecosystems incorporating transport, energy, logistics, housing, services and skills development. This is precisely where South Africa must go. The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone has already demonstrated elements of this approach by integrating supplier development, skills training and automotive manufacturing into a broader industrial ecosystem. Other zones are beginning similar journeys. The conference also recognises that South Africa’s industrial future cannot be built in isolation. Sessions devoted to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), cross-border collaboration and regional competitiveness acknowledge that the next generation of industrial growth will increasingly depend on continental value chains rather than purely domestic markets. Africa’s market of more than a billion people presents opportunities that South African manufacturers simply cannot ignore. Equally encouraging is the attention given to subjects often overlooked in industrial policy debates. There are dedicated discussions on financing industrial infrastructure, public-private partnerships, supplier development for small businesses, export diversification, technology, innovation and the role of development finance institutions. Together, these sessions recognise an important truth: successful industrialisation depends on an entire ecosystem, not a single policy intervention. This is where the conference has the potential to become genuinely transformative. South Africa has spent years discussing industrialisation. The challenge now is implementation. That means ensuring infrastructure is delivered on time. It means creating regulatory certainty for investors. It means strengthening partnerships between government and business. It means developing skilled workers for advanced manufacturing. It means integrating small businesses into industrial value chains instead of leaving them at the margins. And it means building export-oriented industries capable of competing internationally. SEZs cannot solve every structural problem facing the economy. But they can become laboratories for reform – places where better governance, faster approvals, modern infrastructure and collaborative partnerships demonstrate what is possible for the wider economy. Ultimately, the real measure of the Durban conference will not be the number of delegates attending, the quality of its presentations or the awards handed out at the gala dinner. Its success will be measured by what happens afterwards. These are the questions that matter. Industrialisation is not a nostalgic return to the factories of the past. It is about building a competitive economy capable of producing the technologies, products and supply chains that will define the future. If South Africa is serious about inclusive growth, reducing unemployment and competing in the global economy, then the conversations taking place in Durban should not remain inside the conference venue. They should become the blueprint for the country’s next chapter of industrial development.

TASEZ to showcase automotive industrialisation at international SEZ conference

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) will join other Special Economic Zones, policymakers, investors and industry leaders from across South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond at the 2nd International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference in Durban on 16 and 17 July 2026. Hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, the conference will be held under the theme “Reigniting Industrialisation through World-class Special Economic Zones”. The flagship event is expected to attract more than 1 000 delegates and will focus on strengthening investment, advancing industrialisation and promoting collaboration between government and the private sector. Discussions will also explore the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in supporting regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and South Africa’s broader industrial development agenda. TASEZ acting CEO Andile Sangweni said the conference provides an important opportunity to demonstrate how South Africa’s SEZs are contributing to inclusive economic growth. “This conference brings together the leading voices shaping the future of industrial development on the continent. “For TASEZ, it is an opportunity to showcase the impact of our automotive-focused model, exchange best practices with our peers, strengthen partnerships and contribute to the national conversation on how world-class SEZs can accelerate investment, localisation, skills development and sustainable job creation,” Sangweni said. It will also be an opportunity to learn from others and understand the latest global trends in industrialisation and economic development. The conference will also feature a two-day exhibition where companies operating within South Africa’s SEZs will showcase their products and capabilities, while the SEZ Achievement Awards Gala Dinner will recognise excellence and innovation across the country’s SEZ programme. According to the dtic, the conference will reinforce the role of SEZs as a key industrial policy instrument to attract investment, build world-class infrastructure, boost exports and create sustainable employment opportunities.

Cabinet approves plan to drive job creation

News / By Tasez

Cabinet has approved the revised Industrial Development Strategy for implementation to facilitate employment opportunities through various projects and programmes. “The Industrial Development Strategy is expected to create thousands of jobs each year, with a strong focus on skills development and preparing unemployed people for high-demand sectors such as renewable energy and manufacturing,” Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Friday, 5 June 2026, in Pretoria. The Industrial Development Strategy prioritises sectors critical to industrialisation, including the protection of strategic industries such as steel, automotive, manufacturing and mining. It also promotes expansion in future growth areas including agro-processing, the digital economy and the green economy. “In addition, the strategy targets sectors with strong potential for economic growth and job creation, especially for young people, including tourism and global business services,” the minister said. She added that a committee of ministers, chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will oversee implementation of the strategy to ensure coordinated delivery and impact. Developed through extensive consultation, the strategy focuses on high-impact, inclusive industrialisation of South Africa’s economy. It aligns with the policy priorities of the seventh administration and is anchored in three key pillars to drive industrial growth and transformation: decarbonisation, digitalisation and diversification. – SAnews.gov.za

Parliamentary committee hears how TASEZ is strengthening South Africa’s industrial future

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase The Parliamentary Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade has heard how the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) is helping to drive industrialisation, attract investment and create jobs, while also serving as a model for the future development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across South Africa. The committee conducted an oversight visit to TASEZ on Thursday, 4 June 2026, to assess the impact of government investments aimed at stimulating economic growth, manufacturing competitiveness and employment creation. Addressing the committee, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Vuyiswa Ramokgopa described TASEZ as one of the most significant industrial development projects undertaken in democratic South Africa. “TASEZ is not simply another industrial park. It is one of the most important industrial development projects undertaken in democratic South Africa and a practical demonstration of how industrial policy can be translated into real economic opportunity,” she said. Ramokgopa said the success of the zone demonstrates the power of cooperative governance, with national, provincial and local government working together to create an industrial ecosystem capable of attracting investment, supporting manufacturing and creating jobs. Ramokgopa noted that the Tshwane region produces approximately 40% of the country’s passenger vehicles and has become the anchor of what is increasingly recognised as Africa’s first automotive city. The automotive sector remains one of South Africa’s most strategic industries, contributing approximately 5.2% to national GDP and generating exports worth R268.8-billion in 2024 to 148 global markets. Since its inception, TASEZ has attracted approximately R5.9-billion in private-sector investment, contributed an estimated R2- billion to the economy, created 5 500 construction jobs and more than 3 400 permanent jobs, while supporting around 10 000 jobs across the broader automotive value chain. The benefits of the project have extended to young people, women, township enterprises and surrounding communities through targeted skills development, enterprise support programmes and a social compact model that is increasingly being replicated elsewhere in Gauteng. The committee also received a broader overview of the national SEZ programme from TASEZ board chair Maoto Molefane, who outlined the strategic role of the country’s industrial zones in advancing economic growth and regional development. South Africa currently has 12 designated SEZs spread across seven provinces, with nine operational and three still under development. Since 2016, the SEZ programme has generated more than 30 000 jobs and recorded total expenditure of R24.2-billion. Molefane highlighted the role of SEZs in attracting investment into priority sectors, promoting localisation and strengthening South Africa’s participation in global value chains. He said the zones are strategically located to leverage access to ports, airports, rail infrastructure and major transport corridors, while supporting balanced regional development and stronger integration with Southern African Development Community (SADC) markets and the broader African continent. Within this national context, TASEZ has emerged as one of the programme’s strongest performers. The zone currently hosts 12 operational investments valued at approximately R5.76-billion. The committee heard that Phase One of TASEZ is fully operational and that bulk infrastructure development for Phase Two is already underway. Construction has also begun on Ford’s new R300-million facility within the zone, further strengthening Tshwane’s position as South Africa’s automotive manufacturing hub. Both Ramokgopa and Molefane emphasised the importance of preparing South Africa’s manufacturing sector for future industrial opportunities, including the transition to new-energy vehicle production, advanced manufacturing and green industrialisation. Molefane outlined the government’s Spatial Industrial Development Strategy, which seeks to build globally and regionally competitive industrial clusters, promote beneficiation and value addition, support black industrialists, deepen local supply chains and integrate township and rural economies into industrial value chains. The strategy also prioritises youth and women-focused skills development programmes, learnerships and partnerships between industry, universities and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges to strengthen the country’s industrial capabilities. While highlighting the achievements of the SEZ programme, Molefane also acknowledged ongoing challenges, including infrastructure constraints, unreliable electricity supply, logistics bottlenecks at ports and rail facilities, skills shortages in underdeveloped regions and delays in municipal service delivery. He said key lessons learned from the implementation of SEZs include the importance of strong political support, national government involvement, reliable infrastructure, effective stakeholder management, long-term planning, sound governance and active private-sector participation. The committee also received updates on major investments taking place across South Africa’s SEZ network, including a R110-billion green hydrogen project at the Coega SEZ, a R16-billion titanium dioxide plant in Richards Bay, a R1.3-billion automotive components facility at Dube TradePort, and major manufacturing, logistics and digital infrastructure investments in East London, OR Tambo and Nkomazi. TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu noted that TASEZ’s continued growth demonstrates what can be achieved when government, industry and communities work together to build productive industrial capacity. “Projects like TASEZ can inspire similar initiatives across our country that will deliver inclusive growth, re-industrialisation and economic renewal,” he added. The TASEZ model shows that economic development can be both globally competitive and locally inclusive. Echoing his message, the City of Tshwane’s MMC for economic development and spatial planning, Sarah Mabotsa, said: “The impact of TASEZ extends far beyond the boundaries of the SEZ itself.” TASEZ represents jobs, investment, economic growth, and opportunity for the City of Tshwane’s residents to put food on their tables, the MMC added. The City of Tshwane is committed to supporting the expansion of the automotive and manufacturing sectors and in April 2025, the council adopted an Economic Revitalisation Strategy to increase economic growth to at least 3,9%. The City has also approved the lease of a property in Nellmapius to support TASEZ’s skills development and training programme. The oversight visit formed part of the committee’s efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of strategic economic development initiatives and their contribution to South Africa’s industrialisation agenda, job creation objectives and long-term economic growth. Responding to the information received, the committee members pointed out that it would be greatly beneficial for the country’s SEZs to work closely with each other, sharing knowledge and lessons learnt.