job creation Archives

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)

RFP028/2025: For catering services

Tenders / By Tasez

The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) is looking to appoint a panel of service providers for the provision of professional catering services on a need basis for a period of 36 months. Compulsory briefing: 14 August 2026 Time: 10h00 – 12h00 Venue: TASEZ Central Hub Manitoba, The Willows 340-Jr, Pretoria, 0081 Closing date: 28 August 2026 by 12h00 Download RFP 028/2025 here

RFP 027/2025: For the construction of roads, stormwater, sewer, water and various upgrades

Tenders / By Tasez

The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) is looking to appoint a service provider for the construction of roads, stormwater, sewer, water, and various upgrades to surrounding intersections (Package B). Compulsory briefing: 21 August 2026 Time: 10h00 – 12h00 Venue: TASEZ Central Hub Manitoba, The Willows 340-Jr, Pretoria Closing date: 4 September 2026 by 12h00 Download tender RFP027/2025 here Annexure 1 Annexure 2A Annexure 2B Annexure 3 Annexure 4 Annexure 5 Annexure 6A Annexure 6B Annexure 6C Annexure 7 Annexure 8 Annexure 9 Annexure 10

RFP 025/2025: For a service provider for the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of an online utility management system

Tenders / By Tasez

The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) is looking to appoint a service provider for the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of an online utility management system, including the supply of meters on an as-and-when-required basis, and the six-monthly servicing of water meter strainers. Compulsory briefing session Date: 14 August 2026 Time: 11h00 Venue: TASEZ Central Hub, in Manitoba, The Willows 340-Jr, Pretoria Closing date: 21 August 2026 by 12h00 Download RFP 025/2025 here Download pricing schedule here Download Addendum 1 here

Five reasons every South African should pay attention to the International SEZ Conference

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase At first glance, the 2nd International Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Infrastructure and Investment Conference may appear to be another gathering of government officials, economists and business leaders. But it is much more than that. The decisions, partnerships and investments that emerge from the conference could influence where South Africa creates jobs, builds new industries and competes in the global economy for years to come. Here are five reasons why every South African should pay attention. 1. Creating jobs South Africa continues to battle one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. SEZs are designed to attract manufacturers and investors who establish factories, logistics hubs and industrial facilities that create employment. When new investors choose South Africa, they do not only employ engineers and technicians. They also create opportunities for artisans, machine operators, electricians, drivers, security personnel, cleaners, caterers and hundreds of small businesses that become part of industrial supply chains. Ultimately, industrial investment translates into livelihoods. 2. Redefining what industrialisation looks like Industrialisation today is no longer about rows of factories producing goods behind security fences. The conference programme reflects a broad vision that sees SEZs become integrated economic ecosystems that combine manufacturing, logistics, innovation, renewable energy, housing, transport and skills development. Discussions will explore how SEZs can evolve into smart industrial cities that support sustainable long-term economic growth. This is the kind of thinking needed if South Africa is to remain globally competitive. 3. Shaping Africa’s future trade One of the conference’s major themes is cross-border collaboration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Rather than viewing South Africa as a market of 63 million people, manufacturers increasingly see access to a continental market of more than one billion consumers. Sessions will examine how SEZs can strengthen exports, harmonise regulations and build regional value chains across Africa. If South Africa is to become Africa’s manufacturing powerhouse, this conversation is essential. 4. Bringing together people who can make things happen Many conferences feature discussions among policymakers alone. This one is different. The programme includes the President, Cabinet ministers, provincial leaders, global investors, multinational companies, development finance institutions, international organisations, logistics companies, automotive manufacturers and banking executives. These are the organisations that finance infrastructure, approve investments, develop industrial policy and make decisions on where billions of rand will be invested. When these decision-makers share one platform, meaningful partnerships become possible. 5. South Africa’s economic future The conference is about whether South Africa can rebuild its manufacturing base, attract investment, improve exports, strengthen infrastructure and create sustainable employment in an increasingly competitive global economy. The launch of the country’s new industrial policy alongside the conference reinforces the importance of industrial development as a national priority. If South Africa is serious about inclusive growth, reducing unemployment and competing internationally, the conversations taking place in Durban matter to every citizen, not just those working in government or business. The International SEZ Conference is ultimately about how South Africa creates an economy that produces more, exports more, employs more people and competes more successfully with the rest of the world. The answers discussed in Durban could help shape the country’s economic trajectory for decades to come.

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.

Parliamentary committee to visit TASEZ as focus turns to jobs, investment and growth

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase The parliamentary select committee on economic development and trade will visit the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) on Thursday, 4 June 2026, to assess the impact the industrial hub is having on investment, job creation and economic growth. The visit forms part of Parliament’s oversight role and will allow committee members to see first-hand how one of South Africa’s flagship special economic zones is contributing to industrialisation and manufacturing growth. During the visit, the committee will receive updates on TASEZ’s performance, including progress on investment commitments, infrastructure development, and the zone’s contribution to the automotive sector and broader regional economy. Members will also examine how the special economic zone is creating employment opportunities, supporting skills development and delivering benefits to surrounding communities. Discussions will cover infrastructure, governance, and the operating environment within the zone, as well as the experiences of investors and tenants. The committee is expected to engage with TASEZ management, representatives from the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, the City of Tshwane, and stakeholders from the automotive and manufacturing sectors. Feedback from investors operating within the zone will also form an important part of the visit, providing insight into South Africa’s competitiveness as an investment destination and the challenges and opportunities facing manufacturers. TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu said the visit comes at an important time for South Africa’s industrial development ambitions. “Quality infrastructure remains one of the most important ingredients for attracting investment and supporting industrial growth. Businesses need certainty, efficiency, and reliable services to compete globally. Infrastructure development is therefore about much more than roads and buildings – it creates the foundation for economic activity, job creation and long-term growth,” said Zulu. He said continued investment in the automotive sector was critical to strengthening South Africa’s manufacturing base. “The automotive industry remains one of the country’s most important economic sectors, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to exports and skills development. Every investment in automotive manufacturing creates opportunities throughout the value chain, from component manufacturers and logistics providers to small businesses and local communities.” Zulu added that TASEZ was established to create an environment where manufacturers can invest and expand with confidence, helping South Africa advance its industrialisation and localisation goals. The committee’s findings from the visit are expected to contribute to future recommendations on strengthening South Africa’s special economic zone programme. Since its establishment, TASEZ has become a key driver of automotive investment in Gauteng, helping attract billions of rand in investment while supporting manufacturing growth, skills development and employment creation.

Ramokgopa visits TASEZ as Gauteng pushes industrial growth and investment

News / By Tasez

By Mandla Mpangase Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development Vuyiswa Ramokgopa visited the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) on Thursday, 21 May 2026 where she received a comprehensive briefing on the zone’s growth plans and toured one of its key manufacturing facilities supporting the automotive sector. The visit formed part of the Gauteng provincial government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen industrial development, attract investment and create jobs through strategic manufacturing infrastructure projects. Ramokgopa was briefed on the progress and future outlook of the TASEZ project by the organisation’s Executive for Business Development, Msokoli Ntombana. The presentation focused on the economic impact of the special economic zone, ongoing infrastructure development and plans for Phase 2 expansion. Ntombana outlined how the next phase of development is expected to further expand manufacturing capacity within the zone, strengthen supplier networks and unlock additional investment opportunities linked to the automotive industry. The MEC was also taken on a guided tour of the Thai Summit factory, one of the major component manufacturers operating within the special economic zone. The facility supplies automotive metal forming products, interior and exterior finishes, as well as various vehicle components to the nearby Ford manufacturing plant in Silverton. During the tour, Ramokgopa engaged with management and officials on production processes, industrial innovation and the role of automotive component manufacturing in supporting Gauteng’s broader economic growth objectives. The visit highlighted the strategic importance of TASEZ in positioning Gauteng as a leading automotive manufacturing hub on the continent, while also supporting localisation, export growth and employment creation. TASEZ has become a central pillar of South Africa’s automotive value chain, with multiple component manufacturers operating alongside Ford’s production facilities in Tshwane. The special economic zone continues to attract both local and international investors seeking to participate in South Africa’s growing automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors. The Gauteng government has identified industrialisation and infrastructure-led growth as key priorities in addressing unemployment and rebuilding economic momentum in the province.