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.