Tshwane councillors have complimented the progress made at the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ), saying the project is emerging as one of the City’s most important Industrial Development platforms, writes Mandla Mpangase.

Members of the City of Tshwane’s Section 79 Oversight Committee on Integrated Development Planning visited TASEZ on 12 May 2026 for an on-site inspection and engagement with Management. The visit included a presentation by the TASEZ leadership team and a walkabout of two facilities within the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The engagement focused on job creation, SMME development, infrastructure delivery, and the zone’s next phase of expansion, which is expected to deepen Tshwane’s position as South Africa’s automotive manufacturing hub.

TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu apprised the councillors regarding the SEZ’s evolution and positioning as one of Gauteng’s most significant industrial projects, anchored by Ford’s Silverton operations and positioned in the wider Tshwane automotive corridor.

Zulu said Tshwane produced about 40% of South Africa’s passenger vehicles and was home to five original equipment manufacturers – Ford, BMW, Nissan, Iveco, and UD Trucks – with Chery also expected to enter the market. The region also hosts more than 100 component suppliers and supports more than 40 000 direct jobs in the automotive sector.

Since its establishment, TASEZ, in its first phase of development, has attracted R4.12-billion in government investment and R5.9-billion in private-sector investment. It has created 5 500 construction jobs and 3 422 permanent jobs, while more than R1.7-billion has been spent on small, medium, and micro enterprise (SMME) procurement.

The first phase of the project was largely built around supplier facilities linked to Ford’s R16-billion investment in its Silverton production plan in South Africa between 2020 and 2023, followed by a further R5.2-billion investment cycle from 2024 to 2026. Zulu said the zone’s supply-chain impact extended to about 10 000 jobs and contributed an estimated R27-billion to GDP.

He also highlighted TASEZ’s transformation and enterprise-development work. The zone reported that 229 SMMEs had benefited from Phase 1 and Phase 1A, while 265 SMME packages had been awarded and 370 SMMEs trained.

TASEZ infrastructure executive Andile Sangweni briefed councillors on the SEZ  expansion, saying the master plan included an 81ha Phase 1, a 10.5ha Phase 1A, an 81ha Phase 2, and future land parcels.

Phase 2  includes an industrial node, the TASEZ Centre of Excellence campus, truck staging, and mixed-use elements aligned with market demand.

Sangweni said Phase 2 was already being implemented, with work underway on the La Montagne reservoir, bulk water reticulation, bulk electrical infrastructure, roads, stormwater systems, and internal engineering services.

TASEZ expects Phase 2 to unlock further economic activity, with government investment of R1.95-billion in top structures and bulk services, and private-sector investment of R3.5-billion in machinery, equipment, and technology. The phase is expected to create 2 000 construction jobs and 2 500 permanent jobs.

The zone is also targeting at least R600-million in SMME procurement, with a minimum 30% of spending earmarked for SMME participation.

The visit also came as TASEZ advances plans to diversify its energy infrastructure. Sangweni said the zone’s energy plans include a solar independent power producer project by Heshun, which is expected to install rooftop solar photovoltaic and battery storage systems across selected factories in Phase 1 and Phase 1A.

The project is expected to provide 20MW of PV capacity with battery storage, carry an estimated investment value of R600-million, and be completed by May 2027. This solar solution is one of the green energy initiatives, extending the Energy Mix Programme that also hosts a 20 MVA gas-to-power solution.

Added Zulu: “For Tshwane, the visit was more than a routine site inspection. TASEZ is an implementation partner of the City, has been in operation for five years, and is linked to a memorandum of understanding with the municipality.”