Over the years, South Africa’s automotive sector has evolved significantly, improving the lives of many from underprivileged backgrounds and accelerating opportunities across areas ranging from components manufacturing to information technology.
Words and Photos: Motlabana Monnakgotla
This transformation was on full display during the Youth Stakeholder Engagement Day hosted at the Automotive Supplier Park in Rosslyn, Pretoria. The event brought together excited youths, inquisitive journalists, industry leaders, and government sponsors in one of the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC)’s conference rooms.
Opening the day’s proceedings, AIDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Andile Africa, welcomed over 150 learners and students, noting that the goal was to expose young people—particularly those from township schools in northern Gauteng—to the growing opportunities within the automotive industry.
“We are hoping to inspire you as young people to look at a career in the automotive space,” Africa added. He shared his own story of growing up in the township and securing a scholarship to study manufacturing engineering, which eventually led him to further his education overseas.s.
Delivering the keynote address, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, emphasised on the turbulent five months that had struck the country. Maile highlighted the impact of shifting trade dynamics, including the withdrawal of development aid and the rise of steep tariffs on the country’s exports.
“The local automotive sector has held a forte for our economy. The Automotive Business Council released its latest reports on the state of South Africa’s automotive sector. One of the most significant findings on the report is that the country has maintained its growth momentum with retail vehicle sales reaching the 42,401-unit mark with an increase of 11.9% over the year,” Maile says.
To maintain the success stories in the industry, the AIDC offers an incubation programme to provide support for black-owned businesses and start-ups. These businesses benefit immensely because they operate from the incubation facility, receive subsidized rental, and are mentored and trained by industry professionals.
One such participant is Lofentse Lebese, who joined the AIDC programme in 2023, told KBNN that “It is to give you work-based experience, exposure. The programme is great and brings a lot of opportunities.”
Running for five to seven years, the incubation programme aims to empower entrepreneurs to eventually establish themselves as independent players in the automotive industry, creating jobs and contributing to the broader economy.
