By Mandla Mpangase
The future of South Africa’s manufacturing sector lies in the hands of the school learners, who need to be ready for a fast-changing environment marked by the complexities of artificial intelligence and the drive towards a carbon-neutral world.
The automotive manufacturing sector is already embracing green technology, AI development and design, and the change from combustion engines to new energy vehicles.
These issues, along with much-needed entrepreneurial skills, are core to the work being done by the TASEZ Training Academy.
In keeping with this drive to develop skills for the future in the automotive manufacturing sector, the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) will be working closely with the Department of Basic Education to support local schools of specialisation and technical high schools.
The two signed a memorandum of understanding to develop curricula that produce entrepreneurs and skilled learners who are ready for the automotive industry, along with providing skills development focused on the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
So important is this development that the Ribane-Laka school in Mamelodi was turned into a science and ICT school of specialisation.
The refurbished school was officially opened on 7 May 2025 by Gauteng Panyaza Lesufi, who observed that education makes economic sense.
He added that it was important to make sure the education system in the townships is relevant.
The school will focus on the automotive and electronic sectors – which is where TASEZ comes into the picture.
“Africa’s first automotive city is not just a special economic zone. It is a force for industrial renewal,” said TASEZ CEO, Dr Bheka Zulu.
In opening the school, Lesufi noted: “Today, we are launching education for purpose, where our children will not be taught things that will not assist them. Our children will not be taught things that will be irrelevant when they leave school.”
The Ribane-Laka school is the future of education, he added, pointing out that the learners from the school will benefit from TASEZ, Africa’s first automotive city.
“Never before has anyone thought that a Ford Ranger would be inside the school premises, not to boast but to teach our children how to repair it when it is broken. No one thought we could have an engine inside the school premises where our children can explain its meaning; where our children can explain to you how an engine functions.”
The first next-generation Ranger was built by the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa at its plant in Silverton, City of Tshwane. The components for that car were manufactured by the tenants housed at TASEZ, which is located next to the original equipment manufacturer.
Emphasising the message by the premier, Dr Zulu noted that the TASEZ Training Academy is not simply about skills programmes, it is about creating relevance.
“We’re preparing young people for the future of work – advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, industrial automation. We’re building a talent pipeline that our automotive manufacturing tenants can depend on. So, when they set up operations here, they’re not bringing in imported expertise. They’re hiring our people.”