THE Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) has issued a request for proposals for the appointment of a service provider for the provisionof repairs and maintenance services of the roller doors for 36 months Closing Date: 10 December 2024Time: 12h00
THE Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) has issued a request for proposals for the appointment of a panel of agencies for the provision of marketing and communication related services on a need basis for a period of 36 months Closing Date: 4 December 2024Time: 12h00Venue: TASEZ Central Hub Manitoba, The Willows 340-Jr, Pretoria, 0081
This request for TASEZ has issued a request for quotation for the appointment of an experienced and competent service provider to provide BBBEE verification services. Closing date: 18 November 2024 at 12h00
For the first time in its history, a bakkie has won the prestigious South African Car of the Year award, with the accolade going to the Ford Ranger. The award is particularly welcomed in Gauteng, following the crucial investment Ford has made into boosting the country’s automotive sector, particularly in the City of Tshwane where Ford has an extensive plant in Silverton and a large investment in the nearby Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ). TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu congratulated the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa on its win. “We are proud to be able to say that the 2023 Car of the Year is produced by a company within TASEZ.” The Gauteng MEC for economic development, Tasneem Motara, echoed his sentiment, adding that the quality of the product as well as the innovation that had gone into it augured well for the future of the automotive sector. From an overall investment of R16-billion in 2021, Ford ploughed some R3.4-billion into TASEZ to build a factory to manufacture the Ranger chassis as well as to support suppliers of Ford components. “The Ford Ranger’s triumph represents a milestone for the industry, setting a new benchmark, and symbolising a noteworthy accomplishment for one of South Africa’s primary export products,” the chairperson of the 2023 competition, Mabuyane Mabuza, noted at the announcement on 1 June 2023. Congratulating all the finalists, Dr Zulu stressed the importance the sector played in the country’s economic growth, particularly in Gauteng. “The South African automotive industry is the fifth largest exporting sector out of more than 100 sectors and accounts for 18,7% of the country’s manufacturing output.” South Africa’s automotive sector is one of the country’s largest economic sectors, contributing 4,3% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) – 2,4% manufacturing and 1,9% retail, according to figures from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa). Motara added that as the leading auto manufacturing hub in the country, “we’re committed to developing the sector through our support for the implementation of the South African Automotive Master Plan 2035 (SAAM) and through our Special Economic Zones”. The SAAM’s long-term aim is to see production grow to 1.4 million vehicles a year by 2035, and the use of local content rise to 60%. “This growth will play an important role in tackling the challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality,” Motara said. The Car of the Year competition is held by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists, with the 2023 edition seeing 21 finalists vying for overall honours.
We extend a warm welcome to three new colleagues who have joined our TASEZ family: Rembuluwani Mavhungu and Noluthando Mkhathini, who are both members of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, and Khutso Semetjane. Rembuluwani will be taking up the position of financial reporting manager. He has worked in the finance and auditing field for more than eight years in the both private and public sectors, including spending time in the office of the Auditor-General. A registered Chartered Accountant, Rembuluwani also holds two post graduate diplomas in accounting science and applied accounting science on the back of his business degree in finance and accounting. Noluthando is joining us as financial accounting manager. She too has two post graduate diplomas in accounting sciences and in finance, banking, and investments, following her degree in accounting at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Noluthando has extensive experience in public entities, having worked for provincial and local government departments and development agencies for 14 years. Khutso will be taking up the important role of TASEZ’s stakeholder engagement manager. He brings with him a wealth of experience in stakeholder engagement as well as in dispute resolution. He too has a finance background, holding a national diploma in internal auditing, and previously held anumber of finance positions at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation. We wish Rembuluwani, Noluthando and Khutso all the very best as they join a team that is committed to transforming South Africa’s socio-economic future and building a strong, inclusive, and innovative automotive industry. Vangile NeneCorporate Services Executive
A visit from a Ugandan parliamentary delegation has highlighted the importance of South Africa’s Special Economic Zones in attracting much-needed foreign investment to growing a country’s economy and creating jobs.
Investment in the automotive sector is crucial to transforming and growing South Africa’s economy in the long-term.
Small, medium, and micro enterprises and emerging entrepreneurs are essential in strengthening South Africa’s ever-changing automotive industry, bringing with them fresh, innovative approaches and new employment opportunities, says the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone’s CEO, Dr Bheki Zulu.
The auto industry needs to embrace disruptive technologies and reconsider its strategies, says TASEZ CEO Dr Bheki Zulu.
The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) continues to deliver on its aim of building an inclusive economic industry. It has officially joined forces with the communities of nearby Mamelodi, Eesterust and Nellmapius, through the Community Project Committee (CPC), committing to work together to create job opportunities while at the same time building an inclusive automotive industry. This commitment was formalised on 16 February 2023 when TASEZ and the CPC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Pretoria’s Menlyn Maine. The documents, including a social compact, detail and highlight TASEZ’s responsibilities to the local communities and their commitment to supporting the project. Based in Silverton, TASEZ is Africa’s first automotive city, a hub that provides tenants with a prime location close to an established automotive industry, links to regional and international markets, customised solutions and support services to boost business efficiency, and a number of incentive packages. As a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), TASEZ has been given the mandate to be a catalyst for employment, transformation, socio-economic development, and industry growth. Transforming the auto industry “Part of the transformation agenda is that you need to take the communities with you and broaden the economic participation,” said TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu at the signing ceremony. “The development of special economic zones must include a social element – in that you cannot develop state-of-the-art facilities within communities that are not benefiting from the project. The needs and requirements of the surrounding communities must be considered.” Among the aims of TASEZ is to provide programmes targeted at small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and for corporate social investment (CSI) programmes, along with skills development programmes, Zulu said. The construction of the first phase of TASEZ helped create 5 000 jobs, with 204 local SMMEs benefitting by procurement spend, the executive manager of business development at TASEZ, Msokoli Ntombana, noted. To date, permanent employment for 1 950 people has been secured, with the vast majority (60 to 70%) coming from local communities. “The government has invested R4.2-billion into the project and the investors that have taken occupation have invested a further R4.5-billion,” Ntombana added. A living document The terms of reference in the MoU also highlighted the communities’ commitment to making the project a success. “This is going to benefit the community greatly. We will make sure the project is a success and minimise stoppage time,” said CPC chairperson, Shiba Madonsela. Madonsela noted the MoU provided a clear agreement and partnership. “The community must know that this is a living document, and they will see the results of it. While signing this I have a feeling of joy as it bonds TASEZ and the community together.” Describing it as a milestone, Madonsela said: “With the partnership between the community and TASEZ, the economy will grow, the project will create employment opportunities, and our youth will be upskilled in fields such as robotics.” Community engagement specialist and CPC secretary Zama Ndebele described the occasion as extremely important. “History has shown that when the community and government work together a project will be a success.” He added: “This [agreement] is close to my heart. It gives meaning to how projects in the country can be managed.” It would be one of the building blocks that will lead to Tshwane becoming the automotive city. Zulu added that the partnership with the local communities was long overdue, and he was looking forward to what lies ahead. “We will travel together as partners to make this a success.” The occasion has set the tone for the relationship between the communities and TASEZ; one of partnership, respect, and a willingness to succeed.
