business development

Continuing on its track to shape the future of automotive excellence, the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone has concluded a partnership agreement with the Motheo Construction Group. Construction is about much more than erecting buildings, it is about developing people, and that is exactly what was on display when the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Motheo Construction Group. The important event took place in the City of Tshwane on Thursday, 2 November 2023, watched by a young group of construction learners who are part of the Motheo Academy. TASEZ executive of business development Msokoli Ntombana spoke of the close relationship the SEZ has with the Motheo Group. The Motheo Group’s website states: “We put roofs over heads, but we also put work boots on feet … We believe in building our nation not only with bricks and mortar, but with the powerful spark that comes from unity.” As the CEO of the Motheo Group Lettie Mashau noted: “Skills development is critical as it has a positive impact on our communities.” This is closely aligned with the ethos of TASEZ, which has a mission “to be a catalyst for employment, transformation, and socio-economic development and industry growth”. Ntombana explained that TASEZ was established as part of the country’s drive towards industrialisation. “But to industrialise, we need our people to be trained.” The partnership with the Motheo Group speaks to the government’s targets, he added, pointing to the fact that the construction group also focused on developing women in the male-dominated construction sector. Ntombana then turned to the learners and encouraged them on their journey, noting that “some of you will own your own companies in the future”. The young learners, who will be working on construction sites within the TASEZ hub, were advised by Mashau “to think beyond finding employment but how they will, in the future, create employment for others”. She shared how she too began as a young trainee, working her way up to her current position. “Like the founder of the Motheo Group, Dr Thandi Ndlovu, we need to leave something even when we are no longer here,” she said.