Ekurhuleni sponsors inaugural manufacturing indaba

The event, which is being held at Emperors Palace on May 19 and 20, will bring together public and private sector players from the manufacturing sector to debate, network and promote the growth of South Africa’s manufacturing industries.

The location of Ekurhuleni has been chosen for the Indaba since it is an arrival city and meeting point for South Africans, Africans and citizens of the world.

Ideally, the Indaba will help bring together the country’s manufacturing leaders and investors to find a way to boost job creation in this sector.

” Ekurhuleni’s participation in this Inaugural Manufacturing Indaba is critical to our prospects of developing the region and our plans to revive the manufacturing sector,” says mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele.

Liz Hart is the MD of the organising company, Siyenza.

She says: “We are delighted that Ekurhuleni has come on board as an endorsing partner of the Manufacturing Indaba.We are very pleased with the launch of the Indaba, because we see the growth potential for job creation and skills development of this sector.

“Our economy desperately needs a strong and innovative manufacturing base and we must continue to work together to promote prosperity through manufacturing, science and innovation,” adds Hart.

Ekurhuleni, to the East of Johannesburg, is home to just over a quarter of the 12-million inhabitants of Gauteng. The socio-economic profile of the city mirrors that of the Gauteng province.

Since 1994, the city has facilitated and approved public and private investments with a market valuation of approximately R75-billion.

Among these investments are notable developments such as Carnival City Casino and Mall in Brakpan; Emperors Palace and Birchwood in Boksburg; upmarket golf estates such as Glendower, Ebotse and Serengeti; Toyota Parts Centre on Atlas Road; expansion of Unilever Homecare in Boksburg; expansion of the Nampak Glass plant in Roodekop, expansion of OR Tambo International Airport; and the Consol Glass plant in Nigel.

“These statistics affirm our resolve that the economic policy pursuits of the democratic government have and are producing the desired results and impact. However, this is not to say that we are content with the current economic performance, especially in relation to employment creation given the prevailing high levels of poverty,” says Gunbubele.

“Ekurhuleni is working hard to set the city apart as the region of choice for Gauteng’s manufacturers.

“Our Aerotropolis programme integrates a range of flagship interventions, such as the revitalisation of the manufacturing sector, the regeneration of CBDs and townships and their respective local economies, the revitalisation and harnessing of open spaces and precincts around lakes and wetlands, the building of connectivity of the city through an integrated rapid transit system, and the building of a smart city through investing in digital infrastructure for both municipal and citizen use.

“The city is confident that it can realise an average growth rate of between six per cent and eight per cent year on year over the medium term, which will help to target youth skills development and job opportunities and various other measures to improve the transition of youth from school to work.”

The Manufacturing Indaba is also supported by the Manufacturing Circle, which is a lobbying and advocacy body that interacts with government and other stakeholders in order to review, debate and help formulate policies, which will have a positive impact on South Africa’s manufacturing base.

It is made up of a number of South Africa’s leading medium to large manufacturing companies from a wide range of industries.

Siyenza is no stranger to hosting large-scale business events that are strategically formulated to promote Africa as a business region of choice.

The company’s Africa Energy Indaba is the continent’s premier energy event, endorsed by the World Energy Council and South African National Energy Association. The Infrastructure Africa Business Forum is its other main event, which is hosted in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development.

The conference programme will include plenary sessions as well as breakaway debate sessions to unpack and encourage active participation at the event.

Topics to be discussed include:

* What are the challenges and opportunities facing the South African manufacturing sector in the next five years?

* Localisation as a global trend: Developing and maintaining a skilled workforce.

* Opportunities for growth in the small business manufacturing environment and how can big manufacturers benefit from small business?

* What incentives are there to ensure foreign investment and establishment of global companies in the South African manufacturing sector?

* Access to finance.

* Strategies for growth and competitive advantage including the productivity debate.