The Tshwane Automotive SEZ was visited by Makhura, deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Fikile Majola, City of Tshwane administrator, Mpho Nawa, as well as director general of DTIC and TASEZ chairperson, Lionel October, reaffirming the importance of this pioneering public-private partnership.
“The Zone represents numerous firsts for South Africa,” Makhura said.
“It is the first SEZ where all three spheres of government are stakeholders, and it will be the first automotive city in Africa, designed to include township areas that are far from the region’s economic activities.”
The expansive project represents national government through the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Gauteng Province through the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, City of Tshwane through the Tshwane Economic Development Agency, along with Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa.
“The TASEZ also follows a new model for special economic zones in South Africa, as it is the first SEZ in the country to have numerous investors already lined up, so the facilities are being built to specification for these companies that are already enlisted, and are ready to move in as soon as the construction is completed,” Makhura said.
“This province shall never be the same again. I believe that we will go far with this SEZ by working with the DTIC, the Gauteng Province, City of Tshwane and Ford Motor Company.”
The TASEZ Company has been established as the operating company for the SEZ, and is supported by the Coega Development Corporation in establishing an automotive manufacturing hub adjacent to Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, which aims to become Africa’s first automotive city.
Creating jobs
The Tshwane Automotive SEZ is estimated to create over 8 700 jobs during the construction of the first phase of the project, with around 2 100 permanent jobs for operations.
Thousands of additional jobs will be added as it evolves into a multi-faceted hub designed to bolster the manufacturing capacity and global competitiveness of the South African automotive industry, while contributing to job creation, skills development and the economic upliftment of local communities.
City of Tshwane administrator, Mpho Nawa, while speaking at the premier’s brief function, said: “In developing the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone we are sure to restore the much-needed hope to our people where thousands of jobs will be created over the next two years.
“With billions of Rands to be invested in this region, we will see the broadening and participation of SMMEs from the surrounding communities and bring the much-needed stimulation of our economy”.
A key milestone in the formation of the Tshwane Automotive SEZ was the establishment of the board in March this year, which is chaired by Lionel October, director general of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
“The formal establishment of the board was instrumental in strategically driving the project forward in conjunction with all three spheres of government, and Ford is directly involved by bringing in several of our automotive component suppliers that have committed to establishing operations within the TASEZ to support our local vehicle production,” said Ockert Berry.
For more information on the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone visit www.tasez.co.za
