The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, through its Empowerment Network in collaboration with the Trade and Investment Desk, will host a high-level South Africa Automotive Sector Roundtable Discussion tomorrow (13 May 2026) at Wirk offices in Fairview.
The engagement will unpack South African Automotive Master Plan (SAAM) targets, Automotive Production and Development Plan Phase 2 (APDP2), the Electric Vehicle (EV) White Paper, the EV value chain, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), regional and global opportunities and competition, technical and professional skills, immediate action required to advance the industry as contained in the BDO South Africa Automotive Sector Report 2024/25. It will bring together key stakeholders from across the automotive manufacturing ecosystem, including industry leaders, component manufacturers, educators, students and business representatives.
The session will be facilitated by Siyabonga Mthembu, Managing Director and Partner at BDO South Africa, and will feature an expert panel comprising Kelvin Naidoo, President of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber; Fa-eez Karodia, Technical Academy Manager at Volkswagen Group Africa; and Beth Dealtry, Head of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM).
A total of 80 participants from the automotive sector and related value chains have been invited to attend. Importantly, the engagement will also include engineering students from Nelson Mandela University and Port Elizabeth Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College, as well as mathematics and science learners from two local high schools namely Loyiso High School and Khwezilomso Comprehensive High School.
Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Denise van Huyssteen, said the roundtable comes at a critically important time for both the automotive sector and the broader regional economy.
“The automotive sector remains one of the most significant economic drivers in Nelson Mandela Bay and South Africa as a whole. It supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs, sustains a vast supplier network and continues to play a vital role in export earnings and industrial development. Conversations of this nature are therefore essential, particularly at a time when the industry is navigating rapid technological change, evolving global trade dynamics and localisation pressures,” said Van Huyssteen.
She added that the roundtable would create an important platform for meaningful engagement between industry, business, academia and future talent.
“What makes this engagement particularly significant is that it moves beyond a traditional industry discussion. It deliberately brings together established business leaders, policymakers, technical experts and young people who represent the future of the sector. By exposing students and learners to real industry conversations, we are helping to bridge the gap between education and the workplace while inspiring the next generation of engineers, innovators and industry professionals.”
Van Huyssteen said there was an urgent need for stronger collaboration between the education sector and industry to ensure South Africa develops the skills required to remain globally competitive as evidenced in the Chamber’s Automotive Industry Skills Audit Report 2025/26.
“We cannot speak about the future sustainability and growth of the automotive sector without addressing the importance of skills development and talent cultivation. The inclusion of students and learners in this engagement is intentional because we need young people to better understand the opportunities that exist within this sector and the pathways available to them. Equally, industry must play an active role in shaping and supporting future talent pipelines.”
She further emphasised that engagements such as these contribute towards building confidence, partnerships and shared solutions within the local economy.
“The Empowerment Network continues to create valuable spaces where businesses and professionals are able to connect, collaborate and collectively address issues that impact economic growth and development in Nelson Mandela Bay. Through initiatives such as this roundtable discussion, we are strengthening relationships across the value chain while fostering a shared commitment towards inclusive economic growth, innovation and long-term sustainability.”
The Empowerment Network, in partnership with First National Bank and City Lodge Hotel Group serves as a collaborative platform where businesses and professionals engage on matters of common interest, establish partnerships and collaborations, and collectively advocate for the advancement of Nelson Mandela Bay. The network consists of three distinct sub-networks: the Connect Network, the Mentorship Network and the Women Empowerment Network.
The roundtable discussion is expected to generate robust dialogue on the future of the South African automotive sector, while simultaneously strengthening the metro’s commitment to skills development, transformation, collaboration and industrial growth.
