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Indaba examines outlook and opportunities in manufacturing sector

1 July 2016

Entrepreneurs, government and corporates attended the third annual 2016 Manufacturing Indaba held at the Emperors Palace in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng on 28 and 29 June.

This year's conference theme, "manufacturing the future", was a challenge to attendees. The goal was to imagine an ideal industrial future that worked to the benefit of the globe. This year's Indaba also focussed on small to medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

About the conference

The Indaba's emphasis is on key industrial sectors. For the governmental co- hosts (the Department of Trade and Industry [the DTI], the Department of Science and Technology, the host City of Ekurhuleni, and the Department of Public Enterprises) the Indaba offers an opportunity to boost the country’s industrial sector, especially those that hold the promise of sustainable growth and job creation.

Julie Cunningham, marketing manager of the event, says visitors were able to take advantage of the opportunity to engage with powerhouses in the manufacturing sector at the interactive sessions. Panel discussions included the gas industrialisation strategy and what this means for manufacturers and pathways to African development: trade; regional, industrial and integration.

Speakers across the various panels included Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies, Gauteng Premier David Makhura, City of Ekurhuleni, councillor Mondli Gungubele and the Gautrain management agency CEO Jack van der Merwe.

Here are key messages of Premier Makhura's closing speech:

If we are to move into Industry 4.0 it's important to understand that cities are the drivers of economies - @David_Makhura #MFGIndaba

— ManufacturingIndaba (@IndabaManufact) June 29, 2016

We are exploring areas of the new economy: Green, Mineral beneficiation to mention some - @David_Makhura #MFGIndaba

— ManufacturingIndaba (@IndabaManufact) June 29, 2016

It's not good enough for black people to be the importers of goods - that's not empowerment - @David_Makhura #MFGIndaba

— ManufacturingIndaba (@IndabaManufact) June 29, 2016

Our approach to empowerment is that we want black producers - @David_Makhura #MFGIndaba

— ManufacturingIndaba (@IndabaManufact) June 29, 2016

We want to position Gauteng to lead the new industrial revolution in Africa - @David_Makhura #MFGIndaba

— ManufacturingIndaba (@IndabaManufact) June 29, 2016

We believe there are interventions we can do at sub national levels to revitalise the manufacturing sector - @David_Makhura #MFGIndaba

— ManufacturingIndaba (@IndabaManufact) June 29, 2016

Visiting various manufacturing sectors to see what the obstacles are and how we can help improve them - @David_Makhura #MFGIndaba

— ManufacturingIndaba (@IndabaManufact) June 29, 2016

We are building a proper automotive city around Rosslyn - @David_Makhura #MFGIndaba

— ManufacturingIndaba (@IndabaManufact) June 29, 2016

Boost for black business owners

Engineering News reported the DTI's black industrialists' programme will be boosted by R500-million. The department's acting chief director Takalani Tambani explained the funds were approved for eight selected companies across key manufacturing sectors including plastics, pharmaceuticals, metal fabrication and electro-equipment.

He encouraged black business owners to form partnerships and joint ventures with one another to be able to compete in the mainstream economy.

SouthAfrica.info reporter