BOLD ACTION NEEDED TO BOOST SA’S AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR
- O&A Team
- October 1, 2025
- Business
- Automotive sector, Battery electric vehicles, Electric vehicles, EV Revolution, KZN EDTEA, SAutoWeek2025
- 0 Comments
Speed, stakeholder coordination and bold investment are needed to grow South Africa’s manufacturing and automotive industries, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Rev Musa Zondi stressed during SA Auto Week 2025 currently underway in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
He warned that the local automotive sector is at a crossroads and must adapt or risk being left behind. He called for unified efforts from government, business, labour, academia and other stakeholders to ensure future readiness. Zondi also highlighted the shift toward electric, digital and smart vehicles, urging stronger partnerships to develop critical skills like engineering and software development in order to manufacture these vehicles locally.
He shared that EDTEA had procured a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) as a pilot project. The initiative aims to test the viability of EVs, compare maintenance costs with the current departmental fleet and assess whether EVs can improve operational efficiency.
The Department is also actively mobilising for the installation of EV charging infrastructure across the province.
“We have entered into an MOU with a local investor developing a national network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, all powered by on-site renewable energy, at a project value of R9.4 billion,” he told delegates.
