HIGH-PROFILE SPEAKERS FOR THE 3rd ANNUAL SOUTHERN AFRICAN METALS AND ENGINEERING INDABA

JOHANNESBURG, 23 July 2017 – Renowned and prominent speakers will address delegates attending the 3rd Annual Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba in September.

The Indaba will be held at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Conference Centre in Sandton, from 14-15 September.

Now in its third year, the 2017 Indaba is an opportunity for business executives, captains of industry, policy makers, Government Ministers, academics, diplomats and labour leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the manufacturing, in general, and the steel and engineering sector, in particular.

This year’s conference, which will be held in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), takes place amid tough conditions in the sector which have resulted in, among others, lethargic growth, reduced exports, company closures/ liquidations and job losses. Efforts to rekindle growth in investment and employment in the sector require collaboration and cooperation between the Government, business and labour.

Highlights of the conference will include addresses by Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant, Minister of Small Businesses Lindiwe Zulu and Cosatu General Secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali. ANC National Executive Committee member and former Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, will deliver the closing remarks.

Other speakers will include Zimbabwean academic and political commentator Dr Ibbo Mandaza, businesswoman Dr Mamphela Ramphele, CEO of the of Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) Joel Netshitenzhe, CEO of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA) Dr Raymond Patel, Massmart Cchairman Kuseni Dlamini, Chief Commissioner of the International Trade and Administration Commission Siyabulela Tsengiwe and the CEO of the Manufacturing Circle, Phillipa Rodseth.

SEIFSA Chief Executive Officer Kaizer Nyatsumba said the 2017 Indaba would build on the resounding successes of the two previous conferences. Last year’s conference included speeches by former President Kgalema Motlanthe, former Business Unity South Africa CEO Khanyisile Kweyama and Department of Trade and Industry Deputy Director-General Garth Strachan.

“We hope that, as in previous years, delegates at this year’s conference will engage in vigorous debate on matters affecting the sector and the economy at large. The speakers are experts in their areas of focus. The sessions have been carefully structured to tackle the key challenges facing manufacturers,” Mr Nyatsumba said.

The 2017 Indaba will focus on the following topics, among others:

  • Political Leadership in Southern Africa: Does it Advance or Hamper Economic Growth?
  • Ensuring that Manufacturing in Southern Africa Is Internationally Competitive
  • The Continental Free Trade Area: A Reality Before The End of 2017?
  • Winning Together: Can Government, Business and Labour Conclude a Social Compact in the interest of Labour Stability and Foreign Investment
  • The Automotive Production and Development Programme and the South African Metals and Engineering Sector
  • Do Steel Import Tariffs Benefit or Hurt the South African Economy?
  • South Africa’s Junk Credit Rating: What do we need to do to regain our sovereign credit investment rating?

 

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Issued by:
Siseko Njobeni
Communications Manager
Tel: (011) 298 9411 and 082 602 1725
Email: siseko@seifsa.co.za
Web: www.seifsa.co.za