The 2016 Indaba is aimed at sparking the revival of the metals and engineering sector in particular and the manufacturing sector in general. It will offer business executives, captains of industry, policy makers, Government Ministers, and labour leaders a vital opportunity to discuss matters of common interest constructively in order to improve the performance of the embattled metals and engineering sector and grow South Africa’s ailing economy.

To be opened by Former President Kgalema Motlanthe and closed by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, the 2nd Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba has seen the organizer, the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA), entering into an important partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). The latter will host the conference in its premises in Sandton.

SEIFSA Chief Executive Officer Kaizer Nyatsumba said the inaugural Indaba, which took place at Emperor’s Palace in May last year, was a resounding success. It featured keynote addresses from Trade and Industry Deputy Director-General Garth Strachan, standing in for Minister Rob Davies; Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant; Business Leadership South Africa Chairman Bobby Godsell; Business Unity South Africa President Jabu Mabuza; ArcelorMittal CEO Paul O’Flaherty, Scaw Metals Group CEO Markus Hanneman, KPMG Director Boitumelo Ngutshana, NUMSA General Secretary Irvin Jim and Common Market for East and Southern Africa Secretary-General Sindiso Ngwenya, among others.
An overwhelming majority (94%) of delegates who attended last year’s Indaba were “extremely happy” with the entire event, the content and discussions held during the plenary sessions.

All delegates who completed the feedback surveys were satisfied with the content covered during the Indaba and felt that the topics discussed were informative and relevant to the metals and engineering sector.

According to the feedback survey, delegates also felt that the sessions were effectively facilitated and provided opportunities for input, questions, networking and interaction. Overall, the format was felt to be well presented.

“This year the conference will be bigger and better, with Former President Kgalema Motlanthe delivering the Opening Address and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan delivering the Closing Address,” Mr Nyatsumba said.

This year’s list also includes an exciting mix of local and international speakers, including:

  • Deloitte Frontier Advisory Emerging Markets and Africa Managing Director Dr Martyn Davies;
  • International Monetary Fund Senior Resident Representative Dr Axel Schimmelpfennig;
  • Executive Chairman of the EU Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Southern Africa Mr Stefan Sakoschek;
  • Massmart Chairman Mr Kuseni Dlamini;
  • US Embassy Economics Minister Mr Laird Trieber; and
  • Manufacturing Circle Executive Director Ms Philippa Rodseth.

The 2016 Indaba will focus on the following topics, among others:

  • Government Policy Interventions for a Sustainable, Globally Competitive Steel Sector
  • The Continental Free Trade Area and Its Implications for Manufacturing in Southern Africa
  • A Delicate Balancing Act: The Link Between the Metals and Engineering Sector and the Mining, Construction and Car Manufacturing Industries
  • Parasitic or Symbiotic: Relations Between Small Business and Big Business in the Metals and Engineering Sector
  • Southern Africa and the Huge Infrastructure Backlog – How to finance it.