Localisation, transforming the South African economy into an inclusive one and skills devel- opment remained long-term goals for govern-ment, Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies said at Volkswagen South Africa’s (VWSA’s) inaugural black-owned suppliers’ day, in Uiten-hage, this month.

The event gave 45 companies the opportunity to profile themselves to the local automotive industry. A total of 430 companies had applied to participate in the event. Applications were assessed according to various criteria, including that the companies have a minimum 51% black ownership or a minimum 30% black female ownership. Companies owned or managed by disabled persons or war veterans were also considered.

VWSA chairperson and MD Thomas Schaefer said the concept of a suppliers’ day originated from Volkswagen’s determination to expand its business to black-owned suppliers.

“It is through this initiative that we continue to support economic transformation in South Africa and this also demonstrates our understanding of government’s priority elements of the broad-based black economic empowerment codes and the drive for ownership,” he added.

Meanwhile, Davies noted that government had, in the past, supported the automotive sector through the Motor Industry Development Programme and now supported the industry through the Automotive Production and Development Programme.

He added that the development of more auto- motive components manufacturers in the coun-try would assist government in achieving its localisation objectives.

he automotive sector had invested R27.5-billion in the South African economy in the past five years.

“It is our mission to realise empowerment that will deliver real industrialists,” he stated.

National Empowerment Fund (NEF) CEO Philisiwe Mthethwa, meanwhile, told attendees at the event that the fund was well posi-tioned to work with the automotive industry to establish an incubation ecosystem to advance the participation of black people in the manufacturing of vehicles and components for global markets.