Industry bodies the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa), the Manufacturing Circle and the Powerline and Substation Association (Polasa) have noted, with concern, recent public comments attributed to the director-general of the National Treasury suggesting that manufacturing is unlikely to be the primary source of future employment growth in South Africa.
“While we acknowledge that the structure of modern economies is evolving and that sectors such as services, tourism and construction have an important role to play in driving economic growth and employment, this comment nevertheless raises important questions regarding the coherence and consistency of South Africa's economic policy direction,” the parties express.
They note that manufacturing has, for many years, been identified by government as a strategic pillar of South Africa's industrial development agenda.
In a joint media release, the industry bodies posit that the sector remains central to the country's productive capacity, export competitiveness, technological advancement and long-term economic resilience.
As one of the most industrialised economies on the African continent, they argue that South Africa cannot afford ambiguity regarding the future role of its manufacturing base.
