The Gauteng Department of Economic Development, in partnership with the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), hosted a dynamic Youth Stakeholder Engagement on 30 May 2025 at the AIDC facility in Tshwane. Notably, this gathering united youth, industry leaders, civil society, labour, and government to discuss the critical role of young people in South Africa’s automotive industry.
Delivering the keynote, MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, underscored the automotive sector’s pivotal role in boosting economic growth, innovation, and job creation. Citing the Automotive Business Council report, he noted the 11.9% year-on-year growth in vehicle sales for April 2025 as a testament to the sector’s resilience.
“The automotive industry is one of South Africa’s industrial policy success stories and it is central to our reindustrialisation strategy,” said MEC Maile. “We must ensure young people are not left behind, but rather positioned at the forefront of this sector’s ongoing transformation.”
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Furthermore, Maile highlighted the strategic value of the Tshwane Automotive City (TAC), an AIDC-led project seamlessly integrating logistics, production, and skills development to drive job creation and boost South Africa’s export performance.
“Young people must not see this industry as closed off. We need their energy, creativity, and skills to help us transition into green automotive technologies and digital innovation. The future of this sector depends on how well we equip and include them,” he added.
Moreover, the AIDC has advanced youth development through apprenticeships, learnerships, and manufacturing training, while also promoting township-based economic inclusion via its Township Automotive Hub model.
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AIDC CEO Mr Andile Africa reiterated this commitment, stating, “The AIDC believes that investing in the youth is investing in the sustainability of the sector. Our training facilities and enterprise development programmes are designed to provide young people with the tools they need to succeed, not just as employees, but also as entrepreneurs and industry leaders.”
To conclude, MEC Maile encouraged youth to leverage bursaries, training, and mentorship programmes. He also urged the private sector to partner with government and civil society to combat youth unemployment and foster inclusive growth. As South Africa shifts towards electric mobility and smart technologies, today’s engagement reaffirmed the crucial need for collective action to empower youth and ensure the automotive sector’s continued role in sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
