KwaZulu-Natal’s Automotive Strengths take Centre Stage at Automechanika Johannesburg CEO Breakfast South Africa’s automotive sector is brimming with opportunity, and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is positioning itself at the forefront. That was the central message from the Automechanika Johannesburg Q2 CEO Breakfast, held on 17 April 2026 at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Convened by Messe Frankfurt South Africa and sponsored by Nedbank, the event gathered senior executives, policymakers, and industry specialists ahead of Automechanika Johannesburg 2026, the flagship trade fair for the automotive aftermarket.
A Province Firing on All Cylinders
Meschack Zwane, Company Economist at Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal opened with a compelling picture of provincial momentum. KZN’s GDP grew 1.4% in 2025, underpinned by a 21% rebound in agriculture and a surge in vehicle and parts exports of more than 50% year-on-year. Business confidence reached a record 60 points in Q4 2025. “KwaZulu-Natal is open for business, and the numbers back that up. Belgium has overtaken the United States as our largest export partner, and the UAE recorded export growth of nearly 180 per cent,” he indicated. “These are not incremental gains; they signal a seismic shift in how the world sees KZN as an automotive hub. The conditions are right. The question is whether we are bold enough to seize them.”
South Africa’s National Opportunity
Tshetlhe Litheko, Chief Policy Officer at naamsa, highlighted South Africa’s production of 618,077 vehicles in 2025 and domestic sales growth of 15.7%. While acknowledging a 22.8% decline in vehicle exports, he framed it as a catalyst for strategic repositioning. “South Africa has the industrial base, the policy framework, and the talent to be a serious player in the global transition to new energy vehicles,” he argued.
“The 150 per cent investment allowance for Electric Vehicle (EV) production is a direct signal from government that this is a priority. Disruption creates space for those who are prepared and South Africa has every reason to be prepared.”
Financing the Future
Takatso Sello, Senior Manager for Manufacturing at Nedbank, addressed cost pressures facing manufacturers while making a strong case for sustainable operations.
“The manufacturers who will thrive are those who treat sustainability not as a compliance exercise, but as a competitive advantage. Nedbank is committed to being a financing partner for that transition because the business case is clear, and the window of opportunity is now.”
Building an Inclusive Aftermarket
Anton Fiets, Executive Manager for Industry Development at the AIDC, highlighted the aftermarket as one of South Africa’s most significant growth opportunities.
The AIDC’s Township Automotive Hubs initiative provides workshop bays, diagnostic tools, and technical training to township-based businesses, while its Manufacturing Centre of Excellence builds skills in mechatronics, EV systems, and Industry 4.0 technologies. “The aftermarket is not a footnote in South Africa’s automotive story, it is a chapter in its own right,” stated Fiets. “When we invest in township workshops and advanced technical training, we are building an economy that works for everyone.”
Connecting Industry, Driving the Future
“What we heard today was a clear recognition of where the opportunities lie and a determination to act on them,” said Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa. “KwaZulu-Natal has the exports, the confidence, and the infrastructure to lead. Automechanika Johannesburg exists to give industry leaders the platform, the data, and the connections to turn that potential into results.”
The next CEO Breakfast takes place on 7 May 2026 in Gqeberha. Automechanika Johannesburg 2026 opens at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, from 27 to 29 October 2026.
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