Industry organisation naamsa | The Automotive Business Council has appointed Dr Mncane Mthunzi CEO, effective from September 7.

naamsa says his appointment comes at a defining moment for South Africa's automotive industry.

The global automotive sector is undergoing unprecedented change. The transition towards new-energy vehicles, rapid advances in technology, evolving global trade relationships, intensifying competition for investment and the transformation of automotive supply chains are fundamentally reshaping the industry, the organisation says.

Mthunzi's mandate is to serve the collective interests of naamsa's members while strengthening the organisation's role as the authoritative and unified voice of South Africa's automotive industry.

The organisation's members are from across the automotive value chain, including local vehicle manufacturers, importers and retailing original-equipment manufacturers, as well as medium and heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers.

This diversity makes naamsa responsible for advancing the long-term competitiveness, growth and transformation of South Africa's automotive industry.

“This is an important appointment for naamsa, our members and the South African automotive industry. We are entering a period that will fundamentally determine the future structure and competitiveness of our sector, and we require strong, decisive and strategic leadership to navigate it,” says naamsa president Peter van Binsbergen.

The organisation says Mthunzi understands the strategic importance of the automotive industry to South Africa. The industry contributes significantly to manufacturing, exports, investment, employment, skills development and economic growth.

His mandate, therefore, is broader than leading an industry association, and is about serving naamsa's members while helping shape the conditions under which one of South Africa's most important industrial sectors can compete, transform and grow globally, says Van Binsbergen.

Under Mthunzi, naamsa will continue to work with its members and intensify its engagement with government, organised labour, industry partners and the broader automotive ecosystem around a clear set of strategic priorities.

naamsa's strategic priorities include strengthening South Africa's global automotive competitiveness and manufacturing footprint, and securing new investment and protecting existing investment in vehicle and component manufacturing.

Additionally, it aims to accelerate localisation and the development of a globally competitive automotive supply chain, and support the transition towards NEVs and the technologies of the future.

Other strategic priorities include expanding export opportunities and strengthening South Africa's position in global automotive value chains, developing the skills and capabilities required for the future automotive economy, and promoting transformation, inclusion and meaningful participation across the automotive value chain.

“South Africa has built an automotive manufacturing sector of global significance. We have world-class manufacturers, an established supplier and dealership base, highly capable people and a proven export platform,” says Mthunzi.

“But, we cannot assume that the successes of the past will secure our future. The global automotive industry is changing rapidly, and South Africa must compete decisively for the investment, technology, skills, markets and opportunities that will define the next generation of mobility.”

Mthunzi says his priority will be to ensure that naamsa remains a strong, influential and unified voice for its members and the industry, engages constructively with government, challenges where necessary, and advances practical solutions that support investment, growth, transformation and competitiveness.

“The automotive industry needs a shared national ambition and much stronger alignment between industrial policy, investment, infrastructure, skills, energy, trade and market development,” Van Binsbergen says.

“naamsa's responsibility is to our members and to the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the automotive industry. We are an organisation that not only responds to change but helps lead it.”

Mthunzi's appointment signals the organisation's commitment to strong institutional leadership, member representation and strategic advocacy as South Africa works to retain and strengthen its position within the rapidly changing global automotive industry, he adds.

Further, the board thanked naamsa interim CEO Shinny Gobiyeza for her service and providing continuity and stability while the board concluded the process of appointing a permanent CEO.

She resumes her role as naamsa COO in which she supports the CEO and the organisation's broader strategic and operational agenda.

During the interim period from April, naamsa maintained organisational stability and continuity while continuing to advance its strategic priorities, represent the interests of its members and engage key stakeholders on the significant policy, trade, investment and transformation matters confronting the South African automotive industry.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Shinny for her leadership as interim CEO during this important period of transition,” says Van Binsbergen.

“Her stewardship ensured organisational stability and continuity while naamsa continued to advance its strategic priorities and represent the interests of its members during a particularly consequential period for the automotive industry,” he says.