Welcome to the 13th edition of the South African Business journal. First published in 2011, the publication has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to South Africa, supported by an e-book edition and website at www.southafricanbusiness.co.za.
A special feature in this journal focusses on the vital focus on infrastructure that is seizing the attention of the political and business leadership of South Africa. This is not the arena of endless talk shops. Rather, 160 CEOs of some of the country’s most influential companies are rolling up their sleeves and trying to make things work better. The article looks at steps being taken by a combination of the public and private sectors to beef up the country’s railways, ports and energy network. Crime is also under the spotlight. As this journal goes to print, South Africa will ascend to the presidency of the G20, a singular honour and an opportunity for the country to put its best foot forward. A brief overview of each of the country’s provinces is also provided.
South African Business is complemented by nine regional publications covering the business and investment environment in each of South Africa’s provinces. The e-book editions can be viewed online at www.globalafricanetwork.com. These unique titles are supported by a monthly business e-newsletter with a circulation of over 35 000. The Journal of Africa Business joined the Global African Network stable of publications as an annual in 2020 and is now published quarterly.
FOCUSLeading the
FOCUSLeading the transitionAutomotive Industry DevelopmentCentre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC).transport. It represents a significant shift towardssustainable transportation, reducing greenhousegas emissions and promoting efficient energyconsumption.EMOBILITY & CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATIONBUSINESS UNITAn electric vehicle charging station, which hasbeen installed on the East London beachfrontby the AIDC-EC.The Automotive Industry DevelopmentCentre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) is aProvincial Government entity whichwas established to be a catalystfor a transformed, growing and sustainableautomotive sector and to facilitate collaborationbetween government and all automotive sectorstakeholders to achieve competitiveness.The AIDC-EC, through its eMobility & ClimateChange Mitigation Business Unit, is leading thetransition towards sustainable transportationsolutions that mitigate climate-change impactsthrough innovative e-mobility technologiesand practices.Electric mobility (eMobility) refers to the integrationof electric vehicles (EVs) into transportation systems,encompassing electric cars, bikes, scooters and publicFOCUS AREASThe eMobility & Climate Change Mitigation BusinessUnit is dedicated to driving the transition tosustainable transportation solutions and mitigatingthe impacts of climate change. The mission is to leadthe industry in e-mobility innovation, education andadvocacy, while promoting a culture of sustainabilityand environmental awareness.Electric mobility is crucial in addressing climatechange by reducing greenhouse gas emissions andair pollution. The key activities of the eMobility &Climate Change Mitigation Business Unit are:1. Promotion of EVs: Encouraging the adoption ofEVs, buses and motorcycles to replace traditionalfossil fuel-powered vehicles2. Infrastructure development: Building andexpanding EV charging stations in the EasternCape to facilitate mass EV adoption3. Policy and regulation: Implementing policies andregulations that incentivise the use of electricvehicles, such as tax benefits, subsidies and lowemissionzones4. Public awareness campaigns: Educating thepublic about the benefits of eMobility and how itcontributes to reducing carbon footprints5. Research and development: Investing in R&D thatleverages lessons learned from the deploymentof EV charging stations across different regions.This can involve learning from existinginstallations, predicting EV prices in South Africa,pilot projects, local adaptation and sustainabilityin charging technology6. Integration with renewable energy: Ensuring thatSOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 202566
Representatives of the Provincial Government of the Eastern Cape were on hand when a ceremony was held to launchthe electric vehicle charging station at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha in October 2024.the electricity used to charge EVs comes fromrenewable sources like solar and wind power7. Battery technology: Significant advancements inbattery capacity, range and charging speed aredriving the adoption of EVs8. Charging infrastructure: The expansion of chargingstations, including fast-charging networks, iscrucial for widespread EV adoption9. Battery recycling: Sustainable battery recyclingand disposal practices are crucial for the longtermenvironmental sustainability of eMobilityThese activities are essential for creatinga sustainable and environmentally friendlytransportation system.STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: EMOBILITY & CLIMATECHANGE MITIGATION BUSINESS UNITThe strategic objectives of the eMobility & ClimateChange Mitigation Business Unit are to focus onseveral key areas to drive the adoption of electricmobility solutions. These strategic objectives are:1. Innovation2. Sustainability3. Customer focus4. Strategic partnerships5. Regulatory compliance6. Education and awareness7. Sustainability initiatives8. Funding and investmentImplementing the projects and pilot programmesin the eMobility business units will pave the wayfor sustainable transportation solutions that meetthe needs of modern urban environments whilecontributing to broader environmental goals.PROJECTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY 20351. Battery Recycling2. Bus Fleet EV Conversion Pilot Programme3. Government EV Conversion Programme4. EV Components and Testing5. Charging Infrastructure6. Training and skills in the industry7. Battery Assembly8. Micro-mobility Incubator9. EV Aftermarket and SMME SupportPILOT PROGRAMMES1. Conversion of bus fleet in major metropolitanareas in the Eastern Cape2. Conversion of government light-vehicle fleet inthe Eastern Cape67 SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2025
