New Automative Industry Development Centre (AIDC) Eastern Cape CEO Thabo Shenxane wants the industry to play a leading role by, among other things, advising the provincial government on automotive sector policy prioritisation.
Shenxane said the automotive industry was the backbone of the Eastern Cape and he hoped to add his expertise to recognise its contribution and help strengthen it.
The former Eastern Cape Development Corporation trade, investment and innovation head said he was ready for the task.
“I regard an opportunity like this as more of a calling than a job,” he said.
“A call to service by the government during this most difficult period in our lives, Covid-19.
“A period where strong and decisive leadership is needed.
“A call to serve to protect this very important industry in our province that is responsible for employing thousands of people and accounts for billions of investment revenue into our province.”
Shenxane holds a master’s degree in economic policy from the University of Stellenbosch and a BCom degree in economics from the University of the Western Cape.
He said economists were trained to analyse data to inform and advise on the future, which was what he intended to bring into his new job.
“I believe my collective experience in the public sector gathered over many years of service to the SA government, with academic qualification, international exposure and networking capabilities should add value to the collective in the industry.”
Shenxane said one of the major challenges the AIDC-EC had was that it had deviated from its original mandate when it was established in 2003 under the ECDC and as a result its effect on the industry and the province in general had been minimal.
The government-subsidised agency was mandated to help the region’s important automotive and manufacturing sectors to become more globally competitive.
Shenxane said the AIDC-EC had found itself left behind by the industry it was supposed to service on behalf of the provincial government and subsequently the industry had been left vulnerable with no notable government support.
“This is why the province has seen companies like General Motors and Bridgestone closing and hundreds of jobs lost in the process, with no notable support from the province.”
He said he planned to maintain the good governance the entity had achieved over the past 17 years and return it to its original purpose.
“Another focus area will be to work with both the private sector and provincial government to deal with the effect of Covid-19.
“This is a priority because it has a huge effect on investments and jobs.
“Other plans include creating a platform for continuous engagements between the MEC responsible for the provincial economy and the private sector and to align provincial automotive sector priorities with those of the national government and relevant responsible SOEs,” Shenxane said.
AIDC-EC board chair Phumzile Zitumane said former CEO Hoosain Mohamed, who remained a vital asset, would complement Shenxane’s appointment in the new role of business development.
HeraldLIVE
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