Conclusion

Although the manufacturing sector has been in decline, it continues to be of great importance to South Africa and has pockets of excellence – such as in the automotive sector – that could be replicated elsewhere in the economy.

The long-term strategic partnership between government and the automotive industry provides a clear illustration of the power of cooperation between government and business – local and global – as well as the importance of a shared vision and a common purpose among business managers, trade unions and surrounding communities.

Faced with a global pandemic, South African manufacturers, business and labour formed a united front, bringing together vision, ingenuity and technical skills to accomplish two highly successful projects in 2020: the local manufacture of medical equipment and personal protective equipment, as well as the national ventilator project. These are both prime examples of what could be achieved through greater collaboration, and the lessons learnt from their successful execution should be reproduced across various industries.

Through such a spirit of cooperation and common purpose it will be possible to move South African manufacturing forward into a new era of success; to blow life-giving breath onto the embers of the once-roaring furnaces of South African industry and to see the lights come on once again through the grimy windows of abandoned factories.

Reviving the manufacturing sector can restore a much-needed engine for growth for the South African economy.