In this roundtable discussion at the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, we unpack the future of mobility, the politics, the infrastructure challenges, and whether EV adoption makes sense for Africa right now. South Africa’s automotive component sector plays a vital role in keeping the country’s manufacturing economy moving. In this episode, we unpack the key takeaways from the NAACAM Show, where industry leaders, government officials and business partners came together to discuss the road ahead. The conversation explores how localisation, skills development and digital readiness can drive growth, and why reforms such as the APDP2 review are so important for restoring competitiveness. We also look at the growing focus on electrification, the role of software in modern vehicles, and how initiatives like ODIN and MESITA are helping to prepare young people for the factory floor of the future. Along the way, the guests share frank views on infrastructure challenges, cybersecurity risks and the practical steps needed to strengthen South Africa’s automotive supply chain.

Beth Dealtry is the Executive Director of NAACAM, representing South Africa’s automotive component manufacturers. With a background in industry development and stakeholder engagement, she has been instrumental in driving collaboration between government, business and training institutions to strengthen the local manufacturing base. Martin Zano is the Managing Director of Eberspächer South Africa and a leading voice on electrification and future mobility. He brings deep insight into the evolution of propulsion technologies and the practical steps needed to prepare local manufacturers for the global transition to new energy vehicles.

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