Ebrahim Patel - The African Mirror

Dec

2023

South Africa likely to produce first EV in 2026: Minister

SOUTH Africa's automotive industry will likely produce its first electric vehicle (EV) in 2026, the trade minister said, as he outlined plans for the country's green transport transition. The electrification of transport is one of the key pillars underpinning South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET) plan for a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. The JET plan estimates that an investment of 128.1 billion rand ($6.84 billion) would be needed from 2023–2027 for the transport sector to contribute meaningfully to South Africa's decarbonisation commitments. South Africa is the largest automotive manufacturing hub on the African continent, hosting global brands such as Toyota,…

Sep

2023

By The African Mirror

Stellantis invests R3-billion in South Africa, establishing state-of-the-art automotive plant in Coega

MOTORING NEWS

STELLANTIS has confirmed its intention to develop a greenfield manufacturing facility in Coega in South Africa with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). Minister Ebrahim Patel, senior officials from the IDC and Mr. Samir Cherfan, Stellantis Middle East and Africa Chief Operating Officer met at the Parliament Buildings in Cape Town to agree on investment in the South African motor industry. “It is a wonderful day for all South Africans when a global company of Stellantis’ proportions decides to expand its manufacturing footprint in South Africa, to assemble completely knocked down units,”…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Volkswagen SA celebrates 70 years

MULTIMEDIA

VOLKSWAGEN South Africa is celebrating seven decades of service, excellence, keeping millions of owners happy and creating jobs. To celebrate this momentous occasion we share with you the following special messages from VWSA chairman and managing director Robert Cisek, Ralf Brandstaetter, Passenger Brand CEO at VWSA, Oscar Mabuyane, the Premier of the Eastern Cape as well as Ebrahim Patel, SA's Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. VWSA is a market leader and the largest private employer in Nelson Mandela Bay with over 4 000 employees. Aside from the vehicles imported for the local market, the VWSA plant in Kariega has…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africa launches steel industry master plan

BUSINESS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH Africa’s steel industry, the multi-billion sector which is one of the pillars of one of Africa’s biggest economies, has produced a historic masterplan, designed to help it grow and create jobs. Ebrahim Patel, SA’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel and industry stakeholders from the steel and metal fabrication sector have signed a Master Plan for the sector. The Master Plan, which has been developed in consultation with all stakeholders from the industry – including primary steel producers, downstream steel players, met fabricators and organised labour – provides a blueprint for the industry to…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

6th South African cabinet minister gets COVID-19

COVID-19

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER A sixth member of South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet has contracted COVID-19. Ebrahim Patel, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition has gone into self-quarantine and will work from home, the South African presidency has announced. In a statement, the presidency said Patel, who took part in a virtual parliamentary budget vote a day before he got his results, was ok. “Minister Patel is in good spirits and is in self-quarantine, and will continue to work from home. Those that have been in contact with the minister are also in self-isolation and have been encouraged to…