NAACAM CEO Renai Moothilal and Head of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Beth Dealtry, participated in Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition’s Colloquium on South Africa’s Industrial Development Strategy (IDS) 2026.
The engagement brought together government, business associations, labour, and industry stakeholders to assess how the IDS can strengthen industrial competitiveness, expand productive capacity and drive inclusive economic growth.
Presenting in Parliament, NAACAM CEO, Renai Moothilal said:
“South Africa already has the industrial capability to grow its automotive component sector and establish the sector as an anchor of the dtic’s 3D strategy of Decarbonisation, Diversification and Digitalisation. The priority now is to translate the ambition and direction of the IDS into implemented policies and projects that drive industrialisation, localisation, investment and competitiveness.”
In its submission, NAACAM highlighted that stronger localisation remains a critical, unresolved issue for South Africa’s automotive industry — with local content currently at 38%, well short of the 60% target set under the South African Automotive Masterplan. Closing this gap is essential to unlock job creation, productivity, a just transition, skills development and decent work. NAACAM proposed practical steps to get there, including defined local content requirements and increased vehicle and component tariffs, with a higher duty differential — an combined approach that has proved successful in the development of Thailand’s automotive sector.
NAACAM looks forward to continued engagement with the Portfolio Committee and the dtic in ensuring the direction set within the IDS translates into the reindustrialisation of the South African automotive industry.
