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Mail & Guardian

Manufacturing

latest news & developments

Local defence industry set for a boom in exports

Buoyed by strong interest at the Africa Aerospace and Defence expo, South African defence manufacturer Milkor forecasts massive export growth towards a R70 billion revenue target.

The panel: The session brought together, from left, Siddharth Zarabi, the group editor of Business Today, who moderated the discussion; Sachin Ahuja, the CEO of Alfeco Holdings Group, Manpreet Singh, the president of the Indian Chamber of International Business; and Kalpana Ajayan, the regional head, South Asia at Women's World Banking. Photo: Supplied

BRICS opens doors to a new business era

Business leaders at the India Today BRICS Roundtable in New Delhi explored cross-border opportunities, highlighting how trade, manufacturing, and investment can drive new growth…

Vehicle industry fights back

Despite widespread factory closures and thousands of job cuts across South Africa's automotive industry, a new R1.1-billion parts facility at Dube TradePort offers a glimmer of…

Matriculants, there's a career that need needs you

With university spaces capped and NSFAS shortfalls mounting, artisan careers like toolmaking offer matriculants a paid, viable path into a crucial and high-demand industry.

Ramaphosa warns BRICS against a new raw-material trap for Africa

Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged member nations to direct investments toward local manufacturing and mineral beneficiation…

President Cyril Ramaphosa. (GCIS)

Ramaphosa courts Indian investment at BRICS summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in New Delhi for the BRICS summit, using the platform to target Indian investment in South Africa's critical minerals, infrastructure, and…

True grit: Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa’s journey has earned her the 2026 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award.

Bold enough to rewrite the industry

Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa refused to accept the absence of women-owned, industrial-scale sanitary pad manufacturers in South Africa. Her determination led to the creation of Africa's…

Dikeledi Skonyela

Diamonds may be forged under immense pressure, but Dikeledi Skonyela believes the same is true of people. At 35, she is not only building a jewellery business — she is opening…

Dr Zweli Hlatshwayo

Zweli Hlatshwayo, 35, is advancing the science behind one of South Africa's most important industries. As chief chemist for research and development at AECI Mining Chemicals, he…

Tanzanian billionaire and philanthropist Mohammed Dewji, addressing the Standard Bank Africa Unlocked 2026 conference in Cape Town.

From a small family shop to a multimillion-dollar conglomerate

Tanzanian billionaire and philanthropist Mohammed "Mo" Dewji, CEO of MeTL Group, shared his inspiring journey from a small family retail business to a multibillion-dollar…

Chery launches Rosslyn manufacturing plant and commits to South Africa

Chery has officially opened its manufacturing facility in Rosslyn, Pretoria, transitioning from an importer to a local manufacturer in South Africa. This follows the acquisition…

Coatings and paints industry set for growth

The Coatings For Africa 2026 exhibition in Johannesburg concludes with local manufacturers expressing optimism about the projected $892 million growth in Southern Africa's paints…

Video

The BYD storm is upon SA but a local factory depends on ‘market readiness’

BYD's entry into South Africa has dramatically reshaped the new-energy vehicle (NEV) landscape. After initially withholding sales figures, BYD's recent disclosure to Naamsa…

The Stellenbosch University team’s journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch was a practical demonstration that locally made electric motorbikes, powered by solar energy, could work across African roads and real African conditions.

Africa’s electric motorbike future can be built locally and powered by solar — our 6000km ride shows what’s possible

For millions of people on the continent, motorcycles provide the most affordable and accessible form of transport, while also creating livelihoods for riders and small businesses

The Draft Block Exemption for the Promotion of Exports under the Competition Act aims to enable exporters to collaborate legally. Photo: File

South Africa’s competition law pivots to turn US tariffs into strategy

A draft export exemption aims to enable exporters to collaborate legally