Media statement 20 February 2024
Ald Hannes Coetzee
MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning
In my capacity as the MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, I recently conducted an engagement session and a site tour of the state-of-the-art training facility at the Production Technologies Association of South Africa (PtSA) in Hermanstad.
During the oversight, I visited the tool maker site which is responsible for high-end tooling training that offers firm-level interventions to boost competitiveness and production efficiency.
It was pleasing to note that with its array of state-of-the-art equipment, this facility exposes students to leading-edge technologies that are used globally.
Youth upskilling in technical fields such as tooling, die and moulding is high on our priority list, and we view PtSA as an ideal strategic partner to help the City move in that direction. For production in the automotive, aerospace and other high-tech industries to be competitive, Tshwane needs to have access to highly skilled technical workers.
It is clear that if we are to create a business-friendly City that supports employment and economic prosperity, collaborating with organisations like PtSA may bring us there faster than we imagined.
I am happy to share that, through this engagement, the City and PtSA have identified possible areas for further discussions, with potential for collaborations and future partnership. This will be in several strategic areas relating to technical skills development, enterprise development and industry placements with key players, including the City’s Tshwane Leadership and Management Academy and Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone.
I would like to thank the PtSA management for taking the time to interact with me and my team. I implore the corporate community to invest in Tshwane and to support youth artisanship training, which will benefit our manufacturing and automotive sectors.
Media enquiries: Lindiwe Tindleni (lindiwetin@tshwane.gov.za)