In a coordinated effort to dismantle barriers within the automotive sector, the Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA), the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), and key industry leaders joined forces to host a landmark Open Day at the Eersterust Civic Centre. The event served as a strategic launchpad for Youth Month, featuring tailored workshops and skills development interventions designed to equip local youth for meaningful participation in the mainstream economy.

The Open Day was specifically curated to tackle unemployment and foster economic growth by opening doors to various career and business prospects within the City of Tshwane’s automotive sector. Central to the day’s agenda was a fundamental shift in perspective, moving from passive labour toward active ownership and economic contribution.

This vision was brought to life by a diverse array of stakeholders, including the AIDC (focusing on Township Automotive Hubs, Skills Development, and Supplier & Enterprise Development), TEDA delegates, Ford SA, TASEZ, ChrisnelSA, Start-Up Culture, Kgabo Cars, KHL Automotive Technologies, Lazar, and Labournet. Each entity brought specialised expertise to the Eersterust community, highlighting a unified commitment to creating a sustainable and inclusive automotive economy.

“The Eersterust community must move beyond being merely a part of the labour force; we must transition into being active participants in the automotive economy,” stated Ms Meloney van Eck, Board Chairperson of the AIDC, during her keynote address. Her remarks served as a call to action, encouraging the young people of Eersterust to fully seize the opportunities presented to them to foster long-term economic growth within their own community.

In a message of support, the MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, Cllr Sarah Mabotsa, presented the Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme, a City of Tshwane initiative designed to unlock tangible opportunities for young people. By providing skills training, business support, and pathways into key sectors, the programme addresses unemployment through direct collaboration between government and industry. Ultimately, the Open Day acted as a critical bridge, linking the Eersterust community to these Ithuba platforms to ensure.

The programme delivered practical insights through several key highlights:

  • Industry Overviews: Established industry stakeholders and private sector partners provided in-depth
    perspectives on their operations and the broader sector landscape.
  • Youth Opportunities: Stakeholders presented various programmes and entry points specifically designed for young people entering the market.
  • Technical Competencies: Representatives from Ford SA highlighted the specific technical competencies required to enter the modern automotive value chain.
  • Formalisation of SMMEs: AIDC (Township Automotive Hubs) Start-Up Culture, and KHL Automotive
    Technologies, discussed the importance of township-based SMMEs moving from informal repairs to
    formalised automotive hubs.
  • Future-Proofing Skills: ChrisnelSA presented on the transition from petrol to Electric Vehicles (EVs), noting a significant skills gap in the current market, especially in South Africa. By offering training programmes to bridge this gap, they are presenting a high-growth opportunity for the youth to enter a high-demand sector.

To inspire the new cohort, two alumni of the programme shared their success stories. This included Mapula Ramothwala, a former TWIBA winner in the Manufacturing category, who spoke on how she benefited from the structured support and urged the current winners to participate actively. The onboarding event concluded by highlighting the significance and structure of the 2026 programme. The entrepreneurs in attendance were encouraged to remain committed and take full advantage of the course.