FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
DURBAN AUTOMOTIVE CLUSTER ACCELERATES SMME GROWTH
The Durban Automotive Cluster (DAC), in partnership with Toyota South Africa Motors and with support from the City’s Economic Development Directorate, recently hosted its inaugural Springboard Pitching Competition.
The initiative created a valuable platform to connect black-owned automotive small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) with leading industry firms.
Held at the Riverside Hotel, the event brought together 26 SMMEs who participated in a dynamic pitching competition, competing for a share of R60 000 in prizes.
The Springboard initiative forms part of the DACs SMME development programmes aimed at strengthening the local supplier network for leading firms within the automotive and manufacturing sectors.
Deputy Head of the City’s Economic Development Directorate, Takalani Rathiyaya, applauded the cluster’s efforts to stimulate economic activity and attract investment.
He noted that developing local suppliers and manufacturers within the cluster’s value chain will contribute significantly to expanding the City’s manufacturing sector.
Three SMMEs emerged as winners from the competition.
AGP Manufacturing secured the Best Elevator Pitch award worth R20 000, Phumelela Gasinga Engineering Solutions received the Best Booth award of R15 000, and XO Collection won the Best Innovation Award, taking home R25 000.
One of the competition winners, Xoliswa Hlongwane, Founder of XO Collection, expressed her appreciation to the DAC and the City for their continued support.
“It is such an honour to have come this far with the support of these programmes. Presenting my work to industry leaders and receiving recognition is truly a humbling experience,” said Hlongwane.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
