Industry

This section looks at South Africa’s industry sector, which has long supported the national economy. For the first 11 months of 2011 output rose 7.7% in comparison to the same period of 2010, according to Statistics South Africa. The fastest-growing manufacturing sectors included electrical machinery; radio, television and communication equipment; and automobiles and components, each of which expanded by 10% or more. Industrial Development Zones (IDZs) have become a recognisable component of South Africa’s industrial sector. The fact that the country has long positioned itself as gateway to African markets, both financially and physically, has also served its industrial sector well. This chapter contains interviews with Lionel October, Director-General, Department of Trade and Industry; Geoffrey Qhena, CEO, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC); and Peter Matlare, CEO, Tiger Brands.