An initiative considered by some industry observers to be mere pie in the sky just a few months ago, came a significant step closer to reality when the newly constituted SAEIF elected its executive members.
Initiated and facilitated by the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), the SAEIF (South African Electronics Industry Federation) is supported by several industry bodies and associations, educational institutions and individual companies across the supply chain. The federation’s stated objective is to bring together all stakeholders involved in the electronics industry under an umbrella body that will stimulate economic growth in the sector and improve global competitiveness in the industry. In order to accomplish this, it has pledged to promote the following:
* Networking and cooperation amongst all stakeholders involved in the electronics sector.
* Formation of SMMEs.
* Development of appropriate skills within the sectors represented in the country.
* Protect and grow the industry.
* Increase of knowledge and competitiveness through research and development and innovation.
* Use of tariff and non-tariff barriers to protect the industry.
* Identify and mitigate bottlenecks that restrict growth.
Although they will continue to operate under their own auspices, already established industry bodies ADEC, SAEEC and KZN ICT & Electronics Cluster have thrown their full weight behind the new federation. However, it remains unclear what role (if any) NAMEC will play in the SAEIF, after several of the organisation’s representatives expressed their disenchantment with the federation’s progress and conduct, citing what amounted to a perceived attempt to railroad NAMEC out of the proceedings. Formed in late 2008, NAMEC (National Association of Manufacturers of Electronic Components) first rose to prominence when it lobbied the government to apportion it 50% of the manufacturing volume for digital TV set-top boxes, even though NAMEC apparently does not have any manufacturing capacity of its own or among its members. Despite clearly being an important player in the electronics sector, it remains unclear at this point whether NAMEC believes its interests will be best served by being a part of the SAEIF.
The SAEIF has taken its first optimistic steps along the road to strengthening the South African electronics sector, but some hurdles remain. Chief among them are the need to ensure that the federation is representative of the South African demographic and to embrace all parties concerned. Only this way will all the stakeholders truly buy into the process and contribute their weight to getting the ball rolling. To ensure that it gains momentum, the executive members seem to be encouragingly united in their sincere and genuine commitment to furthering the interests of the industry, rather than merely to ensure that they or the organisations they represent get a piece of the pie.
The SAEIF’s elected executive members are:
* Sagran Pillay (CZ Electronics) – chairman
* Kobus Botes (Arrow Altech Distribution) – marketing representative
* Seara Macheli-Mkhabela (Altron) – secretary
* Roger Couzens (Natcom Electronics) – design representative
* Eugene van der Watt (Tellumat) – manufacturing representative
* Dennis Walden (Avnet Kopp) – component supply representative
* Thulani Mpetsheni (director of the DTI’s Electrotechnical unit) – government representative
* Jeenesh Manga (Deputy Director of the DTI’s Electrotechnical unit) – government representative
For more information contact Jeenesh Manga, DTI, +27 (0)12 394 1774.
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