President Cyril Ramaphosa will be in East London tomorrow for the official announcement of a major investment that will result in the extension of the Mercedes-Benz East London plant. The direct result will be the creation of more jobs in the city and province.
Presidency spokeswoman Khusela Diko confirmed yesterday that Ramaphosa would grace the landmark event. It is understood that the extension would also house an academy to help boost skills development for car manufacturers.
“President Ramaphosa has welcomed the invitation to attend the event marking Mercedes-Benz cars’ investment into South Africa’s vehicle manufacturing industry,” said Diko.
The launch – which Mercedes-Benz has described as an exclusive event – will also be attended by the car manufacturer’s divisional board member for production and supply chain, Markus Schäfer.
Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle said the provincial government was elated at yet another milestone by one of the South African economy’s enduring partners, Mercedes-Benz.
“The automotive sector has understood our call for a partnership between the private sector and government in realising not only immediate employment of the unemployed, but to invest in a skills transfer drive in the sector to hopefully serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurial and downstream opportunities in manufacturing and supply of automotive parts and components within the Eastern Cape, the home of the automotive industry in South Africa,” said Masualle...