Pretoria and Gauteng jobseekers are set to get a massive boost as work on the R3.4 billion Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) gathers momentum.
Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Fikile Majola and Gauteng Premier David Makhura received a briefing on the status of TASEZ in Pretoria on Wednesday.
According to a media statement issues afterwards, more than 8,500 jobs will be created through the project, which is located in Silverton next to Mamelodi and Silverton townships.
70% of jobs for locals
Up to 70 percent of these jobs will be reserved for residents of Mamelodi township and surrounding areas. The project was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in November 2019 and will be completed by June 2020.
TASEZ will supply automotive components to the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) plant nearby and other vehicle manufacturers. FMCSA aims to become the world’s largest Ford Ranger pickup plant.
“This project is a game changer and very strategic for all three tiers of government – the City of Tshwane, the Gauteng provincial government and national government. The involvement of Ford Company as a key partner in the project is a massive confidence boost for South Africa,” DTIC Director-General Lionel October said.
Majola added that TASEZ will help Tshwane become the first “automotive city” in Africa. “We are also happy that in this project, government’s localisation policy imperatives have been surpassed and currently 45 percent [of] local businesses have been empowered in the construction phase,” he said.
Around R25 million of the project’s overall budget was earmarked for training, mentorship and support for local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), DTIC said.
Jobs portal
Those looking for new jobs in Pretoria East can register on TASEZ’s jobs portal to be considered for opportunities when they become available.
Applicants can register on this link: https://www.tasez.co.za/careers.php. Your details will be added to the pool of candidates.
SMME portal
The project also has a portal for Pretoria and Gauteng-based SMMEs. “The main contractors will be procured using the City of Tshwane Contractor’s Panel while the province’s SMME database will be used for the sourcing and employment of SMMEs and the labour component of the project,” TASEZ states on its website.
SMMEs can register on this link: https://www.tasez.co.za/smme.php.