HARSH economic realities emphasise the important role that business leaders need to play, and more importantly, the role SEIFSA must play in representing its members in the lobby for a far more conducive and business-friendly environment, said the federation’s president and chairman, Elias Monage.
Speaking at the annual Steel and Engineering Federation of Southern African (SEIFSA) breakfast in Johannesburg, Monage said that South Africa’s severe economic challenges — from load-shedding to the inflationary effects of the war in Ukraine — make it more important than ever for SEIFSA to take a stand and call for a far more business-friendly environment.
While Monage recognised that little can be done to change the global economic headwinds, “the domestic ones — which are frankly own goals of bad policy choices and economic mismanagement — are in the hands of the policymakers. And this is where SEIFSA must continue to play the important role of keeping government accountable”.
Locally, the energy crisis has hamstrung the economy and deters much-needed investment, while “the rising cost of capital which will taper domestic economic activity and the poor state of local government, affecting service delivery for companies and infusing costs of doing business, are all headwinds faced by the sector — and at present, only intensifying,” warned Monage.
The federation’s new board was also announced at the breakfast, with SEIFSA CEO Lucio Trentini saying: “We are confident that SEIFSA’s new leadership will continue with the excellent efforts of our outgoing board members, and the newly elected members will bring their own dynamism, experience and wisdom to the task.”
Trentini said: “This board has the appropriate mix of expertise, experience and skill to provide the necessary strategic direction and guidance to the SEIFSA Executive.”
SEIFSA’s new board members are: Elias Monage (president), Lucio Trentini (CEO), Tafadzwa Chibanguza (COO), Pieter du Plessis (vice president), N Ngwenya, Pam du Plessis, Tumi Tsehlo, Ernest  Volschenk, Honey Mamabolo, Ryan Haynes, Mervin Naidoo and Malcolm McCulloch.
At the event, which is an opportunity for companies in the metals and engineering sector to engage with SEIFSA’s executive team and board of directors, political analyst, Justice Malala, provided a thought-provoking discussion and in-depth insights in his address.
“Business has a huge role to play in addressing these challenges, commented Malala. “SEIFSA, as an organisation, and many others have a key voice” and can provide the country with a “path forward”.
SEIFSA has a combined membership of over 1 200 companies employing over 170 000 employees.
