THE PHOENIX
The sponsors continued to in similar vein, saying that in his keynote address at the event, CEO Robert Gwerengwe emphasised the critical role of collaboration in driving the local automotive sector towards a sustainable future. He cited the longstanding partnership between naamsa and WesBank as an example of a collaborative effort that delivers tangible benefits to the entire industry. Gwerengwe highlighted the need for wider cooperation across the automotive value chain, particularly in light of the stagnant economic growth that has challenged the sector since the COVID-19 pandemic.“ While we have recently witnessed a recovery in passenger car sales, as reported by naamsa, this growth has largely been underpinned by interest rate cuts- a trend that is not permanent and will inevitably end. We must therefore build resilience into our business processes.
This calls for innovation from all sectoral players in exploring and implementing new go-to-market models to cater for changing market conditions,” he continued, and stressed that the necessary transformation, from a diversified product mix to innovative finance models, cannot be achieved by a single entity.“ This is not something that just one player can provide a solution for. We need all stakeholders, including government and industry players, to work together to raise South Africa into a continental giant in the automotive world. This is why we continue to sponsor the Accelerator Awards: to celebrate those who are taking bold steps to move the industry in this direction.”
During the SAAW, and particularly during the Accelerator Awards, I got into bardish mode, and started musing about all the presentations and panel discussions that naamsa dished up. Was it much ado about nothing, or as we liked it? When it came to bee or not to bee, was it dagga that I saw before me, or maybe a comedy of errors? Maybe a tempest taming the few? At the end, I just hoped that it would not be love’ s labour’ s lost and that all’ s well that ends well. Time will tell, William.
In early October 2025, I attended naamsa’ s South African Auto Week, which culminated in the Accelerator Awards on a stormy early summer’ s night. The naamsa Accelerator Awards, which is sponsored by WesBank, congratulates all the winners and finalists of the 2025 competition. As WesBank said in its press blurb,“ the prestigious awards ceremony, held at the conclusion of SA Auto Week, celebrates the visionaries, innovators, and leaders who are actively shaping the future of South Africa ' s automotive industry.”
EARLY
Summer Night ' s
DREAM
OCTOBER 2025 1 WORDS IN ACTION