Business and industry leaders, government officials, and investors gathered at City Hall for the inaugural Cape Town Manufacturing Summit, jointly hosted by the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government.
Delivering the opening address, Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, emphasised that manufacturing is not only in Cape Town’s DNA but must be a driving force in shaping its economic future.
‘I regard manufacturing as a key priority for Cape Town’s economic landscape. This summit is about ensuring our industrial areas remain productive and competitive. These zones are the engine rooms of our economy, where jobs are created, where goods are produced, and where value is added. This is the gift that keeps on giving, and we must do everything we can to keep it thriving,’ said Alderman Vos.
Approximately 337 000 people are employed in the province’s manufacturing sector, according to the latest Stats SA jobs report.
‘With this summit, we are tackling the pressing challenges the sector faces, such as port inefficiencies and evolving global trade policies. We also want to ensure that businesses are aware of the City’s service offerings and to hear from them directly about how we can streamline operations and support their growth,’ said Alderman Vos.
Manufacturing is the third-largest contributor to the Western Cape economy, with the bulk of activity based in Cape Town, according to Wesgro. The city is a leader in food and beverage processing, clothing and textiles (Cape Town produced 105 million garments in 2024, nearly a third of the country’s total), electronics, medical devices, and marine-based goods, such as catamarans.
‘Nationally, the manufacturing sector’s GDP declined by 6% between 2014 and 2023, according to the Western Cape Treasury’s Provincial Economic Review and Outlook 2024, driven by issues like unreliable electricity and rising costs. But in Cape Town, we’ve taken a proactive approach, investing in infrastructure, supporting businesses through our Business Retention and Expansion programmes, and driving strategic partnerships to future-proof the sector,’ said Alderman Vos.
Alderman Vos cited the integration of Blackheath Industrial into the Eskom load curtailment programme as a successful example of the City’s efforts to reduce operational pressures on manufacturers while enabling cost savings.
‘This summit is not just about diagnosing problems, it’s about co-creating solutions. We’re working with the private sector to determine what’s next for manufacturing in Cape Town, and how we can prepare a capable, skilled workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. Let’s continue to build an economy of hope, with purpose, pride, and strong partnerships,’ said Alderman Vos.
