A summit on e-Mobility, held at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in Gqeberha on Thursday, is expected to identify practical measures to accelerate electric mobility implementation and strengthen South Africa’s participation in emerging value chains.
Dr Nomalungelo Gina, Deputy Minister of Science (DSTI), has highlighted the critical role of science, technology and innovation in supporting the growth of a locally competitive battery industry.
“The question is not whether electric mobility will happen. The question is whether South Africa will capture value from it. We have the minerals, the research capability, the industrial base and the policy instruments needed to participate meaningfully in the green economy,” said Gina.
The event has brought together government, industry and academia, as well as development partners.
Gina also said the government is positioning South Africa as a leading player in the global e-mobility and battery value chains, with a strong focus on local manufacturing, mineral beneficiation, skills development and job creation.
A project between the University of Limpopo and the Manganese Metal Company, initiated a pilot-scale production of battery-grade manganese sulphate from locally available resources.
The initiative converts locally mined manganese into high-value material for lithium-ion battery production, advancing South Africa’s mineral beneficiation objectives.
In addition, the energy storage RDI programme provides specialised training across the lithium-ion battery value chain.
The programme has achieved a graduate absorption rate exceeding 70%, with participants securing employment opportunities across various industries.
In her opening address, Prof. Muki Moeng, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching at NMU, said that electric mobility formed part of South Africa’s broader just energy transition.
“We need reliable electricity and charging infrastructure. We need batteries and the ability to test, reuse and recycle them. We need people who are trained to work safely with these new technologies. We need South African businesses that can develop, manufacture and supply products and services. And we need government, universities and industry to work together to make all of this happen,” said Prof Moeng.
The Summit is also displaying the eKamva minibus, South Africa’s first 15-seater electric minibus taxi, as well as the Thula, the country’s first game-viewing vehicle designed for silent, zero-emission wildlife safaris.
Chris Joseph Abraham, the founder and CEO of EV-Fleet, an engineering consultancy based in Stellenbosch, said data is needed to develop electric vehicle solutions that have financial, environmental and technical benefits to society.
Picture: Supplied