With 1 August set as the date on which sky-high tariffs will be imposed on South African exports to the US, anxiety levels are high in the Eastern Cape – especially in the automotive industry, one of the largest employers in the province. Labour union Numsa and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber have urged the government to introduce urgent reforms to salvage what is left.
On Wednesday, 30 July, with 48 hours to go to the deadline marking the end of negotiations on tariffs imposed on South Africa, the automotive industry and workers were waiting for news.
Sam Busa