The Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) will create a dedicated Aerospace and Defence Action Lab to advance the province’s aerospace and defence sector in line with its goal of growing the provincial economy and reindustrialising Gauteng.
This is according to Dr Barbara Ziyane, Chief Director of Economic Planning at the GDED, who was speaking at a roundtable discussion on Friday 5 December under the theme ‘Advancing innovation and enhancing local competitiveness in South Africa’s aerospace and defence sector’.
She said Gauteng wants to grow its economy by 3-6% by 2030 and reduce unemployment by over a quarter through its growth and development plan. This includes investment conferences that aim to attract 300 investment pledges a year worth hundreds of billions of rands.
She told the roundtable the Aerospace and Defence Action Lab will serve as a delivery mechanism, with monthly work streams and quarterly roundtables to discuss the way forward. The Action Lab is a collaborative platform where industry leads, government enables, and together sector master plans are implemented. The Action Lab will comprise about 40% business, 25% government, 20% investment, and 15% civil society stakeholders. Ziyane sees the Aerospace and Defence Action Lab launching this year followed by co-implementation next year, and implementation evaluation in 2027.
“We appreciate we have not been supporting the sector,” she said of the local aerospace and defence industry. “Let’s talk, collaborate, and examine key implementation mechanisms,” she told the 5 December roundtable.
Uyabongeka Walaza from the Gauteng Department of Economic Development Chief Directorate, said the objective of the roundtable was to assess current capabilities, identify opportunities for growth, interrogate barriers to competitiveness and explore how government and industry can work together to build a more resilient and future-ready ecosystem for the aerospace and defence industry.
“The aerospace and defence sector remains one of the most technologically advanced and strategically important industries in South Africa,” he said. “It drives high-value manufacturing, supports national security capabilities, contributes significantly to exports and creates specialised and highly technical jobs. Gauteng, as the economic hub of the country, hosts leading companies, research facilities, innovation centres and universities that collectively anchor South Africa’s aerospace and defence excellence. The sector also serves as a catalyst for innovation across civilian industries, influencing advancements in communication technologies, robotics, mobility and advanced materials.”
He pointed out that the Growing Gauteng Together plan (GGT 2030) identifies the aerospace and defence sector as a high-growth and strategic sector with the potential to drive advanced manufacturing, attract investment and enhance Gauteng’s global competitiveness. “This is a strategic sector that we simply cannot afford to overlook,” he told the roundtable.
However, despite its potential, the sector faces significant challenges. Declining defence budgets and limited domestic demand have placed pressure on firms. Global competition has intensified, while fragmentation across the value chain limits efficiencies and collaboration. Skills shortages remain a critical concern, especially in engineering, systems integration and advanced manufacturing. Additionally, firms face difficulties accessing new markets, navigating regulatory frameworks and securing investment for research, development and technology readiness.
These challenges undermine the sector’s economic contribution and overall development. These constraints reduce the sector’s ability to innovate, scale production, and compete globally; resulting in lost export opportunities, reduced foreign investment, slower technology advancement and weakened industrial capabilities. Ultimately, these pressures limit job creation, diminish high-value manufacturing output and weaken South Africa’s position in the global aerospace and defence market; hindering long-term economic growth and competitiveness, Walaza said.
“We urgently need to act collectively to address these issues and ensure the sector maintains and surpasses its competitiveness; this is a clear call to action for collaboration that aims to take advantage of the vast opportunities that lie in the sector. As the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, we are fully committed to developing and strengthening the aerospace and defence sector,” Walaza told the roundtable.
“Our goal is to position Gauteng as the leading hub for aerospace and defence innovation on the African continent. We aim to support initiatives that strengthen technology development, build industry-aligned skills, promote enterprise development and enhance collaboration between government, industry, academia and the innovation ecosystem. Today’s roundtable is a key step in shaping a provincial roadmap that will secure long-term sustainability and competitiveness for the sector. This roadmap will be implemented through the establishment of the Aerospace and Defence Action Lab, a working committee comprising of key industry stakeholders, which will convene periodically to design and drive targeted interventions and monitor progress aimed at strengthening and advancing the sector in Gauteng.”
Speaking during one of the panel discussions on 5 December, Themba September, Chair of the Commercial Aerospace Manufacturing Association of South Africa (CAMASA), pointed out that in 2020 the Aerospace and Defence Masterplan was signed off, but it was never implemented. It was assigned to the Department of Public Enterprises, which is now defunct. He said it’s “absolutely frustrating” that papers are being produced with no implementation, but “what I’ve heard this morning gives me some encouragement.” He called for better leadership to drive implementation, and for innovation to drive the industry forward.
“I sincerely hope the masterplan will be revived. We have actionable proposals to put into place,” September told roundtable attendees. “We have the resolve. We want to have something done. We don’t want talk shops. We are pleading that this process is true to the name action plan and undertake to bring our association and memberships to assist in that.”
September said he wants the Centurion Aerospace Village to move forward and has ideas in that regard. “We want activity. We want things to happen.”
Biko Managa, Impact Area Manager: Aeronautics Systems at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), agreed that the Aerospace and Defence Masterplan needs to be supported. He pointed out to the success of the aerospace and defence industry years ago when there was substantial budget provided (when defence spending was above 2% of GDP – it’s less than 1% at present). Now skills have been lost and small and large companies struggle to stay afloat, he said.
“Let’s go back to the masterplan and look at its activities and fund them,” Managa told the roundtable. Local companies need to be supported at global and local trade shows, and Gauteng should be highlighted as a hub of defence and technology, he added. Research and development needs to also be aligned with national capability needs and market opportunities.
“We can’t have innovation in silos,” he said, as the industry needs collaboration. Government, industry, and institutions for higher learning need to work towards a common goal, Managa said, challenging Gauteng to lead the effort.
Due to strong interest in the Aerospace and Defence Roundtable, the GDED plans to have a virtual follow-up session on Thursday 29 January 2026 (10-12:00). Volunteers for the Action Lab will be chosen at the event.
