Naamsa, the Automotive Business Council, has announced the appointment of Dr Mncane Mthunzi as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective from Monday, 7 September 2026.
The appointment comes at what the organisation describes as a defining moment for South Africa's automotive industry, with the global sector undergoing significant change. Naamsa points to the transition towards new energy vehicles, rapid advances in technology, evolving global trade relationships, intensifying competition for investment and the transformation of automotive supply chains as factors reshaping the industry.
Dr Mthunzi takes on the role with a mandate to serve the collective interests of naamsa's members while strengthening the organisation's position as the voice of South Africa's automotive industry. Naamsa's membership spans local vehicle manufacturers, importers, retailing OEMs, and medium and heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers.
Naamsa President Peter van Binsbergen said the appointment was significant for the organisation and its members. "This is an important appointment for naamsa, our members and the South African automotive industry. We are entering a period that will fundamentally determine the future structure and competitiveness of our sector, and we require strong, decisive and strategic leadership to navigate it," he says.
Peter adds that Dr Mthunzi's mandate extended beyond leading an industry association. "He understands the strategic importance of the automotive industry to South Africa. This is an industry that contributes significantly to manufacturing, exports, investment, employment, skills development and economic growth. His mandate is therefore much bigger than leading an industry association. It is about serving our members while helping shape the conditions under which one of South Africa's most important industrial sectors can compete, transform and grow globally."
Under Dr Mthunzi's leadership, naamsa said it would intensify engagement across government, organised labour and industry partners around a set of strategic priorities. These include strengthening South Africa's global competitiveness, securing new and protecting existing investment, accelerating localisation, supporting the transition to new energy vehicles, expanding export opportunities, developing skills for the future automotive economy, promoting transformation and inclusion, and strengthening collaboration between industry, government and organised labour.
Commenting on his first day in the role, Dr Mthunzi says that he is honoured to assume the leadership of naamsa at such a pivotal moment for our industry. “South Africa has built an automotive manufacturing sector of genuine global significance. We have world class manufacturers, an established supplier and dealership base, highly capable people and a proven export platform. But we cannot assume that the successes of the past will automatically secure our future.
“The global automotive industry is changing rapidly, and South Africa must compete decisively for the investment, technology, skills, markets and opportunities that will define the next generation of mobility. My priority will be to ensure that naamsa remains a strong, influential and unified voice for its members and the industry, one that engages constructively with government, challenges where necessary, and advances practical solutions that support investment, growth, transformation and competitiveness," he states.
Dr Mthunzi's appointment concludes the leadership transition announced by the naamsa board in April 2026, when Shinny Gobiyeza was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer to provide continuity while the Board finalised the process of appointing a permanent CEO. Peter thanked Shinny for her leadership during the interim period, saying her stewardship had ensured organisational stability while Naamsa continued to advance its strategic priorities. Gobiyeza now resumes her substantive role as Chief Operations Officer of Naamsa, supporting Dr Mthunzi and the organisation's broader strategic and operational agenda.
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