Mfanelo is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with a strong background in projects and events management across both the public and private sectors. With more than six years of experience, he has successfully led and supported strategic campaigns, stakeholder engagement initiatives, and high-impact events that align with organisational goals. Mfanelo holds an Honours Degree in Marketing and Communications, a BA in Communications, and a Diploma in Project Management, which collectively equip him with a well-rounded skill set to deliver impactful, results-driven events and solutions.

Over the 10-year period spanning the second quarter of 2015 (Q2 2015) to the second quarter of 2025 (Q2 2025), exports have trended in an overall upward direction, and have outperformed imports in several instances. In Q2 2025, exports increased on a quarterly basis, and remained higher than imports. It is anticipated that the impact of the United States’ tariffs, implemented on 7 August 2025, will likely show in the third quarter of the year.

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response.

This paper updates the TIPS Electronics Industry study. The update outlines some developments at the company level, along with the potential impacts of the United States, regulatory changes related to waste management, as well as new investments.

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response.

This note provides an update on the key developments that have shaped South Africa’s wood and paper industry over the past year.

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response.

This note is an update to the TIPS Food Processing Industry Study. The update focuses on the impact of United States (US) tariffs, changes in the local regulatory environment, and a brief review of changes in food prices.

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response.

This note provides an update of recent developments in the South African iron and steel industry, building on the TIPS Industry Study on Steel and Related Products. The update highlights the implications of ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the effects of the United States tariffs on the local industry. It also outlines recent changes in the European Union’s climate and steel policy landscape; reviews recent key developments in South Africa, including the steel tariff review and the enactment of the Climate Change Act No. 22 of 2024, with a focus on on its implications for the steel industry; and finally assesses recent developments in long steel.

TIPS is hosting a three-part Development Dialogue series on key manufacturing subsectors, focusing on sustainability, technological change, and the evolving trade environment. The first dialogue examined sustainability issues in the iron and steel, automotive, and plastics industries. The second dialogue focuses on technological change, looking at how digitalisation, automation, and innovation are reshaping South Africa’s manufacturing sector.

Invitation

Development Dialgoue I South Africa's Manufacturing Subsectors: Findings from TIPS Research - Series: 2

Agenda

Saul Levin (TIPS) - Welcome and opening remarks

Danae Govender (TIPS) - Insights from paper: Technological change in the electrical equipment industry

Luthandolwethu Zondi (TIPS) - Insights from paper: Technological change in the electronics industry

Lucas Mthembu (TIPS) - Insights from paper: Technological change in the clothing and textile industries

Dr Shawn Cunningham (TIPS/Mesopartner) - Discussant

Resources

Manufacturing Industries and Subsectors: Industry Studies

Industry Studies are available for the following sectors: Automotive, Capital Goods, Clothing and Textiles, Electrical Equipment, Electronics, Food Processing, Horticulture, Plastics, Steel, and Wood and Paper

Technological Change and Innovation System Observatory

The Technological Change and Innovation System Observatory project tracks and create awareness of disruptive innovation and discontinuous technological change by organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

In constant 2025 Rand, South Africa had a trade surplus of R55 billion in the second quarter of 2025, with exports amounting to R510 billion and imports amounting to R455 billion. However, exports declined by R24 billion in the year to the second quarter of 2025, while imports declined by R23 billion. In this period, the surplus declined by less than R400 million. The decline in imports was in part due to a R15 billion decline in the value of the top five imports. The value of the top five exports decreased by R5 billion in the year to the second quarter of 2025. Ferrochromium exports show the largest decrease, falling by almost R12 billion, followed by a R7 billion decrease in exports of goods vehicles, and an almost R6 billion fall in bituminous coal exports.

Siphesihle Banda joined TIPS in October 2025 as a Finance Intern. She holds a National Diploma in accounting from the University of Johannesburg. Siphesihle is a driven and collaborative individual who looks forward to developing her skills while contributing to the organisation’s operational excellence.

Internship at Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies

TIPS has two internship opportunities available for recently or about to graduate Master’s students. The aim of the internship is to give young researchers the opportunity to acquire work experience, improve their research skills, and enhance their understanding of the South African economy. The internship is structured to give exposure to issues of industrial development, trade and the green economy as well as work on policy-orientated projects.
The internship is for 12 months. The intern will directly participate in projects carried out by TIPS.

TIPS also offers the opportunity to conduct individual research, in line with the priorities of the institution. Our research is on generating and analysing evidence-based options for industrial policy as the key to more inclusive economic growth. You can see more about our work at www.tips.org.za

As an intern at TIPS, you will:

• Perform economic research under the guidance of the line manager, and provide research input and data analysis.
• Participate in and present research at internal discussions and workshops/events.
• Publish research reports through the TIPS website, other publications, conferences, seminars, etc.

You will need:

• A Masters (completed or in final stages of completing) in Economics; or a Masters (completed or in final stages of completing) in Development Studies,  Environmental Sciences, or a related field, and should have also completed Economics III at undergraduate level.
• A passion for industrial policy, inclusive economic development and sustainable growth.
• A study background on trade, industrial policy, the manufacturing sector and sustainable growth.
• Strong communication skills in writing, editing and presentation, with an excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Strong computer skills, with a proven ability to manipulate data in Excel and knowledge of Stata or SPSS.
• Teamwork and an ability to handle tight deadlines.

Who we are:

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is an independent, non-profit, economic research institution based in Pretoria. It was established in 1996 to support economic policy development, with an emphasis on industrial policy, in South Africa and the region. Its areas of focus are trade and inclusive industrial policy, and sustainable development. TIPS approach is to integrate research and analysis, policy development, disseminating information, capacity building, technical support, and programme design and management. To support these activities, TIPS researchers are expected to provide world-class quantitative and qualitative socio-economic analyses.

Application details:

Closing date for applications: 17 October 2025

To apply, please send a short CV, a cover letter highlighting your interest for the position and how you match the requirements as well as a writing sample via e-mail to jobs@tips.org.za. Note that we will only consider applications with all of these components. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed applicants only.