As we enter a new year, and as I begin my tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of SEIFSA, I do so with immense gratitude. I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to be entrusted with the leadership of this important institution, the authoritative backbone of the metals and engineering sector. It is an honour I do not take lightly, and I am committed to dedicating my full energy and capability to advancing the work of the Federation. I am profoundly aware that I follow in the footsteps of giants who have shaped SEIFSA’s legacy over the decades. In particular, I extend special gratitude to Lucio Trentini, who has served SEIFSA with extraordinary diligence for 36 years. His institutional memory, wisdom, and counsel continue to be invaluable, and I look forward to working closely with him until his planned retirement in 2027.
I am equally grateful to our supportive Board, whose insight and guidance have been instrumental in preparing the organisation for the journey ahead. Finally, I want to express heartfelt appreciation for the many messages of support I have received from across the SEIFSA membership. Your confidence strengthens my resolve, and it affirms that by working together, we can continue the successful path that SEIFSA has forged. We step into 2026 with several global and domestic realities shaping the environment in which our sector must operate.
Globally, trade friction and uncertainty that intensified throughout 2025 continue to cast a long shadow on the world economy. Policymakers everywhere are being forced to navigate an unfamiliar policy environment, one defined by protectionism, geopolitical tension, and shifts that have not been seen for much of the past century. These global dynamics inevitably spill over into our domestic context and will require careful, coordinated responses. Domestically, South Africa continues to grapple with the difficult economic legacy of the past decade and a half: low growth, high unemployment, weak confidence, and subdued fixed capital investment. These factors have contributed to lacklustre economic performance compared even to peer economies.
Yet, despite these challenges, important green shoots are emerging. Considerable reform work has been undertaken to strengthen the institutional pillars of the economy, and we are beginning to see tangible outcomes:
- The yield curve on South Africa’s bonds has decreased and flattened across maturities.
- The rand has strengthened.
- The country recorded a net inflow of assets last year.
- South Africa was successfully removed from the “grey list.”
- New regulations have elevated the role of public-private partnerships, particularly in infrastructure development.
These improvements signify that the difficult but necessary institutional reforms of recent years are beginning to rebuild credibility and confidence. In 2026, our focus must be on capitalising on these green shoots. A more stable and predictable policy environment can unlock greater private sector activity, with the ultimate goal of reigniting fixed investment. For the metals and engineering sector, this presents a significant opportunity: as infrastructure is repaired, expanded, and modernised, our sector stands to benefit directly from increased demand for local manufacturing, fabrication, and engineering capability.
A key priority for SEIFSA in 2026 will be deepening the role and capacity of our member associations in policy advocacy. Associations, by their nature, are activity-based and closely aligned to the specific needs of their member companies, including those with regional footprints or more generalised membership profiles. Last year, the associations played an indispensable role in several major policy processes, including: the steel tariff review, price preference system, reviews in the renewable energy tariff landscape, policy discussions linked to the Independent Transmission Grid Programme and critical engagements with the National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service.
These interventions demonstrate the value of advocacy that is rooted in the practical, bread-and-butter issues affecting companies daily. In 2026, SEIFSA will place deliberate emphasis on strengthening and capacitating the associations to play an even more prominent role in these areas. While the associations lead on sector-specific issues, SEIFSA will continue to provide a leadership role on broader industry-wide policy matters, ensuring a coherent and credible voice for the metals and engineering sector.
We also look forward to another year of strong participation from our affiliated members across all our key events and platforms. Among the highlights for 2026 are:
- The State of the Sector Report Launch in February
- The Energy Conference planned for May
- Our flagship and historic SEIFSA Golf Day in August
- The annual Women’s Day event
- The Presidential Breakfast, always a high point on our calendar
- And the Awards for Excellence, where we celebrate and honour outstanding performance in our industry later in the year
These engagements are an essential part of building community, strengthening networks, and shaping a unified voice for our sector. We look forward to your continued involvement and active participation. I wish all our members, partners, and stakeholders a productive, prosperous, and impactful 2026. I look forward to working closely with all of you as we advance the shared vision of a thriving, competitive, and industrialised South Africa.
Tafadzwa (Taffie) Chibanguza Chief Executive Officer
