By Sibusiso Khanye
Thursday, 13 March 2025, JA Engineering (JAE) welcomed the Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Mr Lebogang Maile, to their world class manufacturing facilities and head-office in Boksburg, Gauteng. This follows the MEC’s visit to the JAE’s exhibition stand during the Africa Mining indaba, in Cape Town, in February.
JA Engineering has established itself as a premier manufacturing engineering local business that services global clients. It operates an extensive global network that includes a manufacturing plant, repair and rebuild facilities, sales and services, engineering expertise, and aftermarket distribution. With a strategic footprint in Johannesburg, Kwa Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Botswana, Australia, and India.
This visit comes hot on the heels of the 2025 Budget Speech where Minister Godongwana highlighted that South Africa must accelerate its economic development growth plans and attract investment by supporting key business sectors to be globally competitive and create much needed jobs in the economy.
“For the Gauteng government, a business such as JAE stands out as a beacon of hope for the province’s vision of achieving a radically transformed, modernised and re-industrialised economy, manifesting decent work, economic inclusion and equity in the region.
Their engagement with JAE is an opportunity to showcase investment opportunities in the province, it also shows how Gauteng government foster collaboration and demonstrates to the world, the ease of doing business in the province,’’ said MEC Maile.
On arrival, the MEC was met by the executive leaders of JAE and they took the opportunity to orientate the MEC about their industry and its potential for accessing export markets and growing globally in the mining equipment space, while benefiting the local mining value chain.
“We are delighted to host the MEC and for the opportunity to showcase the state-of-the-art JAE premises, particularly the investment made in the workshop and in machinery that helps complete the manufacturing process efficiently. They are ready to work with the provincial government in support of the re-industrialisation strategy of Gauteng,” remarked Matimba Mahange, Chief Executive Officer of JA Engineering.
During the site walkabout with the MEC, the JAE showcased the workshop and export capabilities production that take place on a daily basis. They highlighted the company’s contribution to industrialisation and manufacturing capabilities with 80% local content.
JAE was also excited to share more details about the new venture of Ferrit Technology Africa which is a joint venture between JAE and Ferrit, a company from the Czech Republic.
“Our equipment is meticulously designed to meet the rigorous demands of underground environments globally.
By leveraging our world class product offering, JAE has the opportunity to contribute innovation and expertise that is already inherent in the business to impact skills development, job creation and in turn, assist the Gauteng province to be a hub for manufacturing excellence, increasing South Africa’s global participation in the mining and manufacturing sector,” Mr Mahange added.
The MEC was upbeat about the visit as he believes that Gauteng can only prosper and achieve its economic growth plans by supporting and driving re-industrialization and supporting businesses, such as JAE, that can increase South Africa’s access to global markets, while positively impacting local economic development.
