To hear a body like the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association identifying training, mentorship and capacity building as a core intervention…it basically means they are a trailblazer that is able to show other associations how this can be done." - President Cyril Ramaphosa
STAINLESS STEEL MAGAZINE
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Stainless Steel Digital Magazine!After two years of tumultuous upheaval and unprecedented health and economic challenges, it finally feels as if the South African stainless steel sector is getting back on track. Top articles in the magazine include:
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CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ISSUE |
CPD TECHNICAL WORKSHOP
WOMEN'S ECONOMIC ASSEMBLY LAUNCH
On Wednesday, 6 October 2021 Sassda Market Intelligence Specialist Lesley Squires championed the role of women in the future of the stainless steel industry during a speech at the launch of the Women's Economic Assembly (Watch on YouTube) . During the event she stated; There is a need to create an environment that is diverse and inclusive, and that is not based on gender, but rather on capabilities, skills, potential, value systems and having the right attitude and work ethic…There are also many opportunities in the downstream industries. Women can get involved in the manufacturing of stainless steel products, become wholesalers and distributors of stainless steel. The benefit of this, is that women will bring diversity and a new way of thinking to a traditionally male dominated industry.”
Click here to read the full speech Click here to view Video of Highlights from Sassda
LATEST NEWS

Could Nickel price volatility herald a new era in Stainless Steel Innovation?
One of the key components of stainless steel is nickel, which has recently felt the severe knock-on effects of the war in Ukraine. This is because Russia is the world's third-largest producer of nickel - a key ingredient in stainless steel and a major component in lithium-ion batteries
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Annual South African Stainless Steel Statistics
Amidst the flux of COVID-19 and other societal and economic upheavals we thought it would be helpful to undertake a more in-depth look at the South African stainless steel consumption figures. Here Acting Executive Director Michel Basson presents a longer-term view of Sassda’s renowned industry statistics…
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Women's Economic Assembly Launch - 06 October 2021


Stainless Steel industry perseveres in challenging conditions
Despite significant challenges, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and its ripple effects, the stainless steel sector has shown adaptivity, innovation and resilience.
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Association supports resilient industry through Master Plan


Master Plan to Boost Local Market
Speaking on the steel master plan, which is a blueprint for the industry to re-energise itself and expand production, the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) states that the broad structure demanded is in place and export councils are now working to boost the local stainless steel sector.


Government and Stakeholders Sign Master Plan for the Steel and Metal Fabricator Sector
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, along with industry stakeholders from the steel and metal fabrication sector signed a Master Plan for the sector on Friday 11 June 2021. The Master Plan, which has been developed in consultation with all stakeholders from the industry – including primary steel producers, downstream steel players, met fabricators, and organised labour – provides a blueprint for the industry to re-energise itself and expand production.


Expedited change in Stainless Steel industry expected


The Steel Master Plan
At this difficult and unprecedented stage in the history of the world, our country and industry; Sassda is working with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic) as major partner to alleviate pressure in, and create positive outcomes for, the stainless steel sector. We are therefore committed to keep you up to date with the latest news regarding new developments.


Stainless Hotspots for Growth
As part of the latest phase of the Steel Master Plan development, the Department of Trade Industry & Competition is investigating proposals from industry including ourselves regarding initiatives to kick start industry. Sassda has therefore supplied proposals around the gas field developments in Mozambique and increased domestic LPG/LNG gas use in South Africa as well as import replacements and the rejuvenation of the local hollowware sector.


National and Regional Support
The dti is also continuing to drive the Steel Master Plan forward, and Sassda attended a very positive meeting hosted and chaired by the Minister of Trade & Industry Ebrahim Patel last Friday regarding this plan.


Economic Policy Dialogue African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA)
Sassda recently attended the dti’s Economic Policy Dialogue on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which aims at providing a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of people and investments. Its goal is to boost Intra-Africa trade from an existing level of about 13% to 25% or more over the next decade, thus contributing to economic growth and attracting investments from both within Africa and the world.


Lets’s Talk about Tariffs…
When it comes to the minefield of trade tariffs, Sassda is not a policy creator or implementer but rather acts as an invaluable facilitator based on its strong relationships with the relevant government bodies, to ensure all our members’ interests are equitably represented in an independent and objective manner. Tariffs expert and Sassda Market Intelligence Specialist Lesley Squires explains how this complex relationship works.


Sassda’s Input for Steel Master Plan to Ebrahim Patel
In an effort to fulfil our purpose statement, and with the current lack of projects within South Africa, we have been actively working with Trade Export South Africa and subsequently the Trade Invest Africa units of the dti to facilitate trade between South Africa and other countries on the African Continent. Our particular focus is Africa as the nature of our members’ products tend to be large and therefore logistical costs hamper a lot of exports to the rest of the world.

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