Markus Schäfer and Andreas Engling, Mercedes-Benz South Africa CEO and Executive Director Production, welcomed distinguished guests from South African and German spheres of politics and business, to the official visit of the President: Dr. Rob Davies, Minister of the Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa, Nhlanhla Nene, Minister of Finance of South Africa, Phumulo Masualle, Premier of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane, Member of the Executive Council for Economic Development, Xola Phakathi, Executive Mayor Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and Andreas Kellermann, Vice President Head of Production S-, E- and C-Class.
The year 2018 marks the sixtieth anniversary of Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle production at the East London plant. Over the years, the plant has evolved as a significant contributor to South Africa’s trade balance and an economic multiplier for East London. Furthermore, the plant actively commits to the community of East London and the Eastern Cape. One example is the Mercedes-Benz Learning Academy (MBLA) - a flagship and sustainable Public Private Partnership in cooperation with the National Treasury and the Jobs Fund, demonstrates the commitment of Mercedes-Benz South Africa to empowerment and youth development in the automotive manufacturing sector. Since 2004, MBLA has offered world-class quality training and transferrable skills, qualifying hundreds of skilled artisans in the Eastern Cape.