From left, Ziyaad Jappie and Zaaid Smith from Pro-Khaya construction, Prof Danie Hattingh, eNtsa Director, Chuma Mshumpela, Mandela University Infrastructure Manager, Julien de Klerk, eNtsa Engineering Engagement Director, Prof Dalenca Pottas, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, Nadine Goliath, eNtsa Operations Manager, Kevin Horn and Riccardo Temmers from AIDC Eastern Cape and Edem Foli, Mandela University, uYilo, Acting Director.
The refurbishment site on the Ocean Sciences Campus was handed over to the appointed contractor recently to begin work on a new testing and knowledge transfer space for the entity.
eNtsa’s team of engineers, scientists, researchers, and graduates have been supporting the local manufacturing sector for over 20 years and regularly helps small businesses to perform testing and product development. This support often aims to provide confidence that South African made parts meet international standards.
“eNtsa currently supports industry members, SMEs and entrepreneurs with engineering, technology and testing services from our facilities on North Campus. This new site will extend the available capacity for engagement activities of this nature.
“The current spaces are constrained and there is little opportunity for expansion of technologies, projects, and youth learning opportunities”, says eNtsa’s Julien de Klerk, the team project leader.
The facility on Ocean Sciences Campus also creates the opportunity to use experiences in the automotive sector to increase activities in multiple sectors, which benefit the region, such as the marine manufacturing space. This also provides an industry aligned space for cross-discipline Work Integrated Learning for youth.
eNtsa currently provides testing of various parts, such as automotive fittings or pressed metal parts. Examples of testing includes checking if the parts are manufactured within the shape tolerance, that welds meet strength and penetration requirements or if the part can withstand a corrosive environment without rusting prematurely.
eNtsa 3D measurement and scanning, supplier development team and hardness testing
Access to these tests help local manufacturers monitor and improve their processes and give confidence to international clients of the quality of locally produced parts, supporting the opportunity for job creation and localisation/export contracts in the region.
As part of the same multi-stakeholder collaboration, eNtsa is currently hosting the Automotive Localisation Testing (ALT) Programme, which offers qualifying Eastern Cape SME automotive component suppliers in the Tier 2/3 category to access limited subsidised testing, at no cost, to assist with the localisation of parts. Interested SMEs in the region can contact entsatesting@mandela.ac.za for more information.
eNtsa design and modelling, testing laboratory and tensile testing
This cross-sectoral support initiative is supported by several University stakeholders, namely, project funding investment from the AIDC-EC and eNtsa and technology infrastructure supported by the TIA funded Technology Station Programme, an initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation. Additional stakeholders in the marine and SME development sector are also establishing support for the project, which is planned to be launched by March 2024.
Through partnership with the AIDC Eastern Cape there is great opportunity to support the development of lower tier suppliers in the automotive space and to leverage this established industry to create localisation opportunities for associated industries, such as marine manufacturing, aerospace, and many others.
The new space will also create an opportunity for knowledge transfer for young professionals (graduates, postgraduates, and senior students) to gain first-hand experience through work-integrated-learning on industry requirements and challenges within eNtsa’s facility.