Aerospace Indaba 2025

Press Release
For Immediate Release – 24 October 2025

Aerospace Indaba 2025 charts a new course for South Africa’s aviation and aerospace industry

Sandton, Johannesburg — The 2025 Aerospace Indaba, held yesterday at GIBS in Illovo, brought together leaders from across the aviation spectrum — from general aviation and manufacturing to defence, finance, and technology — to discuss how collaboration and innovation can drive sustainable growth in South Africa’s aerospace sector.

Opening the event, Programme Director Renè-Peter Masoen described the Indaba as “a platform to turn discussion into direction,” highlighting the need for both government and industry to reimagine South Africa’s role in global aviation. Lieutenant General Wiseman Simo Mbambo, Chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF), set the tone with a call for stronger cooperation between civil and defence aviation, arguing that shared infrastructure, skills, and supply chains could strengthen capability across the entire ecosystem.

Kaval Shah from Pratt & Whitney Canada outlined how technology-driven partnerships and predictive maintenance are reshaping aviation operations worldwide. He pointed to the growing importance of collaboration between OEMs and local operators to improve fleet reliability and build South African technical capacity.

Industry strategist James Kerr provided a frank assessment of the challenges facing general aviation, citing rising costs, regulatory hurdles, and declining flight activity. His presentation, “Grounded but Not Defeated,” urged renewed investment in training, certification reform, and local manufacturing to restore confidence and momentum across the sector.

Adding a global perspective, Nam-Binh Hoang, Managing Director of Airbus Southern Africa, discussed the company’s expanding footprint in training, maintenance, and uncrewed systems. He noted that South Africa’s mix of industrial expertise and regional demand creates a strong base for growth in general and commercial aviation alike.

Panels throughout the day examined the state of general aviation, next-generation manufacturing, skills development, and financial resilience. Speakers including General Isaac Moreetsi of the SAAF, Bruce Fraser of Starlite Aviation, Thato Matsha of Investec, and Biko Managa of the CSIR stressed that building a competitive aerospace sector requires coordinated policy, local innovation, and accessible funding to support new entrants and small operators.

Closing the Indaba, Shai Shalem of Safomar Aviation called for unity across the value chain, noting that “the strength of South African aviation lies in how effectively we connect its parts — from pilots and engineers to financiers and policymakers.”

The 2025 Aerospace Indaba reinforced that South Africa’s future in aviation depends on rebalancing priorities between defence and general aviation — building local capability, nurturing skilled professionals, and creating an environment where innovation and investment can thrive.

ENDS Media enquiries:
Candice Klein-Mutendi
Creative Space Media
Email: candice@creativespacemedia.co.za