The South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) has appointed Jacques Rikhotso, Managing Director of Bridgestone Southern Africa, as its new chairperson. The move is aligned with a renewed focus on defending local manufacturing against the growing influx of imported tyres.
Rikhotso’s appointment comes as the domestic industry contends with mounting pressure from Chinese imports. “Our top priorities are advancing regulatory alignment, promoting the use of locally manufactured tyres, and ensuring fair competition in the domestic market,” Rikhotso says. “We’re focused on three key levers: ensuring regulatory parity for all players, enhancing local manufacturing competitiveness, and driving consumer awareness around quality, safety and sustainability.”
A key issue on the SATMC’s agenda is enforcing compliance across all tyre imports. Rikhotso emphasises that regardless of origin, tyres must comply with the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) regulations. The NRCS is a government entity under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. It is responsible for ensuring that certain products meet compulsory safety, health, and environmental standards before they are sold or used in the country. “We’re working closely with authorities to ensure robust testing, tighter border control, and compliance enforcement,” he says.
Nduduzo Chala, SATMC Managing Executive, has welcomed Rikhotso’s leadership, stating, “Jacques brings a firm commitment to industrial resilience, and his focus on protecting local manufacturing aligns strongly with our long-term vision.”
Rikhotso has also highlighted the environmental burden posed by low-cost imported new tyres, which are often brought in at prices that undermine local manufacturers. “We support stronger Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks that apply equally to all importers,” he notes.
The SATMC actively advocates for and supports the implementation of anti-dumping duties on imported tyres to protect the local tyre industry from unfair competition. These duties aim to address situations where foreign producers export products at prices lower than their domestic prices, with the aim to destroy local industry and at later stage increase their prices. In a recent case, SATMC successfully lobbied for the imposition of anti-dumping duties on Chinese-sourced passenger, truck and bus tyres, ranging from 7.18% to 43.6%, to address dumping of these products.
Looking ahead, Rikhotso plans to build on the SATMC’s Homegrown #DrivingLocal initiative, which champions tyres made in South Africa by highlighting their high quality, compliance with national safety standards, and contribution to local jobs and economic growth. “It is also important to note that South African tyres are fully compatible with all vehicles, including Chinese brands,” he notes.
“Our job now is to ensure that local options remain accessible, competitive, and top of mind. I am confident that the SATMC will achieve this,” he concludes.
