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Milestone 10th Edition at New Venue

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Milestone 10th Edition at New Venue:

Africa’s premier automotive aftermarket trade fair, Automechanika Johannesburg, will celebrate its landmark 10th edition at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from 28-30 October this year, strategically coinciding with Transport Month.

Michael Dehn, Managing Director at show organiser Messe Frankfurt South Africa, emphasises the strategic importance of the venue change. “The move to Gallagher Convention Centre represents our commitment to providing an enhanced experience for exhibitors and visitors. The modern facilities and superior accessibility will create an ideal environment for industry networking and business development.”

The trade fair will showcase six comprehensive product categories, including Parts and components, Electronics and systems, Repair and maintenance, Accessories and customising, Car Wash and reconditioning, and Management and digital Solutions. This year, a particular focus will be placed on emerging technologies and sustainable automotive solutions, reflecting the industry’s evolution towards digital transformation.

A highlight of the 2025 edition will be the Sub-Saharan African Roadshow programme, which will tour key markets which will offer exhibitors unique sponsorship opportunities and access to emerging markets across the continent.

Expanded Programme

Automechanika Johannesburg 2025 will boast an expanded conference programme, with fleet management, the automotive aftermarket, and transport trends, all on the agenda.

The RMI (Retail Motor Industry Organisation) and the ARA (Automotive Remanufacturers Association) will team up for a Gas Conversion Exhibition. In addition, the South African Metered Taxi and E-hailing Association (SAMTEA) E-Hailing Conference, the Township Mechanics Indaba, and the three-day Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Sub-Saharan Africa Conference will also take place.

Enhanced networking opportunities will also be realised through the Automechanika CEO Breakfast series and various industry-specific forums. “What sets Automechanika Johannesburg apart is its comprehensive coverage of the automotive industry,” adds Dehn. “From parts and components to digital solutions and vehicle reconditioning, we’re creating a one-stop platform for industry professionals to explore, connect, and grow their businesses.”

Growing in Stature

Following the success of the 2024 event, which attracted trade visitors from 47 countries which included 22 African countries, the 2025 edition will aim to increase representation from last year’s participating nations.

“Automechanika Johannesburg 2024 proved to be an exceptional platform for logistics and transport professionals. With so many exhibitors and representation from a host of nations, the event demonstrated the vital role South Africa plays in the regional automotive sector,” states Elvin Harris, President of CILT South Africa. “Our CILT members particularly benefited from the comprehensive range of cutting-edge products and services at the exhibition and cutting-edge insights shared during the conference sessions. The integration of digital solutions and sustainable transport practices perfectly aligned with our organisation’s vision for the future of African logistics.”

Sifiso Gcaba, Project Manager of SAMTEA, praised the 2024 event’s integrated approach. “The synergy between exhibitions and concurrent conferences created unprecedented opportunities for business growth. Last year, we witnessed numerous spontaneous business connections forming on the exhibition floor, with over 30 new potential members approaching us during the event. We are eager to expand on this success in October.”

Sponsorship and exhibition Packages

Various sponsorship packages are also open, ranging from headline sponsorship to targeted marketing opportunities, allowing businesses of all sizes to maximise their visibility at the event.

Furthermore, comprehensive booth packages are acquirable for exhibitors, including both basic and furnished options, with early bird rates in effect. The exhibition space can accommodate custom-built requirements for larger displays, with flexible options available for specific needs.

“The organisers’ commitment to continual improvement, evidenced through quarterly stakeholder meetings and responsive planning, ensures that Automechanika Johannesburg is an essential industry gathering,” concludes RMI National Director, Attie Serfontein.

– MyZA

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The World’s Largest Man-Made Urban Forest

One of the most surprising facts about Johannesburg is its status as a “green” city. When the first settlers arrived, the Highveld was a barren, treeless grassland (savannah). To support the mining industry, millions of trees were imported and planted to provide timber for mine underground supports. Fast forward to the present day, and Johannesburg is widely considered the largest man-made urban forest in the world.

There are an estimated 10 million trees within the city limits. This includes 1.2 million trees on sidewalks and in parks, and over 4.8 million in private gardens. This forest is so dense that satellite images of the northern suburbs often resemble a tropical rainforest. The most iconic of these trees is the Jacaranda, which was imported from South America in the early 20th century. Every October and November, the city turns a vibrant shade of purple as thousands of Jacarandas bloom simultaneously. However, this “forest” also highlights the city’s historical inequality; during the Apartheid era, trees were predominantly planted in wealthy white suburbs, leaving townships like Soweto as dusty plains. In the last two decades, “Greening Soweto” initiatives have seen hundreds of thousands of trees planted to bridge this “green divide,” emphasizing the role of urban forestry in social justice and climate cooling.