New SATMC chair drives local tyre push

The South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) has announced the appointment of Jacques Rikhotso, Managing Director of Bridgestone Southern Africa, as its new chairperson. The leadership transition signals a strengthened commitment to defending South Africa’s local tyre manufacturing sector amid rising pressure from imported alternatives.

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.”

Ensuring full regulatory compliance across all tyre imports remains a strategic priority for the SATMC. Rikhotso has affirmed that all tyres entering the South African market, regardless of origin, must adhere to the standards set by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS). As a statutory body under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the NRCS is mandated to enforce compulsory safety, health and environmental regulations to safeguard local markets and consumers. “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. 

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.