Ahead of the AMEU Convention 2026, ESI Africa spoke to Paddy Padayachee about how local manufacturing and asset refurbishment can address infrastructure backlogs at South African municipalities.
The vice Chairperson of the AMEU Steering Committee explained that municipalities and private sector suppliers have to maintain a collaborative operational partnership that goes beyond the basic buyer and seller dynamic.
“Municipalities handle the grid distribution and daily delivery while we in the private sector supply the specialised engineering and heavy-duty hardware that literally keeps the lights on.
“We co-engineer the equipment specifically for the South Africa conditions. Network stability comes down to strict quality compliance,” Padayachee insisted.
Local municipal procurement to save time and money
Padayachee said local manufacturing of electricity equipment can greatly cut overseas delivery times. “If municipalities import heavy electrical gear, they often wait for anywhere from six to twelve months. Local plants can build, test, deliver the same equipment in a fraction of the time, clearing bottlenecks fast.
“Refurbishment gives you massive savings and extends asset lifespan…
“By refurbishing existing units like transformers… we extend the operational life at about half the cost of buying new,” said Padayachee.
Find out what how else localisation help municipalities and what affiliates could expect from the AMEU Convention 2026.
