Industry Interview with CAMASA Chairperson Johan Steyn

Mr. Steyn, for the majority of our readers the aviation industry in Africa and your association CAMASA might be a new topic. Could you explain us in three sentences what your association is doing?

CAMAS focusses on the bilateral growth between industry, government and international OEM’s to significantly boost South Africans commercial aerospace manufacturing exports.

How many companies are organized in your association? In which sectors are companies in your association active?

There is around 100 companies directly involved in Aerospace Design, Certification and Manufacture of Aerospace parts, assemblies, sub-systems and complete aircraft

The association aim to be an “inclusive” grouping of manufacturers & exporters, supplier companies and service and technology providers.

Where do you see African and especially South African aviation industry at the moment?

South African Industry is still “bogged down” by poor policies and especially poor execution, corruption and mismanagement in the public sector – and it will take some time to recover that situation.

And OEM’s (and new opportunities) will always be linked to buying new aircraft and growing commercial aerospace industry – so growth a critical – to create new opportunities.

How do you assess the future potential of the South African aviation industry?

The technology and skill level, combined with innovative spirit is a unique South African asset.  Although the industry is small, it has massive potential for growth – especially in the niche and export market.

In the last years, especially Chinese companies and the government decided to invest heavily in different sectors and companies in Africa. Do companies from your association profit from these investments?

There are longstanding and established relationships already – for example pilot training of more than 3,000 Chinese pilots annually in South Africa.

Other opportunities are staring to become visible, including infrastructure and MRO investment interest is building – not only in South Africa – but sub-Saharan Africa.

On your association’s website, Europe is named as a potential export market for the South African aviation industry. How are you currently cooperating with European companies?

Significant products ranges are exported to Germany, France, and the UK by Aerosud and others including Cobham, Hensholt, SAAB-Grintek, Aerosud, AAT – delivering into Airbus and Airbus Defence and Space – at platforms such as A320, A350, A380 and A400M.

And then companies like Jonkers Sailplane – where most of the gliders that they build - sell in Germany.

What are problems and obstacles for cooperations between companies from South Africa and Europe?

Long Term Strategic alliances have to be formed – not just opportunistic collaborations.

Regulatory environment in South Africa is sub-standard and EASA approval and association of South Africa is critical – for example for part 21 and part 145.

Linking into the EACP is highly recommended - in some way or the other.

One question regarding your countries flag carrier. According to several media reports, South African Airways is facing financial problems. How do you assess the current situation of the airline and what forecast do you have for the future of the airline?

As a State-Owned Enterprise it is a failed airline. It needs to be completely restructured before re-capitalization is done – otherwise it will be another waste of tax payers money. Then there are great examples of Ethiopian, Kenyan and others where the opposite is clearly possible.

Where do you see the African, and especially the South African aviation industry sector in five years?

Hopefully we can achieve a few CAMASA’s objectives like doubling the manufactured exports over a period of five years.

Thank you very much for your time!