“At the time I met Hoosain I didn’t know industry networks, but he sat me down and took me through everything, within a year I had to learn a lot quickly in order for me to understand how the industry works thanks to him’’, these were the parting words of Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) CEO, Thabo Shenxane, as he nostalgically described his predecessor, on Monday the 27th May at the Humewood Golf Club in Gqeberha.
Hoosain Mahomed whom his co-workers affectionately call “HOOS” is popular for his big brotherly demeanour and approach to things, his fervent desire to help others, and steadfast approach to life make him remarkably unique. All these were tributes paid to him by staff, industry stakeholders and friends alike, who gathered in numbers to bid him farewell on his last week of service at AIDC-EC. As he descends into his retirement, the tumultuous AIDC-EC family he leaves behind begged the question, ‘’ but who is going to be our next braai master and pro-golfer?’’
He has served the AIDC-EC as Supplier Development Manager from year 2015 until 2017 where his responsibilities included, but not limited to engaging with all stakeholders on various initiatives around global competitiveness; being instrumental in the supplier development and worldclass manufacturing programmes aimed at making the automotive and manufacturing sectors be more globally competitive.
Hoosain assumed a role of General Manager at AIDC-EC from 2017 to 2021 and became instrumental in realising the AIDC-EC primary mandate. During this tenure he saw the success of The Jobs FUND PRIME Project where the AIDC-EC partnered with the Jobs Fund National Treasury. Implemented over a 3 year cycle, the project impacted and created over 115 permanent jobs, a total of 140 graduates received high level training that equipped them to add greater value in their own environments, automotive manufacturing best practices were transferred to other manufacturing sectors, over 30 Six Sigma Green Belt projects were initiated by AIDC-EC and its graduates on shop-floors of automotive companies etc.
Another momentous milestone he was instrumental in was the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) Incubatee Project where the AIDC-EC partnered with Jobs Fund National Treasury, the Eastern Cape Development Cooperation (ECDC), and BCMM successfully launched an automotive aftermarket incubator in Mdantsane, East London, with the aim of growing the industry and developing new BBBEE companies.
The AIDC-EC was able to create 9 new businesses, 71 new permanent jobs and a monthly wage bill of R217 000 with a total investment of R10 million.
The role of the AIDC-EC included identifying incubatees, overall project management and providing mentorship and support to nine incubatees, which included quarterly feedback to Jobs Fund National Treasury and Funders.
From 2021, till present, Hoosain, as a Stakeholder Relations Manager, spearheaded the creation and execution of the stakeholder engagement strategy which involves building and strengthening relationships, and strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders as well as building external support for the organisation.
The trailblazer also cemented himself by serving in the Board of Directors of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
The AIDC-EC wishes him well on his next chapter.
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