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Electric cars firm to create 1 000 jobs

30 May, 2021 - 00:05 0 Views
Electric cars firm to create 1 000 jobs

The Sunday Mail

Kuda Bwititi in SANDTON, Johannesburg

AGILITEE Africa, a South African electric vehicles (EVs) manufacturer says it will officially launch its products in Zimbabwe on June 18 and aims to create over 1 000 jobs in the country.

On Friday, Agilitee officially launched a range of new vehicles in Sandton soon after listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on the same day.

The company, which has appointed former Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi as its chairperson, has identified Zimbabwe as one of its prime markets, owing to Government’s  green-tech friendly policies.

The glitzy launch of Agilitee's new products in South Africa was also attended by top SA  celebrities Pearl Thusi and Somizi.

The glitzy launch of Agilitee’s new products in South Africa was also attended by top SA celebrities Pearl Thusi and Somizi.

Speaking at the glitzy launch ceremony, Agilitee Africa chief executive Dr Mandla Lamba said after the launch in Sandton, Zimbabwe was the next port of call.

“We have made history as the first African company of this nature to list on the JSE. We have launched here in Johannesburg and after that we will be launching in Zimbabwe on the 18th of June. Before the end of the year, we want to establish ourselves in all the countries in Africa. Agilitee has also been approached in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Pakistan.

“Agility is a movement and our aim is to conquer the world and make the world a better place by providing electric vehicles that are environmentally friendly.”

Dr Lamba said Agilitee had acquired a majority stake in Zimbabwe’s EVs company, Zimtorque, in a cash-and-share swap deal.

Dr Lamba poses for a photo with Somizi

Prior to the acquisition, ZimTorque was owned by electric cars expert, Mr Tanaka Kutama, who will assume the position of chief operating officer for Agilitee Zimbabwe.

Said Dr Lamba: “We have acquired Mr Tanaka Kutama’s company and we will be working with him. He is a brilliant innovator who fits into our vision.

“Zimbabwe is an important market for us because there are abundant lithium resources in the country and it will be convenient for us to manufacture our products there. We want to create plenty of jobs in Zimbabwe and support the revival of the economy.”

In an interview yesterday, Mr Kutama said Agilitee will create an initial 1 000 jobs when the company commences operations in Zimbabwe.

“We want to revive the automobile industry in a big way in Zimbabwe. We are going to start with the manufacture of motor bikes first before moving to the cars.

“In addition to the assembly plant for the manufacture of the vehicles, we are going to set up charging stations. Essentially, there are going to be many upstream and downstream benefits as well as technological transfer.”

Advocate Chasi said: “Adoption of EVs will help Zimbabwe to fulfil its Sustainable Development Goals commitments. It will help the ordinary person’s businesses, big and small. Government departments and parastatals will benefit in a big way from fuel savings.”

 

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