Railways Africa Magazine

Phillippa Dean

Railways Africa Magazine discusses the activities of African railway operators and the supporting railway industry. Railways Africa has been providing railway news and rail-related business intelligence - focused specifically on the African continent since the early ’50s. Our platforms consist of - Railways Africa Live, Coffee with the editor, the immersive experience and our weekly and monthly publication. Our online premium platform provides project information as well as opportunities to our premium subscribers. We offer a compressive range of communication services to bring you closer to your customers in addition to research projects. You can find us on online and on the following social media platforms - YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. We look forward to bringing you closer to rail operators both private and public in Africa. #rail #railways #railwaysafrica

  1. Sep 4

    Safety, Digital Rail and Global Heavy Haul Lessons for South Africa

    Safety, technology, skills development and the choice of operating model were among the key themes emerging from the International Heavy Haul Association Technical Workshop in Cape Town. Speaking to Railways Africa, Brian Monakali of the South African Heavy Haul Association and Chief Executive Officer of the Railway Safety Regulator explains why safety must remain at the centre of heavy haul operations. He says technology deployment and a stronger safety culture can improve safety and, in turn, support greater operational efficiency. The workshop highlighted common challenges facing heavy haul operators, including incidents, derailments and level-crossing issues. Through the IHHA, member countries have a platform to share best practice and improve their operations. Monakali also reflects on the different railway models represented at the workshop. These include integrated mine-to-port operations, government-owned systems, concessions and other arrangements. He says this international experience can help South Africa implement a model that works for the country as it pursues rail reform and recovery. Technology is increasingly moving from planning into implementation. Monakali points to autonomous train operations in Australia and digital signalling systems implemented by MRS in Brazil and operators in other countries. These developments reflect progress against the heavy haul industry’s 2030 roadmap, which focuses on technology, engineering solutions and innovation. Technical and operational skills development was another key area of focus, particularly how IHHA members can collaborate to improve capabilities. South Africa, through Transnet and the South African Heavy Haul Association, has been elected to lead the IHHA for the next two years. Nkululeko Gobhozi of Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager was elected Chairperson, with Mr Wang of China elected Vice Chairperson. Watch the full interview with Brian Monakali. Subscribe to Railways Africa for interviews, technical insight and reporting from across the African railway industry.

  2. Aug 28

    Nixon Dlamini Discusses Regional Integration and the Eswatini Rail Link

    At the International Heavy Haul Association Technical Workshop in Cape Town, Railways Africa spoke to Nixon Dlamini, Chief Executive Officer of Eswatini Railways and President of the Southern African Railways Association. Dlamini discusses SARA’s objective of supporting the seamless movement of regional rail traffic and the need for greater coordination across infrastructure, operating standards and heavy-haul requirements. For Eswatini Railways, understanding developments in neighbouring networks is particularly important because South African commodities and rolling stock move through Eswatini. The country also sits between routes serving Richards Bay and, once the planned rail connection is completed, Maputo. Dlamini provides an update on the Eswatini Rail Link, confirming that Eswatini Railways and Transnet are working to establish the appropriate procurement mechanism. Syndicates of regional and international financiers have been given access to project data, to review the material accumulated during the project’s development. The first phase of resettlement in Eswatini is complete, the government has committed to completing phase two and the servitudes have been cleared. Dlamini says that, if financial close is achieved this year, he estimates that the link could be completed within a further three years. The interview also covers the Mmamabula–Lephalale connection in Botswana, ongoing discussions with Mozambique’s CFM and the successful testing of 85-wagon and 160-wagon trains with Transnet Freight Rail.

  3. Aug 28

    New IHHA Chair Puts Heavy-Haul Standards on the Agenda

    Nkululeko Gobhozi has been named incoming Chairperson of the International Heavy Haul Association for the next two years. Speaking to Railways Africa following the announcement at the IHHA Technical Workshop in Cape Town, Gobhozi outlines two priorities for his term: revitalising the association’s technical and operational best-practice publications and beginning a review of the standards used across the international heavy-haul sector. Heavy-haul railways currently work across several regional and national standards covering rail, rolling stock, testing and other technical requirements. Gobhozi believes the IHHA can help align these systems by creating a recognised heavy-haul reference against which technologies and test results can be assessed. Such an approach could reduce repeated testing and shorten the time required to introduce proven technologies into other heavy-haul markets. Local technical due diligence and supplier qualification would still be required. The interview also examines the communications and signalling infrastructure needed to support South Africa’s changing railway operating environment. Gobhozi explains why electronic interlocking is an important short-term step towards reducing vulnerable physical infrastructure and creating a foundation for future train-control systems such as ETCS or PTC. With additional train operating companies preparing to use the South African network, he says that the industry should adopt clearly communicated standards that allow multiple manufacturers to compete without prescribing a single supplier’s technology. Watch the full interview for insight into Gobhozi’s IHHA priorities, the future of heavy-haul technical standards and South Africa’s phased signalling and communications strategy.

  4. Aug 28

    How Transnet Is Rebuilding Coal Line Performance

    Transnet Freight Rail’s coal business has recovered 10 million tonnes of annual volume in two years, moving from a low of approximately 48 million tonnes to 58 million tonnes. Speaking to Railways Africa at the International Heavy Haul Association Technical Workshop in Cape Town, Theo Johnson, General Manager of Transnet Freight Rail’s Coal Business Unit, explains what has driven the recovery and what must still be done. A stronger security focus has contributed to a 50% year-on-year reduction in security incidents. Signalling systems are being restored, 102 Class 23E locomotives have been deployed with maintenance support, and additional employees have been moved to the coal line as TFR continues its operational ramp-up. The business is currently operating at a 60 million-tonne tempo and is targeting approximately 61 to 62 million tonnes by the end of the RBCT financial year. The next objective is to reach 65 million tonnes in 2027, with the longer-term recovery required to take performance beyond 70 million tonnes. Johnson also discusses the work undertaken during the annual shutdown, after which TFR delivered more than 1.35 million tonnes to Richards Bay Coal Terminal in the first week. According to Johnson, this was its strongest first-week post-shutdown result in five years. The interview examines the relationship between infrastructure, locomotives, wagons, security and people, as well as TFR’s interest in AI-supported train inspection. Watch the full interview for a detailed account of the coal line recovery, the remaining constraints and the operational work behind TFR’s 65 million-tonne target.

  5. Aug 28

    What Global Heavy-Haul Rail Can Teach South Africa About Safety

    What can South Africa learn from countries that have increased heavy-haul rail volumes while addressing level-crossing risk, yard collisions and environmental performance? Railways Africa speaks to Mpumi Ekeke, Chairperson of the Railway Safety Regulator, during the International Heavy Haul Association Technical Workshop in Cape Town. Ekeke explains why international collaboration matters to the regulator as South Africa works towards the national target of moving 250 million tonnes of freight by rail annually by 2030. She reflects on the scale achieved by Australia, India’s work to reduce level crossings and Brazil’s use of automated yard operations. Watch the full interview for the Railway Safety Regulator’s perspective on how international experience could inform safer railway operations in South Africa. Subscribe to Railways Africa for interviews, technical insight and verified reporting on the people, projects and policies changing rail across the continent.

  6. Aug 28

    Moshe Motlohi on Transnet’s Network, Technology and the Next 50 Years of Heavy Haul

    South Africa has operated heavy-haul railways for 50 years, but the next phase will require a different approach to technology, skills, network access and the productive use of secondary railway lines. At the International Heavy Haul Association Technical Workshop in Cape Town, Railways Africa spoke to Moshe Motlohi, Chief Executive of the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager, about what South Africa can learn from other leading heavy-haul systems. Motlohi reflects on Australia’s transition to automated train operations, India’s approach to removing level crossings and the value of exposing South African railway professionals to operating environments elsewhere in the world. The conversation then turns to Transnet’s Network Statement and the B-network. Motlohi explains why the main corridors cannot operate effectively without the secondary lines that connect freight sources to consolidation points. Eleven lines have entered an RFP process, while an RFI is being used to assess market interest in other routes. For TRIM, the outcome will not be judged simply by how many kilometres are restored. The real measure will be how much freight and how many passengers return to rail. Watch the full interview for insight into South Africa’s heavy-haul capability, the future of the B-network and Transnet’s plans to bring more of the national railway infrastructure into productive use.

  7. Aug 17

    Alstom Sees Signalling and Open Access Driving South Africa’s Next Rail Phase

    At the recent Africa Rail event, Phillippa Dean, Editor of Railways Africa, spoke with Martin Vaujour, President of Alstom’s Africa, Middle East and Central Asia region, about what comes next for South Africa’s passenger and freight rail networks. The discussion covered Alstom’s established manufacturing and maintenance activities in South Africa before turning to the next phase of rail development. Vaujour identified signalling, maintenance systems, predictive maintenance and digitalisation as areas requiring attention if South Africa is to improve the efficiency and capacity of its existing rail network. The interview also examined South Africa’s move towards rail open access and the potential implications for freight locomotive demand. Vaujour said new Train Operating Companies were approaching Alstom for additional freight capacity, while the company’s TRAXX production capability remained available as its existing Transnet Freight Rail order approached completion. Beyond South Africa, the conversation covered Alstom’s activities in Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco and Egypt, including signalling, rolling stock, metro and high-speed rail projects.

  8. Jul 3

    Siemens Mobility South Africa CEO on Rail Reform, Digitalisation and High-Speed Rail

    Africa’s rail sector is moving into a new phase, shaped by reform, open access, corridor development, digitalisation and the need for more reliable infrastructure. In this episode of Railways Africa Coffee with the Editor, Phillippa Dean speaks to Florian Kellenberger, Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Mobility South Africa. Florian explained his first priorities since taking up the South African CEO role, Siemens Mobility’s view of the local rail market, and why standardised, reliable infrastructure will be critical for rail reform. The conversation also explores the role of signalling, train control and ETCS in enabling interoperability, how digital rail systems can improve asset availability and operational visibility, and what South Africa can learn from large-scale rail projects elsewhere, including Siemens Mobility’s high-speed rail work in Egypt. Topics covered include: South Africa’s rail reform and open access environmentThe role of signalling, ETCS and train controlDigitalisation, maintenance planning and operational visibilityHigh-speed rail and future corridor developmentPublic-private participation and bankable rail projectsSiemens Mobility’s regional role across AfricaLocal capability, skills development and lifecycle support Watch the full interview for insight into what Africa’s next phase of rail modernisation could require, and how technology partners like Siemens Mobility support the shift from reform policy to operational delivery.

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About

Railways Africa Magazine discusses the activities of African railway operators and the supporting railway industry. Railways Africa has been providing railway news and rail-related business intelligence - focused specifically on the African continent since the early ’50s. Our platforms consist of - Railways Africa Live, Coffee with the editor, the immersive experience and our weekly and monthly publication. Our online premium platform provides project information as well as opportunities to our premium subscribers. We offer a compressive range of communication services to bring you closer to your customers in addition to research projects. You can find us on online and on the following social media platforms - YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. We look forward to bringing you closer to rail operators both private and public in Africa. #rail #railways #railwaysafrica

Information

  • Creator
    Phillippa Dean
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Phillippa Dean
  • Show Website
    Railways Africa Magazine