Railways Africa Magazine

Professor Jan Havenga, the newly appointed board member of PRASA, offered an insightful dialogue on current rail affairs in South Africa, during the celebration of the PRASA’s 200th train launch in Cape Town on 23 April 2024. His expertise in freight logistics will bring fresh perspectives to passenger rail transport. Full article: https://www.railways.africa/rails-of-change-professor-havenga-curr...

Join Railways Africa Magazine for an insightful interview with Athanacious Makgamatha, General Manager: SAD Signals and Telecoms, as he discusses the latest advancements in South Africa’s passenger rail systems. Recorded during a celebratory event on April 23, marking the 200th trainset and the re-signalling of the Southern Line in Cape Town, Makgamatha shares valuable insights into ongoing progre...

A brief discussion on the future of rail transport in South Africa with Ngwako Makaepea, Deputy Director General of Rail Transport, during the PRASA celebration in Cape Town on 23 April 2024. Ngwako highlights the Department of Transport's commitment to advancing rail reform, emphasising the importance of laying down foundational building blocks for a robust system. He discusses key initiatives su...

Join us in this interview as the Minister of Transport, Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga, discusses significant advancements in South Africa's passenger railway system, including the delivery of the 200th train from a total of 600, and the national signalling programme. As of 23 April, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has successfully recovered 31 of the 40 rail corridors.

At the Land Linked Zambia Event held on April 4-5, 2024, in Zambia, we caught up with Mudiwa Mupfanochiya from Cornelder de Moçambique, S.A., for a "Coffee With the Editor" interview. Mudiwa provided an insightful overview of the operations and strategic role of the Port of Beira, managed by the private consortium formed through a partnership between the Mozambican public company Porto e Caminhos...

In this edition of Railways Africa Magazine’s "Coffee with the Editor," filmed at the recent Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event, we speak with Raymond Shoniwa, the General Manager of Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR).

Railways Africa Magazine's "Coffee with the Editor" filmed at the recent Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event, features Johan Laubscher, CEO of Afri-Track Group Holdings & Afri-Track Railway Construction. Johan elaborates on Afri-Track's strategic expansion plans, noting their ventures in South Africa, Botswana, and their home base in Namibia. According to Johan, the next stop is Zambia, as they now prep...

In this edition of Railways Africa Magazine’s 'Coffee with the Editor,' filmed at the recent Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event, we speak with Bruno Ching'andu, Managing Director of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA). He discusses the current state and forward-looking strategies set to shape the future of TAZARA.

In this episode of Railways Africa Magazine's "Coffee with the Editor," filmed at the recent Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event, we sit down with Sifiso Ndhlukula, Managing Director of Swala Logistics. Sifiso discusses the establishment of Swala Rail Solutions, a commercial company registered in the DRC in 2022, with the aim of operating rail services between the DRC and Zambia. The company has procure...

In this Coffee with the Editor session, join us for an enlightening discussion with Webster Gonzo, the acting CEO of TransNamib, captured at the recently held Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event. Gonzo provides an update on Namibia’s major rail projects, including the strategic Trans-Kalahari Railway, the Kranzberg-Otjiwarongo, and the Trans-Zambezi initiatives, all supported significantly by the govern...

In this Coffee with the Editor, with Ir. Victor Kaluila Muzembe, Director of Planning for the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC), we find out more about the strategic expansion and railway modernisation efforts amidst the Democratic Republic of the Congo's mining boom. We discuss how SNCC is opening its extensive railway network to private operators, securing significant private...

Join us as we explore the dynamic changes and strategic advancements at Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL), in this Coffee with the Editor, filmed during the recently held Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event. Mr. Emmanuel Hachipuka, Chairperson of the Board, shares inside details on Zambia's rail sector transformation. We discuss the ambitious greenfield projects managed through the Zambian Ministry of Trans...

In this "Coffee with the Editor," James Holley, CEO of Traxtion, discusses the company's ambitious expansion plans and strategic initiatives within the dynamic context of railway operations in South Africa and the broader African continent. James shares insights into the extensive refurbishment and modernisation of an additional 20 locomotives at the Rosslyn workshops, highlighting the process of...

Join us in this exclusive Coffee with the Editor session, where our Editor sits down with Mr. Masanja K. Kadogosa, the Director General of Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC). Discover the groundbreaking developments in Tanzania's railway network. From the near completion of the Dar es Salaam-Morogoro and Morogoro-Dodoma sections to future projects linking Tanzania with neighbouring countries, del...

Join us in an insightful conversation with Ibrah Wahabou, Senior Programme Officer at AUDA-NEPAD, as we explore the future of Africa's rail infrastructure. Recorded in Addis Ababa, this interview delves deep into the initiatives and challenges of developing a connected, efficient, and sustainable railway network across the continent. Key Highlights: - AU-NEPAD's role in translating policies into d...

Join us for a special edition of "Coffee with the Editor" as we sit down with Eric Ntagengerwa from the African Union during the recently held railway technical experts workshop on the Africa Integrated High Speed Railway Network, a flagship project of the AU Agenda 2063, held in Addis Ababa from 12-14th December 2023. Eric provides an in-depth look at the workshop's objectives, including assessin...

In our "Coffee with the Editor" segment, set against the backdrop of the International Railway Safety Council conference hosted by the Railway Safety Regulator, we feature Thami Gwala, the CEO of SAFLog. Reflecting on SAFLog's journey, Gwala recalled that they were one of the first companies to obtain their license in 2004. This not only marked a historic moment, being recognized as the first blac...

Amidst the bustle of the International Railway Safety Council conference in Cape Town, hosted by the Railway Safety Regulator, we engaged in a candid "Coffee with the Editor" session with James Holley, the CEO of Traxtion. Our discussion touches on Traxtion's growth, the challenges and opportunities facing South Africa's railway sector, and the actionable steps ahead for the industry. Aligning wit...

Tshepo Kgobe, set to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) in February 2024, sat down for an enlightening Coffee with the Editor, chat during the International Railway Safety Council Conference, organized by the Railway Safety Regulator. While everyone eagerly awaits updates on the Gautrain extensions and the impending Gautrain concession transition, Ts...

Hishaam Emeran, the CEO of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), recently shared insights during a "Coffee with the Editor" interview at the International Railway Safety Council's annual conference, hosted by the Railway Safety Regulator. The discussion revolved around PRASA's commitment to delivering a safe, reliable, and predictable rail service, encompassing aspects like signalling...

During the International Railway Safety Council Conference hosted by the Railway Safety Regulator, Ngwako Makaepea, the Deputy Director-General of Rail Transport at the Department of Transport, shared valuable insights during a "Coffee with the Editor" session. In the midst of Transport Month, the spotlight is firmly on the rail industry. Makaepea observes, "Transport stands as the heartbeat of th...

Join us for another insightful session of 'Coffee with the Editor' as Phillippa Dean sits down with Mmuso Selaledi, the acting CEO of the Railway Safety Regulator. In this in-depth conversation, they explore a myriad of topics, shedding light on the significant transformations within the railway industry and the pivotal role of the Railway Safety Regulator in fostering safety and innovation. Topic...

At the recent Ignite SME Summit 2023, Nolufefe Gxakushe-Solani, the Procurement Director at Alstom, took the stage to discuss the company's active involvement in supplier and enterprise development, especially concerning the four joint venture rail projects that Alstom has in South Africa. We caught up with her offstage for an impromptu Coffee with the Editor session. Alstom, globally renowned for...

A few weeks ago, we published a blog authored by Sarah Truen titled: “Unlocking Efficiency – Overcoming Challenges in South Africa’s Rail Freight Sector.” In this Coffee with the Editor podcast, Sarah delves into the intricacies involved in achieving success within this context. Our conversation delves into the challenges and complexities associated with introducing competition, enhancing operatio...

In this episode of Coffee with the Editor, we have the pleasure of hosting Logan Naicker, CEO of Alstom Ubunye. This engaging conversation provides comprehensive insights into Alstom Ubunye’s operations within the African Rail industry, with a particular focus on their ongoing PRASA project. Logan delves into the progress of the PRASA project, where Alstom Ubunye is nearing the serial production p...