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
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.
28 Aug 2026
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.
28 Aug 2026
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.
Who has been a guest on Railways Africa
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Wilson Mogoba
Chief Business Development Officer at Transnet
Bessie Mabunda
Vuyiswa Tlomatsane
Reggie Boqo
Podcast Authority Score: 36 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
60
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
30
Contact Railways Africa
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Railways Africa
Who hosts Railways Africa?
Phillippa Dean host the show. Published by Phillippa Dean.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Railways Africa take guests?
The show does not typically feature guests, based on episode analyses.
Host of Railways Africa?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
