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.
Minister Chikunga outlines PRASA’s future plans with Gibela. These initiatives are in line with the African Union’s agenda for South Africa to produce rolling stock for the continent, and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). She also delves into South Africa’s high-speed rail agenda, which is poised to drive transformative changes in rail transport across the nation and beyond.
Note: The Gibela rail transport consortium, comprising French rail company Alstom (70%) and Ubumbano Rail (30%), was established in 2013 as a dedicated entity to execute PRASA’s rolling-stock fleet renewal programme. At its peak manufacturing phase, Gibela is set to produce 62 trainsets per annum.
