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Railways Africa Magazine

Railways Africa Magazine

Phillippa Dean 115 Episodes Sep 4, 2026

Railways Africa Magazine discusses the activities of African railway operators and the supporting railway industry. The podcast covers railway news and rail-related business intelligence focused on the African continent. It also introduces listeners to the Railways Africa platforms, including its live events, editorial content, and premium online services. The show aims to connect audiences with both private and public rail operators across Africa.

Episodes

Safety, Digital Rail and Global Heavy Haul Lessons for South Africa
Safety, Digital Rail and Global Heavy Haul Lessons for South Africa Sep 4, 2026 00:05:02 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 operat
Nixon Dlamini Discusses Regional Integration and the Eswatini Rail Link
Nixon Dlamini Discusses Regional Integration and the Eswatini Rail Link Aug 28, 2026 00:07:50 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 an
New IHHA Chair Puts Heavy-Haul Standards on the Agenda
New IHHA Chair Puts Heavy-Haul Standards on the Agenda Aug 28, 2026 00:10:21 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 acro
How Transnet Is Rebuilding Coal Line Performance
How Transnet Is Rebuilding Coal Line Performance Aug 28, 2026 00:11:25 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 w
What Global Heavy-Haul Rail Can Teach South Africa About Safety
What Global Heavy-Haul Rail Can Teach South Africa About Safety Aug 28, 2026 00:05:42 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 reg
Moshe Motlohi on Transnet’s Network, Technology and the Next 50 Years of Heavy Haul
Moshe Motlohi on Transnet’s Network, Technology and the Next 50 Years of Heavy Haul Aug 28, 2026 00:07:47 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 Afri
Alstom Sees Signalling and Open Access Driving South Africa’s Next Rail Phase
Alstom Sees Signalling and Open Access Driving South Africa’s Next Rail Phase Aug 17, 2026 00:12:57 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
Siemens Mobility South Africa CEO on Rail Reform, Digitalisation and High-Speed Rail
Siemens Mobility South Africa CEO on Rail Reform, Digitalisation and High-Speed Rail Jul 3, 2026 00:16:29 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
Transnet LeaseCo Update: Bidders, Rolling Stock Contracts, Demand and Next Steps
Transnet LeaseCo Update: Bidders, Rolling Stock Contracts, Demand and Next Steps Apr 3, 2026 00:13:29 As Transnet advances its LeaseCo model, this Coffee with the Editor interview provides a detailed update on rolling stock deployment, bidder progress and growing demand from Train Operating Companies (TOCs) in South Africa and across the SADC region.Phillippa Dean speaks with Yolisa Kani, Chief Business Development Officer at Transnet and Acting CEO of Transnet International Holdings, on the lates
Transnet Freight Rail Sets Course for Recovery, Capacity Growth and Industry Collaboration
Transnet Freight Rail Sets Course for Recovery, Capacity Growth and Industry Collaboration Mar 15, 2026 00:16:40 In this episode of "Coffee with the Editor," Phillippa Dean sits down with Russell Baatjies, Acting CE of Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), to discuss the ambitious roadmap for the 2026/27 financial year.From the deployment of the new 23E electric locomotives to the integration of Artificial Intelligence in maintenance, Baatjies outlines how TFR is moving beyond "recovery mode" towa
Update on Traxtion’s Latest Rolling Stock Investment Programme
Update on Traxtion’s Latest Rolling Stock Investment Programme Mar 13, 2026 00:14:46 In this Coffee with the Editor, Phillippa Dean reconnects with Traxtion CEO James Holley for a progress update on the company’s acquisition of 46 locomotives (42 U26C and 4 C30-8MMI), as part of its latest rolling stock investment programme.With engine orders placed and manufacturing underway, Holley confirms that the first locomotives are scheduled for shipment at the end of June, arriving in Sou
Ghana Gets a New Railway Masterplan and it is a Freight-Led Economic Enabler
Ghana Gets a New Railway Masterplan and it is a Freight-Led Economic Enabler Feb 14, 2026 00:19:20 In this Coffee With The Editor interview, Railways Africa Editor Phillippa Dean speaks with Dr Frederick Appoh, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, on the launch of Ghana’s updated national railway Master Plan.The revised Master Plan repositions rail as a freight-led economic enabler, prioritising bulk mineral transport, corridor development and structured private s

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