Desmond van Jaarsveld Outlines TransNamib’s Investment in People, Rolling Stock and Infrastructure at SARA CEO Think Tank
During the recent Southern African Railways Association (SARA) CEO think tank panel, Desmond van Jaarsveld, Chief Executive Officer of TransNamib Railways, discussed Namibia’s rail priorities under the country’s National Development Plan 6 (NDP6). He highlighted investment in rolling stock, infrastructure, and people as central to aligning with national development objectives.
Rolling Stock Renewal and Remanufacturing
Van Jaarsveld noted that 80 percent of TransNamib’s fleet is more than 50 years old. To address this, the government has issued guarantees to enable the procurement of new locomotives, with a market process expected to begin soon. Alongside procurement, there is a major focus on remanufacturing the ageing fleet locally, with initiatives scheduled to move forward in the coming months.
Investment in People and Culture Change
Van Jaarsveld emphasised the importance of people in driving change at TransNamib. Over the past eight months, the company has invested heavily in a culture change programme to restore expertise, improve ways of thinking, and shift the mindset of being a state-owned service provider.
He highlighted the conclusion of a three-year wage agreement with the trade union—described as unprecedented—which has already begun delivering positive results. Employees are contributing new ideas from the ground up, reinforcing the partnership approach between management and labour.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Prioritisation
Alongside rolling stock and people, Van Jaarsveld outlined major infrastructure investments supported by government and private partners. Tenders were recently awarded for the railway line from Kranzberg to Otjiwarongo, a key link to northern Namibia.
He added that upcoming upgrades across the national rail network have been prioritised according to commercial value and expected returns on investment. This approach is guiding which projects will move forward first and how tenders are allocated.
A New Mindset for State-Owned Rail
Van Jaarsveld noted that investment in assets and infrastructure will only succeed if matched with the right people in the right roles, equipped with the right attitude. He described the current period as an exciting time for rail in Namibia, with TransNamib actively working to redefine the mindset of a state-owned company and position itself for long-term growth.
