The Future of Rail is Woman: Traxtion Drives Industry-Wide Initiative to Build a More Inclusive Transport Sector

Traxtion, one of Africa’s largest private freight rail companies, is advancing its bold industry-wide initiative, The Future of Rail is Woman, with an expanded programme in 2025 aimed at addressing the gender gap in South Africa’s transport sector.

Despite ongoing efforts from industry and government, female representation in the transport workforce remains low. Recent research shows that women make up just 18.8% of the sector, with only 14.2% of registered engineers in the country being female. In STEM fields, just 13% of graduates are women, compared to a global average of 35%. Technical training also reflects inequality, with 72.8% of males receiving artisanal training versus only 27.2% of females. The NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) rate for young women aged 15–34 reached 48.1% in the first quarter of 2025.

This lack of representation has far-reaching effects: a limited pipeline of female talent, reduces economic participation by women, and a scarcity of women leaders in the sector.

Industry-Wide Call to Action

Launched in 2023, The Future of Rail is Woman was created to:

1. Raise awareness of career opportunities for women in rail and transport
2. Educate about rail-related careers and pathways
3. Encourage stakeholder action to improve gender equality
4. Build a sustainable pipeline of women in the industry

The campaign was initially launched with strong industry support, highlighting the opportunities available as the rail sector stands poised for significant growth through rail reform and revitalisation of the broader transport and logistics value chain.

Traxtion’s commitment to transformation was underscored when it onboarded its first qualified female artisan, reinforcing its belief that women should be at the forefront of rail’s future. The campaign has since achieved notable successes, including:

1. The launch of the TraxWagon Bursary
2. 40% female representation in Traxtion’s Diesel Electrical Fitter Apprenticeship programme
3. The launch of TraxWin, an inhouse development program targeted at females earmarked for leadership within the business

2025 Expansion: Rail Fair and Career Exhibition

In 2025, the initiative takes a major step forward with the introduction of the Rail Fair, a collaborative platform modelled on traditional science fairs, pairing Grade 9 girls with industry mentors to create innovative rail sector solutions.

Running from 16 June to 25 August 2025, the Rail Fair culminates during the main event week. Schools will present their projects to a judging panel, competing for impactful prizes such as bursaries, vocational training, and STEM-related awards.

For the 2025 edition, Traxtion and the Gautrain Management Agency have each adopted a school:

1. Traxtion – Amandasig Secondary School
2. Gautrain – Ingqayizivele Secondary School, Tembisa

Learners have been tasked with developing solutions to rail-related challenges, which will be showcased on Friday, 22 August 2025, at the Traxtion Rail Services Hub, Rosslyn, Pretoria, from 08:00 to 13:00.

The Career Exhibition, held alongside the Rail Fair, will feature industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and government representatives, providing learners with direct exposure to the sector through:

1. Marketing and brand awareness activities
2. Career and bursary information
3. Female role models sharing their journeys in rail and transport

Building Rail’s Future Workforce

The aim is to ensure that rail, transport, and logistics are recognised as viable and exciting career options from school level. By involving young women early and providing them with tangible exposure to the sector, Traxtion and its partners hope to normalise female participation in an industry historically dominated by men.

"The idea behind this is that we really want rail, transport and logistics to be recognised as career choices at school level. We are excited to see the innovative solutions these learners will present," said James Holley, CEO of Traxtion.

There is still an opportunity for your company to get involved contact:

Nnoni Mohlaphuli

Brand, Communications and Marketing Manager

nnoni@traxtion.africa

M 27 (0)78 464 2003