Why it Matters
- Traxtion’s expansion into Angola, Namibia, and Guinea strengthens cross-border connectivity and corridor efficiency.
- Industry awards validate South Africa’s growing engineering capability and the success of private rail initiatives.
- Transformation and skills development programmes are reshaping gender balance and technical capacity in rail.
- Strategic investment aligns with South Africa’s rail reform, promoting a more reliable and investable freight network.
As Traxtion marks its 38th year, the organisation reflects on its continued dedication to excellence and the major milestones achieved over the past year that have cemented its position as a trailblazer in the African rail industry.
Raising the Bar and Taking Home the Trophies
Traxtion began its 37th anniversary month in October 2024 with a major accolade, the platinum award, at the prestigious GIBS Logistics Achiever Awards for its first-to-market rebuild of four 60-year-old GE U20C carcasses into fit-for-purpose 2,000hp locomotives. Judges described the entry as a “WOW factor” project, validating the quality of work produced by the Rail Services Hub in Rosslyn and the company’s supplier network.
Days later, Traxtion earned three honours at the inaugural Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) Rail Industry Awards: Excellence in Training, Best SADC Region Initiative, and Outstanding Nominated Manager (awarded to Elize Howell). These achievements underscore the company’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest service and safety standards.
Expanding the Footprint and Solving Real Bottlenecks
Over the past year, Traxtion deepened its presence in new jurisdictions and extended its support to existing corridors. In Angola, the company placed both “boots and locomotives on the ground” on the Lobito line, leasing and maintaining shunters and conducting conversion training to ensure operational fluidity. It also signed a new contract with TransNamib for two refurbished EMD GT22 locomotives, which included control-system upgrades, rewiring, and livery work at Rosslyn, along with driver training and technical support.
Traxtion’s entry into new markets, including Angola and Guinea, follows a consistent approach centred on practical capacity, disciplined maintenance and skills transfer. The company also ramped up volumes along the TAZARA corridor linking Dar es Salaam, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Zambian Copperbelt. This effort helped stabilise copper shipments for upstream producers facing export bottlenecks and contributed to restoring continuity along a corridor that was once hindered by week-long delays. The initiative demonstrated how rail access models can deliver measurable results.
Transformation with Outcomes
Within the organisation, Traxtion accelerated initiatives aimed at making the rail sector more representative and resilient. The Future of Rail is Woman campaign continued to attract female talent, while the TraxWagon bursary awarded four full-study bursaries to women for 2025. The company’s Diesel Electrical Fitter Apprenticeship programme reached at least 40% female representation as of 2024.
A standout example of this success is Keneilwe Tekane, Traxtion’s 2025 Apprentice of the Year, who embodies the depth of female technical talent emerging from the company’s programmes. The flagship Rail Fair provided learners with firsthand exposure to rail careers, transforming awareness into aspiration for young women.
Community Impact Where Traxtion Operates
In Amandasig, Traxtion completed a multi-year renewable energy installation that took the local secondary school off the grid, enabling the redirection of funds toward educational priorities. The school already maintains a 91% matric pass rate.
The company also marked Human Rights Day with a community grass-cutting initiative in partnership with The Community Masilo Projects and participated in International Level Crossing Awareness Day to promote rail safety and reduce rail-related incidents.
On Mandela Day, Traxtion teams focused on uplifting communities in the Northern Cape, repairing facilities and supporting local initiatives that make a tangible difference in the Ulco and Delportshoop areas, where the company maintains a strong operational footprint.
The Year Ahead: Investable Rail and Growth
With South Africa’s rail reform advancing, Traxtion is focused on adding reliable capacity to the network in ways that are sustainable and bankable for the long term.
As reforms create opportunities for private rail operators, Traxtion’s commitment to investment reflects its intent to grow where reliability and scalability are achievable. The company stands ready to invest under access conditions that enable predictable service delivery.
Year 38 is shaping up to be another major milestone for Traxtion as it continues to deliver excellence and growth across Africa’s rail landscape.
