Driving South Africa’s Rail Renaissance: Key Insights from Acting CEO Mmuso Selaledi at the Railway Safety Conference

At this year’s Railway Safety Conference, hosted by the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) in Cape Town, acting CEO Mr. Mmuso Selaledi delivered a thought-provoking speech centred on South Africa’s National Rail Policy and the concept of a “rail renaissance.” His address called for the rail industry to revitalise its approaches, embrace innovation, and focus on safety as a cornerstone of growth in the sector. Selaledi highlighted the importance of collaboration between operators, manufacturers, commuters, and service providers, with safety and productivity as the key drivers of the industry’s future.

Selaledi opened by thanking operators and key stakeholders for their ongoing support of the RSR’s initiatives. He acknowledged the critical role each plays in shaping the rail sector and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Despite busy schedules, operators have consistently contributed to various initiatives such as the revision of the Safety Management System Determination, the deployment of the Safety Risk Model, and the accreditation of safety training institutions. This involvement, he emphasised, demonstrates the commitment of the rail industry to promoting a culture of safety.

The Railway Safety Conference, according to Selaledi, serves as a crucial platform for rail professionals to share their experiences, exchange ideas, and influence the conversation on rail safety. Pitched at a technical level, the event brings together nominated managers and technical experts who are directly involved in the operational aspects of rail safety.

“The conference allows us to bring together rail professionals, and ours is a technical conference with a lot of technical detail,” he noted. The exchange of knowledge and ideas, Selaledi stressed, is key to driving innovation and ensuring that safety remains at the forefront of all rail operations.

A Rail Renaissance: Out with the Old, In with the New

Selaledi aligned his speech with the theme of “rail renaissance,” which, as he explained, is about leaving behind old, inefficient ways of operating and embracing a future of growth, productivity, and safety. He pointed out that the rail industry has, in the past, been hampered by low productivity, whether in freight movement or passenger services. However, with the implementation of the National Rail Policy, the sector is poised for transformation.

One of the major challenges facing the industry, he noted, is the need to grow productivity without compromising safety. With operators such as Transnet and PRASA increasing their throughput, there is a heightened risk of a corresponding rise in safety incidents. However, Selaledi made it clear that the RSR refuses to accept this as an inevitable outcome.

“We refuse a situation where because we have an increase in productivity, we expect a corresponding increase in occurrences. We refuse that situation. We refuse that it is a fait accompli,” he stated.

Selaledi emphasised that safety is not only a regulatory requirement but also essential to the business case for rail. The competitive advantage of rail lies in its ability to transport goods and passengers in large volumes and at lower costs compared to other modes of transport. However, this advantage is quickly undermined when safety is compromised.

“You undermine it when you don’t do it in a safe manner,” he warned, referring to the importance of ensuring that goods arrive safely and that passengers are transported without incident. This is critical, particularly as the rail industry seeks to position itself as a mass mover of both freight and passengers.

As the rail industry embarks on this journey of transformation, Selaledi described it as a “generational mission”—one in which today’s leaders must ensure that they leave the rail sector better than they found it. He called for a collective effort to improve railway operations, not just for the present but for future generations.

“This is a proper generational mission that we leave this rail industry better than we found it,” he said, urging the industry to work together to build a safer, more productive rail system.

In closing, Selaledi encouraged attendees to engage deeply in the discussions over the course of the conference, to question and collaborate openly. He also stressed the importance of reflecting on setbacks and learning from failures, as these often provide the most valuable lessons.

“Success teaches you nothing. It is in your failures where you learn the most,” he remarked, inviting participants to not only share their successes but also their challenges in order to move the industry forward.

The message from acting CEO Mmuso Selaledi was clear: the rail sector is on the cusp of a renaissance, but it requires innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to safety. The National Rail Policy provides the framework for this transformation, but it is up to operators, regulators, and stakeholders to ensure that productivity is not achieved at the expense of safety.

As the rail industry continues to evolve, it must embrace new technologies, improve operational efficiency, and create a safe environment for both goods and passengers. With the support of the RSR and the collective effort of the rail value chain, South Africa’s rail renaissance is well within reach.