JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 — South African Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy on Tuesday called on countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to strengthen their collaboration in the railway sector as the industry continues to face a myriad of challenges. The connectivity among SADC railways provides opportunities to offer cost-effective and seamless rail transport services, however, the rail industry within the region has over the years been faced with challenges including crime, theft, and vandalism, and impacts caused by climate change, Creecy made the remarks at the 13th annual Southern African Railway Association Conference in Johannesburg. The SADC region has a combined railway network that spans some 40,000 km of rail, excluding local branch lines, which demonstrates the vast expanse of the railway infrastructure and its central role in the passenger and freight transport system in the region, according to Creecy. “We are all acutely aware that the region’s rail sector faces significant challenges, from aging infrastructure and inadequate funding to issues of safety, security, and capacity.
These challenges are further complicated by the need for greater regional integration, interoperability, and the harmonization of standards to ensure efficient and competitive rail services,” Creecy said. The minister called on the SADC countries to adopt cleaner fuels and new technologies to mitigate climate change and work together to empower people with the necessary skills to support the continued growth and modernization of the rail sector in the region. The SADC, with its headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana, is an intergovernmental organization comprising 16 member states, including South Africa. Zimbabwe assumed the rotating presidency in August 2024.
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