c2c returns to public ownership — but will fares fall and services improve? Here's the reality behind the rail nationalisation headlines #GBR

In this episode of Coffee with the Editor, Phillippa Dean speaks with Xolani Mbambo, CEO of Grindrod Limited, about the company’s renewed focus on rail following the release of Grindrod’s annual financial results in early March 2025. Rail featured prominently in Grindrod’s growth strategy, driven by ongoing rail reform in South Africa, as the company positions itself to take up the opportunities offered by Transnet’s open access. Xolani highlights Grindrod’s application for rail slots in key corridors and confirms longer-term plans to invest R1.2 billion in new rolling stock, including locomotives and wagons, to expand its rail operations. He explains that rail presents a cost-effective and scalable alternative to trucking, allowing Grindrod to better serve its customers and drive growth in critical freight corridors. Grindrod’s strategy includes focusing on the transportation of coal, chrome, manganese, and magnetite. The long-term goal for the industry as a whole is to achieve seamless...

Disabled campaigners are backing demands for major rights-based changes to the government’s railways bill that would target the poor state of accessibility across the network. Disabled-led organisa…

The announcement comes as South Africa implements its rail reform framework.

Discover aviation-grade technologies and process overhauls—from onboard CAES cooling to trackside waste hubs—that can enhance safety, plug staffing shortfalls

Sitting on my desk at home is a Darlington Crystal paperweight inscribed with the following words: Railtrack Flotation, 20 May 1996. It's an object I treasure for several reasons. For sure, it's got personal historic interest for me – a souvenir of a lo...