Message from the President
I express my gratitude to the Board for their confidence in my abilities to lead the Southern African Railway Association (SARA) and wish to thank the outgoing President, Johny Smith, CEO of TransNamib, for a job well done in navigating the organisation through the global pandemic.
SARA was established in 1996, as a response to increasing competition from road transportation in the region. Originally, to provide the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with a strong lobbying association to pursue advocacy for fair surface transport competition, to be achieved by the “levelling-of-the-playing-field”, between road and rail in terms of policy and regulations.
However, there is more to the SARA organisation than just policy and regulation. Now, the role of SARA as a railway body is more significant than ever before. As we face a critical point in post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change and equally important, the ability to secure supply chains in the future. This is to ensure that Africa can move both its people and its goods, not only efficiently but competitively. Hence, the focus must be on delivering railway infrastructure and operations that don’t just meet the needs today, but that of the future.
To achieve the vision for rail in the region we cannot work in isolation. We must collaborate, we must collectively find solutions that will transform rail transportation, through innovation, to deliver an increased modal shift. The SARA Rail Conference and Exhibition provides the platform for collaboration between all stakeholders, including OEMs, suppliers, and manufacturers.
It is on this note that I invite you to participate in the 11th annual, Southern African Railway Association’s Conference and Exhibition – come engage with our region’s railway CEOs, executive teams, and of course our region’s Transport Ministers, to set the course for economic prosperity through rail for our region.
Sizakele Mzimela,
President, SARA,
CEO, Transnet Freight Rail
Following our Board meeting in June this year, we officially announced the following changes to the SARA leadership.
Taking over as the President of the South African Railway Association for the next 12 months is Sizakele Mzimela, the Chief Executive Officer of Transnet Freight Rail.
Taking over as the Deputy President of the South African Railway Association for the next 12 months is Miguel José Matabel, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ports and Railways Company of Mozambique – Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM).
Sizakele Mzimela
Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) Chief Executive, Ms. Sizakele Mzimela joined the Transnet Executive Team in April 2020 and is tasked with overseeing the division that provides rail infrastructure and operates rail services over major corridors to transport commodities for export, regional and domestic markets.
Miguel José Matabel
Miguel José Matabel, began his long career at the Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM) company on June 25, 1974. He has held and occupied various positions in the company, of which, the post of Executive Director of CFM North between1989- 1992, and Executive Director of CFM South, 1992- 1995.
Babe Botana,
Executive Director,
Southern African Railways Association (SARA)
Message from the Executive Director
We are looking forward to welcoming you to the 11th annual Southern Africa Railway Association’s (SARA) Conference and Exhibition, taking place between 26-28 October 2022, at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, South Africa.
It must be explicitly stated that our annual event is the only rail event in the region which is hosted by all the SADC railway operators and fully supported by the SADC Ministers responsible for rail transport.
SARA, as an Association was formed in 1996 in line with Article 13.13 of the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology (PTCM) which mandates the formation of a regional Association for each transport mode. The mandate of SARA is defined in Article 7 of the PTCM and covers the creation of a conducive environment for an integrated transport system in the SADC region, lobbying and advocating for effective rail infrastructure development and policy activities, as well as initiating and playing a leading role in the implementation of regional projects for the benefit of regional railways.
As the only legitimate mouthpiece for the railways in the SADC region, SARA works together with customers, suppliers, manufacturers, funding agencies, technology solution providers, as well as other interested organisations to promote the railway industry in SADC. By developing and implementing strategies that improve the viability of the railway transport business – through the provision of safe, integrated, cost-effective and predictable one-stop seamless services.
The SARA Rail Conference and Exhibition is an information and expertise exchange platform, where key railway stakeholders interact on an annual basis to facilitate the development and harmonization of regional transport policies, as well as the development of transport integration strategies.
The Conference provides a forum for the promotion of strategic alliances with other modes of transport through the exchange of technical information for the achievement of synergy and the provision of total logistical solutions.
This year’s theme, “Transforming rail transportation through innovative logistic solutions for an increased modal shift,” is extremely relevant since it aligns with SARA’s vision for the facilitation of trade in the region, through the provision of seamless, cost-effective and efficient total logistics solutions.
This calls for railway revitalisation, for the railways to become the preferred mode of choice and the leading provider of world-class logistics solutions for the region. This vision demands efficiency in regional railway operations, and connectivity, as well as efficiency in intermodal operations. In addition to investment and funding, through which solutions that drive the movement of both freight and passengers by rail can be found.
The 2022, SARA event, therefore, provides the opportunity for you to build new relationships, showcase your products and services and meet your customers under one roof especially now that COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Babe Botana,
Executive Director,
Southern African Railways Association (SARA)
Meet our Speakers
Our conference programme for the upcoming SARA event will cover these main thematic areas:
- Transforming Rail Transportation Through Innovative Logistics Solutions For An Increased Modal Shift
- The Importance Of Rail Transportation To Regional Integration And Trade
- Railway Infrastructure Development/ Maintenance Projects
- Modern Technology To Increase Rail Efficiency
- The New Railway Operating Models
- PPPs As Enabler To Grow Rail Market Share Within The SADC Region
- Regional Passenger Rail Prospects As An Affordable Mode Of Transport
- Enforcing Rail Safety Standards in the Region
Our speakers for this year’s event include Transport Ministers and CEOs from the region’s railway operators.
SADC VIP SPEAKERS
KEY SPEAKERS
Why attend as a delegate?
If you are registering for more than 5 (five) people please contact the conference team to make use of our group booking discount options.
Meet our Exhibitors
A hearty welcome to the SARA 2022 exhibitors! After such a long time apart, we can’t wait to reconnect with the industry.
Our exhibition area provides the perfect platform to showcase your products and services – and let’s be honest, this is the greatest opportunity to connect with your customers, at the same time, under one roof!
If you have not booked your space yet, or would like to see the latest floor plan, connect with the SARA Conference and Exhibition organising team, there is still time.
“To achieve the vision for rail in the region we cannot work in isolation. We must collaborate, we must collectively find solutions that will transform rail transportation, through innovation, to deliver an increased modal shift. The SARA Rail Conference and Exhibition provides the platform for collaboration between all stakeholders, including OEMs, suppliers, and manufacturers.”
SARA Rail Celebrates Women's Month
Railway Safety Regulator Women's Month Message
The Railway Safety Regulator invites you to participate at the upcoming SARA Rail Conference
Enforcing Rail Safety Standards in the Region
At the upcoming Southern African Railway Association (SARA) Conference and Exhibition – the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR), will be hosting a session focused on Enforcing Rail Safety Standards in the Region. Looking at compliance to safety standards for the elimination of train accidents as well as technology that will enhance railway safety. If you are looking to transform rail transportation through innovative logistic solutions for an increased modal shift – then safety plays a critical role in achieving this shift.
We invite you to be part of the discussion, to showcase your solutions that could positively impact safe railway operations.
SAFlog to attend the 11th SARA Rail Conference and Exhibition
SARA Rail Conference & Exhibition 2022: Dr. Fezile Dantile
Lucchini SA to exhibit at SARA Rail Conference and Exhibition
Dr. Fezile Dantile invites you to attend the CEO Think Tank
Managing Director of Plasser South Africa, Dr. Fezile Dantile invites you to attend the CEO Think Tank at the Southern African Railway Association (SARA) Conference and Exhibition, which will be held in Johannesburg from 26 – 28 October 2022. Plasser South Africa is in the business of mechanised railway track maintenance and construction, is a member of SARA and is represented on the SARA board.
Your point of Contact: Should you require any further information or have any questions about our upcoming event – please contact:
Dominic Dzimba
Head of Marketing / PR and Events SARA
dominic@sararailconference.com
Tel: 011 452 4991
Mobile: 084 516 6834
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