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.  

Ms. Mzimela is a seasoned business executive with 30 years of global experience, across diverse industries in the public and private sector. Sizakele began her career at Standard Bank and later worked for Total SA before moving into aviation. She is the former Group CEO of the National Carrier, South African Airways, which at the time was the continent’s largest airline with a presence in more than 40 international locations. Her experience in logistics also includes the Chairing of a listed logistics company over and above her Executive Management of other Regional and Domestic airline carriers.

Sizakele’s extensive experience in running complex logistical entities has held her in good stead as she leads the turn-around, growth and development of Transnet Freight Rail, Transnet’s largest operation division.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Economics and Statistics degree from the University of Swaziland, a certificate in Management from Henley College and a graduate of the Transnet Executive Development Programme (GIBS)

She has completed a number of other programmes at GIBS, the London School of Economics and Cambridge University to mention a few.

Sizakele is the current President of the Southern African Rail Association (SARA).