South Africa launches train manufacturing plant

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - South Africa on Thursday launched its first passenger rail manufacturing plant, which will create hundreds of jobs and improve the quality of trains in the country.

Speaking at the launch in Johannesburg, President Cyril Ramaphosa said instead of importing new trains; the government has decided to invest in local industry.

Passenger trains transport millions of people daily across the country.

“After years of decline, we are determined to restore manufacturing as a growing sector of our economy,” Ramaphosa said.

“This factory will demonstrate that South Africa has advanced manufacturing capabilities that will only gain in value over time,” he added.

The South African leader said the plant will create jobs that will help address the issue of unemployment among youth in the country.

“We are told that the rolling stock fleet renewal program is expected to create over 8,000 direct jobs throughout the Gibela Consortium’s supply chain, with this factory targeting the creation of 1,500 jobs,” he said.

The plant which cost Rand 1 billion ($68.43 million) is built on 72 hectares of land and consists of a rail training school and spare parts manufacturing plant among others.

The factory is scheduled to deliver its first two new trains by December, and a further nine trains by March 2019.