Schedule

Lutando Maboza, Executive Director: Transport,
City of Johannesburg

Siyabonga Gule, Chief Executive Officer,
Beapo Pty. Ltd.

Siyabonga Gule began his career as an Industrial Engineer at South African Breweries and Sasol, driving operational efficiency through continuous improvement initiatives and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. He later excelled at Transnet SOC Ltd., holding roles such as Senior Process Optimization...

Maximilian Matschke, Managing Partner,
Anura Partners

Dr. Maximilian Matschke is the Managing Partner at Anura Partners, a boutique consulting firm specialised in logistics strategy.  Max started with consulting more than 15 years ago, working for blue chip companies already in his early 20s before joining McKinsey & Company in Germany focussing...

Al-Amin Is-Hak Al-Hassan, Director for Policy, Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation,
Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA)

Thembi Lekganyane, General Manager, Strategy,
Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM)

Thembi Lekganyane is a seasoned professional with experience in the logistics, operations management, consulting and most recently in the rail industry. Currently serving as the General Manager of Strategy at Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM), she has a strong background in strategic...

Luc Fabry, Trade and Investment Commissioner,
Flanders Investment and Trade - Embassy of Belgium

Mr. Luc  Fabry is the Trade and Investment Commissioner of Flanders Investment and Trade, the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Flanders Belgium and is based in Bryanston, South Africa (6 years).  His jurisdiction includes 12 countries of Southern Africa. His previous assignments were  in...

Ogi Williams, Director: Consulting and Strategy,
In On Africa

Hishaam Emeran, Group Chief Executive Officer,
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

Hishaam Emeran is the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), a state-owned enterprise responsible for commuter and long-distance passenger rail services across South Africa. Based in Johannesburg, Emeran leads PRASA’s strategic and operational efforts to ...

Nixon Dlamini, Chief Executive Officer,
Eswatini Railways

Maximilian Matschke, Managing Partner,
Anura Partners

Dr. Maximilian Matschke is the Managing Partner at Anura Partners, a boutique consulting firm specialised in logistics strategy.  Max started with consulting more than 15 years ago, working for blue chip companies already in his early 20s before joining McKinsey & Company in Germany focussing...

Michael Madiro, Chairperson,
National Railways of Zimbabwe

Advocate Michael Madiro is a legal luminary who seamlessly melds decades of legal expertise with a shrewd acumen for corporate strategy. As a seasoned politician, his leadership and ethical governance have solidified sustainable growth and regulatory excellence across myriad sectors. He is a holder ...

Masanja Kungu Kadogosa, Director General,
Tanzania Railways Corporation

Masanja Kungu Kadogosa, Director General - Tanzania Railways Corporation. Under his leadership, the Tanzania Railways Corporation has achieved significant milestones i.e. transformation of the rail industry in Tanzania with the Modernized Standard Gauge Railway. His strategic vision for the future ...

Willem Gous, Chief Executive Officer,
The Human Entrepreneur

Willem Gous: Transforming Rail Networks through Entrepreneurial Thinking Willem Gous is a globally recognised speaker, trainer, and author with over 25 years of experience in the entrepreneurial field. His mission is to help individuals and organisations harness entrepreneurial thinking to drive...

Eric Peiffer, Chief Executive Officer,
Vecturis

David Taylor, Chief Executive Officer,
Kifaru Rail Ltd.

David is a seasoned rail industry consultant and founder of Taylorail, specializing in private sector involvement in South Africa’s rail industry. With expertise in strategic infrastructure, David has, and is currently spearheading some of the region's foremost Private-Sector based...

Howard Rosen, Chairman,
Rail Working Group

HOWARD ROSEN C.B.E, M.A. (Oxon) Howard Rosen was born in 1955 and grew up in London. He studied law at Oxford University and qualified as an English solicitor in 1980. Post qualification, he worked until 1988 as an in-house counsel for international leasing companies. At the beginning of...

Henrik Hololei, Hors Classe Adviser, Directorate-General for International Partnerships,
European commission

Henrik Hololei is an economist by training and holds degrees from Tallinn Technical University and Aarhus University in Denmark. He held various positions in the Estonian Government Office between 1995 and 2004. He was mainly responsible for coordinating the work for the Estonian accession to the...

Ogi Williams, Director: Consulting and Strategy,
In On Africa

Manuel Fernandez, Insternational Business Developemnt,
Senceive

Manuel has extensive experience in the Instrumentation and Monitoring sector, with over 17 years of experience working on railway projects worldwide. With an academic background in surveying, he is currently completing his Master's Degree in Management and Sales at UNIR. 

Henrik Hololei, Hors Classe Adviser, Directorate-General for International Partnerships,
European commission

Henrik Hololei is an economist by training and holds degrees from Tallinn Technical University and Aarhus University in Denmark. He held various positions in the Estonian Government Office between 1995 and 2004. He was mainly responsible for coordinating the work for the Estonian accession to the...

Ogi Williams, Director: Consulting and Strategy,
In On Africa

Zyd Khambule, Chief Executive Officer,
SA Youth Economic Development

Zyd Khambule is a dynamic and visionary leader with a passion for driving economic development and empowerment in South Africa. As the Chief Executive Officer of SA Youth Economic Development, Zyd is dedicated to creating opportunities for young people to thrive in the ever-evolving business...

Nadege Hopman, Deputy Head of Regional Representation, Pretoria,
European Investment Bank

Nadège is the senior loan officer for South Africa and Zambia, after being the deputy head of mission of the regional representation for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean at the European Investment Bank for the past five years. She worked in development finance at the Agence Française de...

Zyd Khambule, Chief Executive Officer,
SA Youth Economic Development

Zyd Khambule is a dynamic and visionary leader with a passion for driving economic development and empowerment in South Africa. As the Chief Executive Officer of SA Youth Economic Development, Zyd is dedicated to creating opportunities for young people to thrive in the ever-evolving business...

Emma Molobi, Principal Engineer,
Transnet Freight Rail

Dr Emma Molobi is a Principal Engineer within Transnet Freight Rail, with over 13 years’ experience in the railway industry. Her expertise is in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering which ensures the quality, durability and performance of railway assets with particular focus on rolling stock...

Franck Wandji, Group Executive: Commercial,
ArcelorMittal South Africa

Franck currently serves as Commercial Executive at ArcelorMittal South Africa, a JSE-listed large Steel engineering and production company in Sub-Saharan Africa. In his role he oversees the company’s market analytics, commercial strategy, business development, customer...

Howard Rosen, Chairman,
Rail Working Group

HOWARD ROSEN C.B.E, M.A. (Oxon) Howard Rosen was born in 1955 and grew up in London. He studied law at Oxford University and qualified as an English solicitor in 1980. Post qualification, he worked until 1988 as an in-house counsel for international leasing companies. At the beginning of...

Siyabonga Gule, Chief Executive Officer,
Beapo Pty. Ltd.

Siyabonga Gule began his career as an Industrial Engineer at South African Breweries and Sasol, driving operational efficiency through continuous improvement initiatives and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. He later excelled at Transnet SOC Ltd., holding roles such as Senior Process Optimization...

Tobiyise Dhlamini, Safety Specialist,
Transnet Freight Rail

Tobiyise Dhlamini is a dedicated Safety Specialist with extensive experience in the rail industry. Currently serving at Transnet Freight Rail, He is committed to ensuring the highest safety standards are upheld in all operations. With a strong background in risk management, compliance, and safety...

Sethunya Matsie, Senior Manager: Permit Assessments,
Railway Safety Regulator

Sethunya Matsie is Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE), accomplished Researcher, and proficient Safety Management Systems practitioner currently working for the Railway Safety Regulator. Matsie holds a Master of Science degree in Human Kinetics and Ergonomics from Rhodes University, 2 Bachelor...

Darryl Jacobs, Acting Head of Department,
Western Cape Mobility Department

Darryl Jacobs is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in the transportation and mobility sector. Currently serving as the Acting Head of Department at the Western Cape Mobility Department, Darryl is a strategic leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and...

Michelle Phillips, Group Chief Executive,
Transnet SOC Ltd.

Adv. Michelle Phillips is the current Group Chief Executive of Transnet SOC Ltd and was appointed in this role effective 01 March 2024. She has 25 years' experience in Transnet, with a proven track record in business and operations improvement, especially in the port environment. In 2020, she...

Fitsum Tsegaye, Bridge, Tunnel and Structure Team Leader,
Ethiopian Railways Corporation

Gcobisa Nancy Tshaya, Manager (Train Control),
Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM)

Gcobisa is a enthusiastic ,skilled and experienced professional, she holds a National Diploma in Food Technology, a BTech in Quality Management, and an Honours Degree in Railway Operations Management. Joining Transnet in year 2012 as a Train Control Officer in the Cape and Iron Ore...

Alessandro Mascis, Vice President, Digital Intelligence,
Wabtec Corporation

Electronic engineer with a PhD in Operations Research (thesis on algorithms for railway traffic optimization). 30 years of experience in the Railway sector spent in R&D, Project Management, Bid & Sales management in Bombardier Transportation before he joined Wabtec on January...

Nikheil Singh, Senior Engineer (Brakes Technology),
Transnet Freight Rail

I am a proficient professional mechanical engineer with over 10 years of technology management experience in South Africa's freight rail industry. I have grown and excelled in this multidisciplinary field, tackling exciting challenges and executing high-impact projects. I now head up the Brakes ...

Barry Wolmarans, Vice President - Services SSA,
Wabtec Corporation

Barry Wolmarans Vice President – Services Sub Sahara Africa (SSA), Wabtec Corporation Barry Wolmarans is the Vice President – Services Sub Sahara Africa (SSA) at Wabtec Corporation, where he oversees the services P&L for the Sub-Saharan Africa region. A results-driven leader with a proven...

Tobiyise Dhlamini, Safety Specialist,
Transnet Freight Rail

Tobiyise Dhlamini is a dedicated Safety Specialist with extensive experience in the rail industry. Currently serving at Transnet Freight Rail, He is committed to ensuring the highest safety standards are upheld in all operations. With a strong background in risk management, compliance, and safety...

Ogi Williams, Director: Consulting and Strategy,
In On Africa

Nelisiwe Tembe, Risk and Safety Programmes Manager,
Transnet Freight Rail

Nelisiwe is a seasoned Risk & Safety Programmes Manager with over 20 years experience in railway safety and risk management, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and safety standards. She is passionate about leveraging technology for operational safety. At the Africa Rail...