"The Gibela project is history in the making and our group of engineers is excited about making it happen"

Collen Malatji, mechanical engineer

"Rail is the future of transport – it is cleaner, more efficient and faster when moving people and goods"

Matodzi Mukhuba, mechanical engineer

"Of course the Gibela project will have its challenges, but challenges are there to be overcome, and we will be ready and waiting"

Philisande Somdaka, electrical engineer

"We believe in the Gibela journey, and we realise the extent of our collective responsibility to pass on the skills we acquire abroad to colleagues at home"

Kasturie Pillay, senior mechanical engineer

"This is a project of national importance that will touch the lives of millions of South African rail passengers. I can't wait to get going"

Denzel Momplé, mechanical engineer

"We are a motivated group of engineers and there is a synergy between our skills. Most importantly, the people who work here want to be here. I believe Gibela has great possibilities in the year ahead"

Bertus Els, electronic engineer

Home | Suppliers | Towards localisation

Towards localisation

Localisation is one of the four pillars of Gibela’s Economic Development Policy. Accordingly, Gibela aims to develop a robust and sustainable local supplier base through leveraging its majority shareholder’s expertise in an effort to contribute to the revitalisation of the local railway manufacturing industry through the implementation of a comprehensive localisation plan. This plan includes the purchase of local raw materials and components in order to ensure maximum South African content and equipping established and emerging local rail enterprises with the capability to be globally competitive. The success of the rolling stock project is underpinned by Gibela’s efforts and ability to find the best synergies, using historical references and experience as a system integrator, together with the skills and capability of suppliers in the conception of optimal solutions and manufacturing standards of the highest quality.

Gibela will collaborate with global suppliers of rail components which are not currently manufactured in South Africa to establish a local base. The idea is to pair these international heavyweights with emerging local suppliers in joint venture partnerships to nurture the local supplier base and facilitate the all-important transfer of technology. The company has already recorded early success in expanding the capacity of local suppliers to enable them to deliver on the rolling stock contract. Gibela’s supply chain management and development strategy will be strengthened by the establishment of a 25 hectare supplier park adjacent to the facility where train components will be manufactured in close proximity to the plant in 2015.