"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 | The project | Manufacturing

Manufacturing

A new, world-class manufacturing facility in South Africa

PRASA's decision to revitalise South Africa's once proud railway industry after decades of under investment and the dissipation of critical skills will give a much-needed boost to the economy.

However, the Gibela project is not simply a train replacement programme. In addition to delivering modern, safe coaches that will transform rail into the transport of choice, Gibela will act as a catalyst for transformation by addressing socio-economic challenges – creating jobs, developing skills and uplifting the living standards of all those directly and indirectly affected by the project. This includes a R1 billion manufacturing plant to be built in in Ekurhuleni, some 50km east of Johannesburg. It is here that the majority of the new rolling stock for Phase 1, and later Phase 2, of the replacement project will be built – initially 580 trains comprising 3,480 coaches.

The first 20 trains and 120 coaches will be built at Alstom's factory in Brazil while the local manufacturing plant is under construction. This strategy will ensure that our artisans receive the necessary skills training at a customised facility, supervised by experienced colleagues, as well as enable the delivery of the first batch of trains into service on schedule.

The balance of the trains will be built by South Africans in South Africa when the facility comes on line. will be a critical hub, providing on-site maintenance and engineering services, a training facility for railway-specific artisan skills and an engineering centre of excellence.

The facility on the East Rand will be at the cutting edge of rail equipment production. From the outset, it is designed to be environmentally efficient – in its use and recycling of water and power. 

The nature of the operations necissitates a high number of skilled and trained people. Some 2,000 people will be employed at the manufacturing, assembly and testing facilities on a 50,000m2 site while a further 700 will work at the adjacent 40,000m2 site that will be home to component manufacturers feeding the main plant.