Inside Transnet Engineering’s Manufacturing Revival

Filmed during the recent Transnet Engineering Industry Day, Railways Africa Editor Phillippa Dean speaks with Zach Tswai, General Manager: Manufacturing and Port Equipment at Transnet Engineering.

In this interview, Zach discusses how Transnet Engineering is ramping up local manufacturing capacity, internalising critical component refurbishment, and navigating intellectual property challenges within a complex OEM landscape.

He outlines how Transnet Engineering has doubled its locomotive refurbishment output, developed IP-compliant reverse engineering solutions, and assumed the role of OEM for key equipment such as intermodal trailers. Zach also highlights ongoing collaboration with international OEMs, as well as the practical engineering steps being taken to return out-of-service locomotives to operation—an urgent priority given current fleet limitations.

Whether you’re part of the rail industry or interested in Africa’s industrial localisation strategies, this conversation offers a ground-level view of how Transnet Engineering is spearheading a manufacturing revival within South Africa’s rail and port sectors.