Strategic Vision and Operational Focus: A Conversation with SARA’s New Executive Director Raymond Shoniwa
By: Phillippa Dean
Raymond Shoniwa, recently appointed Executive Director of the Southern African Railways Association (SARA), brings a unique operational lens to the region’s railway policy and strategy landscape. Speaking to Railways Africa in Eswatini during SARA’s Annual General Meeting, Shoniwa—just over a month into the role—shared insight into his early observations and priorities for regional rail development.
From Operations to Strategy
Shoniwa’s transition to SARA follows a distinguished career at Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR), where he gained direct experience in cross-border railway operations. This background, he explained, is vital to his new role: “I understand the frustrations that are there when a player wants to operate in the region,” he said, noting that his operational grounding is instrumental in guiding policy from a practical perspective.
Implementing the 2023–2027 Strategy
Although a regional SARA strategy is already in place for the 2023 to 2027 period, Shoniwa noted that much of the groundwork is still to be done. “The next six months are about information gathering—understanding where each member is and what their needs are,” he said. Implementation efforts will gain momentum from 2026 onward, with a strong focus on practical outcomes.
A key pillar of the strategy is regional integration, especially in the context of emerging open access frameworks. “We’re seeing changes in major operators, such as in South Africa, which requires us to rethink how agreements are structured,” he said. This includes preparing for a scenario where rail operators may need to sign agreements with multiple private sector entities rather than a single state operator. “We have to transform ourselves so we’re ready when change comes, and avoid being reactive,” he added.
Prioritising Rolling Stock and Information Access
For Shoniwa, one of the immediate regional challenges lies in the underutilisation of existing assets, particularly rolling stock such as wagons and locomotives. “We need to find low-hanging fruit,” he stated, highlighting the potential for member states to pool or lease unused resources. “Is Botswana Railways sitting with wagons that Zimbabwe could use? I know it’s a fact,” he affirmed.
To address this, SARA plans to create a digital portal where members can post available rolling stock and view requirements across the network. “There’s a lack of cohesion and information sharing in the region. This platform will allow members to access that information without having to rely on emails or phone calls.”
This approach, he believes, will not only increase the efficiency of resource use across borders but also contribute to increasing regional railway market share—a key performance indicator identified by the SARA board.
Leadership Changes and Continuity
The AGM in Eswatini also marked a transition in SARA’s leadership structure. Nixon Dlamini, Chief Executive Officer of Eswatini Railways, was appointed as President of SARA, taking over from Hishaam Emeran, while Botswana Railways assumes the Vice Presidency. Both roles will now be held for two years instead of one.
Shoniwa welcomed the extended leadership terms, saying, “A year was not enough time to implement strategies. You only have two board meetings and a conference in between. Just when something begins, the term ends.” He expressed confidence that the two-year term will allow both the executive and the board presidium to drive and complete meaningful initiatives.
Looking Ahead
Raymond Shoniwa’s leadership arrives at a time when Southern Africa’s railway sector is navigating complex transitions—balancing public and private participation, aligning policies for cross-border flow, and responding to the demands of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
By combining hands-on operational knowledge with a region-wide strategic mandate, Shoniwa aims to drive real-world impact through information accessibility, resource sharing, and harmonised policies. With SARA’s 2023–2027 strategy now under his stewardship, stakeholders across the rail value chain will be watching closely for progress and results.