WINDHOEK – TransNamib and South Africa’s Transnet Freight Retail (TransNet) agreed to formalise the relationship between the two entities in the areas of business process re-engineering, capacity building and the transfer of railway operations industry skills, knowledge and competencies.
The MoU was signed in Windhoek on Tuesday by TransNamib Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sara Naanda and her counterpart the CEO of TransNet, Siyabonga Gama. “We believe that there is great potential in TransNamib’s fortunes, we believe that TransNamib can grow its share of rail, we believe that together with government TransNamib will be able to make investments in rail infrastructure,” said Gama during the signing of the MoU. Gama says the partnership between the government and TransNamib is important, and so is the one between TransNamib and TransNet, because there is a shared master plan in terms of the two countries’ rail infrastructure needs. “There are upgrades in the infrastructure that are sorely required which will assist in TransNamib being able to get the type of rolling stock that is required in order for them to increase and improve their market share considerably going forward,” Gama said. He said he was very happy to recognise and realise that the strategy that TransNamib is formulating is the correct strategy. “The vision that that they are creating is the correct one, in terms of being able to turn around the fortunes of the business.”
TransNamib CEO Naanda said the formalisation of the cooperation between the two entities would give the company the opportunity to share TransNet’s freight rail expertise and experience. She also said the identified persistent problematic areas and their causes in the business operations of TransNamib need urgent attention. “This will result in prioritising improvement action plans, and subsequently formulating targeted work processes, which holistically will address the shortcomings,” she said. She also expressed appreciation for the assistance TransNet has rendered TransNamib even in the absence of a formalised MoU. “One of the most evident supports that we have received from Transnet Freight Rail, and which we truly appreciate and cherish, is the secondment of Chris Sono, the Rail Operation Specialist who joined us in December 2013,” she said. She said Sono has added a pivotal dimension to the Operations Business Unit of TransNamib and his valuable contribution will greatly assist the company’s business improvement interventions. “We are sincerely delighted to partner with TransNet Freight Retail in our journey to restore the pride and relevance of TransNamib in Namibia and within the borders of the southern Africa region.” According to Naanda the SADC region has set a tone that encourages entities to make their mark in the regional arena, which is a challenge that TransNamib is ready to embrace. “This can however only be achieved if concerted efforts are made by key players that can significantly contribute to regional integration and the sharing of the necessary knowledge and experience to drive the SADC development agenda,” Naanda said.
By Kuzeeko Tjitemisa