Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has revealed the names of the directors of the black economic-empowerment shareholders in the Gibela Consortium, which had been awarded the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s R51-billion rolling stock procurement contract.

French multinational Alstom held 61% of Gibela, with BEE partners New Africa Rail and Ubumbano Rail holding 9% and 30% respectively.

Peters noted in a written reply to a Parliamentary question that the directors of New Africa Rail, as indicated in their constitutional documents, were Monde Vusumuzi Africa and Sesinyi Malope Seopela.

Meanwhile, Ubumbano comprised three commercial joint ventures or consortiums, namely Khiphunyawo Rail, which had been active in the rail industry for ten years; Elgin-Identity Rail Corporation, which had investment and advisory experience, as well as heavy fabrication expertise; and Community Rail, which was a new entrant in the rail space.

Khiphunwayo Rail, which held 8% of Gibela, comprised South African Freight Logistics and Autism South Africa and was headed by businessperson Thami Gwala.

Peters further said the directors of Elgin-Identity Rail Corporation, which held 7% of Gibela, were SEN Sebotsa and M Nyanteh, while CEO Sipho Sikhosana headed Community Rail Services, which held 2% of Gibela.

Further, an employee trust and an educational trust also held 10% and 3% in Ubumbano respectively, the Minister pointed out.

Meanwhile, she also said Gibela had committed to spend about R950-million on skills development during the manufacturing and maintenance of the new trains over a 19-year period.

“Gibela has further committed to upskill about 19 527 individuals during the contract,” she noted.

Gibela had also already seconded 25 South African engineers, who were currently being trained in France and Brazil, to be able to manufacture the new trains.