The Gauteng government is speeding up its plan to complete rail projects to connect the Tshwane rail network to others in the province and beyond.
The plan in the pipeline for Tshwane includes linking manufacturing and automotive industries in the metro and in Gqeberha, the Gauteng/Limpopo speed train and extending the Gautrain system to communities in the east and far west of Pretoria.
The plans, of which the construction deadlines are yet to be confirmed, seek to accelerate job opportunities in the province, while improving economic growth and modernising rail infrastructure.
This acceleration is part of the province’s five-year plan announced by Premier Panyaza Lesufi during the State of Province Address (SOPA) on August 15.
This includes ensuring the 14-year-old high speed rail network operations are soon extended into vicinities of Soweto via Fourways, Lanseria, the Vaal and Springs, and in Tshwane it would see extending the Gautrain to Mamelodi and Atteridgeville.
Rekord understands the expansion would further benefit areas such as Hazeldean, Eerste Fabrieke, Olievenhoutbosch and Irene.
Delivering his SOPA at Change Bible Church in Ekurhuleni, Lesufi remarked that several investment projects worth billions were in the pipeline for Gauteng to spur economic growth in the province.
He said in less than two years, Gauteng would invest R120-billion to expand the Gautrain network.
“This expansion is expected to create over 125 000 jobs during construction over five years. The bid to construct these lines closes at the end of October.”
Gautrain and Gauteng province have long planned to extend the Gauteng rapid rail integrated network (GRRIN) to tackle the increasing congestion on provincial routes and create jobs.
Gauteng Management Agency (GMA) undertook a feasibility study under the framework for Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
According to the GMA, the study was completed and submitted to National Treasury, where it is awaiting approval before Phase 1 can begin.
The feasibility study identified the following links and stations:
– A link between Marlboro and Soweto with an additional station at Sandton, as well as new stations at Randburg, Cosmo City, Little Falls, Roodepoort and Jabulani;
– A link between Jabulani and Mamelodi through Cosmo City, with new stations at Fourways, Sunninghill, Olievenhoutsbosch, Irene, Tshwane East, Hazeldean, and Mamelodi;
– A link between Rhodesfield and Boksburg with new stations at East Rand Mall and Boksburg; and
– A link between Cosmo City and Lanseria Airport with new stations at the Cradle of Humankind and Lanseria.
Lesufi also detailed that his government was committed to working with its counterparts in Limpopo to improve passenger rail transit between the two provinces.
“Together with our Limpopo counterparts, we are now ready to start the process to build the Limpopo/Gauteng speed train.”
He said the feasibility study was nearing completion and the speed train would create over 18 000 jobs during construction.
“Gauteng and Limpopo are coming together so people of Gauteng can go to Limpopo easily and using a speed train.”
Lesufi said Project Ukuvuselela, the Gauteng–Eastern Cape high-capacity rail corridor for automotive volumes, will be constructed between Tshwane and Gqeberha soon.
The work involves a possible upgrade to about 17 strategic loop extensions on the South Corridor main rail line from Waltloo yard in Pretoria and Kaalfontein rail terminal to the port of Port Elizabeth.
“It is a goal to modernise existing railway lines and turn them into a high volume sustainable freight rail logistic that will serve the South African automotive industry.
“As a result, the Gauteng economy will solely [define] and maintain its leading position in the manufacturing and automobile industries.”
He said the project could create nearly 4 000 construction jobs and 1 000 permanent jobs during construction.
Political parties however criticised the SOPA.
Gauteng DA leader Solly Msimanga said Lesufi offered no solution for service delivery problems in Gauteng.
“It is not the first time that Lesufi speaks about a speed train that will link Gauteng and Limpopo. However, we need to first get the basics in our own province right first. Potholes need to be fixed, and our roads need to be maintained properly.
“The premier’s lofty plans to grow the economy will remain a pipe dream if the core issues deterring investment are not fixed.”
He said the DA would monitor all the promises to hold the premier accountable.
“We will ensure when service providers are appointed to build critical infrastructure projects, they complete these projects on time and within budget. These projects cannot become a cash cow for optimistic businesses who want to milk the state’s coffers.”
EFF Gauteng chairperson Nkululeko Dunga said the SOPA was full of promises, however the party welcomed the commitments to investment and economic growth, especially after the Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2024 indicated that Gauteng’s unemployment rate continued to rise to more than three million people who are ready and able to work but are unable to do so as they cannot find employment in the industrial hub of the country.
“We hope to see them fulfilled this time around. However, it is noteworthy that the some of the commitments made by Lesufi lack consistency and do not account for the majority of the projects he had claimed to be in progress in the previous State of the Province Address (SOPA).
“While we welcome the recommissioning and expansion of railway lines and the extension of the Gautrain across regions, we call on the government to take deliberate action to prevent the collapse of manufacturing and processing industries across the region, including the textile industry in Tshwane, steel production in Sedibeng, and mining, logistics, and manufacturing in Ekurhuleni.
“The EFF welcomes the premier’s acknowledgment of the need for the state to play an active role in the economy and create jobs. We believe that only through massive investment in public infrastructure such as railways and road networks to facilitate the movement of people and goods, and the development of new industries can we truly create jobs in the province.”
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