Changing SA’s rail gauge would be a colossal job
The idea might be feasible, but would require purpose-built locomotives and rolling stock which could not be used anywhere else.
JUST recently there was a small item in Business Report stating that the “Cape gauge” (3’6”) rail tracks used throughout South Africa would be replaced by the almost globally standard gauge of 4’8½”. I had looked forward to reading howls of derision from informed readers, but I’ve seen none. It’s not only a matter of re-laying rails, but every item of rolling stock and every locomotive would need its suspension and axles changed – a colossal financial outlay that would take years to carry out.
If certain point-to-point routes deserve high speed trains, which require the wider gauge for stability, then the idea might be feasible, but would require purpose-built locomotives and rolling stock that could not be used anywhere else. It would be possible to lay a third rail on such routes to create dual-purpose track, but the logistics and numerous other practical operational considerations are daunting. TIM ANDERSON NEWLANDS, CAPE TOWN
Prasa infighting is the cause of rail decay
AFTER wading through Sipho Dibakwane’s long rambling article on our country’s rail infrastructure (September 30) (or lack of it), I would like to make a few comments.
Firstly, our government needs to realise that green papers, white papers, imbizos, the National Development Plan (NDP), nine point action plans and the rest will not implement themselves. They have to be put into action and continually monitored and tweaked to achieve any result. The NDP swallowed a lot of money and time, and is stillborn!
Secondly, until private industry sees that the government is serious about looking after public money, cutting crime and creating an investor friendly economy, there is no chance of it pouring more money into the pockets of a few rich or politically connected individuals.
Thirdly, it is all very well having highspeed rail systems to ferry pilgrims to Moria or miners from Welkom, but there are huge costs to this, and it will be unaffordable to the masses.
Finally, Dibakwane wastes no opportunity to drag up the colonial apartheid past and reinforces the Western view that Africa is just one big begging bowl!
The picture of rail passengers hanging on to carriages (above the article) or out of open doors rather sums up the general public attitude to obeying rules and regulations that are put in place to ensure the safety of passengers, so Dibakwane’s hope that a fully functioning rail system will reduce the loss of lives will remain but a pipedream. Once we sort out the infighting at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), maybe our railway systems might improve! TONY BALL DURBAN
No improvement without accountability
WHILE S Dibakwane waxes about passenger rail transport and South Africa; he forgets to mention that no matter how much is spent, no matter how many are employed, if you do not have the basic fundamentals right, nothing will be achieved.
Public transport has long shifted towards commuter taxis. The government’s interventions with the bus systems is not going to work, only to stem the tide. In fact, the only success story has been the Gautrain, though some may argue this is elitist. Maybe then the Gautrain management should run Prasa as well.
The private sector has already played an enormous role in moving both people and goods around South Africa, by paying massive taxes in the form of levies. As for Prasa, given the issues and recent derailments, will an employee from Prasa or a minister stand up and take responsibility?
Until and unless you have accountability and competence, the same problems will emerge and the same lack of tangible progress will continue, while the poorer commuters will suffer even bigger hardships than pre-1994. And apartheid is not to blame for this. MUHAMMAD OMAR DURBAN NORTH
The heydays of our unions are over
THE ARTICLE “NUM accuses business of using political attack”, refers.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) general secretary, David Sipunzi, believes the current retrenchments will make the general populace believe that the ANC is useless in defending the workers.
He has hit the nail on the head by this suggestion.
The ANC and its government are not only useless, but incompetent and corrupt. Because the ruling party firmly believes in self-interest above national interests, it has allowed economic activity and business confidence to reach an all-time low.
Misguided communist-style economic policies through centralised government controls, together with totally authoritarian labour laws have resulted in the death of vibrant private enterprises.
Local industries have become uncompetitive to international markets. The chances of an internal economic recovery, job creation and future growth prospects look increasingly slim. The vociferous demands made by the ANC-aligned labour unions over many years, on all sectors of the economy, are now taking its toll.
Unimaginable retrenchments from mining, the steel industry and manufacturing are taking place at an alarming rate.
These are the main pillars supporting our economy, and yet this government, led by President Jacob Zuma, has proved to be totally incompetent and unwilling to reverse statutory laws that are killing private enterprise, for fear of antagonising its voter base – the trade unions.
The ANC has ignored the state of the economy and the plight of the unemployed. Service delivery protests with violent outcomes abound countrywide by the unemployed.
The ANC’s main focus seems to be that its coffers are sufficiently large to ensure the continued financial support of its exclusive elite cadres, irrespective of how this is achieved.
Corruption is not a word in its vocabulary. The article on the front page of the same Business Report issue that carried the NUM article describes how Hitachi has been fined $19 million (R260.65m) by the US Security and Exchange Commission for making improper payments to the ANC in order to secure contracts for South African power plants. This is corruption at its best.
South African trade unions like NUM need to understand that their heyday of dictatorial labour demands and dominance over employer’s interests are fast disappearing into the sunset. DOUG DA COSTA MOUNT EDGECOMBE
Agri business needs to take care of SA’s soil
SCIENTISTS globally are realising that modern industrial agribusiness is causing huge environmental damage and change is needed.
South Africa’s biggest export is topsoil, and vast tracts of land have lost fertility, due to decades of pesticide spraying.
Necessary micro-organisms and fungi essential for plant health need to be put back into the soils.
Farmers must realise that soil is an investment of far greater value than paper money. Composting, mulching to hold in water, planting nitrogen fixing cover crops, are ways to rebuild soil.
A drive through the winelands and it is not hard to notice the overworked and dead soils. Spier, Boschendal, and others are changing to sustainable farming, let’s hope all others will follow. A good glass of wine starts with healthy soil! VANESSA TURNER STELLENBOSCH