By Phiwa Sikhondze
Nixon Dlamini, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eswatini Railways, has been elected as the new Vice President of the Southern African Railways Association (SARA).
The announcement was made during the annual SARA Board meeting held in Cape Town from June 19-20, 2024. This marks a major milestone for Eswatini Railways, highlighting its growing influence and commitment to regional railway development.
Dlamini’s election comes at a pivotal time for SARA, as the association continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities in the Southern African rail transport sector.
Information sourced from the SARA’s website reveals that Dlamini succeeds Hishaam Emeran, the Group CEO of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), who has been elected as the new President of SARA.
The outgoing President, Eng. Agostinho Francisco Langa Junior of Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM), lauded the association’s achievements during his tenure, particularly the approval of the 2023-2027 strategic plan.
In his acceptance speech, Nixon Dlamini expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Vice-President and outlined his vision for advancing the railway sector within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
He emphasized the importance of increasing market share for railways and identified key enablers necessary for this goal, including investments, enabling legislation, governance frameworks, and inter-rail business agreements.
Dlamini highlighted the critical need for capacity building in rolling stock, infrastructure, personnel, and technology. He stressed that the railways in the region must offer services that are seamless, sustainable, reliable, consistent, and efficient to ensure a positive customer experience.
For Eswatini Railways, Dlamini’s new role as Vice President of SARA is expected to bring significant benefits. His leadership will be instrumental in fostering collaboration with other member countries to address shared challenges and pursue sustainable growth for the rail sector.
Under his guidance, Eswatini Railways aims to enhance its infrastructure and services, aligning with regional efforts to revitalize rail transport and support economic development.
As Dlamini steps into this new role, he brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to ensuring that rail transport remains a cornerstone of regional trade and economic growth.