How to move SA forward through transport

South Africa stands on the brink of a transport transformation that could unlock far-reaching economic and social progress, writes CHARLEEN CLARKE. Stakeholders must act boldly, invest decisively, and build a transport system that does more than move people and goods – it must move the nation forward.

This is the rallying call from Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander, who delivered the plenary address “Transport in a Future City – South Africa’s Next Leap Forward: A Nation in Motion or Standing Still?” at the 43^rd annual Southern African Transport Conference (SATC).

Drawing on over 30 years of experience across aviation, energy, and infrastructure, Stander outlined how smart, sustained reforms – many already underway – can reshape South Africa’s logistics and public transport systems into engines of growth, inclusion, and global competitiveness.

Transport as an economic lifeline

“Transport is not merely a sector,” Stander explains. “It is the circulatory system of the economy.” When this system falters, the consequences go beyond inefficiency, manifesting as exclusion, lost opportunity, and suppressed growth. With high logistics costs and infrastructure constraints causing widespread delays, the ripple effects are felt from the factory floor to the commuter queue.

From an agri-exporter stalled at a congested port to a township resident spending up to 40% of their income on transport, the impact is clear. “If your transport system isn’t working, you won’t see economic growth. Transport enables access, participation, and competitiveness,” she says.

Plans vs progress 

What, then, has held South Africa back? Stander is direct: “We have the policies. We have the white papers. The problem is execution.” She believes unlocking growth demands urgency, strategic investment, innovation, and collaboration: “South Africa has both the vision and commitment to develop a world-class logistics ecosystem – but success depends on swift, decisive action.”

Encouragingly, progress is underway. “Operation Vulindlela, a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury, is already advancing key reforms, including introducing third-party rail access, corporatising the Transnet National Ports Authority, and enabling private sector participation in ports,” she says.

Logistics: The tipping point

Of all the reforms underway, Stander sees logistics as the most transformative. “Despite our rich resource base, inefficiencies in logistics are suppressing potential – especially in vital export sectors like agriculture and mining. Daily losses from rail underperformance and port delays can amount to billions,” she notes. “Our logistics costs are higher than the global average, but now we have real momentum.”

The corporatisation of the Transnet National Ports Authority marks a pivotal shift. For Stander, success means an independently-managed, commercially-minded entity delivering on efficiency and service. “We’re seeing the right reforms, the right signals, and – crucially – genuine private sector interest,” she says, highlighting the Sishen Iron Ore corridor and improvements at the Port of Cape Town as examples of progress, and adding: “It won’t happen overnight, but we must act with urgency.”

Delivery trumps rhetoric

Stander commends the reforms being implemented by Minister Barbara Creecy: “She is focused on delivery, not rhetoric. She listens, holds stakeholders accountable, and has embedded sustainability into the transport agenda.” She believes that Creecy’s reforms, marked by continuity and follow-through, have helped restore trust in public-private collaboration. “Trust is essential for long-term investment,” says Stander, “and trust is built through consistency.”

Stander argues that public-private partnerships must move beyond stopgaps and aim for systemic impact. “The private sector wants predictability. They need to know the rules won’t shift with each minister. With clear frameworks in place, they will fund long-term value, not just short-term fixes.” She cites successful models from the energy and mining sectors, where streamlined approvals and digital platforms have accelerated progress. These approaches, she says, must now be adapted to transport.

Toward an inclusive future

At the heart of her keynote is a vision for truly inclusive public transport. “Imagine a South African commute of the future: you step outside your home in KwaMashu, Seshego, or Khayelitsha and your app shows that your electric shared taxi is three minutes away. You board – cashless, clean, safe, and on time. At the interchange, you switch to a solar-powered bus. There’s real-time information; free Wi-Fi. The air is clean and the sidewalks are shaded. Your journey is dignified, predictable, affordable, digital, integrated, and safe. That’s the future we should be building.”

Stander advocates for single-ticket systems, bicycle lanes, and smart mobility hubs – infrastructure that enables not just movement, but meaningful participation in the economy.

Going green, going forward

In the Western Cape, Wesgro is already leading the charge on green mobility. “Aligning with the global shift towards sustainable logistics is a strategic opportunity. We’re exploring EV component manufacturing, battery assembly, and green logistics hubs,” says Stander. “Green transport is not a cost – it’s a growth opportunity.”

Still, she recognises the challenges of transitioning from legacy systems: “It’s a step-by-step process. Incentives and tax relief can accelerate the shift. The private sector is already showing interest – we now need to scale it.”

From reform to leapfrog 

Stander is bold in her vision: “We don’t need to inch forward. We can leapfrog outdated models entirely – but it will require a Herculean effort.”

That means supporting SMMEs, accelerating digital and green transitions, and shielding reformers from political interference. Transparency is critical, she stresses: “Let performance indicators be public. Let them be visible.”

Build for tomorrow

Asked for one final message to policymakers, investors, and the public, Stander is emphatic: “The tension lies in addressing the urgency of now, while focusing on the future of transport in South Africa. As we navigate this tension, let’s not fix the system for yesterday – let’s build it for tomorrow. Transport reform is the fastest route to growth. We know what to do. Now we must do it – with urgency, integrity, and resolve.”