Construction Group Enza Construction and electrical engineering and infrastructure development company Tractionel Enterprise are assisting in the process of reviving South Africa’s rail and freight sector operations, thereby contributing to the country’s rail infrastructure development and maintenance.

Tractionel Enterprise – which was acquired by Enza Construction in 2021 – has been appointed by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) on the Belle Ombre-Hercules-Koedoespoort corridor for the repair and/or replacement of 60 km of overhead traction equipment (OHTE).

“We started this project in late November 2023 and have since completed and energised all lines within this corridor. Our commitment to excellence is evidenced by our progress . . . with the final test train successfully completed on May 12, 2024,” says Tractionel Enterprise executive chair Neresh Pather.

Tractionel Enterprise – in a joint venture (JV) with business management consultancy Storky Consulting & Projects – has also been appointed for the refurbishment and replacement of OHTE on the railway line, which spans 120 km, from Kaalfontein to Johannesburg. This is in addition to numerous OHTE refurbishment initiatives that have been completed by Tractionel Enterprise in Gauteng and nationwide.

“This endeavour is squarely focused on restoring rail electrification infrastructure. Leveraging our extensive expertise in this domain, we are poised to ensure timely delivery for our client,” he adds.

Enza Construction has also completed a small component of railwork at Bridge City – a new town 17 km from the Durban city centre, and a JV between sugar cane refining company Tongaat Hulett’s development branch and the eThekwini municipality.

Together, Enza Construction and Tractionel Enterprise boast more than 60 years’ experience in the construction and rail infrastructure sectors, with the latter having over 40 years of experience in the rail and freight sectors. This noteworthy record ties in with the companies’ shared vision to install, replace and maintain rail electrification infrastructure in South Africa.

Both companies are trying to improve the local rail and freight sector by pursuing tenders for PRASA and assisting the agency in getting its rail lines and infrastructure “back into safe and efficient operation”, Pather says.

“Equipped with a fleet of rail-road vehicles and a team of seasoned professionals, we are dedicated to collaborating closely with key stakeholders such as PRASA, State-owned freight and ports company Transnet, Gautrain and the broader mining sector,” he concludes.