The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has appointed Brian Monakali as its new CEO, effective August 1. The appointment was approved by Cabinet and endorsed by the RSR board of directors.

Following an extended period of more than two years without a permanent CEO, Monakali’s appointment brings critical leadership stability at a time when the South African railway sector is undergoing major regulatory, operational and technological transformation.

His appointment aligns with the implementation of the Railway Safety Act, which redefines the future of rail safety in South Africa.

Monakali is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of multidisciplinary experience, including more than 14 years in the rail sector and a decade in executive roles within the mining industry.

He has held key leadership positions at South32, Transnet Freight Rail, Lonmin Platinum, Unilever and the municipality of Port Elizabeth, demonstrating his expertise in engineering, operations, strategy, commercial and stakeholder relations.

Monakali is known in international rail forums, being the former International Heavy Haul Association global chairperson, where he spearheaded the creation of the Heavy Haul Vision 2030 – Digital Rail 4.0, a bold global framework adopted by ten countries in 2023.

He is also founder and chairperson of the South African Heavy Haul Association.

According to the RSR, Monakali has an inclusive leadership style and is committed to institutional capability-building, people development, ethical governance and operational excellence.

“His ability to inspire high performance and foster collaborative partnerships will be central to the RSR’s mission to ensure safe, reliable and resilient rail operations across South Africa,” the regulator said.

"Monakali’s appointment is not just a leadership transition, it is a defining moment in the RSR’s journey to reimagine rail safety in South Africa.

“His global perspective, deep sector knowledge and unshakable commitment to excellence embody the leadership we need to drive meaningful reform and restore confidence in the rail system. The board has every confidence in his ability to lead with vision, integrity and impact,” RSR chairperson Mpumi Ekeke said on August 1.

Monakali’s appointment is a strategic one as the RSR aims to deepen its focus on regulatory compliance, digital integration and stakeholder accountability.

“We look forward to advancing our strategic priorities under Monakali’s leadership and extend our appreciation to all stakeholders for their continued support in building a safer, future-ready railway system,” the RSR said.