Traxtion has hosted its third annual The Future of Rail is Woman event at its Rail Services Hub in Rosslyn, bringing together high school learners, women in rail, industry professionals and partners to highlight career opportunities across South Africa’s rail sector.
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Learners from Amandasig Secondary School, Rantailane Secondary School, Boitumelong Secondary School, Alafang Secondary School and Royal Academy of Extra Lessons took part in the programme, which included industry engagement, mentorship and a Rail Fair focused on real-world rail challenges.
Rail Fair puts STEM skills to work
Amandasig Secondary School was named the winner of this year's Rail Fair after learners developed and presented a solution to a real-world rail challenge, applying their STEM knowledge and problem-solving skills.
In the weeks before the event, learners worked with mentors from Traxtion, SAFLog, Lucchini South Africa and Pamodzi Unique Engineering while developing their ideas for the competition.
“The Future of Rail is Woman is about making the rail industry more visible and accessible to young women as they begin making decisions about their future careers,” said Nnoni Mohlaphuli, brand, communications and marketing manager at Traxtion.
“It allows learners to engage directly with women already working in the industry, ask questions and gain a better understanding of the many career opportunities available across engineering, logistics, operations, maintenance and technology.”
Broad range of rail careers
Speaking to learners, Pulane Tshabalala-Kingston, CEO of Voestalpine Railway Systems, emphasised the range of skills needed across the rail industry and encouraged young women not to allow perceptions about gender or difficult subjects to limit their ambitions.
“Without a driver, without an engineer, a technician, an IT specialist, general workers and leaders, they are just heaps of metal,” she said, highlighting the role of people across the industry.
Tshabalala-Kingston encouraged learners to pursue subjects such as Pure Mathematics and science, while also highlighting career opportunities in procurement, human resources, health and safety, sales and marketing, finance, information technology and law.
“You don’t have to have everything figured out today. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and take the first step,” she said.
Industry panellists also highlighted pathways into the sector.
Sethunya Matsie, senior manager: permit assessments at the Railway Safety Regulator, called for greater confidence and professional development opportunities for women in rail.
Pelma Maja, senior manager: monitoring and reporting portfolio at Transnet, highlighted opportunities beyond engineering, while Nwabisa Gqamane-Ntiyane, CEO: Rail operations at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), encouraged young women to pursue mathematics and science and highlighted the growing participation of women in the sector.
Dr Paulina Mamogobo, chief economist at the Automotive Business Council (naamsa), emphasised the importance of mentorship and intentional career development.
Building the next generation
For Traxtion, the event forms part of efforts to introduce young women to the rail industry and the career paths available across the sector.
“The earlier we can expose young women to the rail industry and connect them with the people already shaping it, the better equipped they will be to make informed decisions about their future. By investing in young women today, we are helping to build the future of rail tomorrow,” said Mohlaphuli.
