The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) will bring leaders from Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe together at Automechanika Johannesburg for its Regional Conference 2026, taking place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on 28 and 29 October 2026.

Held under the theme ‘Driving Innovation, Bridging Borders for an African Future’, the conference will examine how transport, logistics and automotive ecosystems can support connected economies across the continent. The programme places collaboration at the centre of discussions on trade corridors, harmonised systems, safety, skills and the changing mobility landscape.

Elvin Harris: President – CILT South Africa

Elvin Harris, President of CILT South Africa, says the conference offers a meeting point for sectors whose success increasingly depends on coordinated action. “Transport and logistics connect every part of the economy. This gathering will create space for discussion on the infrastructure, standards, technology and people needed to move goods and opportunities efficiently across the region.”

Connecting Corridors and Enabling Trade

A central conference focus will be the future of Africa’s strategic road and rail corridors. Delegates will explore ways to reduce border delays and non-tariff barriers, strengthen one-stop border posts, and improve links between ports, dry ports and inland terminals.

Discussions will also consider investment approaches for corridor infrastructure, including public-private partnerships and blended finance, alongside the relationship between transport networks, the African Continental Free Trade Area and regional industrialisation.

Dr. Tapiwa Mujakachi: President – CILT Zimbabwe

Dr Tapiwa Mujakachi, President of CILT Zimbabwe, states that efficient cross-border systems are essential to prosperity. “Regional trade depends on reliable routes, predictable processes and a commitment to solving operational challenges. The conference will bring attention to the work required to make corridors serve businesses, communities and national development priorities.”

The agenda will further address harmonisation across borders, including vehicle standards, roadworthiness, weights and dimensions, customs documentation, permits and professional qualifications. Delegates will consider the development of common regulatory frameworks for new vehicle technologies, as well as the importance of aligning systems across regional economic communities.

Innovation, Safety and the Workforce of the Future

The conference will also examine the safety and security of people, cargo and freight corridors. Key themes include reducing road fatalities, promoting driver wellbeing on long-haul routes, countering cargo crime, strengthening fleet compliance, and using technology for tracking, monitoring and incident response. Cooperation among operators, regulators and law-enforcement agencies will feature as a foundation for safer regional supply chains.

Conversations will cover electric and new-energy vehicles, supporting infrastructure, local manufacturing opportunities, digital freight and last-mile platforms, smart logistics, data and artificial intelligence. Attention will also be given to policy support, funding and incubation for start-ups and small enterprises, together with the role of special economic zones in automotive and component innovation.

Dr. Tapiwa Mujakachi: President – CILT Zimbabwe

Prisca Mayumbelo, President of CILT Namibia, says the programme recognises regional opportunities. “Africa’s mobility future will be shaped by innovation that is relevant to local conditions and supported by capable institutions. Sharing experience across countries can help turn promising ideas into practical improvements for industry and society.”

Education, training and skills development will complete the programme’s core themes. Sessions will consider new-energy vehicle and digital logistics careers, technical and vocational pathways, industry-academia partnerships, work-integrated learning and professional development. The agenda will also highlight approaches to attracting young people and women into transport, logistics and automotive careers, while addressing funding for scarce-skills training.

Formal conference sessions will be followed each day by opportunities for delegates to visit the Automechanika expo floor and engage with exhibitors. CILT expects the event to encourage durable regional relationships and help shape solutions that support an African future built on connected African systems.

More information can be found at: https://www.ciltsa.events/cilt-conference-at-automechanika-johannesburg/

A significant milestone has been reached in the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA’s) ongoing modernisation of KwaZulu‑Natal’s rail network, with the installation of a new diamond crossing at Crossmoor Station.

The crossing was delivered by Maziya Group subsidiary, Maziya General Services, in partnership with voestalpine South Africa (VAE SA).

Athanacious Makgamatha, PRASA Executive: Group Capital Delivery and Execution

“The upgrade forms part of PRASA’s multi‑year Passenger Rail Recovery Programme and will dramatically improve reliability, safety and travel times for thousands of daily passengers,” says Athanacious Makgamatha, PRASA Executive: Group Capital Delivery and Execution at PRASA.

A Flawless Design

Designed and manufactured by VAE SA at its Isando, Johannesburg facility, the crossing is built on durable concrete sleepers, offering improved longevity, reduced maintenance and enhanced ride quality for passengers.

“This diamond crossing is a highly specialised piece of rail infrastructure that enables trains to switch between lines in areas with limited space, replacing a worn‑out installation that previously sat on wooden sleepers,” explains Sizwe Mkhize, Business Development Officer at VAE SA.

Sizwe Mkhize, Business Development Officer at VAE SA

The installation of the diamond crossing and associated turnouts in Crossmoor was performed by PEM-LEM turnout replacement machines, together with a specialised, dedicated track installation team.

Rails, turnouts and diamond crossings ensure safe train movements. Their installation requires a high level of precision, coordination, and specialised railway engineering skills to complete. The PEM-LEM team managed and executed the placement, gauging, levelling, and securing of these elements to ensure the track geometry meets strict operational and safety standards.

Impact Felt in More Ways Than One

According to Heinrich Mostert, Signalling Director at Maziya General Services, the upgrade is about far more than technical renewal. “This work restores mobility, restores dignity and restores opportunity,” he says. “For years, large sections of the line have been operating on a single track due to vandalism. Once all upgrades are complete, trains will be able to run in both directions on both lines again—10 minutes apart—instead of one hour apart.”

Heinrich Mostert, Signalling Director at Maziya General Services

For the communities served by Crossmoor Station and neighbouring areas, the benefits are already being felt. The previous speed restriction of 15 km/h over the old crossing has been lifted to 60 km/h now that installation, testing and commissioning are complete. The improved track geometry also reduces vibration and noise, resulting in a smoother, more comfortable passenger experience.

A South African Solution, Built for Local Needs

Kedibone Madiba, Head of the Perway Department at Maziya General Services, explains that the design and installation process is uniquely tailored to the constraints of the Crossmoor site.

“This is a brownfield environment with limited space, curves and a platform very close to the installation. A diamond crossing is the only viable solution,” he explains. “We designed everything locally, conducted the surveys, modelled the geometry and worked closely with VAE SA to ensure every component meets the required standards. The result is a system that fits perfectly and performs reliably, even under challenging operating conditions.”

Kedibone Madiba, Head of the Perway Department at Maziya General Services

“VAE SA’s local presence is critical. When you run a railway, you need immediate support during derailments or faults, and VAE SA has always responded quickly. Their quality and reliability give us unshakeable confidence,” states Madiba.

Partnership Delivers Real Community Impact

Ultimately, the crossover project forms part of PRASA’s long‑term commitment to rebuilding a safe, modern, dependable public transport system.

“The Crossmoor upgrade is one step among many, but its impact on the surrounding communities will be profound. Reliable rail transport transforms lives. It connects people to jobs, education and economic opportunities. We’re proud to revitalise a network that many people rely on,” concludes Makgamatha.

Next time you’re driving on the N3, take a look at the trucks around you. Some will be carrying supermarket stock, vehicle components or building materials. Others, despite looking exactly the same, won’t be carrying anything at all.

Their deliveries have already been completed, and they’re making the journey back with an empty trailer.

For the average motorist, it probably goes unnoticed. For the logistics industry, it’s one of the biggest challenges on South Africa’s roads.

Every kilometre still costs money. The truck still burns fuel, the tyres continue to wear, the driver is still on the clock and the vehicle is unavailable for another job. The only thing that’s missing is the load.

The Delivery Might Be Finished, But the Trip Isn’t

Dropping off the last pallet doesn’t mean the day’s work is over.

As soon as a truck is unloaded, the focus shifts to the next journey. Ideally, there’s another load waiting nearby. If there is, the vehicle keeps moving and continues earning revenue. If not, it heads back empty, ready for its next assignment.

That might not sound like a major issue, but think about it across hundreds of trucks travelling every day. What looks like the occasional empty trailer quickly becomes thousands of kilometres where expensive equipment is moving without transporting a single product.

Empty Space Comes at a Cost

It’s easy to assume empty kilometres are mainly about fuel, but the impact runs much deeper.

Every trip still adds wear to the truck. Drivers still spend hours on the road. Maintenance schedules don’t change simply because the trailer is empty. More importantly, every truck travelling without freight is capacity that could have been used somewhere else.

In an industry where margins are often tight, getting more from the fleet you already have is usually far more valuable than simply adding another vehicle.

There’s No Simple Fix

If reducing empty kilometres were easy, the problem would have disappeared years ago.

A return load isn’t always available where a delivery ends. Customer collection times may not line up. Warehouses have different operating hours. Production schedules change. Sometimes the next load is simply too far away to make commercial sense.

That’s why transport planners spend so much time looking beyond individual deliveries. They’re constantly trying to connect one journey to the next, finding opportunities to keep trucks loaded for as much of the day as possible.

Technology has made that easier, but it hasn’t replaced experience. Knowing where freight is moving, understanding customer operations and building strong relationships across the supply chain still play a huge role in making those decisions.

Every Journey Counts

Whether a truck returns with another load often has very little to do with the transport company alone. Production schedules, warehouse operations, customer delivery windows and even where businesses are located all influence what happens once a delivery has been completed.

Most people driving past a truck will never know whether it’s carrying a full load or an empty trailer, and chances are they’ll never think twice about it. Yet for the businesses behind the scenes, that difference shapes everything from operating costs to fleet capacity and customer service. In logistics, making the delivery is only part of the job. Finding a way to make the journey back count is where the real challenge begins.