2017

As 2017 draws to a close, the new factory and training centre complex and corporate office of emerging South African commuter train manufacturer Gibela, at in Ekurhuleni, is nearly complete – just short of two years from the start of construction.

Gibela wishes to distance itself from the flyers and Facebook posts that are currently circulating about the recruitment of people for a significant number of technical positions.

Gibela Rail Transport Consortium (Gibela) announced today that Mpho Makwana has taken over from Dr Xolani Humphrey Mkhwanazi as chairman of Gibela’s board of directors with effect from 1 October, 2017.

Gibela is a new, exciting, empowered South African company, charged with building South Africa’s new commuter trains right here in South Africa, by South Africans, over the next 10 years. In doing so, Gibela will revitalise South Africa’s once proud railway industry.

With its R1 billion train factory at in Ekurhuleni now 65% complete, South African train-builder Gibela is on track to complete its first South African-made X’trapolis Mega commuter train by the end of 2018.

Gibela – into its fourth year of delivery on a R51 billion contract with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to build 600 new commuter trains for Metrorail.

Gibela has launched an enterprise development programme to help new and established businesses in South Africa’s rail sector achieve growth and create jobs.

Gibela Rail Transport Consortium (Gibela) this week celebrates its third anniversary with a list of landmark achievements that sets South Africa’s railway sector well on track to recovery after decades of languishment.

Gibela Rail Transport Consortium (Gibela) has announced the appointment of Thierry Darthout as Chief Executive Officer to succeed Marc Granger.

Johannesburg, South Africa: Tuesday, 13 June 2017. For Gibela, our contribution to South Africa's rail industrialisation involves the bringing together of people and processes to make products that, together, will result in the first new commuter passenger trains to be built on South African soil in more than 40 years.

Gibela has reached the 50% completion milestone of the construction of its train manufacturing facility in , east of Johannesburg – exactly one year into the construction programme.

Johannesburg, South Africa: Tuesday, 09 May 2017. The first of 600 new commuter trains for South Africa - built by Gibela Rail Transport Consortium (Gibela) - were today launched by the President of the country, Jacob Zuma, and the customer, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), at an inaugural ceremony held in Pretoria.

Gibela Rail Transport Consortium (Gibela) has completed the first round of recruitment of full-time employees for the car body shell workshop at its new train manufacturing plant at in Ekurhuleni, successfully filling all 49 skilled and semi-skilled boilermaker and welder posts – as planned – with historically disadvantaged (HD) applicants from 13 local communities.

Gibela Rail Transport Consortium (Gibela) has welcomed the restoration of law and order in Duduza, Ekurhuleni today, following weeks of community unrest.

Gibela Rail Transport Consortium (Gibela) is accelerating its engagement with representatives of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) and elected community leaders in a bid to end continuing unrest in Duduza, Ekurhuleni.

Gibela Rail Transport Consortium (Gibela) has launched an extensive campaign to recruit operators and artisans for its new manufacturing facility and trainees for its new training centre, both at in Ekurhuleni.

Gibela is a new, exciting, empowered South African company, charged with the building of South Africa’s new commuter trains right here in South Africa, by South Africans, over the next 10 years. In doing so, Gibela will revitalise South Africa’s once-proud railway industry

Tuesday, 7 February 2017 was a big day for Gibela, its customer, PRASA and thousands of excited rail commuters travelling in the Koedoespoort – Rissik Corridor in Pretoria. The first of 600 new, state-of-the-art X’Trapolis Mega trains built by Gibela for PRASA carried its first passengers, paving the way for its entry into full commercial service.