19 Dec 2022

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on borderless trains signed between Botswana Railways (BR) and the National Railway of Zimbabwe (NRZ) will see goods and services delivered on time and cost effectively.

Speaking at the launch of the borderless trains, which also saw the sending off the Bulawayo-bound goods train for the first time in many years, deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Mr Orapeleng Mosigi said common between the BR and NRZ was increasing operational efficiency.

He, therefore, implored the two organisations to commit to the noble course and further broaden in other areas and spheres such as business development and operations.

He said Botswana Railways had problems with aging assets maintenance backlog that was becoming a bottleneck to the smooth running of its operations.

“Botswana Railways would-be profit is eroded by maintenance costs.

However, there is an opportunity that the two organisations will collaborate and leverage on each other’s capabilities,” he added.

Mr Mosigi, also the ministry’s transport and planning director, explained that the NRZ had more qualified engineers and artisans that carried out their maintenance in-house and had bigger and better workshops.

On the other hand, Mr Mosigi said rail transport was one mode of transport that could integrate countries and regions.

He said the implementation of the African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCTA) would need rail infrastructure that facilitated trade between countries.

“It is for this reason that the MoU we are signing is important in the delivery of the aspirations of our leaders of growing intra- Africa trade.

The signing of the MoU is also a breakthrough and big achievement for the two organisations,” he added.

For his part, Francistown deputy mayor, Mr Lesego Kwambala described Francistown as a gateway to the Northern corridor.

He said because of its location, Francistown connected Botswana to Zimbabwe, Zambia and other countries in Central Africa through the Francistown-Kazungula road.

“The history of Francistown is close tied to that of the railway line, which was built in the late 1800s to transport goods form the mining town of Francistown to South Africa and beyond,” said Mr Kwambala.

He explained that the growth of the railway line had been integral to providing the economy of Francistown and providing easy access to many of Botswana’s major cities as well as international markets.

“As a result, Francistown has become an important hub for commerce and transportation, playing a key role in connecting Botswana with the rest of Africa,” he said.

He, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders to support BR as it embarked on a new adventure with limitless possibilities by introducing borderless or through working trains.

He said BR had come a long way since its inception in 1887 and had played an important role in the country’s socio-economic development.

Mr Kwambala, also councillor for Itekeng ward, said with the help of its partners and other stakeholders, BR had been able to reach more remote areas, creating thousands of jobs, boosting the economy and providing much needed services to rural communities.

The BR acting chief executive officer, Ms Chelesile Malele said Francistown continued to host BR activities that included the recent re-opening of the of the New Look Training Institute.

Ms Malele said BR would in June next year undertake a ground breaking ceremony for its multi-million pula mall at its plot behind Botswana Breweries.

For her part, NZR chief executive officer, Ms Respina Zinganduko thanked BR for having been innovative towards making the project a reality and for its success.

She explained that the project would enable the two national railway administrators to strengthen their working relationships in improving efficiency in their transportation operations in order to respond effectively to their customers’ needs.

“The MoU means that instead of BR trains having to return in Plumtree, now they will drive all the way into Bulawayo in instances where NRZ does not have the capacity to take over from BR trains at Plumtree as is the case in some instances,” she explained.

She added that NRZ trains would now be allowed to drive into Francistown again in instances where the administrator, Botswana Railways, did not have the capacity to pick Zimbabwe freight from Plumtree as it was occasionally the case. ENDS