Verbatim: Michelle Phillips, CEO of Transnet

On the necessity of private capital: “Neither Transnet nor the government has the money to fix this on our own. That is why private-sector participation is essential.”
On private participation versus privatisation: “We want the private sector involved in our business, there’s no doubt about that, but this is not about privatisation. It’s about partnership.”
On restoring export logistics: “If Transnet works, the economy works. Our job is to restore the rail and port system so South African exporters can compete globally again.”
On rebuilding freight volumes: “Stabilising the network and getting volumes moving again is critical, once reliability improves, investment and growth will follow.”
On the broader economic impact of logistics reform: “Fixing the logistics system is one of the fastest ways to unlock growth in South Africa because it directly enables mining, agriculture and manufacturing exports.”

South Africa’s path to economic recovery, particularly in the mining and export sectors, depends heavily on private-sector partnerships, according to Phillips. Speaking at the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 and MITV interview, Phillips emphasised that rebuilding the country’s rail, port, and logistics infrastructure cannot be achieved by the state alone.

“Neither Transnet nor the government has the money to fix this on our own. That is why private-sector participation is essential,” Phillips said during a panel discussion focused on infrastructure and mining logistics. Phillips’ remarks came against the backdrop of Transnet’s ambitious recovery programme, which aims to stabilise freight volumes, modernise key corridors, and ensure that South African exporters can compete globally. She highlighted that Transnet’s success is intrinsically linked to broader economic growth, particularly in export-driven sectors such as mining, agriculture, and industrial manufacturing. “If Transnet works, the economy works. Our job is to restore the rail and port system so South African exporters can compete globally again,” Phillips noted.

At Mining Indaba 2026, Phillips participated in multiple sessions examining how public-private collaboration can unlock Africa’s mining potential. She shared insights on Transnet’s approach to private-sector involvement, including infrastructure concessions, joint maintenance ventures, and selective third-party train operations. These measures, she said, are designed to attract capital and operational expertise while keeping state ownership intact. “We want the private sector involved in our business, there’s no doubt about that, but this is not about privatisation. It’s about partnership,” she told a live audience of mining executives, investors, and policymakers.

Phillips further stressed that the urgency of logistics reform is amplified by the continent’s role in global supply chains, especially for minerals critical to the energy transition. By improving rail and port reliability, Transnet hopes to enable mining companies to increase production and reduce bottlenecks that have historically hampered South Africa’s competitiveness. “Stabilising the network and getting volumes moving again is critical, once reliability improves, investment and growth will follow,” she said, highlighting early successes in freight volume recovery.

Her participation at Indaba also underscored the importance of collaboration between governments, mining companies, and investors. Phillips called on industry stakeholders to view infrastructure not as a cost centre but as a lever for economic growth and industrial development. “Fixing the logistics system is one of the fastest ways to unlock growth in South Africa because it directly enables mining, agriculture, and manufacturing exports,” she concluded.

By combining state stewardship with private-sector capital and expertise, Phillips envisions a Transnet that not only restores operational performance but also acts as a catalyst for broader economic recovery. Her Indaba engagement reinforced the message that strategic partnerships are central to unlocking Africa’s mining potential and building resilient, export-oriented economies.