A China-made electric locomotive in the factory of Transnet Engineering. (File Photo: zhuzhou.gov.cn)
South Africa has been increasing cooperation with China in the manufacturing sector to boost the country's re-industrialization.
Transnet Engineering, a division of the South African National Railway Company, has bought over 350 electric locomotives from the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation.
Transnet CEO Thamsanqa Jiyane says that the production line is being run by a team including workers from both sides.
"They're planning together, and it's been a very huge success from a skill's transfer point of view. And we believe that there is technological transfer that will go with it as we start now maintaining those locomotives. They're all in operation."
Under the agreement, the first batch of 40 locomotives have been designed and manufactured in China, while key components of the remaining locomotives would be manufactured in South Africa.
Transnet and CRRC are now discussing the formation of a joint venture to introduce China's high-speed railway in South Africa.
