As operating costs rise and supply chains face mounting pressure, October Transport Month highlights a critical question: what will it take to keep South Africa moving reliably? South Africa’s transport challenge is not simply about infrastructure. It is about performance. Statistics South Africa reported that rail payload fell by 2.7% in the second quarter of 2026, while road payload increased by 5.4%.
Meanwhile, the Ctrack Transport & Freight Index declined by 3.3% over the same quarter, reflecting
pressure across the logistics sector. For businesses, reliability affects productivity and
competitiveness. For consumers, it matters because the supply chains behind everyday goods
depend on transport that works.
At Creamer Media’s recent Transport: Reform and Recovery webinar, Transport Minister Barbara
Creecy acknowledged the scale of the challenge, noting that comparable reforms in other countries
had taken years. “We can all agree that the reforms we're introducing should have been introduced
20 years ago,” she said.
For Mpho Mokwena, Head of Technical & Services at Shell Lubricants South Africa, the conversation
must also extend beyond infrastructure. “Rail, road transport and ports all play a critical role in
moving our economy forward. These systems cannot be viewed in isolation because they ultimately
determine how efficiently South Africa can compete,” says Mokwena.
The overlooked cost of keeping things moving
When a vehicle breaks down, the consequences can extend well beyond the repair bill. For a fleet
operator, it can mean a missed delivery, a disrupted schedule, or an asset temporarily taken out of
service. For a producer, delays can complicate the journey from farm or factory to market. At scale,
these operational pressures can erode the efficiency businesses need to grow.
In an economy where businesses are under pressure to do more with less, reliability is a competitive
advantage. Every avoidable delay, preventable breakdown, and hour of downtime puts pressure on
time, resources and productivity. South Africa’s transport recovery must therefore look beyond what
gets built to what keeps working. The opportunity lies in making every part of the transport chain
perform better, every day.
Infrastructure investment and rail reform remain essential to improving the country's transport
network. However, the benefits of these investments also depend on the vehicles, equipment and
machinery operating within the system being maintained to perform reliably.
“We have a responsibility to take deliberate steps to reduce our carbon footprint. Through the
products and services we provide, we aim to help customers improve operational efficiency and
reduce their environmental impact. As an industry, we must continue to explore ways to reduce
emissions and operate more sustainably, ensuring that the transport systems businesses rely on
today can support a more sustainable future,” says Mokwena.
This makes preventative maintenance an important part of the wider conversation about transport
efficiency. Identifying potential problems early, adhering to servicing schedules and using products
that meet manufacturer specifications can help operators protect their assets, manage maintenance
costs and reduce avoidable downtime.
Lubrication plays a specific role in this process. The correct engine oil, used in accordance with
manufacturer recommendations, helps protect engine components against wear and supports
reliable engine performance. While it cannot address infrastructure bottlenecks or resolve broader
logistical challenges, it can help keep the vehicles and machinery that businesses depend on
operating as intended.
Reliability starts before the breakdown
Preventative maintenance extends beyond commercial fleets to motorists who depend on their
vehicles every day. Regular servicing, checking oil levels and using the correct lubricant can help
protect engine performance and reduce the risk of costly repairs.
Throughout Transport Month, under the theme Building a safe, sustainable, reliable and affordable
transport system, the focus must extend beyond infrastructure investment to the performance and
maintenance of the vehicles and machinery that keep people and goods moving.
“Ultimately, South Africa’s transport recovery will not be defined by policy alone, but by reliability in
practice. When goods move efficiently, businesses grow. When transport systems perform as they
should, industries become more competitive. And when people can depend on the infrastructure and
vehicles they rely on every day, the entire economy benefits,” concludes Mpho Mokwena.
