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\u2019s 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%.
\nMeanwhile, the Ctrack Transport & Freight Index declined by 3.3% over the same quarter, reflecting
\npressure across the logistics sector. For businesses, reliability affects productivity and
\ncompetitiveness. For consumers, it matters because the supply chains behind everyday goods
\ndepend on transport that works.
\nAt Creamer Media\u2019s recent Transport: Reform and Recovery webinar, Transport Minister Barbara
\nCreecy acknowledged the scale of the challenge, noting that comparable reforms in other countries
\nhad taken years. \u201cWe can all agree that the reforms we're introducing should have been introduced
\n20 years ago,\u201d she said.
\nFor Mpho Mokwena, Head of Technical & Services at Shell Lubricants South Africa, the conversation
\nmust also extend beyond infrastructure. \u201cRail, road transport and ports all play a critical role in
\nmoving our economy forward. These systems cannot be viewed in isolation because they ultimately
\ndetermine how efficiently South Africa can compete,\u201d says Mokwena.<\/p>\n
The overlooked cost of keeping things moving
\nWhen a vehicle breaks down, the consequences can extend well beyond the repair bill. For a fleet
\noperator, it can mean a missed delivery, a disrupted schedule, or an asset temporarily taken out of
\nservice. For a producer, delays can complicate the journey from farm or factory to market. At scale,
\nthese operational pressures can erode the efficiency businesses need to grow.
\nIn an economy where businesses are under pressure to do more with less, reliability is a competitive
\nadvantage. Every avoidable delay, preventable breakdown, and hour of downtime puts pressure on
\ntime, resources and productivity. South Africa\u2019s transport recovery must therefore look beyond what
\ngets built to what keeps working. The opportunity lies in making every part of the transport chain
\nperform better, every day.
\nInfrastructure investment and rail reform remain essential to improving the country's transport
\nnetwork. However, the benefits of these investments also depend on the vehicles, equipment and
\nmachinery operating within the system being maintained to perform reliably.
\n\u201cWe have a responsibility to take deliberate steps to reduce our carbon footprint. Through the
\nproducts and services we provide, we aim to help customers improve operational efficiency and
\nreduce their environmental impact. As an industry, we must continue to explore ways to reduce
\nemissions and operate more sustainably, ensuring that the transport systems businesses rely on
\ntoday can support a more sustainable future,\u201d says Mokwena.
\nThis makes preventative maintenance an important part of the wider conversation about transport
\nefficiency. Identifying potential problems early, adhering to servicing schedules and using products<\/p>\n
that meet manufacturer specifications can help operators protect their assets, manage maintenance
\ncosts and reduce avoidable downtime.
\nLubrication plays a specific role in this process. The correct engine oil, used in accordance with
\nmanufacturer recommendations, helps protect engine components against wear and supports
\nreliable engine performance. While it cannot address infrastructure bottlenecks or resolve broader
\nlogistical challenges, it can help keep the vehicles and machinery that businesses depend on
\noperating as intended.<\/p>\n
Reliability starts before the breakdown
\nPreventative maintenance extends beyond commercial fleets to motorists who depend on their
\nvehicles every day. Regular servicing, checking oil levels and using the correct lubricant can help
\nprotect engine performance and reduce the risk of costly repairs.
\nThroughout Transport Month, under the theme Building a safe, sustainable, reliable and affordable
\ntransport system, the focus must extend beyond infrastructure investment to the performance and
\nmaintenance of the vehicles and machinery that keep people and goods moving.
\n\u201cUltimately, South Africa\u2019s transport recovery will not be defined by policy alone, but by reliability in
\npractice. When goods move efficiently, businesses grow. When transport systems perform as they
\nshould, industries become more competitive. And when people can depend on the infrastructure and
\nvehicles they rely on every day, the entire economy benefits,\u201d concludes Mpho Mokwena.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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