Pray the News
Port poised for boost from autogiants
The Herald - 22 September

Abstract from The Herald
In a move that can turbocharge the Eastern Cape’s economy and cement Nelson Mandela Bay as the country’s automotive gateway, auto giants Ford SA and BMW SA are believed to be in talks about making the Port of Port Elizabeth their new export hub. This is according to Transnet Port Terminals Eastern Cape managing executive Wandisa Vazi, who was speaking in the Bay on Friday. Growth and turnaround in efficiency at the terminals in the Bay had made the Gqeberha port a more desirable pursuit, according to Vazi. “We were the smallest in terms of revenue within Transnet Port Terminals because we were sitting at about R2.1 bn in revenue, but with the growth we’ve seen in the Eastern Cape, attracting other commodities from other areas, we’ve grown our revenue to R3.6 bn”, Vazi said. “We are in the Port Elizabeth container terminal, we are in bulk, we do operate manganese. At the auto terminal, they have handled vehicles from Volkswagen, Ford, Porsche and BMW.   “We have managed to attract those because of how efficient we are in the Port of PE. “All of those used to go via Durban only. “We used to have only VW here, but we’ve managed to attract those in the Eastern Cape because they want to come to the best terminal.” She claimed “they are now putting pressure on the government to ensure we invest in the rail coming down to the Eastern Cape”. Transnet’s planned Ukuvusela project could see a high-capacity vehicle freight corridor between Gauteng and the Eastern Cape by 2028. In March this year, transport minister Barbara Creecy issued a request for information (RFI) to interested and affected parties in potential private sector participation in rail and port freight logistics projects. Project Ukuvuselela was launched to support the automotive manufacturing sector and is being spearheaded by the Industrial Development Corporation in an attempt to ensure the continued viability of automotive manufacturing in Gauteng. When submissions for the RFI officially closed on May 30, the Department of Transport received a total of 63 responses for the container and automotive intermodal corridor.

More Background
The Role of Project Ukuvuselela: The talks are closely tied to Project Ukuvuselela (isiZulu for "awakening"), a Transnet-led initiative with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to create a dedicated high-capacity rail corridor from Gauteng (Pretoria/Silverton) to Gqeberha by 2028. Launched in 2021 to support the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ), it addresses rail's underutilization (currently ~10% capacity on the southern corridor).

• Scope and Timeline: The project involves upgrading ~700km of the "Cape Corridor" (via Kroonstad and Bloemfontein), adding dedicated auto sidings, and expanding Gqeberha's RoRo terminal. A May 2023 tender sought turnkey EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) partners, with submissions closing in August 2023. Rail work is slated to start in 2025, pending private funding. Transnet's debt (R130+ billion) limits self-financing, so it's pursuing public-private partnerships (PPPs). In March 2025, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy issued a Request for Information (RFI) for private rail/port involvement, receiving 63 responses by May 30. President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted progress at the 2024 South African Auto Week, noting alignment with the national rail policy.
• Economic Rationale: A Cambridge Resources International feasibility study (2023) projects investments of R16-20 billion, reducing road freight by 30% and cutting emissions. For OEMs, it could lower costs by 15-20% vs. Durban routes (shorter distance: ~1,100km vs. 600km, but with dedicated capacity). Transnet estimates it could unlock R50 billion in annual economic value by boosting exports to Europe, the UK, and SADC markets.
• Stakeholder Momentum: Ford has "engaged extensively" with IDC/Transnet since 2019, per corporate comms manager Dudu Nxele (2023). In October 2024, Ford president Neale Hill called progress "slow but definite," expecting "material movement" in 18-24 months under Transnet's new management. Naamsa and Transnet signed an MoU in 2024 for an "auto war room" to fast-track issues. Vazi's September 2025 comments suggest talks have advanced to "pressure on government" for rail investments.

Prayer Pointers
We pray for the following:

• Wise Decision-Making in Negotiations
  Scripture: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV).
  Prayer: Sovereign Lord, we seek Your guidance for the leaders of Ford, BMW, Transnet, and private stakeholders as they negotiate the rail corridor’s future. Grant them discernment to trust in Your wisdom above their own, directing their decisions toward agreements that strengthen the automotive sector and honor You.
• Public-Private Partnerships
  Scripture: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1, NKJV).
  Prayer: Father, we pray for unity among private stakeholders and Transnet in Project Ukuvuselela. As they collaborate to build the rail corridor, let their partnerships be marked by harmony and mutual respect, reflecting Your heart for unity and ensuring a robust infrastructure for South Africa’s economy.
• Resources and Funding
  Scripture: "The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1, NKJV).
  Prayer: Heavenly Father, You own all resources, and we ask for Your provision to fund and sustain the Gauteng-Gqeberha rail corridor. Open doors for private investments, guide the allocation of the 2025/26 budget, and provide the expertise needed to overcome Transnet’s financial challenges, ensuring the project’s completion by 2028.
• Fruitful Negotiations
  Scripture: "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4, NKJV).
  Prayer: Lord Jesus, we pray for the automotive sector and Transnet to negotiate with humility and a shared vision. Inspire them to prioritize mutual benefits, fostering agreements that enhance port efficiency, reduce costs, and support the Eastern Cape’s growth, all to Your glory.
• Blessing for Economic Impact and Community Upliftment
  Scripture: "The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you" (Deuteronomy 28:8, NKJV).
  Prayer: Gracious God, we pray Your blessing on the rail corridor’s development, that it may uplift communities through jobs and economic growth. May the successful integration of private stakeholders and negotiations lead to a thriving export hub in Gqeberha, blessing South Africa with prosperity and hope.