Civil Engineering September 2022 | Vol 30 No 8

Gibela unveils its 100 th train set T rain manufacturer Gibela recently celebrated the high-profile handover ceremony of its 100 th train set to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) in Dunnottar, Ekurhuleni. The event was attended by Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula, Gauteng Premier David Makhura, PRASA board chairperson Leonard Ramatlakane and other dignitaries in the transport and rail industries. In 2013, Gibela signed a R51 billion contract to supply PRASA with 600 six-car trains for its Metrorail service. The company also has a contract to deliver post-delivery train maintenance and technical support to PRASA and to manufacture and supply spare parts. The unveiling of Gibela’s 100 th train set signifies that the company is on track to meet the requirements of delivering on its mandate to PRASA. Additionally, developing these trains will help to optimise the commuter experience and increase Metrorail’s fleet volumes and its ability to meet commuter demand. Speaking at the event, Gibela board chairperson Irene Charnley said, “We’re proud to be supporting the revitalisation of the rail industry and driving inclusive economic growth. We have an ongoing obligation that we take very seriously. Manufacturing these state-of-the-art passenger trains is a good-news story that every South African should be proud of.” The older Metrorail commuter trains will be gradually retired and replaced with Gibela’s new trains, which are aptly named iSitimela saBantu, meaning the people’s train. Ramatlakane said PRASA is in a phase of rebuilding through an intensive rehabilitation of infrastructure across South Africa – except the Eastern Cape, which has a shared service with Transnet infrastructure. Through the rebuilding process, PRASA is preparing for the roll-out of the people’s train in South Africa. Makhura noted, “This is the kind of project we want to take to the African continent. This project is a first of its kind in Africa and the first of many – it will not stop here. We’re going to expand this to other regions, create more jobs and upskill more people in South Africa.”  I n br i ef Unveiling of Gibela’s 100 th train set Lafarge SA launches new eco concrete A fter successful market adoption in Holcim markets globally, Lafarge South Africa, a member of the Holcim group, recently launched ECOPact in South Africa. ECOPact is the company’s broadest range of green concrete and is an essential component of its strategy to advance the transition towards low-carbon and circular construction. “ECOPact is Lafarge SA’s broadest range of green concrete for high- performing, sustainable and circular construction. With the rollout of this green concrete, we are accelerating the transition to more sustainable building materials for greener construction,” says Kaziwe Kaulule, CEO of Lafarge SA. ECOPact is sold at a range of low- carbon levels, from 30% to 100% less carbon emissions compared to standard (CEM I) concrete. Where regulatory conditions allow, ECOPact products integrate fly ash and other upcycled construction materials, further closing the resource loop. With this new ECOPact green con- crete range, Lafarge SA aims to continue to lead the way in sustainable and circular construction. The company embraces a circular business model with leading operations in waste recycling under the Geocycle brand. This subsidiary co-processes more than 100 000 tons of waste per annum. Lafarge SA also leverages its subsidiary Ash Resources to be at the forefront of helping to provide the construction industry with more effective cement and concrete formulations that extend the boundaries of performance, and signifi- cantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  ECOPact is Lafarge SA’s new green concrete offering 48 September 2022 Civil Engineering