South Africa’s Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has officially appointed Brian Monakali as its new CEO, bringing much-needed leadership stability to the country’s rail sector after more than two years without a permanent chief executive.
The appointment, effective from 1 August and approved by Cabinet, comes at a crucial time as the RSR rolls out the new Railway Safety Act and works to transform rail regulation and operations across the country.
Monakali is no stranger to the rail industry. With over 25 years of experience across mining, logistics, and heavy industry, he’s held key executive roles at organisations including Transnet Freight Rail, South32, Lonmin Platinum, and Unilever. He also spent time working within the municipality of Port Elizabeth.
In the rail sector, Monakali’s influence extends well beyond South Africa. As former global chair of the International Heavy Haul Association, he helped lead the creation of “Heavy Haul Vision 2030 – Digital Rail 4.0”, a strategic roadmap adopted by ten countries for the future of freight and passenger movement. He’s also the founder and current chair of the South African Heavy Haul Association.
Monakali is widely respected for his collaborative leadership style, focus on ethics, and commitment to building high-performing institutions. According to the RSR, his ability to foster strong partnerships and drive operational improvements makes him ideally suited to steer the organisation during this pivotal moment.
His appointment signals a shift in the regulator’s priorities, with renewed emphasis on regulatory compliance, digital integration, and stakeholder accountability. The RSR believes that under Monakali’s leadership, the organisation is well-positioned to restore public trust in South Africa’s railways and deliver on its promise of a safer, more reliable, and future-ready rail network.
The RSR board has expressed full confidence in Monakali, calling this more than just a leadership transition—it’s a defining moment for rail safety in the country.