Gibela
| Company type | Collaborative enterprise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railway rolling stock manufacturing |
| Founded | December 2012 |
| Headquarters | Dunnottar, Gauteng , South Africa |
Area served | South Africa, Africa |
Key people | Thabiso Komako (CEO) |
| Products | X'Trapolis Mega electric multiple units (EMUs) |
| Owner | Alstom (70%), uBumbano Rail (30%) |
Number of employees | 1500 |
| Parent | Alstom (majority shareholder) |
Gibela represents a collaborative South African-French enterprise specializing in the manufacture of railway rolling stock, headquartered in Dunnottar, Gauteng, South Africa.
This firm is responsible for producing the advanced X'Trapolis Mega electric multiple units (EMUs), engineered specifically for South Africa's extensive Metrorail commuter network serving key urban centers, thereby playing a vital part in the country's transport framework.
Ownership is divided between Alstom, holding 70%, and uBumbano Rail with 30%. As a black economic empowerment consortium, Gibela is focused on broadening its reach by seeking further rail contracts throughout the African continent.
History
In December 2012, Gibela was selected as the preferred bidder for a R51 billion contract to supply 3,600 electric multiple units (EMUs) to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), with the agreement finalized in October 2013. The contract stipulated that Gibela would manufacture these units over a decade and offer ongoing parts and technical assistance after delivery. The initial twenty X'Trapolis Mega EMUs were assembled by Alstom in Brazil, while Gibela commenced construction of a R1 billion assembly plant in Dunnottar, Gauteng province, in March 2016 to produce the remaining 580 trainsets.
By March 2022, Gibela indicated that its activities from January 2014 through March 2020 contributed approximately 1.25% to Gauteng’s economy. Furthermore, between 2019 and 2022, it invested R34.46 million in local suppliers, thereby stimulating regional economic growth.
In July 2022, PRASA celebrated the delivery of the 100th trainset manufactured by Gibela as part of a R124 billion national rail refurbishment initiative spanning two decades. At that point, Mega trains were operational on routes within the Cape Town and Tshwane metropolitan areas.
As of May 2025, Gibela had completed production of 275 out of the initially contracted 600 trainsets. Incoming CEO Thabiso Komako emphasized that the PRASA agreement was instrumental in developing a domestic supply chain and enabling South African firms to export rail components. Several suppliers emerged exclusively due to this project, with some automotive and aerospace companies diversifying into rail manufacturing and integrating into Alstom’s supplier network beyond this contract.
Komako pointed out that while Mega trains currently operate at speeds between 30 and 40 kph due to signaling limitations, they are engineered for speeds up to 120 kph, suggesting opportunities for infrastructure improvements. He also reaffirmed Gibela’s ambition to secure the remaining half of the original order, which was initially limited to only 600 of the planned 1,200 trainsets.
Operations
The Gibela manufacturing facility—the continent’s inaugural train production plant—benefited from a R1 billion investment by the South African Government. Situated on a 78-hectare site in Gauteng province, it provides employment for approximately 1,500 individuals at full operational capacity.
The plant is outfitted with seven-axis welding robots—a rarity in the global rail sector—and employs LEAN manufacturing principles. It incorporates specialized equipment valued at R350 million across around 10,000 components and integrates approximately 250 interconnected industrial processes. With an output rate of two cars per day (equivalent to about 1.5 trains weekly or 62 trains annually), it boasts the fastest production pace worldwide.
The facility spans roughly , featuring a dedicated 1.2-kilometer test track designed for evaluating acceleration, braking performance, and simulating passenger loads.
Gibela commenced operations in January 2018 following completion of construction by March that year.
The company collaborates with 85 South African suppliers; by 2020, local content accounted for 56% of each train’s value. Workforce diversity is significant: nearly half (413 out of 921) employees are black women. Representation among black women includes 26% in senior management roles, as well as approximately 49% each in middle and junior management positions.
Products
- X'Trapolis Mega: This modular electric train consists of six carriages and accommodates up to 1,200 passengers. It operates on a 1.067-meter gauge track and can reach speeds of up to 120 kph. Engineered with an emphasis on sustainability, the train incorporates parts that are 90% recyclable and features energy-efficient elements such as a lightweight stainless steel frame manufactured locally. Passengers benefit from roomy interiors, expansive windows, air conditioning, CCTV surveillance, and WiFi connectivity.
Corporate social responsibility
In 2022, Gibela introduced a sponsored training initiative targeting unemployed individuals in KwaThema, Tsakane, Duduza, and other locations within Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. This program delivers instruction in 13 business and technical skills, aiming to combat unemployment by empowering nearby communities with the expertise needed to launch their own enterprises.
The company also administers a three-year apprenticeship scheme that has developed approximately 300 skilled artisans. Furthermore, its community skills development program annually trains around 650 participants in both technical and non-technical fields through six distinct courses.
Gibela contributes to education by providing bursaries for students attending universities, universities of technology, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, complemented by an internship program. Since the program began, more than 1,100 students have received financial support, with total bursary funding reaching R69 million as of September 2020.