According to Nam News Network, these developments include the $90 million investment by West Wits Mining Ltd to open a new gold mine, Transnet opening South Africa's rail network to Train Operating Companies (TOCs), and Standard Bank's investment of US$10 million towards the advancement of women entrepreneurs.
Addressing a media briefing in Pretoria, Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, stated that Cabinet welcomed these initiatives during a meeting. With production scheduled to begin in 2026, the South African economy is expected to receive a major boost in new jobs, skills development, and economic growth.
As a significant step towards opening South Africa's rail network to private operators and reforming the rail sector, Transnet has selected 11 new Train Operating Companies (TOCs) and allocated them with 41 routes and six corridors. Transnet's Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) estimates that the new TOCs will carry an additional 20 million tonnes of freight per annum from the 2026/27 financial year, supplementing Transnet Freight Rail's (TFR) forecasted volumes and contributing to the government's target of increasing freight moved by rail to 250 million tons per annum by 2029.
The third-party access to the rail network is expected to improve the utilisation of the network, reduce network unit costs by involving more operators, increase revenue, and contribute to investment in the maintenance and modernisation of the network. This development will also reduce the external costs of freight logistics and improve the competitiveness of rail, as emphasised by the Minister.
Standard Bank's $10 million investment in the African Women Impact Fund (AWIF) aims to support women fund managers with businesses in Africa. This investment is possible through the strategic public-private partnership between the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) and Standard Bank of South Africa. The AWIF seeks to address the US$42 billion funding gap experienced by women entrepreneurs on the continent.
Through Operation Vulindlela, a joint initiative between the Presidency and National Treasury, the government is accelerating the implementation of structural reforms to enable economic growth and job creation. The first phase focused on addressing constraints in energy, logistics, water, telecommunications, and the visa system. The second phase aims to target new areas of growth, including improving local government performance, addressing spatial inequality, and advancing digital transformation.
Cabinet has also approved the publication of the Incubation and Business Development Services (IBDS) Policy Framework for public comment. This forms part of the broader National Integrated Small Enterprise Development Masterplan, which seeks to accelerate Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) growth through measurable programmes, products, and services. Key objectives include enhancing business development services, ensuring better access to support for MSMEs, and fostering innovation.
Additionally, Cabinet approved the publication of the draft Air Freight Strategy for South Africa for public comment, aiming to address current challenges such as fragmented cargo corridors and high entry barriers, and to improve competition and infrastructure connections with other markets.