Alstom chooses new CEO for Bombela Maintenance Company

Alstom Southern Africa has announced that Shumani Madanda is the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Bombela Maintenance Company (BMC).  

Shumani will be responsible for the company strategy, operations and lead the team as it explores growth opportunities and position BMC as a reliable and innovative mobility solutions provider.

Shumani has more than 20 years of experience in railway engineering having started his career at Transnet Freight Rail and later joining the Gautrain during the construction phase. He has extensive expertise in railway engineering management, project engineering, systems engineering, operations and maintenance, and systems performance management. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering and a Master’s in Engineering Management among others.

“I am excited to lead a competent and capable multi-disciplinary team at BMC. I certainly look forward to contributing to the evolution and modernisation of South Africa’s rail industry with Alstom as a key partner for smarter and energy-efficient railway solutions.”Shumani MadandaChief Executive Officer, Bombela Maintenance Company

“I am excited to lead a competent and capable multi-disciplinary team at BMC. I certainly look forward to contributing to the evolution and modernisation of South Africa’s rail industry with Alstom as a key partner for smarter and energy-efficient railway solutions. At Alstom, we innovate to transform mobility at large, by pioneering smarter and greener mobility solutions for both operators and passengers,” said Shumani.

Bombela is a special purpose company which maintains the Gautrain. The Bombela scope includes the maintenance of the core railway system, which has the following sub-systems:  96 Electrostar cars, 153 kilometres of track, the cityflo 250 signalling system, six 25kV substations, 21 kilometres of conductor rail for the tunnel section, and 135 kilometres of catenary wire system. For the above ground sections, it includes: the automatic fare collection systems, the communication systems which incorporates; Radio, CCTV, Fibre, Telephone, PIS, SCADA and PAVA, and the maintenance of way and workshop equipment.

Alstom is a long-term partner to Southern Africa, contributing to the rail industry revitalization by providing transport solutions adapted to local needs and contributing to the local economy through localization of its activities. Alstom’s strategy is illustrated by investments and acquisitions done in the country. Alstom is the majority shareholder of four major joint ventures in South Africa: Alstom Ubunye, Gibela Rail, Bombardier Transportation SA and Bombela Maintenance. Bombela is a long-standing partner of Gautrain supplying its commuter trains and signalling systems and will maintain the fleet until 2026. South Africa could thus become a real railway leader for the whole African continent.

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