Private tracks, public gains?

For a country that really does go out of its way to make life as difficult as possible for the private sector, we sure do love going private for the solution.

- Richard Chemaly

Police? No. Private security. Fix the national electricity provider? No. Legalise private generation.

Drinking water? Better buy and refill your own 5l bottles.

Good news for train lovers in South Africa; it appears that our rail system is going in a similar direction. Undoubtedly, this means that it will become more expensive to ride the train, but in light of the current circumstances, it means that we'll actually get to ride the train again. At least, one hopes.

Yes, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced that of 25 companies that applied to use Transnet's 41 routes, 11 have been selected to go forward to the next round.

I could hardly believe it when I learned that the state is still hauling 160 million tons of cargo every year, but, apparently, there's demand for a further 90. It's that 90 that the state is inviting the private sector to participate in and don't worry about asking the obvious question. I'll do it:

What company sits on an extra 56% demand and then hands it over to the competition?