Fifteen years after it was first proposed, the long-awaited high-speed rail link between Joburg and Durban is back in the spotlight.
Speaking at the launch of eThekwini’s new Public Transport Information Centre this week, Mayor Cyril Xaba urged government departments and financial institutions to finally act on the ambitious plan.
“We have been talking about the high-speed rail between Joburg and Durban for the longest time now,” Xaba said.
“It is not getting off the ground. We started discussing this issue in 2010.”
Presidential backing
The project, designed to connect South Africa’s two biggest economic hubs, was first mooted in the late 2000s and received renewed attention when Cabinet approved a framework for high-speed rail in November 2023.
The discussions also explored a Pretoria-to-Polokwane route, with these bullet trains expected to reach average speeds of around 177 km/h and exceed 200 km/h on certain stretches.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also reiterated the importance of high-speed rail during his 2024 State of the Nation Address, saying the Johannesburg–Durban route would be the initial focus.
Xaba said he had recently met with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), which expressed interest in helping to finance the project through blended funding models.
“If we succeed, it means that the city of Durban succeeds as well,” he added, noting that easier travel between the two cities would boost tourism, trade, and local economies.
High-speed rail to aid commuters
The mayor believes the rail link could transform regional connectivity – making weekend commutes and domestic tourism between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng faster and more accessible.
“People who work in Joburg could spend their weekends in Durban and invest back into their communities,” Xaba added.
The ANC’s eThekwini region has thrown its weight behind the proposal, describing it as a “transformative initiative” with the potential to stimulate growth, create jobs, and enhance mobility for thousands of South Africans.
