Rail Industry Veteran, Mr. Rowlen Von Gericke Inducted into the Hall Of Fame by Banking on Africa’s Future for His Contributions in the Transport Industry

Brian Kazungu, 23/05/2021

JOHANNESBURG (MAY 23, 2020) – Mr. Jagjit Singh, the Chairman of the Banking on Africa’s Future (BOAF) – 10,000 Points of Light (POL) – Hall of Fame initiative announced today that Mr. Rowlen Von Gericke, has been elected to the 10,000 POL – Hall of Fame Honoured Membership, in the transport industry for his contribution in the rail sector.

Mr. Rowlen Von Gericke will be inducted tonight for his lifetime contribution to the rail value chain and for helping define and shape the character and personality of Africa’s rail industry as an address of world class innovation in rail solutions and products.

The induction ceremony will take place at the Royal India Restaurant in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Born on the 12^th of July 1945, Rowlen graduated with a B.Sc. Degree in 1973 at Wits University and started his career at Transnet in 1969.

From working in the workshop, he rose through the ranks to lead Transtrade, a subsidiary of Transnet, until 1996 when he resigned and established Global Railway Engineering in Kempton Park, South Africa.

He brought together a bank of experts in the major disciplines of railway engineering, civil engineering, construction and manufacturing and the company quickly developed a reputation as a global leader in railway innovation.

This entrepreneurial spirit and passion for identifying opportunities, nurturing ideas and developing innovative solutions led to the formation of the Global Group of Companies.

With rolling stock at the core of the business, the Global Group consists of a collection of like-minded companies and individuals that collectively provide sustainable and beneficial solutions to clients around the globe.

Today, Traction Motors and Self-Steering Bogies are flagship railway products within the group and after identifying the need for a well-established manufacturing facility, Global Worx was also created and now operates from a 7500m² premises in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.

Initially the company focused on manufacturing and refurbishing railway wagons for the local industry but now manufactures a wide range of heavy equipment such as Super-sucker tankers, Excavation and Drag-line Buckets, Earth Moving buckets and Load Bins.

Global Civil Solutions was started shortly thereafter to meet the growing demand for infrastructure development across Southern Africa and in 2006 the company increased its focus on the construction of roads and rail infrastructure utilizing innovative, state-of-the-art natural soil stabilizing techniques as its key differentiator.

More-so, because of the need to support communities where Global has a presence (especially in Africa) and after witnessing first-hand the debilitating and devastating effects of burns in these communities, Global Natural Products (GNP) was formed in early 2008.

Global Natural Products focuses on educating carers, nurses and doctors in rural areas and has introduced exciting new South African technology to safely, cost-effectively and painlessly treat burns and other wounds.

In 2009, while designing a turnkey railway project, Global identified a need in the Southern African market for good value for money mobile cranes and construction machinery to support the envisaged infrastructure developments (specifically railways).

At this point XCMG, the largest construction equipment and mobile crane manufacturer in China (3^rd largest in the world) appointed Global as the sole importer and distributor of XCMG products in Southern Africa.

XCMG Africa was formed within the Global structure to fulfil this role, offering a wide range of Construction equipment from XCMG as well as parts and full after sales service serving the needs for construction.

Mr. Mawere, the Chairman of Africa Heritage Society (AHS) said: “The nomination and election of Rowlen Von Gericke to be included in the 10,000 Points of Light – Hall of Fame in the Rail Category of the Transport Industry defies the often held idea that Africa is a dark continent.

He is the son of the soil and he is an African who was bred in South Africa, the African country of his birth. His heritage is African and knows not of any country and continent to give him identity.

His life is inextricably linked to the rail business and having known him personally, I can safely say that he has earned a new identity called MR. AFRICA RAIL.

When the history of Africa Rail is written, his footprints, ideas and works will always be part of the story and as such, inducting him into this Bank of Hope and Inspiration is well deserved.

The history of South Africa is well established and the idea that skin color can confer on some citizens a privilege or a better lottery of life is defied tonight simply because today’s inductees do not have a homogenous skin color but they represent the diversity that the system of apartheid sought to administratively abolish.

Because of the struggles related with justice and equality, today we can celebrate the contributions of the African tribe without any prejudice or favor.

I am, therefore, privileged to be part of this continuation of a conversation on race, identity, citizenship and excellence.” Mr Mawere explained.

BOAF Projects Director, Mr. Singh said: “Illiteracy can be toxic and the power of this initiative that I am proud to be part of lies in a foundational principle that speaks to the indivisibility of humanity.

I am also an African who was born in India. I left India voluntarily and came to Africa by choice. I came here from India with the intention of playing my part to build the Africa that I think is attainable with me playing my part in shaping and defining its personality and character.

I believe that anyone who lives and plays a part in giving meaning to the African brand is an African. We are created equal and endowed by the creator as humans with the rights of life, liberty and property.

Our property is what we choose to add as value through problem solving. Rail is a mode of transportation and as such the reality that rail is non-existent in the affairs of animals but in the affairs of people is very significant.

This shows that humanity and rail are inseparable. Having read Mr. Von Gericke’s track record, I can safely say that I am privileged to be part of the Hall of Fame project.

I wish to unreservedly welcome him to be part of this project which seeks to build a community of 10,000 ordinary Africans who have distinguished themselves as Africa’s brand ambassadors.” Said Mr Singh.

While commenting on Mr. Von Gericke’s nomination for induction, BOAF Media Network, Directoct, Mr. Frederick Koomson said: “I was born in Ghana but now I call South Africa my adopted home.

Like Mr. Singh, I am a foreigner to many but I am a human being who chose South Africa as a home to solve human problems.

The idea of BOAF came as a result of the quest to use a practical examples of the people among us to raise literacy around the issue of xenophobia and its toxicity so that diversity may be celebrated in order to fast track the building of bridges among the people of Africa.

It should make no difference where one is born and his or her skin color since what is important is the value which is added to the human race.

Rail is race agnostic and the Hall of Fame is inclusive and has open hands welcoming all who step forward and step up to the plate like Mr. Von Gericke to be Africa’s brand ambassadors.

This project has helped us in the media to have positive stories about Africa based on tangible outcomes from human endeavors.” Narrated, Mr. Koomson

In accepting his nomination, Mr. Von Gericke said: “I am humbled by this honor. I never at any stage in my long career thought that what I have done out of passion would attract the attention of others.

What many people may only see in the rail industry are the locomotives, engines, railroads and other related infrastructure, but the people who make it possible are not visible.

As such, when visibility of the actors like me is exposed, rail takes a human face and we are all better for it since there is no black or white signal system in the rail business.

I am excited to be inducted in this special month which celebrates the union of African states. Africa is us and when we meet to celebrate excellence, Africa is alive through us.”