Alstom appoints new chief executive officer for Alstom Ubunye in South Africa
Alstom appoints new chief executive officer for Alstom Ubunye in South Africa
Press contact Southern Africa
Thandeka Mchunu
Send an email2 April 2025 – Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, announces the appointment of Mr. Thabiso Komako as the new Chief Executive Officer of Alstom Ubunye, effective 1 April 2025.
In this role, Thabiso will lead the Alstom Ubunye operational site located in Nigel, South Africa. The site manufactures both mechanical and electrical components for trains and locomotives. In addition to components manufacturing, Alstom Ubunye provides essential services to keep trains in optimal condition through regular maintenance and offering digital tools to enhance train operations. They support all types of rail vehicles, including those produced by other manufacturers. The solutions are for all types of rail vehicles, including non-Alstom manufactured rolling stock.
"I am excited to build upon the strong foundation at Alstom Ubunye and to work collaboratively with the team to chart a course toward greater success, while still delivering exceptional solutions and growing our customer base in the Southern Africa cluster."
“We warmly welcome Thabiso to the Alstom Southern Africa leadership team. His impactful leadership, extensive experience, and proven track record in the rail sector will undoubtedly elevate Alstom Ubunye to new heights,” said Tristan le Masne, Managing Director for Alstom in Southern Africa.
As a registered industrial engineer with the South African Institute for Industrial Engineering, Thabiso has over 20 years of experience in the rail industry, covering areas such as rolling stock refurbishment, passenger train manufacturing, wagon maintenance, and infrastructure maintenance. His latest role was Rolling Stock Operations Executive at Gibela Rail Transport Consortium, where he developed strong leadership skills to effectively manage a large and diverse workforce since joining in June 2013.
Thabiso holds advanced project management qualifications from the University of Cape Town and a management advancement program from Wits Business School. He also earned an Honours degree in Industrial Systems/Engineering from the University of Pretoria and a bachelor's degree in Technology (Quality) from the University of South Africa.
“I am excited to build upon the strong foundation at Alstom Ubunye and to work collaboratively with the team to chart a course toward greater success, while still delivering exceptional solutions and growing our customer base in the Southern Africa cluster,” remarked Thabiso.
Alstom in Southern Africa
Alstom's growing presence in Southern Africa comprises a network of influential entities, including Alstom Ubunye, Alstom Rolling Stock South Africa JV specializing in locomotive manufacturing; Bombela Maintenance JV which maintains the Gautrain, and Gibela Rail JV that’s dedicated to local commuter train production. Additionally, our Alstom Tanzania branch focuses on signaling and infrastructure solutions. Through our steadfast commitment to localization, job creation, skills development, enterprise growth, and socio-economic progress, we are paving the way for a brighter future in the region. Together, we are not only advancing the rail sector but also fostering thriving communities and a resilient economy.
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