As operating costs rise and supply chains face mounting pressure, October Transport Month highlights a critical question: what will it take to keep South Africa moving reliably? South Africa’s transport challenge is not simply about infrastructure. It is about performance. Statistics South Africa reported that rail payload fell by 2.7% in the second quarter of 2026, while road payload increased by 5.4%.

Meanwhile, the Ctrack Transport & Freight Index declined by 3.3% over the same quarter, reflecting pressure across the logistics sector. For businesses, reliability affects productivity and competitiveness. For consumers, it matters because the supply chains behind everyday goods depend on transport that works.

At Creamer Media’s recent Transport: Reform and Recovery webinar, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy acknowledged the scale of the challenge, noting that comparable reforms in other countries had taken years. “We can all agree that the reforms we're introducing should have been introduced 20 years ago,” she said.

For Mpho Mokwena, Head of Technical & Services at Shell Lubricants South Africa, the conversation must also extend beyond infrastructure. “Rail, road transport and ports all play a critical role in moving our economy forward. These systems cannot be viewed in isolation because they ultimately determine how efficiently South Africa can compete,” says Mokwena.

The overlooked cost of keeping things moving

When a vehicle breaks down, the consequences can extend well beyond the repair bill. For a fleet operator, it can mean a missed delivery, a disrupted schedule, or an asset temporarily taken out of service. For a producer, delays can complicate the journey from farm or factory to market. At scale, these operational pressures can erode the efficiency businesses need to grow.

In an economy where businesses are under pressure to do more with less, reliability is a competitive advantage. Every avoidable delay, preventable breakdown, and hour of downtime puts pressure on time, resources and productivity. South Africa’s transport recovery must therefore look beyond what gets built to what keeps working. The opportunity lies in making every part of the transport chain perform better, every day.

Infrastructure investment and rail reform remain essential to improving the country's transport network. However, the benefits of these investments also depend on the vehicles, equipment and machinery operating within the system being maintained to perform reliably.

“We have a responsibility to take deliberate steps to reduce our carbon footprint. Through the products and services we provide, we aim to help customers improve operational efficiency and reduce their environmental impact. As an industry, we must continue to explore ways to reduce emissions and operate more sustainably, ensuring that the transport systems businesses rely on today can support a more sustainable future,” says Mokwena.

This makes preventative maintenance an important part of the wider conversation about transport efficiency. Identifying potential problems early, adhering to servicing schedules and using products that meet manufacturer specifications can help operators protect their assets, manage maintenance costs and reduce avoidable downtime.

Lubrication plays a specific role in this process. The correct engine oil, used in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, helps protect engine components against wear and supports reliable engine performance. While it cannot address infrastructure bottlenecks or resolve broader logistical challenges, it can help keep the vehicles and machinery that businesses depend on operating as intended.

Reliability starts before the breakdown

Preventative maintenance extends beyond commercial fleets to motorists who depend on their vehicles every day. Regular servicing, checking oil levels and using the correct lubricant can help protect engine performance and reduce the risk of costly repairs.

Throughout Transport Month, under the theme Building a safe, sustainable, reliable and affordable transport system, the focus must extend beyond infrastructure investment to the performance and maintenance of the vehicles and machinery that keep people and goods moving.

“Ultimately, South Africa’s transport recovery will not be defined by policy alone, but by reliability in practice. When goods move efficiently, businesses grow. When transport systems perform as they should, industries become more competitive. And when people can depend on the infrastructure and vehicles they rely on every day, the entire economy benefits,” concludes Mpho Mokwena.