Mott MacDonald, the global management, engineering and development consultancy, has appointed Rudie Basson as its rail and port practice lead in Africa. He will promote best practice and support professional excellence networks. Basson will also assist with business development in the sectors, help support the company’s global rail and port business initiatives and build further links with Transnet.
An experienced project manager, he has over 30 years’ experience of infrastructure projects, beginning his career as a site engineer on a new coal export rail line in South Africa. He joins Mott MacDonald from Transnet, one of South Africa's foremost state-owned entities, where he has spent most of his career. During this time he was directly responsible for Transnet’s R340-billion rail and port infrastructure expansion, including projects such as the R6,2-billion container terminal in the Port of Nqgura, the R4,7-billion upgrade and extension of container terminals in Durban and Cape Town, and the upgrading of heavy haul rail lines for Manganese and Iron ore exports.
Neresh Pather, development director at Mott MacDonald in South Africa, said: “Our clients face a number of technical challenges and rely on us to deliver lasting solutions. Basson’s ability to analyse situations, see the bigger picture and implement projects successfully makes him a fantastic addition to our existing global capabilities. Our clients will benefit from his experience and the knowledge he brings.”
