Lizwi Mahlangeni
Eastern Cape
Summary
Results-driven Infrastructure Manager with over 20 years of experience in freight rail and port operations, specializing in asset management, predictive maintenance, ISO 55001/50001 compliance, and sustainability initiatives. Achieved an 18% reduction in national unaccounted water and delivered 10-20% energy savings through strategic certifications. Led disaster recovery efforts that restored services within two months while managing a substantial R1.6 billion budget and minimizing volume losses to just 2.4%. Expertise includes overseeing a diverse team of over 519 staff, managing 1,450 km of railway track, 7 depots with all realted facilites and optimizing a fleet of more than 250 assets.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
6
6
Languages
Work History
Acting Senior Manager: Asset & Energy Management
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA)
09.2024 - Current
- Led facilities and infrastructure oversight across 8 national ports, including depots, terminals, and administrative buildings, optimizing for efficiency and sustainability with a focus on energy and asset systems.
- Achieved ISO 50001 certification for TNPA and buildings, yielding 10-20% energy savings; reduced unaccounted water by 18%, saving millions in resources.
- Standardized maintenance and compliance across sites, enhancing resilience for billion-value assets and aligning with global standards like Etihad Rail's green initiatives.
- Directed energy management strategies, R&D for sustainable systems, and emergency preparedness, contributing to Transnet's economic growth objectives.
Depot Engineering Manager
Transnet Freight Rail
04.2013 - 10.2024
- Managed facilities/infrastructure for high-volume depots/terminals, overseeing technical/production departments (civil, electrical, signalling, telecom, structures) and executing projects to ensure safe, reliable rail operations.
- Implemented predictive/preventive maintenance using SAP PM/R3, extending asset life by 20-30%, minimizing downtime, and optimizing 1,450 km track, 250+ fleet, and 519+ staff (including 10 junior managers, 10 engineers, 40 technicians).
- Directed flood recoveries (2017-2023), restoring services in 2 months with R2.9bn budgets, limiting 2.4% volume losses; secured NOSA 5-star awards and NOSCAR status for safety/performance.
- Handled OPEX (R250m), CAPEX (R400m+), and COPEX budgets; compiled business cases, managed vendors/contracts, and ensured compliance with OHS Act, NEMA, RSR, SANS, and ISO standards.
- Led capital projects, feasibility studies, shutdowns, energy-saving initiatives (water/electricity/coal), root cause analyses, and staff development (goal setting, KPIs, training, recruitment).
Senior Engineer: Technical Standards & Systems
TNPA, Port of Ngqura
11.2023 - 08.2024
- Developed technical standards for port and freight infrastructures including facilities, benchmarking internationally for resilient, future-proof operations.
- Led R&D for advanced systems integrating predictive technologies and sustainability; presented at SAAMA Conferences (2024/2025) on asset management and economic growth via maintenance.
- Mentored 20+ engineers/technicians in compliance and innovation; published papers on predictive maintenance using machine learning.
Project/Maintenance Manager (Signals)
Transnet Freight Rail
04.2011 - 03.2013
- Developed/implemented maintenance strategies for signalling systems, optimizing processes for capacity increase and reliability over 600+ km control span with 84 staff (14 technicians, supervisors, production teams).
- Reduced failure incidents by 15-25%; managed installations, commissioning, audits, and compliance with OHS/NEMA; budgeted OPEX (R40m), COPEX (R50m).
- Provided operational leadership, staff scheduling, goal setting, and training; prepared for audits and executed projects for excellence.
Engineering Technician (Signals & Remote-Control Systems)
Transnet Freight Rail
09.2006 - 03.2010
- Provided multi-discipline support for railway operations, maintaining mechanical/electrical/civil assets, rolling stock, and port equipment over 100+ km lines, achieving 99% reliability with 69 staff.
- Developed long-term asset lifecycle plans, managed SLAs/contracts, disaster recoveries (derailments), and shutdowns; compiled SAP PM work orders and ensured OHS/NOSA compliance.
- Handled OPEX (R50m), CAPEX (R10m) budgets; led projects like compressed air room installation (R1.5m) and marshalling yard expansion (R8m); selected/disposed assets.
Education
Honours - Asset and Technology Management
University of Pretoria
12-2025
Postgraduate Diploma - Project Management
MANCOSA
12-2018
Higher Certificate - Employee Relations
UNISA
12-2014
BTech - Electrical Engineering
UNISA
12-2012
National Diploma - Electrical Engineering
Durban University of Technology
01.2005
National N Diploma -
Umlazi Technical College
12-2002
Matric (Grade 12) -
Kwa-Komani Comprehensive School
12-2001
Skills
Facilities Management: Depot and Port facilities, led projects to secure compliance certification, predictive/preventive maintenance (20-30% asset life extension), CMMS (SAP PM/R3)
Sustainability & Compliance: ISO 50001/55001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 9001/14001/22000, NEMA/OHS/RSR/SANS standards alignment
Technical Expertise: Water management systems, electrical systems, signalling/remote control, disaster recovery strategies, mechanical systems, railway engineering strategies, civil infrastructure, sustainability and energy optimization
Certification
ISO 50001 Energy Management
Accomplishments
- Optimized port and rail infrastructure, achieving ISO 50001 certification with 10-20% energy reductions.
- Led flood recoveries (2017-2023), managing R2.9bn budgets and restoring operations swiftly.
- Extended asset life by 20-30% through predictive maintenance, minimizing downtime in high-volume depots.
- Secured multiple safety awards, emphasizing compliance with OHS, NEMA, and RSR standards.
- Managed OPEX/CAPEX budgets up to R500m annually, including R400m+ for depot projects.
Affiliations
- Member, Southern African Asset Management Association (SAAMA)
- Professional Engineering Technician, Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), 2014
- Candidate Technologist, ECSA, 2021
References
References available upon request
Availability
- Immediate availability
- Open to relocation to UAE/GCC region
Timeline
Acting Senior Manager: Asset & Energy Management
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA)
09.2024 - Current
Senior Engineer: Technical Standards & Systems
TNPA, Port of Ngqura
11.2023 - 08.2024
Depot Engineering Manager
Transnet Freight Rail
04.2013 - 10.2024
Project/Maintenance Manager (Signals)
Transnet Freight Rail
04.2011 - 03.2013
Engineering Technician (Signals & Remote-Control Systems)
Transnet Freight Rail
09.2006 - 03.2010
National Diploma - Electrical Engineering
Durban University of Technology
Honours - Asset and Technology Management
University of Pretoria
Postgraduate Diploma - Project Management
MANCOSA
Higher Certificate - Employee Relations
UNISA
BTech - Electrical Engineering
UNISA
National N Diploma -
Umlazi Technical College
Matric (Grade 12) -
Kwa-Komani Comprehensive School