Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

2008 Category 2: South Africa
a train can hold a lot of people and equipment and is able to expand simply by adding
another coach. In another region, however, another mode of transport may be more
feasible. The major requirements for implementing a similar initiative elsewhere are
funding and access to medical supplies and human resources.
Finally, one of the key elements to the success of the initiative is preparation. The
project management is involved in extensive planning of almost every aspect of the
train’s operations. Planning is thorough and Phelophepa staff have long checklists.
They repeat the same routine each week, which has helped to ensure that the train
runs smoothly and that there are no surprises. The selection of stopover locations and
negotiations with community leadership including hiring of temporary staff, and logistics
planning for community outreach activities are all finalized well in advance of
each stopover. The commitment of the Phelophepa staff cannot be overlooked. They
work long hours and live on the train away from their families for 36 weeks per year.
It is an extremely demanding job that not everybody can do. Much of Phelophepa’s
success rides on the competence and dedication of its staff members.
The Foundation renewed its commitment to build a second Phelophepa Health Train.
A business plan that will ensure the successful rolling out of a second “miracle train”
in 2010 is already under way. By bringing together all the stakeholders such as
Transnet Rail Engineering, that contribute to the construction of Phelophepa I, the
Foundation will ensure that the construction of the Phelophepa II is a project that
belongs to the whole of Transnet.
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