The 13th SARA Rail International Conference and Exhibition, held in South Africa in August 2024, was a vital platform for discussions on the future of rail transport in Southern Africa. The rail sector in the region faces many challenges, including aging infrastructure, insufficient funding, safety concerns, security issues, and capacity constraints. The conference emphasized the importance of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in railways and highlighted the need for investment in skills development. South Africa is making decisive strides towards building a modern and efficient rail sector, and the decisions made at the conference will undoubtedly influence the future of rail transport in the region.