| Amanda Gebra Nkoe | |
| I consider the future of the business when making decisions | Consistently |
| I have ideas for improving the business or our solutions | Consistently |
| I respectfully question how we do things to make improvements | Often |
| I speak to colleagues to obtain their expertise and perspectives | Consistently |
| I use my initiative and am not afraid to get involved in solving issues | Consistently |
| I am a pioneer and encourage others to find new and better ways of working | Consistently |
| I invite people with different views to co-develop solutions to problems | Consistently |
| I recognise and reward creativity | Consistently |
| I work with others to turn my best ideas into reality | Consistently |
| I look for ways to use technology to improve the business | Often |
Please provide examples of how you have shown vision and the ability to innovate in your career (Approx 100-300 words) | |
| Strategic Vision: From Reactive to Predictive Maintenance My vision for South Africa’s rail infrastructure is centred on transitioning from traditional, labour-intensive maintenance to a data-driven, predictive asset management model. Recognising the limitations of manual tracking, I pioneered the integration of SAP System RR3 and Microsoft Project to create a centralised planning hub. This shift allowed me to critically analyse maintenance backlogs and implement joint, multidisciplinary shutdowns as a catch-up strategy months before potential asset failure. This proactive foresight resulted in a 38.2% reduction in unplanned maintenance-related delays during the 2024/25 financial year. Technical Innovation: Resilience in High-Risk Environments I have consistently applied innovative engineering solutions to restore and protect critical infrastructure. During a R40 million washaway recovery project, I did not merely restore the track to its previous state. I led a complex restoration that integrated enhanced technical resilience to prevent future failures. My ability to manage a R192 million track rehabilitation program while concurrently overseeing multidisciplinary teams of 400 employees demonstrates my capacity to innovate within large-scale, high-stakes operational environments. Innovation in Leadership and Sustainability Innovation also extends to how we manage human and financial capital during austerity. I developed long-term maintenance strategies that optimized resources despite significant budget cuts, maintaining 72.3% of planned interventions through meticulous joint execution plans with partners like PRASA. Furthermore, I have innovated the "social architecture" of the depot by establishing safety symposiums and level crossing awareness walkabouts, ensuring that technical compliance is integrated with community safety and stakeholder engagement. Awards and Continuous learning Recognised as Best Employee of the Year (2024) for leadership and contributions. Two-time finalist in the Standard Bank Top Women Awards 2025 as a Top Women Leader in STEM and a Top Women Young Achiever. Pursuing an MEng in Civil Engineering, Infrastructure Maintenance & Management, with strong technical knowledge in civil infrastructure development and maintenance. Holds rail engineering and management short courses in Infrastructure Maintenance & Asset Management, project & Contract Management (NEC3, Lean Six Sigma), Risk & Compliance, Continuous Improvement & Financial Management, Team Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement, and High-Risk Maintenance Strategy from the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria. |
