From 1910 – 1928 the South African Railways was managed by a General Manager of Railways at Johannesburg, who had under his jurisdiction four Assistant General Managers stationed at Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Bloemfontein. These officials were, in turn, assisted by five divisional superintendents who operated from strategic points throughout the country.

As a response to the increasing necessity for decentralisation of railway functions, the management structure was expanded in 1928. Top management consisted of a General Manager as well as an Assistant General Manager (Commercial) and an Assistant General Manager (Technical). In addition the post of System Manager was created on 1 April 1928. Nine System Managers, stationed at Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Kimberley, Durban, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Windhoek, replaced the four Assistant General Managers who had functioned prior to 1928.