- Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced the new interim board at South African Airways (SAA).
- The newly appointed board serves to show government’s commitment to bringing stability to the national carrier, Gordhan explained.
- The board will oversee the under review integration of Takatso Consortium as 51 percent stakeholder in SAA.
It has been a tough few years for the country’s national carrier, as South African Airways (SAA) has seen its ability to effectively operate severely hampered by a number of issues. As such, the ailing airline is seeking some serious stability, which is why Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, this week announced an interim board at SAA.
Two of the key board member appointments are former Tourism Minister Derek Hannekom as interim non-executive director and chairperson of SAA, as well as Professor John Lamola, who will remain as an interim non-executive director and will continue as interim CEO.
Joining the pair are:
- Fathima Gany,
- Fundi Sithebe,
- Mahlubi Mazwi,
- Advocate Johannes Weapond,
- Clarissa Appana,
- Dumisani Sangweni.
According to a statement on the appointments, which you can read here (PDF), “Effective from 15 April 2023, will serve until the introduction of the Strategic Equity Partner, Takatso Consortium. This distinguished and diverse team boasts expertise across various fields, including aviation, chartered accounting, corporate financial management, legal, human resources, economics, public policy, investment, and transactions.”
“The primary focus areas of the Interim Board encompass providing strategic leadership to the
transitional management team and overseeing the integration of the Strategic Equity Partner,
Takatso Consortium. The Consortium is poised to acquire a 51% majority stake in SAA, with the
transaction presently undergoing regulatory review,” the statement adds.
Whether this new board can bring stability to a public enterprise that has been struggling for the better part of a decade remains to be seen. Either way, it serves as yet another entity which government has failed to effectively oversee and manage.
“The appointment of this Interim Board underscores our unwavering commitment to the success and stability of South African Airways. Their exceptional experience and expertise will guide the airline toward a prosperous future in collaboration with the Takatso Consortium,” said Minister Gordhan of the interim board.
“We recognize the challenges SAA has faced in the past and the importance of learning from those experiences to ensure the airline’s future success. The government is resolute in demonstrating our dedication to restructuring SAA and revitalizing state-owned enterprises, as part of our broader commitment to promoting economic growth and development. To support SAA in achieving its goals, we have put in place strategies and plans that align with the airline’s vision and objectives,” he concluded.
[Image – CC BY 2.0 Craig S Martin on Flickr]
