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South African Airways\u00a0(SAA) CEO Prof John Lamola has resigned and will vacate the post at the end of April, SAA confirmed on Friday afternoon. It also said three board members had resigned, without naming them.<\/p>\n
However, industry insiders say it is a broader \u2018bloodletting\u2019 at the national airline, which includes the group\u2019s CFO.<\/p>\n
Lamola\u2019s resignation comes on the same day that news broke of the Public Protector exonerating Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy for allegedly improperly interfering in the process to appoint the SAA CEO last year.<\/p>\n
Read:\u00a0SAA\u2019s profit mirage exposed as bailout disguised as share capital<\/p>\n
SAA said in a statement that following a board meeting, Creecy, in her capacity as shareholder representative, together with the SAA board, has accepted the resignation of Lamola, with effect from the end of April 2026.<\/p>\n
Aviation analyst Guy Leitch claimed in social media posts that besides the three non-executive board member resignations, the group\u2019s \u201cCFO \u2018retired a few days ago\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe minister and board extend their sincere appreciation to Professor Lamola for his dedicated and distinguished service to the national flag carrier. He has led SAA during a defining period in its history, having first joined the organisation in July 2021 as a non-executive director and chairperson of the board, before assuming the role of [interim] Group CEO in May 2022,\u201d the SAA statement read.<\/p>\n
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Lamola was officially appointed group CEO last year after a recruitment process that was later red-flagged for alleged interference from Creecy and Mashatile by the Democratic Alliance, which asked the Public Protector\u2019s office to investigate.<\/p>\n
Read\/listen:
SAA explains accounting irregularities and its decision to help FlySafair
SAA\u2019s \u2018latest scandal\u2019: John Lamola named CEO [Feb 2025]<\/p>\n
In Friday\u2019s statement SAA said that the board has appointed Matshela Seshibe, the CEO of SAA\u2019s subsidiary company, Air Chefs, as the acting group CEO.<\/p>\n
It added that the process to recruit a permanent group CEO will commence shortly.<\/p>\n
Board resignations<\/p>\n
The SAA board said that it also noted the recent resignation of three board members for varying reasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Minister of Transport, as shareholder representative, has expressed confidence that the remaining 10 board members possess the requisite expertise and experience to continue discharging their fiduciary duties effectively,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe board and executive management remain firmly committed to ensuring leadership continuity and maintaining operational stability. Like many global airlines, SAA continues to contend with external pressures, including rising aviation fuel costs linked to geopolitical developments in the Middle East, which are impacting the broader industry,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
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Lamola\u2019s leadership<\/p>\n
SAA highlighted that Lamola took on the leadership of SAA at a critical juncture, as the airline emerged from business rescue and had to navigate the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder his stewardship, SAA implemented a disciplined and focused rebuilding strategy, restoring operations and re-establishing its position within a highly competitive global aviation market,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSupported by a committed and resilient workforce, the airline expanded its fleet from five to 19 aircraft and grew its route network from six to 17 destinations. This included the reintroduction of key international routes such as S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil, and Perth, Australia, alongside the strengthening of its domestic footprint,\u201d SAA added.<\/p>\n
\u201cProfessor Lamola has played a pivotal role in rebuilding\u00a0SAA and positioning it for sustained success. His leadership during a complex and demanding period has left a lasting and positive legacy on the organisation,\u201d commented SAA board chair Sedzani Mudau.<\/p>\n
Read:
SAA launching Cape Town and Johannesburg routes to Brazil
SAA is debt-free
SAA secrets could be revealed this week<\/p>\n
#SAA #CEO #John #Lamola #board #members #resign<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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