• South African A340-600
    South African Airways
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    SA/SAA
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Johannesburg Airport
    Year Founded:
    1934
    Alliance:
    Star Alliance
    CEO:
    Thomas Kgokolo
    Country:
    South Africa

South African Airways has announced that, as April becomes May, there will be a change to its leadership structure. This weekend, the carrier's interim CEO will step down from the position, with the role subsequently being assumed on a more permanent basis. Let's look at who's involved, and what this means for SAA.

All change

In a statement released yesterday, South African Airways explained the nature of the upcoming transition. This will see interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo replaced by John Lamola, who will also become the carrier's Executive Chair. Kgokolo had been in the role for a year, following SAA's exit from a voluntary business rescue process.

His time in charge at SAA is considered to have been a successful one, with the airline having "made significant strides in improving revenue and reopening services both locally and regionally." SAA's Bembe Zwane, who serves as a Lead Independent Non-Executive Director at the airline, explained further that:

"Thomas took the job of CEO as leader of a cohort of a Transition Management Team. He was generous enough to offer his professional services under a short-term contract which we have eagerly extended on numerous occasions. Thomas has requested that his contract not be renewed. We appreciate the time he has given to SAA and look forward to the leadership of the executive team by John Lamola."

South African Airways Airbus A340-300
Incoming CEO John Lamola has been on the SAA board since last July. Photo: Getty Images

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A glowing CV

In John Lamola, South African Airways appears to have found itself a CEO with a rich and diverse academic and professional background. The airline explains that his postgraduate qualifications include a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh and an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Professionally speaking, he has already served as the CEO of Denel Aviation between 1996 and 2001. As well as having been on the board at South African Airways (as a Non-Executive Chair) since July 2021, he also spent five years on the board at Airports Company South Africa between 2012 and 2017.

Furthermore, Lamola's aviation pedigree also includes the presence of consulting firm Baji Aviation Service in his portfolio of private equity investments. Away from the world of aviation, his work also sees him serve as an Associate Professor at the Institute for Intelligent Systems of the University of Johannesburg.

South African Airways A320 Taxi
Photo: Airbus

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A year of transition

2022 will see multiple transitions at South African Airways. Indeed, as well as its impending leadership change, the carrier is also set to be sold by the country's government to the Takatso Consortium. This group will take on a 51% share in the airline later this year, whereupon it reportedly plans to invest 3 billion Rand ($195.34 million) in the carrier. Lamola will surely be hoping for a smooth transition.

What do you make of South African Airways' impending leadership change? Have you ever flown with the airline? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments.