South African Airways interim CEO to step down

South African Airways (SAA) interim CEO, Thomas Kgokolo will step down as head of SAA at the end of April 2022. after a one-year tenure serving at the flag carrier’s helm.

John Lamola will assume the role of Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer with effect from May 1, 2022, according to a press statement released by SAA on its website.

Kgokolo took office on April 13, 2021, and oversaw the re-entry of South African Airways into operation after exiting business rescue on April 30, 2021.

Bembe Zwane, SAA Lead Independent Non-Executive director, said “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.”

John Lamola was appointed non-executive chairman of the SAA Interim Board in July 2021.

According to the SAA statement, Lamola said: “the business strategy of SAA remains intact and on course as the Board and the Ministry of Public Enterprises are steadfastly pursing their goal of a sustainable SAA for the good of the entire South African economy.”

Since taking office, Thomas Kgokolo faced the steep challenge of overseeing SAA’s re-entry into operation from administration at a time when the airline was restructuring to reduce debt and its workforce. This entailed working on re-building trust with SAA’s largest pilots’ union, the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA), while navigating the uncertainties of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Takatso Consortium is a firm comprised of two entities namely, Harith General Partners, a pan-African fund manager and investor in African infrastructure and airport development, and Global Airways a local airline management firm.

The consortium was announced as SAA’s new Strategic Equity Partner (SEP) in June 2021 as part of efforts to restructure the legacy carrier after its entry into business rescue on December 6, 2019. aerotime.aero & SAA