Captains of industry have lauded the cabinet’s decision to endorse Professor John Lamola’s permanent appointment as Group Chief Executive Officer of the South African Airways (SAA) despite ongoing allegations of political interference in the selection process.
The board had apparently preferred Kenya Airways current CEO Allan Kilavuka or Phillip Saunders, whom it was reported scored higher than Prof Lamola in the interviews.
Lamola’s appointment was confirmed by the Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during a post-Cabinet briefing in Cape Town.
Meanwhile, pilot and aviation expert Phuthego Mojapele believe that Lamola possesses the right qualities and knowledge that the entity desperately need for survival.
Mojapele was speaking on You FM Newshour with Motlhaping Modise.
“This is the same person who led the SAA board when it emerged from the business rescue, we know for the fact that this is an individual who was there before everything had to be started.
You’ll remember at that time when SAA had absolutely nothing, they only had about four aircrafts, and Professor Lamola was there holding the fort.
He was also there when the then interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo chose not to have his contract renewed, he stepped in as the acting GCEO and as well as the acting Chairperson of the Board,” said Mojapele.
In addition, he commended Lamola for stabilizing the airline, reintroducing several regional and international routes that were abandoned due to financial and other struggles that bedevilled the entity.
“There’s nothing wrong with his appointment, I am speaking as a professional in the industry, looking at his experience and how he has transformed the SAA that had nothing to what it has accumulated today.
So, I will dismiss the allegations that there was political interference in his appointment, anyways these are politicians (who are making this statements) we mustn’t forget,” remarked Mojapele.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, has congratulated Lamola on his appointment.
The Minister said that she was delegated as the shareholder Minister of SAA at the end of August 2024.
A month later, she was briefed by the SAA Board Chairperson, Derek Hanekom, that a recruitment process was underway for the appointment of the GCEO of SAA.
“After that I received formal communication from the SAA Board Chairperson informing me of three appointable candidates for this position, requesting for my approval of one of the candidates,” explained Creecy.
She dismissed allegations that the authority of the SAA Board was disregarded in terms of its recommendations on who should be appointed to the position.
“Considering the importance of SAA as a state-owned entity, the sensitivity of potentially appointing a non-South African citizen in the CEO role, President Cyril Ramaphosa advised that I, together with the Deputy President meet with the two Board recommended candidates, to make a final determination on the most appropriate candidate for the role,” said Creecy.
