South Africa has appointed a new chief executive officer for its national airline, South African Airways.
Prior to the appointment, the airline was headed by an acting CEO, Nico Bezuindenhout, after the SAA Board placed the CEO, Vuyisile Kona, on precautionary suspension on February 11, 2013.
According to a statement from the airline’s office in Nigeria, SAA named Mr. Monwabisi Kalawe as its CEO designate after its supervising minister challenged the SAA Board of Directors to continue to focus on improving the airline’s governance.
The statement quoted the acting Chairperson of the SAA Board, Ms. Dudu Myeni, as saying, “The board worked tirelessly to find a suitable leader, who will lead by example and stabilise the internal environment, whilst working towards ensuring good corporate governance within the airline.
“Mr. Kalawe will also lead SAA, as a strategic national asset, towards contributing to the socio-economic development of the country and the continent.”
According to the statement, Kalawe began his career at state-owned company, Eskom, before joining Nestle South Africa for a few years, and then, returning to Eskom for three years.
Kalawe also worked at Airports Company South Africa for six years before leading Total Facilities Management Company as Chief Operating Officer and Denel as Chief Executive Officer.
After concluding his role as Country Managing Director, Compass Group, for five years and more recently as Executive Chairperson, Kalawe will join SAA in the next few weeks.
Myeni also thanked Mr. Nico Bezuidenhout for accepting the role of the acting CEO over the last few months.
“We are also sincerely grateful for the incredible work that Mr. Bezuidenhout has done towards the development and timely submission of the airline’s first ever long term turnaround strategy,” Myeni added.
South African Airways serves 26 destinations across the continent, as well as major destinations within South Africa and internationally from its Johannesburg hub. It is a member of the largest international airline network, Star Alliance.
SAA’s core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its four wholly owned subsidiaries.