Hazy: Malusi Gigaba was vague about Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s Reserve Bank comments.
Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba has formally announced the new board of South African Airways, in a statement released on Thursday morning.
The announcement confirms reports that Dudu Myeni has been axed as chair of the beleaguered airline, with businessperson Johannes Bhekumuzi Magawaza appointed at the new chairperson.
The changes will be effective from November 3, when Gigaba will have a special meeting with the new board.
Nolitha Fakude, currently on the board of Anglo American has been appointed the deputy chairperson and non-executive director, replacing outgoing deputy Tryphosa Romano.
New Board members who will serve as non-executive directors are:
Mr Geoff Rothschild – former JSE chairperson; Mr Ahmed Bassa an aviation industry professional; Ms. Tinyiko Mhlari – an accountant and Armscor board member, and Martin Kingston – the chief executive in South Africa for financial advisory firm Rothschilds.
Current non-executive directors who will continue to serve on the board are:
- Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala,
- Peter Tshisevhe,
- Thandeka Nozipho Mogoduso,
- Peter Holmes Maluleka
- Akhter Hoosen Moosa.
- Board members who will no longer serve are:
- Dudu Miyeni,
- Tryphosa Ramano,
- Mzimkulu Malunga,
- Siphile Buthelezi,
- Nazmeera Moola
- Gugu Sepamla.
“The new Board brings talent, expertise and energy to the airline, and they are all highly regarded individuals with a vast and in-depth knowledge of business in both the private and public sectors,” Gigaba said.
He encouraged the new appointees to “ignore the political noise, and focus on the business of strengthening SAA”.
“At the heart of these appointments, is a commitment from the South African Government to strengthen the airline, and create conditions to see the transformation of all our state-owned companies,” he said
He thanked the outgoing members for their work at the airline and said he hoped that the new Board, together with the incoming Chief Executive Officer, Vuyani Jarana, would implement the airline’s structural strategy and bring it to financial stability.
All Board members, incoming and those who will no longer serve, have been notified of these developments according to the statement.