GOVERNMENT has stressed the
urgency of appointing a new ceo
for SAA, with Vodacom Group
executive, Vuyani Jarana, rumoured to
be the leading candidate. Yet, some
industry players are sceptical about
whether new leadership will have any
impact on the trade.
Vuyani is said to be one of five
candidates – two South Africans and
three foreigners – whom government
has shortlisted for the position.
Some say a new and competent
ceo could have a positive impact
on improving relations between the
embattled airline and the trade.
Themba Mthombeni, ceo of Duma
Travel, says: “SAA has been rudderless
for a very long time and the relations
between SAA and the trade are at an
all-time low.”
Ben Langner, md of CWT, agrees.
“Knowledge and experience of the
airline industry would be desirable;
however, more important is that the
new ceo must be a skilled strategist
with strong governance, managerial
competencies and a long-term
commitment to ensuring the airline’s
survival on commercial terms.”
Themba says the position will
require a strong leader who
understands the travel trade. The
new ceo needs to understand the
dynamics of government, the carrier’s
only shareholder; be a turnaround
specialist; appreciate labour matters;
and have a keen understanding
of aviation technology and fleet
management. “This woman or man
must be a magician who can walk on
water,” he says.
Vuyani, however, is unknown
to the trade. “I don’t know
anything about Vuyani Jarani,”
says Ramon Geldenhuys, ceo
of 360 Degrees Travel. He
says the airline doesn’t need
a political appointee but rather
a business leader who is not
tainted by any of the current
scandal.
Other players, however, aren’t
too fussed about the national
carrier’s ceo appointment.
“I personally feel that
whatever ceo we have at SAA
has very little impact on us
as agents,” says Inge Beadle,
co-owner Corporate Travel
Services. Competent sales
reps and solid staff in the
finance department, who deal
efficiently with travel agent
payments and contracts are
more important, she says.
Rachael Penaluna, business
manager of Sure Maritime
Travel agrees and says
SAA runs very well from an
operations point of view.
“Schedules are good,
flights are on time, corporate
agreements are put together
timeously, our sales rep in PE
is outstanding. Their website is
up to date and informative.”
This week the appointment
of a new ceo was identified
as one of the stringent
conditions the airline must
meet after receiving the
R2,3bn emergency bailout
from government. “One of the
conditions is that SAA must
finalise the appointment of a
new ceo, a competent ceo.
The other condition relates
to the implementation of
the turnaround strategy,”
said Finance Minister,
Malusi Gigaba.
