BY: Saneliso Mlambo
On February 26, 2025, the South African Cabinet confirmed the appointment of Professor John Lamola as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of South African Airways (SAA) for a two-year term. This decision has been met with both commendation and controversy.
Professor Lamola brings a wealth of experience to his role at SAA. He previously served as the CEO of Denel Aviation from 1996 to 2001 and was a board member of Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) between 2012 and 2017. In academia, he is an Associate Professor of Philosophy of Technology at the University of Johannesburg. Lamola holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh and an MBA from a U.S. institution.
The appointment process has been scrutinized due to allegations of political interference. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has lodged a complaint with the Public Protector, accusing Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy of unduly influencing the selection. The SAA board had initially recommended Allan Kilavuka, the current CEO of Kenya Airways, as the preferred candidate. Philip Saunders, SAA’s former Chief Commercial Officer and interim CEO in 2020, was also ranked higher than Lamola. Critics argue that Lamola’s selection, despite ranking lowest in independent competency assessments, raises concerns about the integrity of the appointment process.
Despite the controversy, Lamola’s tenure as interim CEO has seen notable financial improvements for SAA. In the 2022/23 financial year, the airline reported a net profit of R252 million, its first positive bottom line since 2012. Group revenue increased by 183%, from R2 billion to R5.7 billion, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) shifted from a negative R1 billion to R277 million. Lamola attributes this success to a sustainable foundation and a five-year plan aimed at ensuring the airline’s self-sufficiency without reliance on government bailouts.
Looking ahead, Lamola emphasizes the need for fleet modernization to maintain competitiveness and environmental compliance. He suggests that while SAA aims to sustain operations through its own revenues, strategic partnerships may be sought to finance the acquisition of new, fuel-efficient aircraft. This approach aims to enhance SAA’s market reach and operational efficiency.
Professor John Lamola’s appointment as SAA’s GCEO marks a significant chapter in the airline’s history. While his leadership has yielded positive financial outcomes, the surrounding controversy highlights the complexities inherent in public sector appointments. The coming years will be pivotal in determining whether Lamola can navigate these challenges and steer SAA toward sustained profitability and growth.