Johannesburg, Friday, 19 April 2013. South African Airways (SAA) today announced Mr. Monwabisi Kalawe as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) designate. This comes after the DPE Minister’s challenge to the SAA Board of Directors to continue to focus on improving SAA’s governance.
“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,” said Ms. Dudu Myeni, acting Chairperson of the SAA Board of Directors. “Mr. Kalawe will also lead SAA, as a strategic national asset, towards contributing to the socio-economic development of the country and the continent.”
Mr. Kalawe began his career at State Owned Company (SOC), Eskom, before joining Nestle South Africa for a few years and then returning to Eskom for three years. No stranger to the aviation industry, Mr. Kalawe also worked at Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) for six years before leading Total Facilities Management Company (TFMC) as Chief Operating Officer and Denel as Chief Executive Officer.
After concluding his role as Country Managing Director of Compass Group for five years and more recently as Executive Chairperson, Mr. Kalawe will join SAA in the next few weeks.
Ms. 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.
**ENDS**
About SAA
South African Airways (SAA) is the leading carrier in Africa, serving 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: SAA Technical; Mango its low cost carrier; Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA and South African Travel Centre (SATC). SAA is the winner of the 'Best Airline in Africa’ Award in the regional category for ten consecutive years and the winner of ‘Service Excellence Africa’ for three consecutive years. Mango and SAA hold the number one and number two successive spots as South Africa’s most on - time airlines.
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SAA Group Corporate Affairs
Dileseng Koetle
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Mobile: +27 83 400 0041
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Tlali Tlali
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Mobile: +27 82 333 3880
Email:TlaliTlali@flysaa.com
or
Kabelo Ledwaba
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Email: KabeloLedwaba@flysaa.com
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