The recent appointment of Professor John Lamola as the Group CEO of South African Airways (SAA) has stirred up significant political controversy in South Africa, drawing the ire of the DA and sparking allegations of undue political influence in the selection process.
On February 27, 2025, the South African Cabinet officially confirmed Lamola’s appointment for a two-year term, after he had been serving as the interim CEO since May 2022. Lamola’s appointment was celebrated by the SAA board, who lauded his leadership in guiding the airline back to profitability.
Under his Leadership, SAA Posted its First Profit in Over a Decade
The airline has finally seen an actual positive turnover for the first time in ten years with R 252 million hitting the books during the 2022/2023 financial year. Additionally, the airline expanded its fleet, workforce, and route network, signalling a positive outlook for the airline’s future.
But, despite these achievements, Lamola’s permanent appointment has been met with harsh criticism from the DA. The DA has filed a formal complaint with the Public Protector, alleging political interference in the CEO selection process. The complaint focuses on the role of Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy in allegedly influencing the decision to appoint Lamola over other candidates.
The controversy stems from claims that Lamola was appointed, despite ranking lower than Allan Kilavuka, the current CEO of Kenya Airways, and Philip Saunders, SAA’s former interim CEO. The DA contends that both Kilavuka and Saunders were more qualified based on independent competency assessments.
Private Interviews With Lamola Have Cast a Shadow on the Appointment
The party has accused Mashatile and Creecy of conducting private interviews with Lamola and Kilavuka after the SAA board had already shortlisted the candidates, calling into question the integrity and transparency of the process.
The DA has voiced concerns that Lamola’s appointment was the result of “political patronage” and a form of ANC “cadre deployment”. The opposition party alleges that the private meetings between Mashatile and Creecy, reportedly held at the Deputy President’s residence, were an attempt to sway the selection in Lamola’s favor.
Rise Mzansi has echoed these concerns and called for a full parliamentary investigation into the appointment process. The party also suggested that if the responses from SAA, Creecy, and Mashatile were not satisfactory, further legislative actions would be pursued to address the issue.
In defence of the appointment, Minister Creecy has maintained that the decision was made in consultation with the SAA board and that the government’s involvement was in line with standard procedure. She noted that while Kilavuka was the top-ranked candidate, his non-South African nationality raised concerns regarding security clearances, which contributed to the decision to appoint Lamola, a South African national, for the role. She also emphasised that Lamola had played a significant role in stabilising SAA and driving its financial recovery, having overseen the airline’s transformation during his interim tenure.
Does the Growth Speak for Itself?
While the controversy over the appointment continues to unfold, there is no denying Lamola’s accomplishments at the helm of SAA. During his time as interim CEO, the airline not only returned to profitability but also achieved a remarkable expansion. Revenue increased from R2 billion in 2021/22 to R5.7 billion in 2022/23, and the fleet grew from six to 20 aircraft, including the addition of two Airbus A330s. Lamola’s leadership has also been credited with increasing SAA’s workforce, from 800 employees in 2021 to approximately 2,000 by 2025.
This operational growth has had a significant economic impact. A study commissioned by SAA from Oxford Economics Africa projected that SAA’s gross value added (GVA) to South Africa’s GDP would rise from R9.1 billion in 2023/24 to R32.6 billion by 2029/30. The airline’s activities are also expected to generate a significant increase in government revenue, from R1.1 billion in 2023/24 to R4.4 billion by 2029/30.
Professor Lamola’s extensive experience in aviation—having previously served as CEO of Denel Aviation and held a board position at Airports Company South Africa—further bolsters his credentials for the role. His academic background, including a PhD in philosophy and religious studies from the University of Edinburgh and an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, adds a unique perspective to his leadership.
Next Steps for SAA Seem Already Laid Out
The debate over Lamola’s appointment raises questions about the future of South African Airways and the broader issue of governance at state-owned enterprises in South Africa. While the SAA board and government officials express confidence in Lamola’s ability to lead the airline towards continued success, the political storm surrounding his appointment is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon.
For now, the focus remains on the airline’s operational and financial growth, which Lamola has overseen so far. With the airline now reporting profitability, expanding its routes and fleet, and contributing positively to the South African economy, SAA’s future under Lamola may well depend on whether the controversy surrounding his appointment can be resolved.
Ultimately, the real test for Lamola will not just be navigating the political challenges ahead, but also ensuring that South African Airways continues to thrive in an increasingly competitive global aviation industry.
