South African Airways group CEO Prof John Lamola has resigned effective 30 April, the airline confirmed on Friday. Three non-executive directors, including deputy chair Fathima Gany, also stepped down.
The cluster of departures comes weeks after acting CFO Lindsay Olitzki retired just before the close of the 2026 financial year, leaving SAA without its top three financial and executive leaders in a matter of weeks.
Why it matters
SAA’s turnaround from business rescue has been presented as a rare state-owned enterprise success story. The leadership exodus calls that narrative into question and raises concerns about governance at an airline that has cost taxpayers more than R30 billion in bailouts over the past two decades.
The record
Lamola joined SAA as a non-executive director and board chair in July 2021, before becoming group CEO in May 2022. Under his leadership the fleet grew from five to 19 aircraft, and the route network expanded from six to 17 destinations, including the reintroduction of routes to São Paulo and Perth.
However, the Auditor-General issued qualified audits for each reporting period under Lamola’s watch. The 2025 annual report received a disclaimed opinion, the most severe audit outcome, drawing criticism from analysts.
Structural concerns
Aviation analyst Guy Leitch told TimesLIVE the departures pointed to deeper structural problems. He said even claims of profitability in the 2025 annual report masked underlying weaknesses.
The Citizen reported allegations that the resignations amounted to a “purge,” though SAA has not responded to that characterisation.
What happens next
Air Chefs CEO Matshela Seshibe has been appointed acting group CEO. The board said a recruitment process for a permanent replacement will begin shortly. Parliament’s portfolio committee on transport is expected to seek a briefing on the leadership changes.