"As a pioneering black female fortunate enough to have been trusted with some of the top jobs in the local aviation industry, including this one of being the CEO of the national airline, I have always given these jobs my best shot, endeavouring always to lead and work with passion and integrity" - Siza Mzimela
These are the CEO's words in an email to staff announcing her resignation.
"This is not a random move. I have given this decision careful thought and feel that now is the best time to relinquish my position as your CEO and allow somebody else to pilot the company into the future," Mzimela said.
Commenting on the "daunting task of steering this mega national asset", she said: "I leave with some satisfaction and pride because we have, together, given this task our all and scored many notable achievements despite the challenging environment".
"We should all be proud of the job we have done together over these last three years as we sought to fulfil SAA’s dual mandate: to be a strategic national asset supporting developmental State policy; as well as being a viable and respected commercial entity – which we are.
"But as many of you know, there has not always been a uniform understanding and appreciation of this mandate from stakeholders, which bred a myriad of challenges – as if the operating environment was not daunting enough without this unnecessary discourse and misinformation."
Sapa quoted the office of Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba as saying: "Yes we have received the resignation". Gigaba's spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete added: "We have accepted the resignation, but it was not with immediate effect. She will remain with us for some weeks until we find a suitable person to act in the interim".
BD LIVE reports that SAA is expected to report a R1,25 billion loss for the year ended March 31 when it holds its AGM on October 15.
The exit of Ms Mzimela follows the dramatic walk-out by the majority of the board at the airline earlier this month, including the chairwoman Cheryl Carolus, all citing a breakdown in the relationship with the shareholder ministry the Department of Public Enterprises.
Last week the airline won support from National Treasury after hard negotiations between that department and the Department of Public Enterprises to support the airline, which according to the previous board has a debt to equity ratio of -359%.
.
SAA boss quits
"As a pioneering black female fortunate enough to have been trusted with some of the top jobs in the local aviation industry, including this one of being the CEO of the national airline, I have always given these jobs my best shot, endeavouring always to lead and work with passion and integrity" - Siza Mzimela
These are the CEO's words in an email to staff announcing her resignation.
"This is not a random move. I have given this decision careful thought and feel that now is the best time to relinquish my position as your CEO and allow somebody else to pilot the company into the future," Mzimela said.
Commenting on the "daunting task of steering this mega national asset", she said: "I leave with some satisfaction and pride because we have, together, given this task our all and scored many notable achievements despite the challenging environment".
"We should all be proud of the job we have done together over these last three years as we sought to fulfil SAA’s dual mandate: to be a strategic national asset supporting developmental State policy; as well as being a viable and respected commercial entity – which we are.
"But as many of you know, there has not always been a uniform understanding and appreciation of this mandate from stakeholders, which bred a myriad of challenges – as if the operating environment was not daunting enough without this unnecessary discourse and misinformation."
Sapa quoted the office of Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba as saying: "Yes we have received the resignation". Gigaba's spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete added: "We have accepted the resignation, but it was not with immediate effect. She will remain with us for some weeks until we find a suitable person to act in the interim".
BD LIVE reports that SAA is expected to report a R1,25 billion loss for the year ended March 31 when it holds its AGM on October 15.
The exit of Ms Mzimela follows the dramatic walk-out by the majority of the board at the airline earlier this month, including the chairwoman Cheryl Carolus, all citing a breakdown in the relationship with the shareholder ministry the Department of Public Enterprises.
Last week the airline won support from National Treasury after hard negotiations between that department and the Department of Public Enterprises to support the airline, which according to the previous board has a debt to equity ratio of -359%.
.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos