SACAA boss resigns

5 Dec 2007. In the midst of the controversial grounding of Nationwide Airlines, the South Africa Civil Aviation Authority's (SACAA) CEO, Zakes Zenzele Gilbert Myeza, has resigned. Myeza had been in the job for only 18 months.

SACAA's reasons for Myeza's resignation

The timing couldn't be worse (not even a week has passed since Nationwide's aircraft were grounded), but the SACAA claim that Myeza's resignation is unrelated to the grounding of Nationwide Airlines. According to an SACAA's media release released by the Chairman of their Board (Mr. Duke Moroosi), Jeff Radebe (South Africa's Minister of Transport) was concerned that in 2 international audits on the South African Civil Aviation industry, concern was raised that there were seperate roles for CEO of the SACAA and the Commissioner for Civil Aviation. Radebe therefore issued a directive that the 2 roles be merged into one.

Even if the grounding of Nationwide wasn't related to Myeza's resignation, this is certainly what the South African public will remember him for.

Not a long time in the job

After being without a permanent Chief Executive Officer for three year, it was with little foresight that the Board of the South African Civil Aviation Authority announced the appointment of Mr. Zakes Myeza as the new CEO of Civil Aviation Authority from the 16th March 2006. Myeza replaced Mr. Mongezi India, who had been Acting CEO since November 2004 (before which Trevor Abrahams had left under a cloud - suspended in December 2002). Myeza lasted 18 months in the hot seat.

Zakes Myeza - background

Qualifications

2002: Certificate in corporate governance (with distinction) from RAU obtained in 2002.

1994: Certificate in aviation management from the International Aviation Management Training Institute (IAMTI) in Montreal

1993: MBA

B Com (Accounting) (with distinctions) degree in accounting, income tax, commercial law and statistics

Boards on which Myeza has served

Johannesburg Trust for the Homeless

Constitution Hill Development Company Pty Ltd

Newtown Development Company Pty Ltd

Gtech South Africa (a subsidiary of Gtech Holdings which is listed in the New York Stock Exchange)

ACSA

Petronet

Executive Director: Finance and Support Services at the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) Pty Ltd.

Who is going to be CEO/Commissioner?

The SACAA's board is yet to name the person who will be joint CEO/Commissioner.

Want to ask the SACAA questions?

You can contact the SACAA's Phindiwe Gwebu at 011 545 1086, 083 461 6070 or gwebup@caa.co.za

Board of the SACAA

Chairman of the Board	Mr Duke Moorosi
Member of the Board	Mr John Morrison
Chairman of HR and Remuneration Committee	Ms Bridget Mohlala
Chairperson of Safety Committee	General Themba Ntsibande
Chairman of Finance and Audit Committee	Ms M Magasa
(ex) Chief Executive Officer	Mr Zakes Myeza

Executive Management of the SACAA

Acting General Manager, Air Safety Infrastructure and Commissioner for Civil Aviation	Mr Gawie Bestbier
Acting General Manager, Air Safety Operations	Mr Obert Chakarisa
Acting General Manager, Aviation Security	Ms Poppy Khoza
Executive Manager, CEO's Office	Mr Sphelo Ntaka
Company Secretary	Mr Mohau Motake
Executive Manager, Occurrence Investigations	Mr Gilbert Thwala
Executive Manager, Legal Services	Mr Ntheri Magoai
(ex) Chief Executive Officer	Mr Zakes Myeza