The appointment of Matshela Seshibe as acting CEO of South African Airways (SAA) has sparked immediate backlash from aviation insiders and governance watchdogs, who argue that the move jeopardizes the stability of the struggling national carrier. The decision has been met with sharp criticism, with some industry professionals describing the leadership transition as a complete and utter “clusterf**k” on social media.
Seshibe, who previously led Air Chefs—a catering subsidiary of the airline—now finds himself at the helm of the parent company during a period of extreme volatility. The appointment has reignited scrutiny over his professional track record, specifically a controversial tenure at Daybreak Farms, a poultry producer funded by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC).
For an airline that has spent years navigating bankruptcy protections and restructuring, the choice of an acting leader without direct aviation operational experience is being viewed by critics not as a strategic move, but as a symptom of deeper systemic failures in state-owned enterprise (SOE) governance.
A gap in aviation expertise
The primary point of contention among industry experts is the disparity between Seshibe’s background and the requirements of running a global airline. While Air Chefs provides essential services, it is a catering operation—a far cry from the complex logistics, safety regulations, and competitive pricing strategies required to manage SAA’s fleet and routes.
Aviation analyst Guy Leitch described the situation as “extremely concerning,” noting a glaring lack of succession planning within the airline’s leadership structure. Leitch pointed out that acting appointments in these roles often become prolonged, meaning the airline may be led by someone who lacks the necessary industry pedigree for an extended period.
“It’s all the more strange that they appointed someone with zero aviation experience, whose role to date has been to run the least important SAA subsidiary,” Leitch said.
The Daybreak Farms controversy
Beyond the lack of industry-specific experience, Seshibe’s history in the corporate sector has come under renewed scrutiny. In late 2022, he was suspended from Daybreak Farms amid allegations that he had authorized millions of rand in irregular payments. While some subsequent reports suggested he may have been cleared of wrongdoing, the suspension was part of a wider governance review into the poultry producer’s irregularities.
Wayne Duvenage, chief executive of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), argued that Seshibe’s time at Daybreak Farms was a failure of leadership. According to Duvenage, Seshibe was originally brought into the poultry entity to stabilize it, but instead “perpetuated poor governance and deepened the crisis,” eventually leaving the role “under a cloud of allegations.”
The trajectory of Seshibe’s recent career suggests a pattern of short-term appointments across diverse sectors, which has raised concerns about his ability to provide the long-term strategic vision SAA requires.
| Organization | Role/Context | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| Coca-Cola | Management Role | Short-term tenure |
| Daybreak Farms | Executive | Suspended in 2022 over irregular payments |
| Air Chefs | CEO/Boss | Catering subsidiary of SAA |
| South African Airways | Acting CEO | Current appointment; zero aviation experience |
Allegations of ‘cadre deployment’
The appointment has also shifted the conversation toward the political influence governing South Africa’s public service. Duvenage characterized the move as “cadre deployment on steroids,” suggesting that political loyalty is being prioritized over professional competence.
This criticism comes at a particularly sensitive time, as President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed a bill intended to professionalize the public service. Duvenage noted that the rationale behind Seshibe’s appointment “boggles the mind,” specifically citing Seshibe’s association with the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation as a potential driver for the appointment.
The governance watchdog has called on Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to intervene and demand an explanation from the SAA board. Duvenage warned that the current state of affairs feels like “déjà vu,” describing the leadership situation as a “hot mess.” He further suggested that the departure of outgoing CEO Professor John Lamola could lead to legal challenges at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) if it is determined that Lamola was pushed out.
Industry sentiment and internal stability
The reaction within the aviation community has been visceral. On the FlyAfrica private Facebook group, where aviation professionals discuss industry trends, the mood was one of sarcasm and alarm. One member mocked the appointment, suggesting that because Seshibe ran a chicken company, the board might believe that “chickens can actually fly,” thus ticking the box for aviation experience.
More seriously, other professionals warned that such appointments create internal instability. There are fears that the lack of a qualified leader at the top could demoralize the airline’s remaining skilled workforce, leading to further brain drain at a time when the carrier is attempting to stabilize its operations.
“It’s worrying. There are some good people there, and they could be jobless again soon. The future is dark, very dark,” one industry professional posted on the forum.
As SAA attempts to position itself for a sustainable future, the appointment of an acting CEO with a controversial governance record and no operational experience in flight services remains a significant point of friction for stakeholders and taxpayers alike.
The next critical checkpoint for the airline will be the official response from the Department of Transport regarding the board’s selection process and whether a permanent recruitment search for a qualified CEO will be expedited to resolve the leadership vacuum.
Do you believe the acting CEO’s background is sufficient for the current needs of SAA? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
