Strategic turnaround of South African Airways: What can we expect next?

On 23 September 2021, SAA will once again take to the skies within what is now a fundamentally changed domestic market. Following more than a year of uncertainty, Thomas Kgokolo was appointed the interim CEO of SAA in April this year, to oversee the national air carrier’s transition from business rescue to market re-entry. The imminent conclusion of a share purchase agreement between the department of public enterprises and Black-owned equity partner, the Takatso Consortium, will see a 51% private sector stake in the airline, along with government’s 49% interest.

Chairman of SAA’s Board, John Lamola, has said that the airline is restarting with a “formidable business case”, which has sought to identify and address key financial and operational challenges.

The question is what can we expect from the Strategic turnaround of South Africa Airways?

• What have been the contributing factors of SAA’s turnaround strategy?
• How are the significant challenges – from financial, to human resources and marketing – being addressed, and can these solutions sustain the new-look airline into the future?
• Furthermore, what has framed the strategic decision in the selection of its new airline routes and what factors will determine future expansion?

Join Joanne Joseph: Broadcast Journalist at the next Business Day Dialogues LIVE in partnership with UNISA School of Business Leadership with Thomas Kgokolo CA(SA): Interim CEO; SAA, Andile Nobatyi: Acting Academic Director; Unisa SBL, Lerato Nkosi: Senior Lecturer (Economics); Unisa SBL and Prof. Pumela Msweli: Executive Dean and CEO; Unisa SBL as we take a deep dive into the new South African Airways turnaround strategy.