It is a brave man or woman these days who accepts an appointment as the head of a state-owned enterprise where one’s tenure has come to turn, not on success, but on political machinations. Vuyani Jarana, who was appointed as the first permanent CEO for South African Airways (SAA) in more than two years on Thursday, will need good fortune and a strong character. As a relative unknown in the market and in the aviation industry — he was a division head at Vodacom before — he will also have to establish his credibility fast. He will not have the luxury of time either to work on a turnaround plan of his choice or a funding plan, given the urgency of SAA’s situation. He joins an organisation that has been gutted of skilled leadership and executives and hollowed out by corruption, with many positions filled by acting appointments. Jarana’s appointment comes just as more bad news emerged this week about SAA’s deteriorating financial position. Cash flow statements provided to Parliament show...
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