What is it that Dudu Myeni has on the president? First, Jacob Zuma’s government gave Myeni the undeserved position of nonexecutive director at SA Airways (SAA) in 2009. Three years later, then public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba elevated her to chair of the ailing airline.Myeni immediately made her presence felt. With Gigaba’s help, she started interfering in SAA’s operations, relegating trained aviation experts to rubber-stamping her decisions. That is despite the fact that her only qualification is as a teacher, with no corporate or aviation expertise.When Gigaba resisted Myeni’s more hare-brained schemes, she had the airline shifted from public enterprises to national treasury, where she hoped finance minister Nhlanhla Nene would be more pliable. Nene wanted her replaced as SAA chair — but Zuma axed him, instead, in December 2015.Pravin Gordhan was then forced to accommodate Myeni as chair for a year. This year, when she reached her limit of two terms, finance minister Giga...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.