South African Airways has announced Monwabisi Kalawe will take over as chief executive officer.

This comes after the deputy prime minister’s challenge to the SAA board of directors to continue to focus on improving SAA’s governance.

“The board worked tirelessly to find a suitable leader who will lead by example and stabilise the internal environment while working towards ensuring good corporate governance within the airline,” said Dudu Myeni, acting chairperson of the SAA board of directors.

“Kalawe will also lead SAA, as a strategic national asset, towards contributing to the socio-economic development of the country and the continent.”

Kalawe began his career at state owned company, Eskom, before joining Nestle South Africa for a few years and then returning to Eskom for three years.

No stranger to the aviation industry, Kalawe also worked at Airports Company South Africa for six years before leading Total Facilities Management Company as chief operating officer and Denel as chief executive.

After concluding his role as country managing director of Compass Group for five years and more recently as Executive Chairperson, Mr. Kalawe will join SAA in the next few weeks.