South African Airways CEO Professor John Lamola has resigned, effective end of April 2026, just four years after steering the carrier out of business rescue. The departure coincides with the CFO’s early retirement and immediate resignations from three independent board members, signaling potential structural instability.
Matshela Seshibe, current Air Chefs CEO with a background in poultry production, steps in as Acting Group CEO while a permanent replacement search begins.
Lamola’s tenure drew scrutiny over persistent audit issues, including qualified audits annually and a severely disclaimed 2025 annual report widely criticized by analysts.
Aviation expert Guy Leitch highlighted the cluster of high-level exits as evidence of deeper problems at SAA, beyond surface-level claims of profitability in the disputed 2025 report.
This leadership shakeup at the state-owned airline raises concerns for operational continuity and recovery efforts in a competitive market.