South African Airways’ new CEO, Vuyani Jarana, will start his new job on November 1.

“The decision follows the conclusion of negotiations with his current employer on his release date,” said SAA Spokesperson, Tlali Tlali.

Acting CEO, Musa Zwane, will return to SAA Technical as a full-time Chief Executive. 

He knows nothing about the airline business, but the appointment of the chief officer of Vodacom Business is being increasingly welcomed, as the trade learns more about him.

Vuyani Jarana got his MBA from Stelllenbosch University in 2000, since then he has had extensive board and operational experience in the telecoms sector both in South Africa and other parts of Africa.

A Vodacom inside source told Tourism Update that if someone could make a difference at SAA, it would be Jarana.

“This man is honest, hard-working and driven. He is also capable of making tough decisions,” Tourism Update was told. “He is a workaholic and if he operates at SAA like he does at Vodacom, his fellow executives can expect weekend calls and burning the midnight oil as he sinks his teeth into turning the airline around.”

According to Business Day, Jarana says his lack of aviation experience does not worry him. All in all, along with the recapitalisation that has been promised by Finance Minister, Malusi Gigaba, it does seem that for the first time in many years, a ceo of SAA will be in with a fair chance of making the airline work. He will need to be tough, though.

Business Day also reported that Jarana was recruited through an external headhunting process.