South African Airways acting CEO appointment draws sharp criticism over Matshela Seshibe's qualifications and past employment

The appointment of Matshela Seshibe, head of Air Chefs, as the acting CEO of South African Airways SAA has sparked immediate and strong criticism. Questions have been raised regarding his professional background and suitability for the role. Wayne Duvenage, chief executive of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse Outa, described the appointment as "cadre deployment on steroids," while an aviation professional on social media called it a "clusterf**k." Seshibe's previous employment at Daybreak Farms, where he was suspended in late 2022 amid allegations of authorizing irregular payments, has resurfaced as a point of concern. Although subsequent reports suggested he might have been cleared, the suspension was part of a broader governance review. Duvenage questioned the process and the appropriateness of the appointment, highlighting Seshibe's lack of aviation expertise and his short, controversial tenure at Daybreak Farms. He also suggested political influence due to Seshibe's association with the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. Aviation analyst Guy Leitch expressed concern about the apparent lack of succession planning and the appointment of someone with "zero aviation experience" to lead the airline. Industry professionals on aviation forums have also voiced strong disapproval, with some sarcastically noting Seshibe's background in a "chicken company" and others warning of potential internal instability and a "dark" future for SAA. Commentary also pointed out Seshibe's relatively sho