Siphamandla Mthethwa appointed ACSA chief executive

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has appointed Siphamandla Mthethwa CA(SA) as its new chief executive officer (CEO), effective November 1, 2026.

The appointment follows a Cabinet decision taken on September 23.

The ACSA Board, led by chairperson Irvin Phenyane, welcomed the appointment during the company’s Annual General Meeting held at the ACSA Aviation Academy, Western Precinct, O.R. Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, on September 25.

ALSO READ: Airports Company South Africa receives award

Mthethwa returns to ACSA after an absence of approximately three years. He previously served as the company’s chief financial officer (CFO), having joined ACSA on May 1, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to ACSA, Mthethwa is a qualified chartered accountant with extensive experience in corporate finance, treasury management, strategic planning, risk management and executive leadership. Before joining ACSA, he held senior financial leadership positions in the telecommunications, banking and mining sectors.

As CFO, Mthethwa played a role in helping ACSA navigate the financial impact of the pandemic, when airports experienced a dramatic decline in passenger numbers and revenue.

“Mr Mthethwa joined ACSA at a time when airports were virtually empty, revenues had collapsed and the aviation sector faced an unprecedented liquidity crisis,” said Ofentse Dijoe, ACSA Group spokesperson.

“As CFO, he played an important role in navigating ACSA through this period, including managing its funding and liquidity requirements while the company implemented measures to protect its long-term financial sustainability.”

ALSO READ: ACSA clarifies OR Tambo flooding following heavy rainfall

ACSA’s 2022 financial reporting reflected the impact of the pandemic, including a R1.5 billion loss before tax, while also showing the beginning of the company’s recovery.

The company has since returned to profitability, recording a net profit of R1.1 billion for the year ended March 31, 2025, more than double the R472 million recorded in the previous financial year.

Phenyane said Mthethwa was returning to an organisation at a very different stage of its journey.

“Mr Mthethwa returns to an organisation he knows well, but at a very different moment in its journey,” said Phenyane.

“He helped ACSA navigate some of its darkest financial days when COVID-19 brought aviation almost to a standstill. His financial acumen, understanding of the banking sector and ability to build strong stakeholder relationships were important during that difficult period.”

Phenyane added that Mthethwa’s experience would be valuable as ACSA enters its next phase, including the implementation of its major airport infrastructure investment programme.

The Board also thanked Charles Shilowa, who has served as acting CEO since July 1, 2026, following the conclusion of Mpumi Mpofu’s fixed-term tenure.

“We thank Mr Shilowa for answering the call to lead during this important transition,” said Phenyane. “His professionalism, commitment and steady leadership ensured that ACSA continued to deliver while the Board completed this critical process.”

According to ACSA, Mthethwa’s priorities will include consolidating the company’s financial recovery, strengthening operational excellence, investing in airport infrastructure and positioning the organisation for sustainable growth.

ALSO READ: ACSA to act over security breach at ORTIA

“ACSA has shown its resilience over the last five years. The next chapter is about building an ACSA that is financially sustainable, operationally excellent, trusted by its stakeholders and ready for the future of aviation,” Phenyane said.

ACSA is a state-owned company mandated to own, manage, operate and develop South Africa’s principal airports.

Established in 1993, the company operates nine airports, including O.R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport.

ACSA plays a strategic role in supporting trade, tourism and regional economic development and is majority-owned by the South African Government, with minority shareholding held by the Public Investment Corporation, employee trusts and empowerment investors.