Will structural review strengthen SAMSA?

SAMSA to undertake structural review

SOUTH AFRICA: As discontent both within and outside of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) continues to fester, stakeholders may be pleased to learn that a bid to strengthen the internal structure of the entity will see the appointment of a service provider to conduct a review of its organisational design.

For many the issuing of a tender with this objective earlier this month, might finally signify that the maritime authority is ready to acknowledge shortcomings with regard to its service delivery and ability to respond to industry concerns.

According to the tender document, the “review is intended to ensure that SAMSA's organisational framework is fit-for-purpose, adaptable, and strategically aligned with modern regulatory and maritime administrative standards.”

With a timeframe of six months to complete the review from the date of appointment, it does mean that the process will only be completed after the upcoming elections for a seat on the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Council in Category C at the end of the year.

SAMSA executives, including the Acting CEO Mbalenhle Golding, are currently on the international campaign trail, but one has to wonder whether the work to restructure and, indeed, appoint permanent leadership should be seen as a priority for 2025.

Held every two years, the IMO elections in 2027 may well be a more astute goal for the authority given the disappointment at the end of 2023 when South Africa received the second lowest number of votes after ballots were counted.

Describing the desired outcome of the review process as one that will create an authority that is “a high-performing, agile organisation that is optimally structured to execute its legislative mandate, drive operational effectiveness, and maintain alignment with international benchmarks” – suggests an understanding that SAMSA does not currently meet these requirements.

At Maritime Review Africa, we have received increasing emails and input from a variety of sources emphasising the negative influence of internal politics that is impacting on skills retention and service delivery. Most prefer to either submit these anonymously or off the record for fear of retribution.

Recent vacancy advertisements, however, for a list of surveyors may be a sign that the authority is making deliberate efforts to address delays in seafarer accreditations and vessel reflagging.

With a list of objectives that includes the need to improve service delivery, the organisational review process also aims to assess the workforce model against SAMSA’s operational requirements and provide a new operating model that reduces inefficiencies.

The appointed service provider will need to have a clear understanding of how leading international maritime authorities operate in order to identify and resolve the gaps SAMSA currently endures.

Given the terms of reference of the tender – which includes a significant focus on change management as well as support across all staffing levels – it would be prudent to ensure that the process coincides with the simultaneous induction of a permanent CEO.

Although Cabinet announced the successful incumbent as Captain Rufus Lakala in September last year, SAMSA has deflected questions about why this appointment has not been finalised. The lack of transparency in this regard has led to industry conjecture that suggests Lekala was not favoured by certain influential players and that he was dissuaded from accepting the position when presented with unfavourable terms.

Operating without a permanent CEO for almost a decade now, SAMSA has had a slew of Acting CEOs that has done nothing to promote cohesive teambuilding within this crucial maritime body and significantly eroded the confidence of the industry in its ability to deliver effectively.

Perhaps this latest development will finally see the authority reposition itself, finalise its leadership, develop as well as retain skills, and provide the vital deliverables required of an internationally benchmarked maritime administration.

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