Cabinet names next CEO for SAMSA - again

Will the new CEO make it to Pretoria?

SOUTH AFRICA: Although last week’s cabinet announcement of a new Chief Executive Officer for the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) will be welcomed by the industry, it does not provide any clarification as to why Captain Rufus Lekala, who was the subject of the same announcement almost exactly a year ago, never took up the position.

According to the Cabinet statement, Captain Dennis Mqadi has been appointed to lead SAMSA, taking over from the current Acting CEO, Mbalenhle Golding.

It will be interesting to see when Mqadi will leave the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) where he currently serves as the Port Manager of the Port of Richards Bay to take up the position in Pretoria.

Prior to joining the authority in 1997, Mqadi served as an officer in the South African Navy from 1990. According to his LinkedIn profile, he holds several business and economics diplomas as well as an MBA, which he completed in 2020.

His management experience coupled with his seafaring background will bring relevant expertise to the position.

Appointment process

SAMSA has been without a permanent leader since May 2016, when Tsietsi Mokhele resigned and Sobantu Tilayi was appointed as the Acting CEO. A stipulation of the SAMSA Act of 1998 notes that an Acting CEO cannot serve in this capacity for more than 12 months, but that the Minister can appoint a provisional CEO to serve for up to a period of three years who can be eligible for reappointment by the Board.

Whether as an acting or a provisional CEO, Tilayi held the position for five years until 2021.

Since then, the authority has had a parade of Acting CEOs. The latest person to keep the CEO seat warm is Mbalenhle Golding, who was the Chief Financial Officer before being seconded to the position.

While excuses for delay in the appointment of a permanent CEO have included blaming the lengthy process of having the Minister (of Transport) approve the Board’s nominations, the Act does not specifically specify that this is necessary.

Although the appointment of the SAMSA Board is a function of the Minister, the appointment of a permanent CEO is left to the Board. The SAMSA Act does not mandate for the Minister to approve the permanent appointment – only a provisional appointment.

Stepping on board

By all accounts, however, Mqadi may be stepping onto a flailing ship. Suspensions, dismissals and resignations have reportedly left SAMSA working with a skeleton staff of surveyors and maritime professionals.

The issuing of a tender in July does show some awareness within SAMSA leadership that steps need to be taken to review the organisational framework. Due to be completed over a six-month period, it makes sense for Mqadi to be an active part of this process.

Numerous requests by Maritime Review for an opportunity to interview SAMSA leadership in this regard over the last month have been repeatedly ignored, but industry sources have confirmed additional suspensions since the announced suspension of the Chief Operations Officer late last year.

The industry has long sought clarity on these issues and has become increasingly frustrated with the authority’s diminished ability to deliver on critical services related to seafarer documentation, vessel surveys and vessel reflagging.

In the meantime, the industry will be watching how the handover to the new CEO will be undertaken and whether it will foster better service delivery from this crucial maritime gatekeeper.