Does South Africa’s maritime regulator have a new CEO? It would appear so, judging by a Cabinet announcement in early September which confirmed the post has been filled by ‘Mr Dennis Mqadi’.
The appointment is the latest in a long list of names associated with the CEO position, which would appear to be a poison chalice given the long history of turmoil within the organisation. As Colleen Jacka from Maritime Review Africa points out, a similar Cabinet announcement a year ago identified Captain Rufus Lekala as the incoming CEO – but he never took up the position.
The current Acting CEO is Mbalenhle Golding.
Captain Dennis Mqadi is currently Transnet National Ports Authority Port Captain of Richard’s Bay Port.
SAMSA has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the new appointment.