Thabang J Motsohi

In a day of drama, SAA CEO Vuyani Jarana was persuaded on Wednesday not to resign from his position after several weeks of rising tension at the national airline. The situation at the airline was so charged that public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan met Jarana on Wednesday and persuaded him to stay. Jarana, who joined SAA a year ago, wrote last week to the board, indicating his intention to resign unless he could be assured of the board’s full backing. SAA, which is struggling financially and has lost critical skills, has seen tension escalate between some nonexecutive directors and Jarana. There have been several disagreements about top appointments and how much executives should be paid. Two board members — Nolitha Fakude and Swazi Tshabalala — have resigned. A third member is being investigated in connection with tender irregularities dating back to the previous board’s tenure.

Read the full article on Business Day, first published on 13 December 2018 (BL Premium needed)