TRANSNET has appointed former airline CEO, Siza Mzimela, as CEO of the transport utility’s Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), its largest contributor to group revenue and the entity that oversees the export of minerals from South Africa.
Mzimela was formerly CEO of SA Express, a local air carrier which was placed in business rescue in February.
Mzimela’s work experience spans the aviation, as well as oil and gas industries, according to a report by BusinessLive.
She has served as CEO of South African Airways (SAA), and as a non-executive director and chair of listed logistics entity Cargo Carriers. She has also served as a non-executive director at Woolworths.
“This makes her ideally placed to take Transnet Freight Rail forward,” said Black Management Forum president Andile Nomlala said.
State-owned Transnet is mired in state capture allegations relating to dodgy contract for locomotives, among others.
TFR, which provides freight logistics solutions, employs about 33,000 people and contributes nearly 60% of Transnet’s total turnover. It maintains an extensive rail network across South Africa that connects with other rail networks in the sub-Saharan region, said BusinessLive.
TFR’s rail infrastructure represents about 80% of Africa’s total, and is active in about 17 countries. “We are confident that Siza will bring ethical and effective leadership and will lead with the excellence she has become known for,” said Nomlala.
