Siza Mzimela

Sizakele Petunia Mzimela, known as Siza Mzimela, is credited as the first black woman to start an airline.[1] She currently holds a position as Transnet Freight Rail Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Mzimela is charged with ensuring that TFR is the author of globally competitive regional freight system that enables sustained growth and diversification of the region’s economies, enables economic growth by lowering the cost of doing business, and ensures reliable freight system through on-time scheduling and execution of train services.[2] She was listed as one of Forbes magazine's most powerful women in 2011.[3]

Career

Mzimela joined the South African Airways (SAA) national airline in January 1996 as a research analyst.[3] She subsequently headed global sales and SAA's Voyager loyalty programme, serving as CEO from 1 April 2010 until 8 October 2012.[2][4] She has also served as the first female member of the board of governors of the International Air Transport Association, based in Miami, Florida, USA.[5]

On 1 September 2015, Mzimela started the airline Fly Blue Crane.[6] Fly Blue Crane entered business rescue 15 months later[7] and terminated all services on 3 February 2017.

She was appointed interim CEO of South African Express in April 2017,[8] which was forced into business rescue[9] on 28 April 2020 by its creditors.[10]

On 1 April 2020, Mzimela joined Transnet as CEO of its freight rail division. She is currently the Vice President of SARA (Southern Africa Railways Association)[9] She also chairs the board of JSE-listed company Cargo Carriers and services as Non-Executive Director on the board of JSE-listed technology company, Etion Limited. Additionally, Siza serves on the board of reinsurance company, Africa Reinsurance Corporation.

On 4 December 2022, the Minerals Council South Africa wrote to Transnet board chairperson Popo Molefe, calling for the dismissal of Transnet CEO Portia Derby and Transnet Freight Rail CEO Sizakele Mzimela.[11] The letter warned, "Given that Transnet SOC’s operating performance is deteriorating, we cannot see how the company will avoid breaching its debt covenants early in 2023, at which stage the directors of Transnet SOC will need to place the company into liquidation or risk being sued for trading recklessly."

Fly Blue Crane
Fly Blue Crane Embraer ERJ 145 at OR Tambo International Airport a couple of weeks after the launch of the airline in September 2015.

Fly Blue Crane was launched on 1 September 2015 by Mzimela[6] and two ex-SAA colleagues, Jerome Simelane and Theunis Potgieter.[12] One year later, it had grown to employ over 100 people.[13] Within 5 more months, on 14 November 2016, Fly Blue Crane became insolvent and entered into business rescue.[7] Operations of Fly Blue Crane were suspended indefinitely on 3 February 2017.

Mzimela said at the launch of Fly Blue Crane that she hoped to expand the airline to include routes to Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.[1]

References
  1. Finley, Taryn (2 December 2015). "Meet Siza Mzimela, The First Black Woman To Start An Airline". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  2. "Sizakele Petunia Mzimela: Executive Profile & Biography - Bloomberg". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  3. Nsehe, Mfonobong. "The Most Powerful African Women (Part 1)". Forbes. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  4. "Siza loves giving the big airlines the bird | IOL".
  5. "Spotlight On The Career Of A Pioneering Female African Aviator". AFKInsider. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  6. Raymond, Nedu (27 August 2020). "Meet Siza Mzimela, the First Black Woman To Start An Airline In South Africa". BuzzSouthAfrica. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  7. "South Africa's Fly Blue Crane enters into Business Rescue". Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  8. Sikonathi Mantshantsha (18 April 2017). "Sudden departure of South African Express' Inati Ntshanga adds to uncertainty". businesslive.co.za. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  9. Khumalo, Sibongile (1 April 2020). "Siza Mzimela joins Transnet as head of freight rail a". News24. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  10. "SA Express' employees hope to rescue the airline". WorldAirlineNews. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  11. Steyn, Lisa (11 January 2023). "Minerals Council demands urgent action on Transnet's 'tragic decline', wants CEO Portia Derby axed". Media24. News24. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  12. Speckman, Asha. "Entrepreneur: Fly Blue Crane's Siza Mzimela". Financial Mail. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  13. "Meet Siza Mzimela, former SAA CEO and founder of start-up airline Fly Blue Crane". CapeTalk. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
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