By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) announced the appointment of Siphamandla Mthethwa as the company’s CEO in a notice to shareholders on Friday, 25 September 2026.
ACSA is a majority state-owned company that owns and manages nine airports in the country.
These included OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka International airports, as well as several other smaller airports, both international and domestic in South Africa.
“Mthethwa is a Chartered Accountant (SA) and seasoned executive with over 20 years of leadership,” ACSA said.
“He has experience across the aviation, energy, mining, telecommunications, utilities and financial services sectors.”
Mthethwa’s employment history included a stint at ACSA, where he oversaw the successful implementation of an R6-billion funding programme.
Mthethwa also oversaw the implementation of the company’s financial recovery strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitated the issuance of a R1.8 billion bond without a government guarantee.
His appointment will result in the current acting CEO, Charles Shilowa, ceasing to serve as the company’s executive director and as a member of the company’s Social and Ethics and Investment Committees.
Shilowa was appointed in July, following Mpumi Mpofu’s exit in May. Mpofu was the last permanent chief executive of the company before her contract expired.
Under Mpofu, ACSA saw its revenue increase by 16% in the 2024 financial year after years of headwinds for air travel and airports during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The ACSA Board extends its best wishes to Mr Mthethwa for every success in his new role,” the company said.
“The board expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr Shilowa for his valued leadership and stewardship during his tenure as Acting Chief Executive Officer.”
ACSA recorded a landmark net profit of R1.1-billion in the year ended March 31, 2025, which more than doubled the net profit of R472-million reported in the 2024 financial year.