Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has appointed its former Chief Financial Officer, Siphamandla Mthethwa, as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 November 2026, following Cabinet approval of the move. Mthethwa returns to the state-owned airport operator after a three-year absence, having previously served as CFO and Executive Director from May 2020 to 2023, where he earned widespread respect for steering ACSA through the devastating COVID-19 crisis that brought global aviation to a standstill.
He inherits a far healthier business than the one he left behind. In the 2025/26 financial year, ACSA reported revenue growth of 11.6% to R8.81 billion and a net profit of R1.20 billion, buoyed by strong passenger growth across its network of airports, including OR Tambo International, Cape Town International, and King Shaka International.
Mthethwa’s first and most pressing priority will be the execution of a R15 billion capital expenditure plan, a substantial infrastructure investment programme aimed at modernising terminals, upgrading runways, and expanding capacity to accommodate growing passenger numbers. The programme represents one of the largest infrastructure commitments in ACSA’s history and is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic activity in the regions where the airports operate.
During his previous tenure, Mthethwa led a successful R6 billion funding programme, oversaw the company’s financial recovery strategy during the pandemic, and facilitated the issuance of a R1.8 billion bond without a government guarantee—a notable achievement that underscored his financial acumen and credibility with lenders.
ACSA Board Chairperson Irvin Phenyane welcomed the appointment, stating that Mthethwa’s combination of institutional knowledge, financial expertise, and stakeholder management skills would serve the company well as it enters its next phase of growth. “Siphamandla understands this business intimately, and he has the vision and discipline to deliver on our ambitious infrastructure agenda,” Phenyane said.
Charles Shilowa, who has served as Acting CEO since July following the end of Mpumi Mpofu’s fixed-term tenure, will step down from the role and associated board positions on 31 October. His stewardship during the interim period has been credited with maintaining stability and momentum.
Mthethwa’s return signals continuity and a renewed focus on execution. For ACSA and the millions of passengers who pass through its airports each year, the appointment of a familiar hand at the helm—armed with a clear mandate and a substantial war chest—offers the promise of a new era of growth and modernisation.
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