Department of Transport director, Tsepiso Taoana-Mashiloane, has been seconded to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) as acting chief executive officer, with immediate effect.
She replaces Sobantu Tilayi who has acted in the position since 2016.
“Her secondment to lead Samsa is a transitional arrangement pending the finalisation of the recruitment and appointment of a permanent CEO,” according to Samsa.
The secondment – to be followed soon by the formal appointment of a permanent CEO – is part of a broader renewed effort currently to stabilise the agency and strengthen its strategic role in the redevelopment and expansion of South Africa’s maritime economic sector as envisaged in its legislated mandate, according to the organisation’s board of directors,
Taoano-Mashiloane has a Master of Science degree in Botany & Environmental Management and an MA in Maritime Safety & Environmental Administration.
She has worked closely with Samsa’s management for many years on key programmes - among these the International Maritime Organization (IMO) periodic audits, the World Maritime Day parallel events, and the SA national Inland Water Strategy and the National Ports Consultative Committee, according to the statement.
Chairman of the Samsa Board of Directors, Nthato V Minyuku, said the appointment of a permanent CEO was a top priority to stabilise the organisation.
“Five years is a long time without a permanent CEO.”
She said financing was an equally pressing issue – exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. She added that Samsa was not about to go to the Treasury with a begging bowl, but the situation needed arresting. In order to achieve this the organisation has proposed a 5% tariff increase over and above that granted during the last financial year.
