The Director of Civil Aviation (DCA), Ms Poppy Khoza, will lead the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to a new chapter after being re-appointed to serve another five-year term with the Regulator, effective from 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2028. This will be her third term at the helm of the aviation regulator.
This appointment was approved by the South African Government Cabinet on 20 November 2023, as it ensures government’s continued commitment towards a stable, robust and efficient civil aviation sector.
Ms Khoza carries extensive experience and knowledge in aviation since being first appointed to this pivotal role in an acting capacity in October 2012 and then on a 5-year fixed term basis from December 2013.
Outside of being the first black female DCA, she was also the first woman globally to be elected to preside over the General Assembly at the ICAO’s 41st Assembly Session in 2022.
Some of the SACAA achievements under Ms Khoza’s tenure at the Authority:
• Achieving ten (10) clean audits in a space of eleven years and the most recent audit (2022/23) attracting ZERO findings.
• Achieving 100% implementation of the entity’s targets, eight years in a row.
• Steering the SACAA to perform exceptionally through several independent
international audits on aviation safety and security, elevating South Africa as the top-ranking country in the Continent and ranking in the top 20 globally. South Africa is the first country in the Continent to surpass the 90% mark in the safety audits.
• Retaining the Category 1 Status of the US Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) assessment which was concluded in 2022. This ranking which is highly recognised globally allows SA operators the freedom to operate to the US without restrictions imposed on them.
• Securing recognition agreements with our European counterparts and the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the aviation cargo security system.
• Transforming the organisation which now boasts 51% competent female employees and 50% female Executives.
In offering his congratulatory message, the SACAA Board Chairperson, Mr Ernest Khosa, remarked: “As the SACAA Board, we see this as a vote of confidence for the exemplary leadership the DCA has demonstrated over the past eleven years being at the helm of the organisation”.
“I would like to extend my message of support following this announcement from Cabinet. The stability we see at SACAA is testament to her great leadership which has equally received positive cheers from staff, the aviation industry, and international counterparts, when we first made this announcement on 20 November 2023.
“Ms Khoza is an aviation trailblazer who is internationally recognised and supported. It is through her work that our South African aviation sector continues to hold a critical voice on global aviation dialogues. With this, I look forward to
what 2024 will offer and towards an even more successful five-year cycle for the SACAA.” Expressing her excitement on this announcement, Ms Khoza said: “I am deeply honoured and grateful for this opportunity to again serve as the Director of Civil Aviation. It is an exciting time for me personally and I pledge my commitment once again to drive positive change and promoting safety, efficiency, gender equality and innovation in our skies.
“I would also like to thank the Minister of Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga and the Deputy Minister, Mr Lisa Mangcu for their support and leadership. I also thank the Department of Transport, the Board of Directors led by Mr Khosa, the employees of the SACAA and the aviation industry for their immense support. Together with the Team of highly competent professionals, we remain committed
in fostering collaboration, cooperation and dedicate ourselves to preserving safety and security within this sector.
“We will also continue to partner with all industry stakeholders to enhancing operational efficiency and safety to ensure that it maintains the required