SACAA Annual Report 2022_23

PART A I General Information

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In recognising the results from this reporting period, I would like to thank the previous Minister of Transport, Mr Fikile Mbalula, for always believing in the ability of the Regulator to deliver on its mandate and for the unwavering support and guidance whenever it was needed. The incumbent Minister, Honourable Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga, has been a constant voice of reason and a pillar of strength to the Regulator. The passion we witness in her whenever she addresses the challenges faced by this industry has contributed to the progress that has been registered to date. We welcomed the Deputy Minister, the Honourable Mr Lisa Mangcu, just as we concluded this reporting period, however, we have already felt his presence immediately, and we look forward to his leadership, especially in the light of his previous engagements with the Regulator in Parliament. I regard this as a purple patch season, where there were some ground-breaking successes in our aviation sector, none higher than the ICAO USOAP CMA audit that took place in 2023, which proved that the South African structures and sector practices are the best in Africa and among the leading nations in the world in terms of the implementation of aviation safety and security measures. Were it not for the Department of Transport and guidance from the Parliamentary Transport Portfolio Committee and their support, none of this would have been possible. I would like to extend my appreciation to the Board, led by the Chairperson, Mr Ernest Khosa, who has ensured that the organisation continues to be an exemplary state-owned enterprise with yet another clean bill of health within our business model, and for ensuring that the SACAA culture remains that of a world-class civil aviation regulator.

General Aviation has always been one of the main challenges for the Regulator in terms of aviation safety, and although general aviation accidents, fatal accidents and fatalities were reduced in the reporting period, which is welcome news, coinciding with an increase in aviation activity after the global pandemic, great vigilance continues to be advocated by the organisation. The mid-term review of the General Aviation Safety Strategy is meant to investigate whether the efforts implemented by the Regulator and the industry will yield even greater results and whether there is a need to change gear in terms of the activities meant to propel the decline in the number of accidents, fatal accidents, and fatalities. We hope to end this strategy cycle on a positive note in this regard. CONCLUSION Operationally, the financial year under review was another successful chapter in the history of the SACAA, a history that in 2023 records 25 years of the Regulator’s mission of ensuring a safe, secure, and sustainable civil aviation industry and fulfilling our promise to the flying community of keeping all aviation end users and teams safe in the sky. This reporting period delivered very admirable results, as the State also retained its seat in the General Assembly of the ICAO during the 41st Assembly of member states. As we continue to cement the role of South Africa on the global aviation stage, we look forward to finding more ways to contribute to the development of aviation, not just in this country but within the Region. I am confident that we will continue to support the industry and safeguard aviation safety, security, and the environmental impact as we chart our way forward.

26 I Annual Report 2022/23 I General Information