Turbulent times hit Air Botswana

The nation eagerly waits to see if Minister of Transport, Eric Molale will accept the resignation and let go Air Botswana General Manager, Dr. Agnes Khunwana who “jumped off the cockpit” to end her leadership of the troubled airline.

Khunwana’s resignation is described as “more to this than meets the eye” as some opine that she might have been pushed out. Her departure has created major challenges for the appointing authority in the hunt for her replacement either on the interim or substantive basis.

Khunwana gave a one month notice last week to the appointing authority and principal supervisor Molale. At the time of going to press the ministry had not yet issued confirmation because Molale “still has to accept or turn down the resignation”.

She leaves at a time when Air Botswana faces grounding. Confirmed reports from the government enclave say the national airline has only 15 days to have complied with all the conditions that guides on whether the Regulator - Civil Aviation Authority Botswana (CAAB) - can give AB the Air Operations Certificate (AOC).

What comes out clear is, while the appointing authority is forced to cast the net wider, what he cannot afford is to delocalise the position as past experience has shown that comparatively speaking, expatriate managers have not shown much difference.

But, the challenge is, Air Botswana appears not to have a clearly-defined succession plan structure, let alone thoroughly prepared any of the other six executive management members for takeover. In fact, Botswana Guardian has it in good authority that some of the key and influential Exco members have either already left the company’s employ or are on their way out as their contracts are ending.

The executive management is currently composed of seven members - Khunwana (GM), Getaneh Desta Woldemichael (commercial manager), Patrick Tebogo Kodisa (Head of Engineering and Maintenance), Head of Engineering Flight- Captain Mokokong – who was recently promoted, Maipelo Motshwane (Director Finance), Director Human Resources, Masego Magdalene Mookodi as well as Director of Customer Service and ground handling, Airline Seymour Smith- who is a South African national.

It turns out that the most experienced member, the Ethiopian national, Getaneh Desta Wolde Michael is on his way out as his contract has expired and allegedly will not be renewing.

The same applies to Finance Director, Motshwane who is a Motswana. Although she is credited for her exceptional work in redirecting and improving the airline purse, she too is on her way out as her contract comes to an end and has allegedly expressed a willingness to retire.

It is reported that behind the scenes, discussions are taking place in the government enclave on who could be called to step in as a caretaker while the search for the substantive continues.

In airline business, the GM is the accounting officer, and accounts to the Regulator around the clock. In the event that the accounting officer was to leave the office, then he has to inform the Regulator including submitting the name of the person nominated to temporarily hold the fort.

It is said in most cases, Khunwana would appoint HR director, Mookodi as acting GM and accounting officer. It is now a question of how ready and, or how much has she been prepared for the role. This explains part of the reason why a head hunt for a caretaker would be probable, while a permanent solution is sought. In the past when the country's flag carrier faced similar crisis, the board stepped in, appointing one of their own, Godfrey Khupe as the interim GM. But, this time, the national airline does not have a chairman following the voluntary stepping down of former chairman, Moemedi Tafa recently. The acting Chairperson, Keamogetswe Mpudi, is a full time banker.

Last week acting board chairperson, Mpudi wrote an internal memo to all staff notifying them about Khunwana’s departure. It reads in part, 'on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and the Air Botswana Board of Management, I regret to inform you that Dr Agnes Khunwana has resigned from her position as the General Manager of Air Botswana.

“During her tenure with the Air Botswana, Dr Khunwana has successfully led the airline through various projects and initiatives. These include among others: significantly improving the financial performance of the Airline, the rebranding and launching of the new logo to improve and increase the Airline’s brand visibility, and the re-fleeting of the Airline.

“As testament to her leadership and capability, besides being recognised as part of the 100 leading women shaping the airline industry in Africa in 2022, she was also elected to serve as vice chairperson of the Airline Association of Southern Africa.

“In the recent past, Dr Khunwana has steered the Airline through the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. She leaves the Airline with a solid foundation for recovery and sustainability thanks to the diversification strategy developed under her leadership and guidance which strategy has various projects aimed at developing the aviation value chain in the country.'

Impressive as the record looks, but there is also the dark side which makes many wonder whether the national airline is sabotaging itself. On paper all looks well, but a closer scrutiny shows that Khunwana leaves at a time when the airline is facing crisis as its Air Operations Certificate (AOC) has conditions that threaten to have it grounded by the Regulator.

It all started when CAAB audited AB and pointed out some findings that needed to be resolved immediately as they compromised aviation laws and the operations of the airline.

Reports reaching Botswana Guardian state that the AOC has expired and has already been extended on three consecutive times with an extension of one month each on each period in order for them to resolve outstanding issues.

It is said that AB requested to be given two years, and their request was granted by the Regulator allegedly on conditions that they show progress every 45 days. Although still far from meeting their set target, AB has shown promising progress in as far as meeting the AOC requirements. But, the question is whether they can reach the target within the remaining 15 days?

Experts say AB needs to come up with a solid plan that can show a serious commitment to closing findings in order to be able to continue as an operator. Another example of self-sabotage happened last December when Air Botswana’s ATR aircraft took off from Harare international airport and allegedly lost altitude. But, serious as the incident is, the matter was allegedly never reported to the regulator.

In line with the Aviation laws, Zimbabwean Regulator had to investigate as the incident took place in their jurisdiction. But, since investigation involved an aircraft registered under CAAB, it then became compulsory that the Zimbabwean regulator inform and involve their counterpart – Botswana’s Accident Investigation.

The Botswana regulator has since demanded an explanation from AB to report the incident, its magnitude including the findings of their technical team and what measures are in place to avoid a recurrence.