Johannesburg – Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has announced the appointment of a new board of directors to steer the state-owned enterprise through a critical phase of infrastructure expansion and operational recovery.
ACSA on Monday, 18 May 2026, named the new board members as Irvin Phenyane (Chairperson), Xoliswa Daku, Keitumetse Mahlangu, Surendra Sooklal, Roy Mnisi, and Theunis Chamberlain.
ACSA also announced that Kurt Parker and Ulandi Exner will join the board on 6 August 2026.
The arrival of the new Board members comes at a pivotal moment for ACSA as it accelerates its R21 billion airports upgrade programme and innovation strategy to enhance connectivity, passenger experience, and operational resilience.
ACSA’s turnaround trajectory is evidenced by the delivery of the landmark financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2025, where the organisation reported a record net profit of R1.1 billion, more than double the R472 million achieved in 2023/24.
The strong financial position resulted in the approval of the payment of R198 million in accrued preference share dividends, and ACSA declared R113 million in ordinary share dividends for 2024/25.
With these strategic appointments, the ACSA Board of Directors now comprises twelve members, blending industry veterans with forward-thinking innovators to drive aviation excellence.
This depth of experience will strengthen ACSA’s ability to enhance connectivity, improve passenger experience, enhance governance, and deliver on its infrastructure programme while positioning the organisation for sustainable growth.
New ACSA Board Members:
Irvin Phenyane (Chairperson)
He brings over 20 years of aviation expertise, including leadership in greenfield airport projects and innovative, disruptive initiatives for aviation destination development.
He previously held Non-Executive Director positions at ACSA and TETA, and served for four years on the International Air Services Licensing Council. He is the Chairperson of the Drone Council SA.
This business consultant has served various clients on transformation, project management, strategy, and global business development.
He has been an advisor to the taxi industry since 2008, including supporting major events like the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup and the 2013 CAF Football Tournament. His recent MPhil (Corporate Strategy) focused on emerging technologies.
He further holds a BSc, two Postgraduate Diplomas (Project Management and Management), and a Master of Management (MM) degree.
His strategic vision will guide ACSA’s board effectively.
Xoliswa Daku
As the Founder and CEO of DAKU (PTY) Ltd, Xoliswa leads a twenty-two-year-old private entity with diverse subsidiaries in property, law, and energy.
A legal professional with 29 years of experience, she served as the Chair of SEDFA and Chair of the University of the Western Cape.
She holds an LLM and an EMBA, alongside a suite of international postgraduate business qualifications.
Daku has served on various boards for the past 26 years, specialising in governance, institutional framework, FDI, trade, and industry.
She has worked with multinationals globally, seeking opportunities for the growth of the country.
Her generosity and community development approach describe where she comes from.
Keitumetse Mahlangu
An admitted attorney and a seasoned legal professional and executive with over 20 years in legal practice, governance, investigation, and cross-border road transport regulation.
Ms Mahlangu has served in various Boards and Audit Committees, including the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency, the Gauteng Film Commission, the Department of Human Settlements, and the Gauteng Rental Housing Tribunal, among others.
Ms Mahlangu holds a B. Proc, an LLB, the Management Advancement Programme (MAP), and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Fraud Examination and Legislative Drafting.
She has also completed several Law courses from various international Law institutions.
Her expertise in transport, property and public sector governance will be instrumental in advancing ACSA’s strategic objectives.
Surendra Sooklal
With over 35 years of expertise in risk management, external and internal audit, regulatory oversight, and governance, Sooklal was a Group Executive at MTN, where he served as the Group Chief Business Risk Officer, overseeing risk management, internal audit, group insurance, business continuity, crisis management, and cybersecurity.
He was a Member of the Disciplinary Committee at the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors and was a long-standing audit Partner at PwC South Africa.
As the former SACAA Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee and Human Resource Committee Member, his deep knowledge of enterprise risk and compliance will strengthen ACSA’s board in navigating complex operational challenges.
Sooklal is a chartered accountant by profession and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), Diploma in Accounting, and Postgraduate Diploma in Tax Law from the University of Durban-Westville.
He has also completed the Aviation Leaders Programme in Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.
Roy Mnisi
He is an experienced Executive Director with a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry.
Mnisi is skilled in legal, corporate governance, risk management, compliance, negotiation, business planning, management, strategic leadership, and policy analysis with almost 20 years of experience as an Executive.
He is the former CEO of IMFO and currently a Director and CEO of Master Builders South Africa.
Mnisi is a strong business development professional who holds an LLB, Post Graduate Certificate in Compliance Management, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Corporate Law.
He has served on many boards, including the IRBA, NHBRC and others.
Mnisi is the current Chairman of the JBCC.
Theunis Chamberlain
An experienced aviation executive with over 28 years of leadership in Engineering and ICT across airports in Africa and the Middle East.
His early career is highlighted by an eight-year tenure at O. R. Tambo International Airport (1997–2005), where he served as Head of Electrical and Electronic Maintenance.
He then transitioned into technology leadership, serving as IT Manager before being appointed ICT Program Manager for ACSA in 2006.
Since 2007, Chamberlain has delivered expert consultancy for Aviation Project and Management Services on various airport projects across the SADC.
His expertise spans analytical operations, airport management, ICAO standards, systems design, program management, and business development.
He holds an MBA in Business Administration from the University of South Africa and a B.Eng. in Electronic Engineering from the University of Johannesburg.
Chamberlain’s proven history will bolster ACSA’s innovation and operational resilience.
Kurt Parker
Parker brings more than 26 years of experience in Procurement and Supply Chain, projects, bridging strategy, and operations.
He serves as Managing Partner at Supply Unchained (Supply Chain, Procurement, Procurement Technology, Operations Strategy Consulting, and Africa Logistics) and Director at Hazishi (IT Development, Project Management, Procurement Analytics & Process, ESD Strategy & Training).
Previously, he held the Strategic Procurement Manager role at Growthpoint Properties and the IT Support Manager role at Mutual & Federal.
Parker has completed GIBS Business School programs in Mastering Finance and The Expert Negotiator.
His expertise will strengthen ACSA’s supply chain resilience.
Ulandi Exner
Exner is an accomplished ICT professional and business leader with over two decades of multinational experience in technology leadership, governance, and digital transformation.
She has held senior executive roles, including Group IT Executive, COO, and Director, and formerly served as the Chairperson of the Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA), the first woman ever to hold this position.
A former President of the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA), Ulandi worked tirelessly in advancing the professionalisation of the ICT industry, strengthening governance, and promoting ethical leadership.
She currently serves on multiple boards and governance committees, including at Broadband Infraco (BBI), South Africa Police Service (SAPS), Bestmed, the Presidency of South Africa, and the Department of Science and Innovation, where she contributes to shaping policy and governance frameworks.
