ATNS introduces new CEO

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) SOC Limited is proud to announce the appointment of Nozipho Portia Mdawe as its new CEO, effective from 1 April 2022. Mdawe is the second woman to be appointed in this role within ATNS, marking a significant milestone for the company.

Mdawe takes over from Dumisani Sangweni, who has held this position on a delegated basis since April 2020.

She is a former Chief Operating Officer and acting Chief Executive Officer at Transnet National Ports Authority. With over twenty-eight years of professional working experience, Mdawe is an accomplished executive with a strong history of orchestrating operational excellence in the Freight, Maritime, Aviation, Mining, logistics and Supply Chain industries.

Commenting on Mdawe’s appointment, ATNS Chairman Simphiwe Thobela says: “ATNS believes that Ms Mdawe has the leadership skills, experience and influence to lead ATNS in the coming years. We believe that she is an excellent choice to lead our company, especially as our business, the aviation industry and the country recovers from the devasting impact of Coronavirus and continues to explore new areas of growth and development across Africa and elsewhere. Her exposure, contributions and insight into the transport sector in Africa – in her role as Executive Secretary for Continental Ports and Secretary General of Eastern and Southern African Ports based in Mombassa, Kenya – is an advantage for ATNS and the aviation industry as a whole”.

Mdawe holds a number of impressive academic qualifications, including professional membership with the Institute of Directors; Masters in Business and Administration (Gordon Institute of Business Science) and is currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree, focused oninfluencing policy development in the maritime and transportation sectors across the value chain, as well as growth in East Africa. She completed the Global Executive Development Program from the Gordon Institute of Business Science in 2012. Before then she acquired an Advanced Strategic Management Program (IMD, Switzerland); IRSMI Management Development Program (University of France); Transnet Executive Women Development Program in Operations and Logistics Management (Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS),  and Management Advanced Program from Wits Business School.

She received a number of accolades in her career journey. Among those are, being appointed the first black trainee Geology Technician at BhP Billiton (the then Gencor); successful introduction of a Transnet Value Chain Coordinator (TVCC) Approach; improved membership and implementation of collaborative initiatives for PMAESA; formed part of various continental and international committees in the maritime sector; improved safety, operational efficiencies and reduced the cost of business through the implementation of Lean Six Sigma.  

Thanking Dumisani for the valiant stewardship of ATNS during the past two years, whilst the process of recruiting the new permanent CEO was underway, Thobela says despite the company facing a myriad of challenges, Dumisani was always available, resolute and committed to delivering consistent value to ATNS’s stakeholders, both within the borders of South Africa and beyond. “Dumisani showed bravery and excellent leadership by keeping the company sustainable in the midst of uncertainty and economic upheaval”.      

Dumisani will return to his management position as ATNS Executive, Strategy and Optimisation.