Johannesburg – Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has announced its newly appointed board of directors, set to lead the state-owned entity through a vital period of infrastructure development and operational rejuvenation.
On Monday, 18 May 2026, ACSA introduced its new board members, which include Irvin Phenyane (Chairperson), Xoliswa Daku, Keitumetse Mahlangu, Surendra Sooklal, Roy Mnisi, and Theunis Chamberlain.
Furthermore, Kurt Parker and Ulandi Exner will join the board on 6 August 2026.
The addition of these board members is timely as ACSA speeds up its R21 billion airport enhancement project and innovative plans to boost connectivity, passenger satisfaction, and operational durability.
ACSA’s turnaround is reflected in its remarkable financial outcome for the year ending 31 March 2025, reporting a net profit of R1.1 billion, more than double the R472 million recorded in 2023/24.
This robust financial position has facilitated the approval of R198 million in accumulated preference share dividends and a declaration of R113 million in ordinary share dividends for 2024/25.
With these strategic new members, ACSA’s Board of Directors now consists of twelve individuals, combining seasoned industry veterans with forward-thinking innovators to foster aviation excellence.
This diverse experience will strengthen ACSA’s ability to enhance connectivity, improve passenger experiences, strengthen governance, and implement its infrastructure initiatives while steering the organization towards sustainable growth.
New ACSA Board Members:
Irvin Phenyane (Chairperson)
With over 20 years in the aviation sector, including leadership roles in greenfield airport initiatives and innovative aviation development projects, Irvin Phenyane leads ACSA’s board.
A former Non-Executive Director at ACSA and TETA, he was part of the International Air Services Licensing Council for four years and currently chairs the Drone Council SA.
This business consultant offers his expertise on transformation, project management, strategy, and global business development.
Since 2008, he has advocated for the taxi industry, playing a crucial role during key events like the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2013 CAF Football Tournament. His recent MPhil (Corporate Strategy) focused on emerging technologies.
He holds a BSc, two Postgraduate Diplomas (in Project Management and Management), and a Master of Management (MM) degree.
His strategic foresight is poised to adeptly guide ACSA’s board.
Xoliswa Daku
Founder and CEO of DAKU (PTY) Ltd, Xoliswa leads a diverse private company with subsidiaries in property, law, and energy, boasting over 29 years of legal expertise.
She has held chair positions at SEDFA and the University of the Western Cape, holding an LLM and an EMBA, along with numerous international postgraduate qualifications in business.
With 26 years on various boards, Daku possesses extensive knowledge in governance, institutional frameworks, foreign direct investment, trade, and industry affairs.
A vital collaborator with multinational entities globally, she is dedicated to uncovering growth opportunities for her country and embodies a commitment to community advancement.
Keitumetse Mahlangu
An admitted attorney with over 20 years of expertise in legal practice, governance, investigation, and cross-border road transport regulation, Keitumetse has served on several boards and audit committees, including the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency and the Gauteng Film Commission.
She possesses a B. Proc, an LLB, a Management Advancement Programme (MAP) qualification, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Fraud Examination and Legislative Drafting.
With multiple Law course completions from various international institutions, her specialization in transport, property, and public sector governance will be instrumental in pushing ACSA’s strategic objectives forward.
Surendra Sooklal
With more than 35 years of expertise in risk management, auditing, regulatory compliance, and governance, Surendra Sooklal has previously held the position of Group Executive at MTN, where he managed business risk and internal audit operations.
Having served as a long-time audit partner at PwC South Africa and a member of the Disciplinary Committee at the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors, his extensive knowledge in enterprise risk and compliance will be invaluable for ACSA in navigating complex operational hurdles.
A chartered accountant, Sooklal holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), a Diploma in Accounting, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Tax Law from the University of Durban-Westville, along with completion of the Aviation Leaders Programme in Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.
Roy Mnisi
Roy Mnisi is an accomplished Executive Director in the construction industry, equipped with expertise in legal, corporate governance, risk management, compliance, negotiation, business planning, and strategic leadership, refined over nearly 20 years as an executive.
Previously the CEO of IMFO, he now holds the role of Director and CEO of Master Builders South Africa.
Mnisi possesses an LLB and a Post Graduate Certificate in Compliance Management and is pursuing a Master’s in Corporate Law.
Having held various board positions, including IRBA and NHBRC, he currently chairs the JBCC.
Theunis Chamberlain
An experienced aviation executive with over 28 years in Engineering and ICT across airports in Africa and the Middle East, Theunis Chamberlain previously served as Head of Electrical and Electronic Maintenance at O. R. Tambo International Airport from 1997 to 2005.
He transitioned into technology leadership roles, serving as IT Manager and then ICT Program Manager for ACSA since 2006.
Since 2007, Chamberlain has offered consultancy for various airport projects across the SADC region, demonstrating expertise in analytical operations, airport management, ICAO standards, systems design, and program management.
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 track record is set to enhance ACSA’s innovation and operational capabilities.
Kurt Parker
Kurt Parker brings over 26 years of diverse experience in Procurement and Supply Chain, project management, strategy, and operations.
He currently serves as the Managing Partner at Supply Unchained and is a Director at Hazishi, focusing on IT Development, Project Management, and Procurement Analytics.
Parker has held previous roles as Strategic Procurement Manager at Growthpoint Properties and IT Support Manager at Mutual & Federal.
Having completed various programs at GIBS Business School, such as Mastering Finance and The Expert Negotiator, he is dedicated to building ACSA’s supply chain resilience.
Ulandi Exner
Ulandi Exner, with over two decades in multinational ICT, is a distinguished figure in technology governance and digital transformation.
Her prior roles encompass Group IT Executive, COO, and Director, and she made history as the first woman chair of the Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA).
As a past President of the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA), she has significantly contributed to the professionalization of the ICT sector, advancing governance and ethical leadership.
Exner currently holds multiple board positions and governance roles, impacting policy and governance frameworks at Broadband Infraco, the South Africa Police Service, Bestmed, the Presidency of South Africa, and the Department of Science and Innovation.
