The pageantry that accompanied the announcement of Dane Kondic as Chairman of the Board of beleaguered national airliner Air Botswana could turn out to be a damp squib; after his employer, Mozambique Airlines (LAM) bluntly stated that they expect him to perform his duties โunder an exclusive regime.โ
Mozambique Airlines (LAM) has released an official statement instructing Kondic to relinquish his dual roles and commit exclusively to them. In the statement, LAMโs Board of Directors, composed of senior executives from the Mozambique Airlines Group (GAM), expressed concern over Kondicโs continued involvement with Air Botswana while simultaneously holding the top executive position at LAM.
โThe Board took note of Mr. Kondicโs statements to the media and reiterates that, as per our earlier resolution, he must perform his duties under an exclusive regime,โ read part of the statement.
Kondic was appointed President of the Management Committee at LAM earlier this year, and subsequently named Board Chair of Air Botswana โ a move that raised eyebrows in aviation and governance circles given the potential conflict of interest between the two national carriers.
The strongly worded statement from Mozambique Airlines (LAM) has disenchanted Air Botswana; as it candidly indicates that they are unwilling to entertain any form of shared executive allegiance.
โThe airline industry requires undivided focus, particularly in a time of restructuring and recovery. LAM is undergoing internal reforms that required full-time attention from its leadership,โ said Mozambique Airlines (LAM).
The Government of Botswana, which wholly owns Air Botswana, has yet to issue a formal response to the Mozambicansโ scathing statement. However, senior government sources have confirmed that government is aware of the situation and is reviewing Kondicโs appointment.
Kondic, a seasoned aviation executive with previous stints at Air Serbia and Jet Airways, has remained tight-lipped about the unfolding drama. Reached for comment, he declined to address LAMโs statement directly, only saying; โI remain committed to supporting the recovery and growth of African aviation.โ
Critics argue that Kondicโs dual roles create an untenable situation, especially considering that Air Botswana and LAM both operate in the same regional market and may soon compete on overlapping routes.
โGovernance best practices dictate that executives, especially in state-owned enterprises, should avoid any appearance of divided loyalty,โ said an aviation policy analyst based in Johannesburg.
This is not the first time that Air Botswana has found itself entangled in leadership-related controversies. The national carrier, long plagued by operational challenges and financial instability, has seen a rapid turnover of executives in recent years.
Meanwhile, Mozambique Airlines, also grappling with financial headwinds, is pushing ahead with reforms aimed at reducing its debt burden and improving service delivery โ a mission that its board says requires โclear, undistracted leadership.โ
Air Botswana recently launched its Board amid pomp and fanfare, lauding Kondic and his team as pivotal in steering the national airline towards sustainable growth, operational excellence, and enhanced stakeholder value.
โThe Board brings together a wealth of experience across various sectors. Their collective expertise is instrumental in supporting the strategic objectives of the airline and navigating the dynamic avenues of the aviation industry,โ said Air Botswana at the time. It all seems to have been a fairy tale.
