Fresh board to steer SAPO beyond business rescue

DOWNSIZE:  The South African Post Office board appointed for the first time in nearly three years, clearing a key hurdle toward exiting business rescue…

By Lehlohonolo Lehana

The South African Post Office (SAPO) has a new board that will help restore stability in strategic oversight and governance, marking the end of a nearly three-year business rescue period.

The appointment sets the stage for SAPO to formally exit administration, paving the way for a leaner and more digitally focused organization.

Communications minister Solly Malatsi today welcomed the cabinet-approved board.

“The appointment of the SAPO board is a significant step to SAPO exiting business rescue and will help restore stability in strategic oversight and governance,” Malatsi said.

The board is chaired by Regina Sizakele Madlala, with Margaret Mosibudi Phiri as deputy chair. The other members are Vuyo Mafata, Tanya van Meelis, Mantombi Lekhuleni, Mthokozisi Daluxolo Xulu, Mduduzi Justice Kennedy Bophela, Charley Fred Chain, David Mangena and Khonanjalo Buthelezi.

The board’s selection and approval follow Malatsi’s call for board nominees in February 2025, which included specific requirements.

The minister called for nominees with experience and skills in e-commerce and digital postal services management, logistics management, and information technology.

The new board inherits is a shadow of its former self. More than 4 300 staff were retrenched and 366 branches closed in 2024, leaving roughly 650 outlets.

Postbank withdrew its services from Post Office branches on 2 May 2026, removing one of the few remaining reasons for many customers to visit a post office.

Malatsi also welcomed the appointment of three deputy director-generals in the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.

These included a director-general for media and content, digital infrastructure and technologies, and administration.

Malatsi said the department will, for the first time since the department was established in its current form, have a full complement of permanent DDGs, covering media and content, digital infrastructure and technologies, and administration.

Building a fully capacitated team had been one of his priorities since taking office, he said. The department did not name the three appointees.

The 2026 budget again allocated no direct funding to the Post Office, leaving it with only universal-service payments that rise from about R572-million in 2025/2026 to R619-million by 2027/2028.