Can praying mantis give Air Zimbabwe new wings?
FinGaz Stanley Kwenda Staff Reporter “I URGE all of you to commit yourself to turning the company around and to restore the pride lost because the board has no magic solutions to offer, for we believe that the solution lies with you,” said Air Namibia board chairman, Vekuii Rukoro, when Peter Chikumba was appointed the airline’s acting chief executive officer in 2001. Chikumba must have heard similar pleas from Air Zimbabwe bosses after assuming a similar position at the embattled national airline last week. But with a tainted history of alleged fraud and a string of losses behind him, Chikumba’s appointment leaves Air Zimbabwe now leaning only on a prayer. Chikumba takes over from Oscar Madombwe, acting CEO since November 2005. Air Zimbabwe acting board chairman Jonathan Kadzura presented Chikumba as possessing “unique skills” that could at last give proper business leadership at the airline. But his record at Air Namibia will haunt Chikumba and those that appointed him. Chikumba will
