We are the SACAA
The safe and reliable movement of passengers and goods is fundamental to South Africa’s growth and sustainability. Every time an aircraft takes off and lands, we celebrate another safe journey, and our role in it. We are passionate about the skies, but even more passionate about aviation: from the precision of air traffic controllers and the complex operations of airports to the legislation that ensures safety at every touch point. We salute the airlines, pilots, in-flight personnel, maintenance crews, and security teams, thousands of parts functioning as one collective system. At the core are the millions of passengers and goods that reach their destinations safely. Read More
We are the SACAA
The safe and reliable movement of passengers and goods is fundamental to South Africa’s growth and sustainability. Every time an aircraft takes off and lands, we celebrate another safe journey, and our role in it. We are passionate about the skies, but even more passionate about aviation: from the precision of air traffic controllers and the complex operations of airports to the legislation that ensures safety at every touch point. We salute the airlines, pilots, in-flight personnel, maintenance crews, and security teams, thousands of parts functioning as one collective system. At the core are the millions of passengers and goods that reach their destinations safely. Read More
Vision
A world-class civil aviation regulator.
Mission
To regulate civil aviation safety and security in support of the sustainable development of the aviation industry.
Brand Promise
Keeping you safe in the sky
Vision
A world-class civil aviation regulator.
Mission
To regulate civil aviation safety and security in support of the sustainable development of the aviation industry.
Brand Promise
Keeping you safe in the sky
Values
Values
Our Mandate
- Aviation Security – safeguarding airports, airlines, cargo, hazardous materials, and training organisations.
- Aviation Safety Infrastructure – ensuring airports, heliports, airspace, flight procedures, and aeronautical information comply with ICAO standards.
- Aviation Safety Operations – monitoring operators, training organisations, examiners, engineers, and aircraft airworthiness to uphold safety and medical standards.
ICAO
The international Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a United Nations (UN) specialised agency, established by 54 member States on 7 December 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).
ICAO works with the Convention's 193 Member States and industry groups to reach consensus on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies in support of a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector. Read More
Our Mandate
- Aviation Security – safeguarding airports, airlines, cargo, hazardous materials, and training organisations.
- Aviation Safety Infrastructure – ensuring airports, heliports, airspace, flight procedures, and aeronautical information comply with ICAO standards.
- Aviation Safety Operations – monitoring operators, training organisations, examiners, engineers, and aircraft airworthiness to uphold safety and medical standards.
ICAO
The international Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a United Nations (UN) specialised agency, established by 54 member States on 7 December 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).
ICAO works with the Convention's 193 Member States and industry groups to reach consensus on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies in support of a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector. Read More
Board of Directors
The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Transport and is representative of aviation industry, management and business expertise. Through a Performance Agreement with the Minister, the Board is accountable for the performance of the Authority in carrying out its statutory functions and achieving objectives. The National Department of Transport monitors the activities of the Authority.
Board of Directors
The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Transport and is representative of aviation industry, management and business expertise. Through a Performance Agreement with the Minister, the Board is accountable for the performance of the Authority in carrying out its statutory functions and achieving objectives. The National Department of Transport monitors the activities of the Authority.
Executive Management
* The Executive: Accident and Incident Investigation heads the Accident and Incident Investigation Division, which administratively reports to the DCA and functionally to the Department of Transport.
Executive Management
* The Executive: Accident and Incident Investigation heads the Accident and Incident Investigation Division, which administratively reports to the DCA and functionally to the Department of Transport.
Our Impact
The SACAA consistently meets its performance targets, maintaining a track record of clean audits from the Auditor-General of South Africa with no irregular, fruitless, or wasteful expenditure.
We actively drive initiatives to improve aviation safety, security, and transformation:
- Hosting the Aviation Conference (NAC) to promote collaboration between regulators and industry.
- Running a countrywide security awareness campaign aligned with ICAO’s “Year of Security Culture,” engaging airports, airlines, security agencies, and communities.
- Running a countrywide security awareness campaign aligned with ICAO’s “Year of Security Culture,” engaging airports, airlines, security agencies, and communities.
- Hosting the National Aviation Gender Summits (NAGS) to advance gender equity in aviation.
Our leadership extends globally: South Africa chaired the ICAO Safety Management Panel, presided over the ICAO Assembly, a historic first led by our Director of Civil Aviation, Ms Poppy Khoza and retained FAA Category 1 status while successfully completing ICAO security audits.
Our Impact
The SACAA consistently meets its performance targets, maintaining a track record of clean audits from the Auditor-General of South Africa with no irregular, fruitless, or wasteful expenditure.
We actively drive initiatives to improve aviation safety, security, and transformation:
- Hosting the Aviation Conference (NAC) to promote collaboration between regulators and industry.
- Running a countrywide security awareness campaign aligned with ICAO’s “Year of Security Culture,” engaging airports, airlines, security agencies, and communities.
- Running a countrywide security awareness campaign aligned with ICAO’s “Year of Security Culture,” engaging airports, airlines, security agencies, and communities.
- Hosting the National Aviation Gender Summits (NAGS) to advance gender equity in aviation.
Our leadership extends globally: South Africa chaired the ICAO Safety Management Panel, presided over the ICAO Assembly, a historic first led by our Director of Civil Aviation, Ms Poppy Khoza and retained FAA Category 1 status while successfully completing ICAO security audits.
Our People
We are a Top Employer (2025), with a workforce that reflects South Africa’s diversity: 51% women and 49% men. Employee wellness is central to our culture, supported by ongoing initiatives that promote balance, growth, and resilience.
Our People
We are a Top Employer (2025), with a workforce that reflects South Africa’s diversity: 51% women and 49% men. Employee wellness is central to our culture, supported by ongoing initiatives that promote balance, growth, and resilience.
Our Community
We are committed to inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals. Through our Outreach Programme, SACAA exposes learners from disadvantaged communities to opportunities in aviation. Each year, thousands of learners across South Africa, and beyond engage with aviation through youth shows, school visits, and career initiatives.
We also invest in social responsibility projects, from maths and science support in schools to household food support for vulnerable youth. Our motto remains: “A small amount goes a long way.”
Our Community
We are committed to inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals. Through our Outreach Programme, SACAA exposes learners from disadvantaged communities to opportunities in aviation. Each year, thousands of learners across South Africa, and beyond engage with aviation through youth shows, school visits, and career initiatives.
We also invest in social responsibility projects, from maths and science support in schools to household food support for vulnerable youth. Our motto remains: “A small amount goes a long way.”
SACAA Awards & Recognitions
SACAA Awards & Recognitions
Our achievements have been celebrated at home and abroad. Notable awards include:
- 2025 Top Employer Award (Top Employers Institute)
- African Regulator of the Year (2021)
- Flight Safety Foundation Gloria Heath Trophy (2022) – awarded to our Director of Civil Aviation as the first recipient for global aviation leadership
- Standard Bank Top Women Gender Icon Award (2019)
These honours represent just a few of the many accolades that reflect SACAA’s leadership and impact in aviation.
- Top Employer Award – Recognised by the Top Employers Institute for excellence in workforce management practices.
- Special Awards by AFCAC & AFI Group (2022) – Ms. Poppy Khoza recognised for sector leadership and ICAO Assembly presidency.
- Gloria Heath Trophy (2022) – Flight Safety Foundation award for leadership and gender diversity contributions.
- Changemakers Recognition Award (2021) – Leadership category at Aviators Africa Tower Awards.
- African Regulator of the Year (2021) – Presented to the SACAA by the African Business Leadership Awards.
- Standard Bank Top Women Awards (2019) – Ms. Khoza honoured as a Gender Icon celebrating 25 Years of Democracy.
- Gov Institute Certification (2018) – Best Performing Entity following a clean audit over five years.
- CEO Global Pan African Awards (2018) – Aviation Sector and Regional (SADC South) Award for Ms. Khoza.
- EU Africa Women Summit Award (2018) – Impactful Leadership Award for advancing women’s rights in aviation.
- Best-Performing Institution in Transport (2018) – Multiple-time winner at Annual Transport Awards.
- Oliver Empowerment Awards (2016) – Ms. Khoza named Top Empowered Public Service Leader; SACAA recognised for innovation and transformation.
- National Business Awards (2015) – SACAA won Top Performing Public Service Award and second place in Transport & Logistics; Ms. Khoza recognised as Best CEO in Transport.
Our achievements have been celebrated at home and abroad. Notable awards include:
- 2025 Top Employer Award (Top Employers Institute)
- African Regulator of the Year (2021)
- Flight Safety Foundation Gloria Heath Trophy (2022) – awarded to our Director of Civil Aviation as the first recipient for global aviation leadership
- Standard Bank Top Women Gender Icon Award (2019)
These honours represent just a few of the many accolades that reflect SACAA’s leadership and impact in aviation.
- Top Employer Award – Recognised by the Top Employers Institute for excellence in workforce management practices.
- Special Awards by AFCAC & AFI Group (2022) – Ms. Poppy Khoza recognised for sector leadership and ICAO Assembly presidency.
- Gloria Heath Trophy (2022) – Flight Safety Foundation award for leadership and gender diversity contributions.
- Changemakers Recognition Award (2021) – Leadership category at Aviators Africa Tower Awards.
- African Regulator of the Year (2021) – Presented to the SACAA by the African Business Leadership Awards.
- Standard Bank Top Women Awards (2019) – Ms. Khoza honoured as a Gender Icon celebrating 25 Years of Democracy.
- Gov Institute Certification (2018) – Best Performing Entity following a clean audit over five years.
- CEO Global Pan African Awards (2018) – Aviation Sector and Regional (SADC South) Award for Ms. Khoza.
- EU Africa Women Summit Award (2018) – Impactful Leadership Award for advancing women’s rights in aviation.
- Best-Performing Institution in Transport (2018) – Multiple-time winner at Annual Transport Awards.
- Oliver Empowerment Awards (2016) – Ms. Khoza named Top Empowered Public Service Leader; SACAA recognised for innovation and transformation.
- National Business Awards (2015) – SACAA won Top Performing Public Service Award and second place in Transport & Logistics; Ms. Khoza recognised as Best CEO in Transport.
SACAA Structure
The Senior Management Structure for the South African Civil Aviation Authority
SACAA Structure
The Senior Management Structure for the South African Civil Aviation Authority
