The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) commends the South African Airways (SAA)’ hopeful turnaround.  SAA’s recorded its first profit in years, flying the national flag high and steadily reopening domestic, regional and international routes connecting South Africa, must be applauded as a welcome rebuttal to the champions of privatisation who not so long ago said it could not be fixed and must be sold or closed.

SAA has shown without a doubt that our State-Owned Enterprises can be stabilised, placed back on a path of sustainability and once again play an enabling role in supporting economic growth.  SAA under its new leadership, is emerging from its dark chapter of state capture and corruption.  It is correct to reopen routes at a pace that it can afford.  It must continue to exploit its unique niche as the connection route for South Africa to key international tourism and investment markets, in particular across Africa and the world. 

We must not forget the terrible trauma that SAA’s staff went through when the airline was grounded, forgoing salaries and thousands losing their jobs, homes and possessions.  As SAA expands routes and acquires more aircraft, it must prioritise the hiring of former staff.

SAA must avoid previous mistakes including embarking upon lossmaking routes or cost inefficient airplanes, as well as nefarious interference by dodgy politicians and their acolytes. Its turnaround is all the more morale-boosting given how difficult it is for many airlines across the world to survive. 

We are cautiously confident that SAA will continue to forge ahead. This is an affirmation that the renewal of the state under the African National Congress led government is steadily gaining momentum.

Issued by COSATU

Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)
Mobile: 082 785 0687
Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za