Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma says government will not sell South African Airways (SAA), as it has the potential to contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.
“… We are going to work hard to ensure that we support SAA so that it can take off and reach the destinations that … we want to reach,” President Zuma said on Friday in Johannesburg.
He was speaking during his visit to SAA, which is part of the Presidential Siyahlola Programme. The programme includes visits to different sectors and places to ensure that the President is aware of what is happening on the ground.
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
President Zuma encouraged the employees of SAA to work hard to ensure that the company succeeds.
“SAA promotes South Africa in many ways. We must have plans and we must be ready to make this a good company,” he said.
During his visit to SAA, President Zuma held meetings with staff and the board, where he received reports about the performance of the company.
He was also taken on an inspection of SAA Technical, the maintenance division of the airline.
“I'm pleased by the board and senior management's commitment to implement the Long-Term Turnaround Strategy to put the airline on a path of commercial sustainability," President Zuma said.
SAA reported to the President that there was a positive turn in its financials for the fourth quarter of the 2015/16 financial year, which ended 31 March 2016.
President Zuma noted all the challenges raised by staff during his inspection. He committed that government will assist the airline to overcome its challenges.
SAA board chairperson Dudu Myeni said in the near future, the company will be able to operate without government guarantees.
Myeni said she has asked the company’s Acting Chief Executive to set up a committee that will deal with issues of racism and outline disciplinary measures that can be taken to address the issue.
The issue of racism was raised by employees as one of the challenges they faced in the workplace.
Myeni thanked SAA employees, saying that they were an asset to the company.
“SAA continues to be the best airline because of the dedication of our employees.” – SAnews.gov.za
