POLOKWANE – South African Airways (SAA) might have a chance to avoid liquidation, provided that either government or a private equity partner cough up R16,3 billion.
A rescue plan has been approved, albeit that some pieces of the puzzle still need to fall into place. With this in mind, Review took to the youth to find out whether they think the business rescue plan is a good idea or whether the airline should rather have been liquidated.
Kamogelo Magolo: I think it is a good idea but government should find other means of partnership with rescue companies that will help them save the airline. The government has no money so where will they get money to start a new one?
Galaletsang Shadi: I am glad they found an alternative way. I suggest they should fly nationally until they are able to go international. In that way, the business will slowly get back on its feet and employees will be able to keep their jobs.
Palesa Makanyane: I think a new airline that belongs to a private entity is a better idea because of the looting of funds.
Mogale Matsoma: One must ask if the same problems will exist with a restructured SAA. I think management should come up with new ideas of making money rather than losing money.
Tebogo Maluleka: I think it is good that they want to save the current airline because they already have the trust of commuters. Upgrading will lead to new ideas on how to better their services. They surely now know their weakness as a business and can now work on bettering their service and offering it at an affordable cost.
Mabilo Phogole: State-owned entities always seek money from the government and the main purpose of having a business or to have a company is to make a profit. A business that makes no profit is better when it is closed. The money that they use to bail it out can be used at local government to establish new constructions, sometimes to provide service to the community.
Delny Demana says with the current financial status of SAA, it’s not the right time to be wasting money unnecessarily. She says whatever problems that are faced by SAA, solutions must be found.
Wendy Manjeya says SAA is the most popular airline in South Africa and is also known worldwide, and she therefore agrees with government to not close the airline. She suggests that they should rather collaborate with other airlines in order to save SAA.
