27 April 2020
The Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) commends the South African Airways (SAA) for an outstanding service to the people of South Africa and the world, especially for the historic landing of the Cuban Doctors at Waterkloof Air force Base.
Since the beginning of the fight against the Covid-19 global pandemic, the South African Airways has undertaken numerous roles in bringing South Africans home and of late, landing the Cuban Doctors.
The historic landing of the Cubans at the Waterkloof Air force Base amidst a fight against the Covid-19 global pandemic reflects the outstanding capabilities of SAA and the continued necessity need for a capable state owned airline.
The first time SAA interacted with the Cuban people was during an epoch when both Cuba and South Africa were governed by oppressive capitalist regimes during the launch of The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Havana in April 1945, and SAA became one of the 44 active founding members. A decade later the July Movement initiated the Cuban revolution. The victory of the July Movement was a victory for the Southern African struggle against colonialism as the Cubans fought the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale side by side with armed forces in Angola.
Half a century later, after the launch of IATA, On 24 June 1995, a SAA flight produced one of sport’s most memorable moments when it flew over Ellis Park stadium ahead of the Rugby World Cup final. It is the same airline that once again landed the Springboks last year as Rugby World Champions.
The quasi-rescue of SAA, which in reality is a daylight sale of the airline should be condemned. The business practitioners have been dishonest to South Africans; claiming that more money is needed to rescue SAA whereas they have failed until this day to produce a turnaround strategy or even a business rescue plan. Notwithstanding the fact that the business rescue came against the aspirations of the tripartite alliance.
The YCLSA calls on the South African government to never compromise the necessity of the South African Airways either to corrupt activities nor the business appetite to privatize the airline.
We call on the Minister of Public Enterprises to smell the coffee and play a more decisive role in ensuring the actual rescue of the airline.
Issued by the YCLSA
For Inquiries contact:
Dloze Matooane
National Spokesperson
066 570 3902
Whatsapp: 0826920127
Email: dmdmatooane@gmail.com
Dineo Mokoena
Media and Liaison
073 969 8532
