Readers’Views

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More empty promises on the future of state-owned airlines

The article “SAA plan set for takeoff” (September 8) refers. Colour me unimpressed. Yet again we are getting vague promises and excuses.

By now, almost 18 months in the job, public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan should have answers (given that he already had insight to these entities when, as minister of finance, he had to approve numerous bailouts).

Saying something is complex is actually saying there are issues I don’t want to deal with.

And [Econometrix chief economist] Azar Jammine should know better than to suggest these airlines provide services in society that need to be accommodated irrespective of whether they make money or not.

How is it possible for private-sector airlines to provide such services and not need a government subsidy? Andrew Merrifield, on BusinessLIVE

Gordhan says the government is doing its best to stabilise state-owned airlines and that “we are looking at alternatives for all the state-owned airlines”.

Instead of obfuscating the real issues, namely that the state is incapable of competently running any of its entities, Gordhan should put plans in place to either shut down SAA or give it away (it is worthless on paper) to private enterprise. Instead, the government procrastinates while its coffers are empty.

Eskom, Denel and others all require cash bailouts to some degree or other.

The government urgently needs to start learning economics in order to get the country back on track.

Nathan Cheiman, Johannesburg

Kicking the can down the runway, again.

Molotov C, on BusinessLIVE

You snooze, you lose

Andile Khumalo’s column, “What makes us think fellow Africans steal our opportunities?’ (September 8), refers. Nobody takes anybody’s opportunities.

The thing with opportunity is this: you have to work your tail off to be ready and prepared to exploit opportunities when they present themselves.

It’s a competitive world — you snooze, you lose.

Teresa , on BusinessLIVE

Foreigners must coach locals

While I agree with bringing skilled foreigners into the country, I believe this should be done with the goal of upskilling South Africans.

They should be employed on a fixed-term contract and have as a performance measure the mentoring and coaching of a suitable South African to take up the position when their contract expires.

Msebenzi Mtshali, Durban

Amcu waiting to cash in

Better-than-expected results from Implats showing “green cash flow” will inevitably open the greedy talons of union Amcu for unsustainable pay increase demands.

The poor miners will then be forced to go on a strike that will break them for the Christmas period and beyond, and, by that time, will have forced Implats to start cutbacks sooner, as Amcu and its belligerent leader will not see beyond their noses. Theo Roelofsz, Marble Hall