As far as the SAA situation goes, if I judge it correctly, some fears are :
That Affirmative Action candidates (Black, female) are to get fast-tracked to Command, bypassing the seniority system;
AA Captains being 'babysat' by more experienced white F/O's whose chances of Command have been reduced to 'extremely remote';
As more AA crew are employed there would be a change in the makeup and therefore common mindset of SAAPA, to the further detriment of standards;
That SAAPA would be weakened by a majority of politically-appointed crew members, leading to its' eventual loss of power (breaking of the union);
and there are probably a few more, but these are the important ones.
To be an SAA pilot is the goal which most pilots in South Africa try to achieve. SAA pilots are renowned for their high standard of training, their high standard of operating, their enviable safety record and not least, their high standard of pay. This has not happened by accident. SAA pilots have set this standard. They stick together and part of this bond is the discipline to maintain these standards.
No matter what the policies of government are, SAA pilots at the present time still hold the reins of power in SAA. If they are to maintain these high standards, remuneration and power in their union and avoid the rot which affirmative action brings, including the points cited above, they still have the power to insist that they and they alone be responsible for crew hiring policies at SAA, through threat of industrial action.
By doing this they will maintain the high standards within SAA, and through a knock-on effect, the standard of the industry in SA, as well as protecting the system from political interference.