Unfortunately it seems that whenever this type of topic is discussed crude xenophobia creeps in, sad!
Well done Parrot, that sorts out the foreign black question as far as BEE scores are concerened, although I must admit some of my colleagues simply see all blacks as HDAs. But we do have a serious constitution and an independent legal system, so please expose any funny business you might see.
I am still missing the point about my hypothetical Zimbabwe 737 pilot with lots of experience on type. If we have a shortage of 737 pilots in SAA, isn't it cheaper to hire this guy than train a youngster with much less experience? I know this is what Cathay, Singapore, China, Saudi and many other airlines would do.
If this is the case then why shouldn't we give preference to pilots from the region before taking them from further afield? And I am not ashamed to admit that I would feel proud occasionally having a black captain announcing that we are crossing the Orange River at 33 000 feet.