Lets see if in the fine print we find SAX recieved more of YOUR tax payers ZAR's.
Your ignorance is showing. Sax has never received capitalisation from the government. Every cent was borrowed and they are well on the way of paying that off.
Talking of paying aircraft. Most of SAX's aircraft are leased, which means that the cost of aircraft is actually reflected in the operating budget. That means operating profit is a lot better than you make it sound.
And Jetnut, Deskjocky is correct. SAX has never belonged to SAA. There is also no limit in the current commercial agreement as to size of aircraft - which is why we can operate 737's and DC9's when required. SAX just knows its market and realises that 70-90 seats and high frequencies are the way to go.