National carriers
If you are a tea-man, working in the Kuruman railway siding, for the last 35 years now, you probably buy a packet of sugar or jam now and then as a " luxury". Maybe even a packet of tobacco for your pipe. Bad man, no biscuit!
Of this ill spent money, 14 % will go directly to the country's income tax coffers. So tea-man, the closest you will ever get to flying SAA is seeing their con-trail overhead. But, your bloody hard earned money is going directly to keep the Black-Hole propped up! But no doubt in your eyes this is "right"? After all, all good African countries MUST have a National Carrier! (why?)
Now 'considering' that we "need" a National Carrier, if SAA were to have ONLY it's long haul aircraft and only fly LONG haul routes(Lagos is not), then EVERYONE in SA would be happy! SAA will not be pulverising local business toes, who ARE able to fly local and regional and cater for all the demand more than sufficiently, and thereby show reasonable to good profits.
The country gets to keep and show off it's National Carrier which is crucial for world/African standing....
(the pilots at SAA get to keep their [ what word?] salaries.)
We in honoust private business are allowed to do business in a way that IS good for the country's employment issues.
But alas, the BIGGER picture.... Who gets to decide on the routes and contracts and MOST importantly, the aircraft purchased? Not the correct consultants in the relevant fields, but the venerable hallowed politicians for the "commission"!!!
I reiterate about the modern politician. The only way the French got rid of the entrenched disgusting Royal rot, was not through negotiation, but by chopping off their heads! (Same goes for the voracious big business's insatiable lust to have everything AND prevent any others from getting anything more than what they need to stay alive! See the new slavery of the 21st century)