near the stinking crime-ridden overcrowded cesspit that is Johannesburg.
It's not as bad as you make out. CPT has more crime per capita than JNB but it's less violent crime. Parts of JNB are safer than parts of many UK cities (and those in other countries), and some of JNB's suburbs are glorious. The city has a great climate, a good infrastructure, friendly people, lots of interesting places, culture, and some world class restaurants. And I'm not even from Joeys!
As for the rest of your comments, I'm 100% in agreement.
And to answer your question :
It's carrying baggage both on the ground, political appointees (prev-i-usly dis-udvantaged) and in the air (friends and family of the former on freebies and rebate tickets filling seats in the front end. That's why BA can make a profit on the route and SAA can't. SAA's aircraft are less economical but not to such an extent.