Mbeki flies in opulence while people are starving
 

From the Letters section of the Star:

Mbeki flies in opulence while people are starving
June 22, 2004

In President Thabo Mbeki's state of the nation address, he spoke of the fight against poverty.

He must have forgotten that 12 months ago he purchased a R500-million Boeing BBJ, so he could jet around in sumptuous luxury. Fitting out the interior alone cost R100-million.

This expenditure cannot be justified when millions live in informal settlements and 40% of the workforce are unemployed.

The reason for this indulgent purchase, we were told, was that existing aircraft operated by the SAAF's VIP Squadron were not up to requirements. Among others the fleet includes a Falcon 50 and Falcon 900 tri-jets which have intercontinental capability. These are some of the most expensive jets available to major corporations for worldwide operations, but apparently not good enough for our president.

A suitable alternative to the Falcons would have been one of the specially converted Boeing 727-Super 25s, which provide presidential comfort with intercontinental capability. These superb aircraft can be had for R30- to R60-million depending on specifications. This would have been a far less expensive alternative to the new BBJ.

With the present level of tax income of R300-million per annum, it is clear that Mbeki feels he has a mandate to spend taxpayers' money as he pleases, without consideration for those less fortunate members of our society who don't have income.

An even less expensive solution to the president's problem could have been found if he had the sense to use some of SAA's under-utilised equipment, one of the Boeing B747 SPs.

These are due to be sold off now, for little money in Jumbo terms - less than $2-million each.

The long range SP - it can fly from Joburg to Washington non stop - would have been the ideal aircraft for the president.

The upper deck could have been converted for his exclusive use and the balance of seats in luxurious business class on the main deck could have been retained for the use of his entourage.

The cost would have been less than R5-million and the aircraft could have stayed in service - there are still three available from SAA. This would have saved the taxpayer R495-million.

Anthony Howard
Aviation Consultants SA, Lanseria

Another African president gains at the expense of others.

Can remember back in the late 90s when Rawlings of Ghana acquired a jet under dubious conditions.

Nice to see the 21st century has brought no changes to the continent. Would imagine that SA is on the same course as Zim went.

With SAA retiring the 747 classics it would be damn sight cheaper to use of one those. But alas when you're an African president - being prudent with the finances doesn't come into it.

If Mbeki had one of the 300 series he could even boast that its bigger than Airforce One. May be the pi$$ing contest at the African Union meetings revolves around who wasted more of their countries' money.:yuk:

More to the point, some other countries money in the form of aid.

Prospector

prez jet
 

maybe he can lend it to his mate bob....

...so the poor wife doesn't have to nick air zims A/C???

maybe she can pick up the best seller "how to run an african nation" by Mobutu, at Harrods? if the mastercard still works??

Grin & bear it huh?:}

Deanw,
You sound surprised?
They are all the same, mate.
Never let the starvation of your people or the ruination of a prosperous country get in the way of a good ol' African squander!!!
And guess what? It'll never change.
I guess the Mugabe Model of Economic Enlightenment really is the future!!

NP ducks below parapet to avoid hail of politically correct rhetoric and expletives............

:uhoh: :uhoh: :uhoh:

NdekePilot

Mugabe Model of Economic Enlightenment should read Mugabe Economic Model of Enlightenment better know as that Africian acronym

ME ME :D

B Sousa,

What a wonderful way to view the world! "Like it or lump it"

I for one would find it inspiring and refreshing if Mbeki did use an AN2 or chartered.

A very disappointing man. Zimbabwe Mk2 on the way but worse.

This thread interests me in that I was involved with the BBJ,I can tell you that the cost of the A/C was nowhere near the cost mentioned it was in fact roughly half the quoted price and incudes the interior.The other figure given to refurbish a B747-SP is so far out as you can make it,I know this also as I was involved in just such an aircraft being refurbished last year and if the agency could tell me exactly which facility it is I will guarantee to send work to it.

Matkat

Didn't you know that South Africa has the highest proportion of whingers per capita !

This is just another way of twisting facts to suit certain groups in order to discredit a democratically elected government. And I'm sure said group were quite content when they were ruled by a gang of bombastic idiots, who mind you quite frequently commandeered a B707 to transport friends and family down to Cape Town for the weekend, in good old fashionded Bob style!

Bwana Engineer,
You are absolutely right!!!
Hee Hee!!!!
NP.:cool:

Gimbal thanks for telling me that and no i did not know that.Really infuriating when I read rubbish like this and really I don"t know where these figures came from,on the BBJ I saw the actual invoice so I can tell you the figure I quoted is as near as I can estimate due to $-Rand ex rate.By my estimates for a 74 SP to be "D" checked and reconfigured would be substantially more expensive than the quoted figure,also take into account the much higher maintenance and running cost of the 747 V BBJ the best option is undoubtedly the BBJ.
BRGDS
matkat

BSousa,

I don't quite see the hungry people in the USA. Am I missing something??

V1 Rotate:confused: :confused:

Guys could we get this thread back on track before it falls over the edge.

Thanks

4HP

ZS-TJS Learjet 45-083 ex OY-LJG Premier of Gauteng Province

So its not just the Prez, but the Premier of Gauteng too!!

Edited to add the following info which I found on a different website.



Owner changed
30/04/2004


So the Premier only got this baby recently!

The Prime Minister of the UK uses a chartered BA 777 for many overseas trips, John Howard the Australian PM often flies on Qantas. I'm going to get into hot water here but I will say this anyway - I believe that most African leaders are interested in their own personal vanity rather than in furthering progress in their countries.


It is against a background of corruption and nepotism that pervades most of the continent that we look at Mbeki's latest purchase and then not unreasonably take a cynical view.

Perhaps "matkat" could produce the evidence for his claims about the BBJ. I'm all for fair play and so if there is a clar cut case for Mbeki having his BBJ then great lets have it made.

I don't know exactly how much life the classic 747s have left in them but one would assume a few more years at least. Remeber also that the president isn't supposed to be doing LHR-JNB on a daily basis, so whilst a 747 classic might be more to operate, just how much flying is Mbeki planning on doing.....or may be there are those State visits to Harrods.....I forgot about those
:yuk:

from caa register


ZS-TJS
Make LEARJET 45

Last register update 08/06/2004

Serial Number 083

Year of manufacture 2000

Mass 0 kg

Owner DUNROSE TRADING 180 (PTY) LTD

Address PO BOX 5472 TYGERVALLEY 7536

Telephone 021-915-6300

Register 05/05/2004

Owner changed 30/04/2004

Status
Registered

I got the info on ZS-TJS from this website.

Dont know where they get their gen from but I did check the CAA site too. Anybody know who uses this aerie ? Is it indeed the Premier ?

what is interesting is that there are no details anywhere for the company DUNROSE TRADING 180 (PTY) LTD ,various other DUNROSE TRADING companies with a different number and none of them have heard of this particular company

and the contact number given is an ABSA branch in the cape

The registered office of Dunrose Trading 180 (Pty) Ltd is in Tygervalley, Cape Town.

And the directors I hear you ask?

Why, it's TOKYO MOSIMA GABRIEL SEXWALE and EDWIN FRIER SCHMIDT :oh:

Recognise at least one of the names :E