More black pilots needed, says Parliamentary Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises
The Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises has voiced concerns over a lack of transformation at South African Airways.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Priscilla Themba, said recruitment process for pilots should prioritise women and black pupils. According to the Committee, South African Airways (SAA) recruitment strategies should be looked at, and the airline should make young people in rural areas aware of opportunities in aviation. Careers in aviation are still a challenge for black pupils. SAA tended to concentrate its recruitment drives around urban centers, especially Johannesburg.
SAA was in Parliament today to brief the Committee on its turnaround strategy. SAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Monwabisi Kalawe, informed the Committee that 80% of SAA pilots were white males, and that attempts to bring about transformation through a cadet programme were met with resistance from those opposed to transformation.
Ms Themba said it was crucial that SAA employees were representative of the demographics of the country. “In trying to reach out to the wider population, SAA together with the Department of Public Enterprises should also consider involving (Committee) members so that information could be disseminated through the constituency offices,” she said.
The Committee also expressed concerns over issues such as the bailouts that SAA received from government, the “poor service” from Mango Airlines, and the frequency with which the airline compiled turnaround strategies.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Sibongile Maputi, Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 079 082 2732
Tel: 021 403 8041
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
