South African deputy president Paul Mashatile has suggested that selling a majority stake in South African Airways to private investors with the necessary capital and expertise might be the best strategy to revive the struggling state-owned entity. Mashatile noted that the government has already spent close to R9 billion trying to rescue SAA, which was placed under business rescue in 2019 due to R28 billion in liabilities. While a previous deal to sell 51% of SAA to the Takatso group fell through, Mashatile believes the original plan to involve the private sector was correct and should be revisited. Mashatile emphasised that the government should not hold a majority stake if a private investor can provide the funds needed to revive the airline.
