Nadat die South African Airways se verlies van R4,7 miljard in die 2014-’15-boekjaar deur die Minister van Finansies bevestig is, het dit 'n mens laat drome droom oor 'n toespraak van mnr. Pravin Gordhan.
Dié droom volg na die volgende berig op Fin24: (Waar Gordhan hierin na die SAA verwys, lees die woord “agriculture”). Die berig lui:
"Cape Town - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan confirmed on Tuesday that SAA (agriculuture) had made a loss of R4,7bn in the 2014-’15 financial year.
"We owe it to the South African public that we be honest and frank and truthful about the financial status of the airline (agriculture)."
Speaking in a debate in the national assembly on the challenges facing SAA (agriculture), Gordhan said reports claiming that the airline (agriculture) made a R4,7bn loss was indeed correct. The financial loss in the 2015-’16 financial year, which was still to be submitted, was projected to be R1,8bn.
"SAA (agriculture) is a key state asset. It is worth a lot of money potentially. If it does well it can benefit the state and it will benefit thousands of people who travel (are fed and clothed) on SAA (agriculture), but also those employed by SAA (agriculture). The technical staff, the thousands of ground staff, the managers, the crew, the pilots who ensure our safety and the various enterprises that have a business relationship with SAA (agriculture) as well." (Lees hier álle boere, ook opkomende boere, plaaswerkers en hul gesinne, die klein dorpe in SA wat afhanklik van die landbou is, navorsingsinstansies, landbou-besighede, invoerders, uitvoerders, en so aan.)
Gordhan pointed out that there was a difference between a guarantee and a cash bailout. “Let’s not confuse the public. A guarantee is not the same as a cash bailout. A guarantee means you are in a better position to borrow, but if you default on your payments the state bears the cost. A cash bailout is when you inject equity,” he explained.
"It is also correct to say that if we remove government guarantees and government support, technically SAA (agriculture) would be insolvent at this point in time. But it is a public asset. We can't allow a public asset (agriculture) to go to the ground."
Gordhan said it’s true that SAA has to date received guarantees to the amount of R19bn and that eight to ten banks had offered guaranteed loans to the national carrier."
(Ai, sou dit nie tot die ganse Suid-Afrika se voordeel strek as die staat ook só na die landbou in sy grootste droogte omsien nie?)
Bron: Fin24
