The sudden termination of the deal between South African Airways (SAA) and Takatso has dealt a significant blow to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s privatization strategy and raised doubts about the future of struggling public enterprises. The government has faced opposition within its ranks concerning privatization and will need to rethink its approach and draw in more private investment. The termination of the deal marks the beginning of a new episode where the outcomes remain unpredictable.
The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has welcomed the Competition Commission’s conditional approval for the strategic equity partner transaction between South African Airways (SAA) and Takatso Aviation Proprietary Limited. This deal will result in Takatso acquiring a 51% shareholding in the airline, which is a significant turning point for the revitalization process of SAA.