Speaker, this ANC-led government, in its commitment to transforming South Africa into a developmental state, has initiated the formation of SA Express Airways as a state-owned enterprise, SOE.
This state-owned enterprise is fulfilling its mandate in making Southern Africa more accessible, within South Africa and the neighbouring states.
We are proud to announce today that SA Express Airways has shown good performance for the last financial year under review. As stated by the Minister, they have fulfilled other mandates, like transformation and other things. This airline is reporting a profit for the second time since it became a stand-alone state-owned enterprise.
I stand here today to say that, in fulfilling its mandate to act beyond providing transport, this state-owned enterprise has initiated its Mach 1 and Mach 2 pilot training programmes. They even train pilots for their big brother, the SA Airways, SAA.
The portfolio committee has requested SA Express Airways to extend its programme and to actively advertise it, especially to Grade 9 students, so that learners can choose maths and science, and, again, so that we can recruit our future pilots from previously disadvantaged rural and underdeveloped areas, thus spreading hope of an opportunity throughout South Africa. Together, we can do more. Viva, SOEs, Viva!
HON MEMBERS: Viva!