Kruger National Park Calendar - September!

Weather:

• it is spring time in the park
• fresh mornings & warm to hot days
• it can get pretty cold at night
• occasional showers
• pretty unpredictable weather patterns

Temperatures:

• between 12°C - 28°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 28°C = [(28x9)]/5 + 32 = 82.4°F)
• visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!

 Landscape:

• first green shoots
• spring flush depending on rain
• new mopane growth with red-tinged leaves
• good spring indicator: purple flowers of tree wisteria

Animal Activity:

• game still concentrated around watering holes etc.
• migrant birds begin arriving
• elephants are coming south from their winter feeding grounds in the north

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Coronavirus pandemic: Botswana's capital Gaborone placed under lockdown for 14 days! [update]

update (14 August 2020): According to Botswana's Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Lemogang Kwape, the Greater Gaborone lockdown has been lifted with effect from midnight on 13 August 2020.

The Government of Botswana has placed the Greater Gaborone Zone under lockdown since 30 July 2020 for a minimum of two weeks to enable containment efforts to take hold.
Only "essential services" are allowed to operate, but only at 25% capacity. Movement within the Greater Gaborone Zone is permitted, except for those holding a "movement permit". Those holding interzonal movement permits to the Greater Gaborone Zone are allowed to return, while those who are in the Greater Gaborone Zone will not be allowed to leave without an "essential services" permit. The public is urged to to observe all Covid-19 protocols.
The decision to place Botswana's capital Gaborone under lockdown was taken due to 30 new positive cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours in the Greater Gaborone Zone.
As of 30 July 2020, Botswana has registered 170 confirmed COVID-19 local cases and two deaths.

The Government of Botswana has demarcated the country into nine Covid-19 zones in May 2020 as a measure to better contain the spread of the coronavirus. The COVID-19 zones are:

1. Greater Gaborone zone - towns, villages and settlements from Dibete to Ramatlabama, including the city of Gaborone and its periphery, Lobatse as well as Kanye, Molepolole and surrounding areas.
2. Greater Francistown zone - area from Ramokgwebana to Gojwane gate, stretching also to Dukwi and Mokubilo.
3. Greater Palapye zone - area from Dibete to Martin's Drift and Sefhophe gate, including the major villages of Serowe, Mahalapye and Palapye.
4. Boteti zone - from Makoba to Makalamabedi
5. Maun zone - the whole of Ngamiland
6. Chobe zone -  Chobe district up to Dukwi and Zoroga gate.
7. Kgalagadi zone - area from Jwaneng to the Kgalagadi North and South constituencies
8. Ghanzi zone
9. Greater Phikwe zone

South Africa: Rhino poaching decreases by more than 50% in first half of 2020!

According to the latest numbers released by South Africa's Deparment of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, rhino poaching in the country has decreased by almost 53% in the first six months of 2020. A total of 166 rhinos were killed for their horns in South Africa since the beginning of the year.
During the first six months of 2019, 316 rhinos had been poached across the country. Between the start of the  lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus on 27 March 2020 until the end of June 2020, 46 rhino were poached in South Africa. Of these, 14 rhino were poached during April 2020, 13 in May 2020 and 19 in June 2020.

In Kruger National Park, 88 rhino were poached between January 2020 and June 2020.  As the lockdown restrictions have gradually been lifted so the rhino poaching incidents have slowly increased. In the first six months of 2020, 38 suspected rhino poachers have been arrest in Kruger National Park and 23 firearms confiscated, while 57 suspects have been arrested during joint South African National Parks Environmental Crime Investigation (SANParks ECI) / South African Police Service (SAPS) operations outside of Kruger National Park and 18 firearms recovered.

South Africa's botanical gardens to reopen to the public!

South Africa's botanical gardens are allowed to reopen to the public from 03 August 2020*. However, the gardens will be open solely for the purpose of exercise, subject to health protocols. Daily access to the botanical gardens will be monitored and limited once the safe carrying capacity for the area has been reached. All visitors will be required to wear face masks, be temperature screened, and complete a tracing register.
No social gathering, picnics or public events will be allowed. Commercial facilities in the gardens, such as restaurants, have been allowed to open under alert level three of the South Africa's risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19, subject to prescribed regulations for the respective areas of business.

South Africa's botanical gardens are managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Each garden represents a variety of South Africa’s rich biodiversity.

South Africa's National Botanical and Zoological Gardens:

1. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, Western Cape
2. Hantam National Botanical Garden in Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape
3. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort, Gauteng
4. Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens in Betty's Bay, Western Cape
5. Free State National Botanical Garden in Bloemfontein, Free State
6. Pretoria National Botanical Gardens in Pretoria, Gauteng
7. Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden in Worcester, Western Cape
8. KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
9. Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Mbombela, Mpumalanga
10. National Zoological Gardens of South Africa in Pretoria, Gauteng
11. Kwelera National Botanical Garden in East London, Eastern Cape
12. Thohoyandou Botanical Garden in Thohoyandou, Limpopo
13. Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre in Mokopane, Limpopo
    

*Permission for access for exercise purposes only was published in the Amended Directions for the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries in Government Gazette 43564 (Notice No. 822) on 28 July 2020.

South Africa: Accommodation facilities to get the permission to open for leisure purposes! [update]

update (01 August 2020): The Government of South Africa has published an official gazette detailing the amendments.

South Africa's Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, announced during a virtual media briefing on tourism-related activities in alert level three of the country's risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19 on 30 July 2020 that accommodation facilities will soon get the permission to open for leisure purposes. However, no more than two people may share a room, with the exception of a "nuclear family". Short-term rental sharing, such as Airbnb, will remain closed.

Intra-provincial (within a province) leisure travel will be allowed, while inter-provincial (between provinces) leisure travel remains prohibited. Tour operators will be allowed to provide guided tours in open-top vehicles. South Africa's Government will publish an official gazette detailing these changes and the official implementation date shortly. We'll keep you posted!

Cape Town: The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company has introduced a special "one-way down hikers’ service"!

Cape Town's Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) has introduced a special one-way down hikers’ service. In response to the increased number of hikers accessing Table Mountain National Park, the company operates the service to provide a safe descent for hikers from its Top Station on Table Mountain. A maximum of 26 passengers (instead of the normal carrying capacity of 65 passengers) plus the cabin master is allowed per ride down in the cable car to allow enough space for physical distancing. No person is permitted to enter the cable car without a mask. The floors of the cable car have been demarcated to provide for safe distancing. To ensure correct ventilation, as per the Alert alert level three lockdown regulations, TMACC operates the cable cars with the windows removed. The cable car is getting sanitised after every ride and TMACC's health and safety representatives are on site to test the temperature of any passengers showing symptoms of COVID-19.

The "one-way down hikers' service" runs from 08:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting. Tickets are available for purchase online or in the Wi-Fi Lounge at the top station. The one-way down ticket is valid for 7 days. The Wi-Fi Lounge at the Top Station is open for hot and cold beverages such as coffee and water. The Kiosk at the Lower Station also has snacks and takeaway meals such as sandwiches, salads and an assortment of cakes available. The Ticket Office at the Lower Station remains closed.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) temporarily suspended operations on 18 March 2020.

Kenya: Kenya Airways to resume international operations on 01 August 2020!

Kenya's flag carrier, Kenya Airways, will resume international operations on 01 August 2020. The airline will intially be operating reduced frequencies to 31 destinations in Africa, as well as to London in the United Kingdom (3x weekly), Amsterdam in the Netherlands (3x weekly), Paris in France (3x weekly), Mumbai in India (5x weekly) and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (5x weekly). Destinations in (Southern) Africa include Nampula in Mozambique (2x weekly), Harare in Zimbabwe (4x weekly), Lusaka in Zambia (4x weekly) Lilongwe in Malawi (4x weekly) and Ndola in Zambia (2x weekly). Flights to Blantyre (Malawi), Luanda (Angola), Johannesburg, Cape Town (South Africa), Livingstone (Zambia), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Maputo (Mozambique) will remain suspended. Kenya Airways' intercontinental services to Rome (Italy), Geneva (Switzerland), New York City (USA), Bangkok (Thailand) and Guanghzou (China) will also remain suspended.

Zambia: Proflight Zambia cancels flights between Lusaka <> Durban indefinetly!

According to Proflight Zambia's latest schedule update, the airline has canceled flights between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban indefinetly. The airline is currently operating repatriation flights between Lusaka and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and hopes to resume regular scheduled flights to Johannesburg as soon as South African regulations allow. Proflight Zambia has also cancelled flights between Lusaka and Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe (Malawi) indefinetly.
The airline hopes to increase frequency on domestic routes as soon as visitors visas are allowed again for Zambia. We'll keep you posted!

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National Parks & Game Parks: Namibia to introduce an additional conservation fee!

Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has announced the introduction of a conservation fee for entry to National Parks and Game Parks. The fee, which will be charged in addition to the existing park entrance fees, will take effect from January 2021. The combined fee will be based on market related prices and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism will consult with stakeholders in Namibia's tourism industry before the fee structure is released.
According to the press release, the conservation fee will accrue to Namibia's Game Product Trust Fund and will be used for the management and maintenance of infrastructure in National Parks and Game Parks, human wildlife conflict mitigation and preventive measures as well as wildlife protection and law enforcement. 

Namibia has not adjusted or increased entrance fees to National Parks and Game Parks since 2005. The country's park entrance fees are currently the lowest in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Mozambique: Gorongosa National Park's 60th Anniversary video!

Gorongosa National Park, located at the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley in the heart of central Mozambique, turned 60 years old on 23 July 2020. Known as the "Serengeti of the South", the 4000km² National Park is home to a large diversity of animals and plants - some of which are found nowhere else in the world.
To celebrate the anniversary, the National Park's management not only released a stunning video about Gorongosa, but also announced plans to build 60 new primary schools over the next decade to create an unbreakable bond between future generations, nature and the sacred world we know as Gorongosa National Park. Kudos!

Gorongosa 60th Anniversary from Gorongosa National Park on Vimeo.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gorongosa National Park is closed to the public until further notice!

Eastern Cape: Camdeboo National Park temporarily closed to the public!

Camdeboo National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape has been temporarily closed to the public on 22 July 2020 as a precautionary measure after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus). South African National Parks (SANParks) expects to reopen the National Park on 25 July 2020 following a deep cleaning exercise.Camdeboo National Park is located in the Karoo and almost completely surrounds the  town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. The National Park covers an area of 194 km² and is home to a diverse spectrum of South Africa's wildlife, including the Bat-eared Fox, Steenbok, Springbok, Blesbok, Black Wildebeest, Kudu, Grey Duiker as well as the less often seen Cape Buffalo, Red Hartebeest, Gemsbok and Cape Mountain Zebra.

Botswana's new eVisa system to be operational by the end of 2020!

The Government of Botswana is set to introduce an electronic visa (eVisa) system. This will enable visitors to the country to obtain a visa online and have a seamless entry upon arrival at all the land and air arrival points in Botswana. The Government has selected Pangea IT, an Israeli company specialised in digital transformation of government and business services, to integrate its eVisa solution. According to Uzy Rozenthal, Pangea EVP, General Manager Government Division, the company is already in the process of integrating its eVisa solution and expects to have it operational in Botswana till the end of the year 2020. We'll keep you posted!

Coronavirus pandemic: Lesotho reverted to a "hard lockdown"!

The Kingdom of Lesotho reverted to a "hard lockdown" by introducing new regulations as a measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The new restrictions already became effective on 20 July 2020. The regulations as elaborated by the Lesotho's Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro include the following: only five people are allowed for wedding ceremonies, the number of people attending funerals is restricted to family only plus 10 people for burial services and that such funeral services be held outdoors and completed by 10:00. The following will be closed: churches, schools, initiation schools, political rallies, gyms and parks, sports except non-contact sports like golf, public gatherings except those intended for coronavirus awareness with maximum of not more than 30 people. Border movement in Lesotho is still not allowed for foreign country visits except for personnel working with COVID-19 equipment. Factories remain open but with 50% of workers for day and night shifts thus to promote social distance.

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Namibia: Namibia Wildlife Resorts declares a profit for the first time!

Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the state-owned enterprise mandated to run the tourism facilities within the protected areas of Namibia, has managed to record a profit for the first time since its creation in 1999. The announcement was made at NWR's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 20 July 2020. For the first time, the AGM was held under the new commercial state-owned Enterprise Act 2019 (Act 1 of 2019) that came into operation on 16 December 2019.
According to NWR Chairman Ambassador Leonard Nangolo lipumbu the past financial year saw the enterprise record a N$22 million profit, which is a N$41 million improvement on the 2018 financial year. NWR's revenue increased by 11% compared to the 2018 financial year. NWR's Chairman also said that, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Namibia's tourism industry, NWR will not be able to record a profit in 2020. Measures to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus and to ensure sustainability have been implemented. NWR has, for instance, introduced special room offers targeted on the domestic market.

Coronavirus pandemic: Zimbabwe imposes a dusk-to-dawn curfew!

With effect from today (22 July 2020), Zimbabwe imposes a dusk-to-dawn curfew (18:00 - 06:00) to curb rising cases of Covid-19 in the country. Only essential services are exempted from the curfew. All business premises must operate from 08:00 - 15:00, with exception of providers of essential services. Only registered small and medium enterprises are allowed to operate and must adhere to World Health Organization (WHO) Covid-19 regulations. All non-working sections of the population are required to stay at home, except for purposes of securing food, water and health services. Public gatherings for social, religious, and political purposes remain banned. Funeral gatherings remain curtailed in line with health requirements. Zimbabwe's security services, including the military and police, must enforce the lockdown measures.

Lockdown, what lockdown? It’s business as usual ik #Harare , a few hours after @edmnangagwa announced total lockdown amid the rising numbers of #COVID19 cases in the country. pic.twitter.com/FK819Hl9i3

— Lovejoy L-Jay Mtongwiza (@L_JayMut) July 22, 2020

The renewed lockdown was announced by Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa in an address to the nation on 21 July 2020.

KwaZulu-Natal: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park temporarily closed to the public!

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, has announced that Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park will be temporarily closed to the public from Wednesday, 22 July 2020, until Friday, 31 July 2020. The closure is a result of recent COVID-19 positive cases. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park will re-open to the public on Saturday, 01 August 2020. We'll keep you posted!
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa (1895). It is located about 280 km north of Durban in northern KwaZulu-Natal and covers an area of 960km². Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is home to the Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino) and has the highest population of both white and black rhino in South Africa.

World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC): South Africa got its first two "Safe Travels Stamps"!

The town of Stellenbosch is the first destination and Cape Town's V&A Waterfront the first attraction in South Africa to be awarded the "Safe Travels Stamp" by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The "Safe Travels Stamp" is the first ever global safety and hygiene stamp, which allows travellers to recognise destinations and businesses around the world that have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols.
The protocols were defined following the experience of WTTC members in dealing with the coronavirus and based on the best available medical evidence. It follows guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, USA) and is also backed by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO). Stellenbosch and the V&A Waterfront join an international list of over 80 top travel destinations and over 1 200 companies around the world to be awarded "Safe Travels stamp".

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global private sector of travel and tourism. It is known for being the only forum to represent the private sector in all parts of the industry worldwide.

South Africa: Airlink to re-introduce flights between Cape Town <> George!

South African regional carrier Airlink is set to re-introduce services between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and George Airport (GRJ) in George. Effective 27 July 2020, the airline will initially operate flights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Flights will depart from Cape Town at 15:40 arriving in George at 16:35. The return flight from George will depart at 17:00 arriving in Cape Town at 18:00. Airlink's initial re-introductory service will be significantly reduced relative to its normal pre-pandemic offering, with flight departure and arrival times aimed at satisfying overnighting business and essential travel customers.

All international passenger flights in South Africa remain prohibited except those flights authorised by the Minister of Transport. Domestic passenger air travel remains not permitted for recreational, leisure or tourism purposes.

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South Afirca: FlySafair to launch flights to George and East London!

South African low-cost airline FlySafair has announced the launch of flights to George in the Western Cape and East London in the Eastern Cape. Effective 24 July 2020, the airline will be operating daily flights, except for Saturdays, between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and East London Airport (ELS) in East London. Three days later, on 27 July 2020, the airline will launch a service between Johannesburg and George Airport (GRJ) in George. Flights will be operated on Mondays and Fridays, exept the first week, which includes Wednesday (29 July 2020). Also on 27 July 2020, FlySafair will introduce two weekly service on Mondays and Fridays between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and East London.
All international passenger flights in South Africa remain prohibited except those flights authorised by the Minister of Transport. Domestic passenger air travel remains not permitted for recreational, leisure or tourism purposes.

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South Africa: Cemair to launch flights between Johannesburg <> George!

South African regional carrier CemAir today announced the introduction of scheduled services between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and George Airport (GRJ) in George, the second largest city in the Western Cape. Effective 22 July 2020, the airline will operate one daily return flight to George except for Saturdays.
George Airport (GRJ) will resume operations on 21 July 2020 after the airport was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic since 27 March 2020.

• Johannesburg 11:30 > 13:30 George
• George 14:00 > 16:00 Johannesburg

All international passenger flights in South Africa remain prohibited except those flights authorised by the Minister of Transport. Domestic passenger air travel remains not permitted for recreational, leisure or tourism purposes.

Zimbabwe: Fastjet (Zimbabwe) has postponed the date for resumption of operations!

Low-cost carrier Fastjet (Zimbabwe) has again adjusted its plans to resume operations. According to the latest announcement by the airline, all flights on the schedule flight network will be suspended up to and including 31 August 2020. Scheduled flights will most likely resume from 01 September 2020. Fastjet's flexible booking change policy with no fees or fare differences applicable has been extended until 30 November 2020. The airline's call centre, shops, airport ticket sales and trade support services will remain closed will remain closed until further notice.

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South Africa reopens three additional domestic airports!

South Africa's Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, today (16 July 2020) announced that  in addition to the 11 airports in South Africa that are currently operating in alert level three of the country's risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19, the following three domestic airports have met all the requirements and will resume operations on 21 July 2020:

• East London Airport (ELS) in East London
• George Airport (GRJ) in George
• Kimberley Airport (KIM) in Kimberley

All international passenger flights in South Africa remain prohibited except those flights authorised by the Minister of Transport. Domestic passenger air travel remains not permitted for recreational, leisure or tourism purposes.

   
The following 11 airports are currently operating in South Africa:

• OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg 
• King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban 
• Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town 
• Lanseria International Airport (HLA) in Johannesburg
• Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein
• Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Nelspruit
• Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) in Pietermaritzburg
• Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth
• Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay
• Skukuza Airport (SZK) in Kruger National Park
• Upington Airport (UTN) in Upington

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Cape Town: Cecil John Rhodes statue at Rhodes Memorial vandalised! [update]

update (30 September 2020): The beheaded statue of Cecil John Rhodes at Rhodes Memorial  in Cape Town's Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has been repaired and fortified by Friends of Rhodes Memorial (FORM) on 23 September 2020. According to FORM, the head was found 50 meters away from the torso in low scrub three days after it had been cut off.
FORM has 3D scanned the head the all sculptures at Rhodes Memorial and full size replicas have been made as a replacement to counter any damage. Friends of Rhodes Memorial also filled industrial cement and iron into the statue and installed a GPS tracker and and other electronic alarm systems.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that the bust of Cecil John Rhodes at the Rhodes Memorial on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town's Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has been damaged. According to SANParks' Acting Head of Communications, Rey Thakhuli, "the head of the statue was cut from the bust with what seems to be an angle grinder somewhere between Sunday night (12 July 2020) or the early hours of Monday morning (13 July 2020)."  Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) rangers discovered the vandalised bust while patrolling the area around Rhodes Memorial on 13 July 2020. A case of vandalism has been opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation. Police said that the circumstances surrounding the incident were being investigated and no one had been arrested yet.

@SANParks confirms vandalism at Rhodes Memorial

South African National Parks (SANParks) can confirm that the bust of the 19th century colonialist Cecil John Rhodes at Rhodes Memorial has been vandalised.

Photo Credit: @Reuters pic.twitter.com/StVbfbMwhj

— SANParks TMNP (@TableMountainNP) July 15, 2020

The Rhodes Memorial is a memorial to English-born, South African politician Cecil John Rhodes (1853–1902). It is located on the northern flank of Table Mountain, at the base of Devil's Peak in in Cape Town's Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). Completed and dedicated in 1912, the Memorial consists of 49 massive granite steps, flanked by bronze lions, and a rider astride a bronze horse at the beginning of the steps which leads to the top where the bust is situated, with an inscription beneath.

Rwanda: Rwandair sets a date for resumption of international operations!

Rwanda's flag carrier, Rwandair, has announced that it will resume operations on 01 August 2020. The airline will initially operate return flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and select destination in Africa where international air travel is allowed. In addition, Rwandair will operate flights between Kigali and Dubai. More destinations will be added as countries lift travel restrictions. Following instructions from the Rwandan Ministry of Health, Rwandair suspended its commercial passenger flights on 20 March 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

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South Africa: South African Airways' rescue plan has been approved! [update]

update (29 July 2020): South African Airways' (SAA) business rescue plan has come into operation!

update (28 July 2020): The business rescue practitioners (BRPs) of South African Airways (SAA) announced today that all the conditions in the embattled airline's business rescue plan have been fulfilled. The BRPs are currently finalising remaining outstanding administrative issues before filing a notice of substantial implementation of the rescue process as required by South Africa's Companies Act.

update (24 July 2020): South Africa's Government has until 27 July 2020 to seal the success of the SAA business rescue plan by reassuring the Development Bank of SA and other lenders that it will honour guarantees covering R16,4bn of SAA loans.

update (24 July 2020): According to the business rescue practitioners of South African Airways (SAA), Les Matuson and Siviwe Dongwana, the Government of South Africa failed to provide the banks with a guarantee letter, which is one of the conditions set for SAA's rescue plan to succeed.

update (16 July 2020): South Africa's Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and National Treasury have provided South African Airways' Business Rescue Practitioners (BPP) Siviwe Dongwana and Les Matuson with a letter of commitment signed by both departments, in which the Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan and Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni commit to obtain funding for the state-owned airline's short, medium and long-term requirements.

The majority of the creditors of South Africa's state-owned flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), have voted to adopt the proposed business rescue plan for the struggling airline. This gives the 86-year-old national carrier a chance to avoid liquidation and paves the way for South Africa's Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) to launch a new airline. The DPE will announce the interim board of the "new SAA" soon. SAA's current chief commercial officer, Phillip Saunders, will become the interim CEO for the airline. South African Airways (SAA), which last made a profit in 2011, was put under business rescue in December 2019 and suspended commercial passenger flights in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. We'll keep you posted!

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