First Gordhan, Now Ramaphosa Flies Economy

Business Day associate editor Sam Kokeli saw Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, after the deputy president wrapped up a week of answering questions in Parliament. And both of them were sitting in economy class on the South African Airways flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg.

Ramaphosa is the second high-ranking member of government to attract attention for saving money on travel expenses. After the State of the Nation address Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan got loads of attention on social media after he was spotted flying economy.

Ramaphosa spokesman Ronnie Mampoepa was quoted saying, “As a political leader you (have) to make tough political choices. In such an economic climate‚ it would include the use of economy class.

“That was his (Ramaphosa’s) preference but it was done within the context of being prudent with state resources.

“The deputy president was expressing confidence in SAA‚ in a state-owned enterprise‚ to deliver a quality service.”

Kokeli, by the way, wrote a much remarked upon piece in Business Day on Tuesday called “Battle of PE is about the ANC’s political soul”.

“The ANC’s regression in PE has been a slow and painful process, exactly what is now happening at national level,” Kokeli wrote. “The battle of PE is bigger than just the prospects of a floundering party whether or not the ANC pulls itself back from the precipice. For the “neutrals” watching from a distance, it is a story of democracy and competitive elections, something we could do with at national level too.”