Dropping airport brand name won’t fly

IT IS sad that after almost quarter of a century since the “New South Africa” there is so much animosity and open hatred.

Nelson Mandela is being dismissed by thousands as a white people’s puppet and suddenly Winnie MadikielaMandela is the new heroine, despite her calls to kill through the barbarism of “matches and necklaces”. So many died in that cause as well as her association with her football club, which is now being watered down to suit the militants, as well as the hate rhetoric taking over on political platforms and social media.

South African Airways always used to receive accolades as the best airline on the vast continent of Africa, but is now seeking bailouts. Its fleet of international aircraft and routes are being decimated.

Instead of getting SAA back to its proud, productive pedestal we waste resources on renaming an internationally recognised airport known as the best in Africa as well as one of the best in the world according to capacity. Cape Town was said to be a brand name associated with the world’s most beautiful city and as such it was always decided to keep that name association for tourists and for commercial reasons.

Hardly anyone remembers airport names during overseas travels and most make use of generic or city names such as Rome (Fuimicino) or Kuala Lumpur (Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur) Airport.

To change a name associated with a person even Nelson Mandela dissociated himself from is shortsighted and adds to the antagonism brewing around the nation.

The rainbow has faded. Our national airline is in descent. Our priorities are confused. Agi Orfanos West Beach