A Call to End South African Airline’s Discriminatory Rule
Source: James Adeagbo
The time to call for emergency and question the kind of relationship that exist between South Africa and Nigeria cannot be more auspicious than now. First was the xenophobic attack on Nigerians residing in the crime-prone country many months ago, though series of apologies trailed that dastardly act but it appears the country is unapologetic in her unspoken resolve to further humiliate Nigerians whenever the opportunity arises.
South Africa Airline, the country’s national carrier caused an infuriating scene as well as excruciating pain last Sunday the 7th of February 2010 when a Nigerian of gentle means was subjected to dehumanising maltreatment by the Johannesburg-bound airline. Having been checked-in some hours before the departure time and subsequently given a boarding pass with seat number 3A which was pre-assigned on his first class ticket from the date of purchase.
The passenger was about to get seated and set for the 6-hour journey when without any prior notice, officials of the airline suddenly appeared from nowhere and ordered him not to go to his seat for another traveller for reasons unexplained to him aside the untenable fact that the beneficiary of this discriminatory and unjust gesture is, by complexion, clothed in white skin who was travelling in a group and had to seat with his colleagues.
To add insult to the already baffling officially inflicted injury, the Nigerian passenger was going to be demoted to fly on business class based on an insane excuse that his first class seat had been reallocated and taken up by the said white South African and as such he would not be accommodated anymore.
Despite all the intervention by on lookers asking the airline officials the rationale behind demoting a first class passenger, checked-in with his boarding pass to allow the said Nigerian his right, these same SAA officials vehemently played deaf and dumb and demonstrated even further arrogance. In sharp protest to this inhumane and unethical conduct by the airline operator, the Nigerian Passenger was asked to forget his business trip, and shut out of the flight in a fashion reminiscent of British Airway’s in the case of Ayo Omotade in 2008 on his way from London.
It is also on record that the same South Africa Airline had subjected many Nigerians to this reprehensible act of thoughtlessness, recent of which was when they meted out the same callous treatment to Tonye Princewill in one of his numerous business trips to the former apartheid country.
The Passenger would certainly have had his business transaction messed up as a result of this appalling and impetuous attitude of the airline officials. It is time the Federal Government of Nigeria put all necessary machinery in motion to ensure that this is stopped and addressed once and for all. Several witnesses to this ludicrous behaviour by SAA officials were appalled that this was happening to a first class passenger with a confirmed seat and boarding pass, not to mention the numerous travails many helpless Nigerians have been subjected to without diplomatic redress and nor reactions from unperturbed Nigerian government.
Comments
10/02/2010 at 6:35:46 PM
Shadesays
This unfortunate event shows the level at which Nigeria and Nigerians are placed in the oustide world. And our problems are continually compounded by these rogues that call themselves leaders. I hope action will be taken against SAA, I can only hope and wish though.
10/02/2010 at 12:46:48 PM
Angela Mafurusays
It is about time we also hand the South Africans with the same treatment that we are receiving from them. It is unacceptable. If something is not done soon, we will be faced with these type of situations from other fellow African countries. We need to step up and let them know that we will no longer accept such treatment from them.
10/02/2010 at 12:13:40 AM
Emeka Okerekesays
Surprisingly, so a 'First Class Nigerian' can receive the short end of the stick from a 'mere' South Africa. No thanks to our President that is on medical sabbatical... God bless Nigeria!
The time to call for emergency and question the kind of relationship that exist between South Africa and Nigeria cannot be more auspicious than now. First was the xenophobic attack on Nigerians residing in the crime-prone country many months ago, though series of apologies trailed that dastardly act but it appears the country is unapologetic in her unspoken resolve to further humiliate Nigerians whenever the opportunity arises. 
