Dear Editor
Sir-, It is a nightmare to think that the soccer world cup event will be hosted by South Africa while the service from their national airline is a complete disgrace.
I personally experienced the following whilst traveling from Windhoek to JHB via SAA.
My luggage got lost on arrival in JHB. I filled in all necessary forms etc. I then went shopping for an extra set of clothes and toiletries for the next day.

I attended my course until 16h00 the next day. I then contacted the SAA lost luggage dept – they did not contact me at all.
The lady at the lost luggage dept then confirmed that they found my suitcase and were busy loading it for delivery as we speak.
Returning to the hotel after dinner at Sandton - at 21h30 that evening, I had to hear from the hotel staff that no luggage was delivered. We then contacted the lost luggage dept again and a voice mail confirmed that they are only open from 06h00 until 19h00 daily. The hotel manager & I then drove to all the surrounding hotels –3 of them – to see if they might have delivered the suitcase at the wrong address. According to the hotel manager – it has happened in the past.
To make a very long stressful story short – I only received my suitcase at 14h30 that afternoon, after the hotel manager got into his car and drove to all the surrounding hotels again to look for my suitcase.
A gentleman from SAA eventually phoned me at the hotel – very abrupt - not apologetic – more irritated then anything else and told me very firmly that it is not SAA’s fault – they use outside companies to deliver the lost luggage!!!
Whilst talking to him the hotel manager arrived with the suitcase at my room – I then opened the suitcase in front of the hotel manager whilst the gentleman from SAA is still on the line.