SAA is to begin code-sharing with Cathay Pacific. This could signify a move by SAA to join the oneworld alliance. However, SAA recently signed similar agreements with LH of the Star Alliance and British Midland which is close to both UA and LH. SAA also has partnerships with SQ.

Here's their press release:

CATHAY PACIFIC AND SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS PLAN JOINT SERVICES

Johannesburg, April 27, 1999 � Cathay Pacific Airways and South African
Airways today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining a
long-term partnership between the two airlines. Areas of cooperation outlined in
the MOU include codeshare services, frequent flyer programmes (FFP), and
ground handling arrangements. Further details will be announced in due course.

Attending today�s signing ceremony was David Turnbull, Cathay Pacific�s Deputy
Chairman and Chief Executive; Philip Chen, Cathay Pacific�s Chief Operating
Officer; South African Airways� Chief Executive Officer and President Coleman
Andrews; and South African Airways� Executive Vice-President (Alliances and
Network Strategy) William Meaney.

Mr Andrews said: �South African Airways is very pleased to cooperate with
Cathay Pacific as we expect Cathay Pacific will become one of our key partners
in our new Asia strategy. We will now be able to offer a greatly improved network
for all our customers flying between Asia and Africa.�

�We are extremely pleased to reach this agreement with South African Airways
as it will help us introduce a range of customer benefits for our services between
Hong Kong and Johannesburg,� said Mr Turnbull. �We believe this long-term
commercial partnership between our two airlines will do a great deal to help boost
traffic between the two destinations.�

South African Airways is Cathay Pacific�s sixth codeshare partner.

Cathay Pacific commenced flying to Johannesburg in 1991 and currently
operates three flights a week between Johannesburg and Hong Kong.