Cape Town - President Cyril Ramaphosa has thanked national airline SAA, via Twitter, for their "hospitality", drawing responses from Twitter users, who thanked him for "leading by example".

"Today I had the pleasure of flying with our national carrier en route to Kigali, Rwanda for the 10th Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. I wish to thank the men and women at SAA for your hospitality," the President tweeted.

Ramaphosa is set to lead a South African delegation to the 10th Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) which is scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda.

Today I had the pleasure of flying with our national carrier en route to Kigali, Rwanda for the 10th Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. I wish to thank the men and women at SAA for your hospitality. pic.twitter.com/aHDWiXS2Kp
— President Cyril Ramaphosa (@CyrilRamaphosa) March 20, 2018

Twitter users applauded the president's choice of airline. It was previously reported that the presidential jet was being repaired.

Great to hear this. Not only does it put you in touch with ordinary S Africans but sends a clear message that days of wasteful and unecessary govt expenditure are over.
— Adv. Martin Williams (@Adv_MJWIlliams) March 20, 2018

Good example to the rest of African presidents who shy away from their own national carriers.
— Charles Mwabili (@CMwabili) March 20, 2018

I thought that access to the cockpit is no longer allowed??. Thank you Mr President for taking a commercial flight
— Neil Cole (@NeilCole_CABRI) March 20, 2018

President Matamela it would be appreciated if you make it your habit Sir to travel via SAA as this presents an opportunity for interacting with people and staff. Well done Pres??
— Thulani ShonT Mdaka (@Thulani_ShonT) March 20, 2018

You continue to inspire us Mr President by leading by example. Big ups!!!
— Oupa Mapheelle (@OmapheelleOupa) March 20, 2018

According to a recent Times Live article, Ramaphosa approached Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and expressed his unhappiness about the use of private jets on an official trip to Botswana earlier this month.

News24 previously reported that Ramaphosa made use of a private jet, owned by the Moti Company, while presidential jet Inkwazi, was being repaired.

READ: Ramaphosa uses controversial businessman Zunaid Moti's private jet for official trip

Moti, a mining and property company owned by controversial businessman Zunaid Moti, is allegedly close to Zimbabwe's new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

"What happened to the story of him flying in the private jet owned by Zunaid Moti?" a Twitter user commented.

And what happened to the story of him flying in the private jet owned by Zunaid Moti?
— ML (@el_pa_pino_) March 20, 2018

I applaud this. I'm glad you realized that flying the national carrier is far better than being in a private jet owned by questionable characters. Let's not just accept nice things just because someone else can be scapegoated if things blow up in our faces.
— Izwe Lethu (@UnmovedLee) March 20, 2018

Much better than flying in the Moti jet Sir. ??
— Tess Turvey (@TessTurvey) March 20, 2018

Others wished the president a safe flight.

Was the pilot or copilot busy or ignoring to take a pic with u ?????????? , if he was ignoring u we wish u a safe flight
— V Paps Khumalo (@vongani2) March 20, 2018

The theme of this year's AU Summit is "Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa's Transformation".

'Thank you Mr President for taking a commercial flight' - Twitter reacts to Ramaphosa flying SAA