Article: Lonwabo Mtyeku | GP News Media – Community Newsroom
Johannesburg | 5 November 2025
A year after taking South African cricket to new heights, FlySafair has unveiled a striking new Protea-inspired aircraft livery designed by 22-year-old Gqeberha student, Dinika Naidu, marking a powerful fusion of sport, art, and national pride.
The new livery — revealed at a glittering ceremony at FlySafair’s Johannesburg hangar — celebrates one year since the airline became the Official Domestic Airline Partner of Cricket South Africa (CSA). But beyond the paint and polish, it’s a story of South African talent taking flight.
A Homegrown Vision Takes Wing
Naidu’s winning design was chosen from hundreds of fan submissions across the country in a competition launched when the three-year partnership began in 2024. Her artwork intertwines the elegant curves of the Protea flower with FlySafair’s dynamic branding, creating a seamless symbol of unity between the nation’s cricket heroes and the airline that carries them.
“This past year has been absolutely incredible,” said Kirby Gordon, FlySafair’s Chief Marketing Officer. “When we partnered with Cricket SA, we wanted to do something that connected deeply with fans — something authentically South African. Dinika’s design captures that perfectly, and we’re proud to have it flying across our skies.”
A Partnership Beyond the Pitch
Since joining forces, FlySafair and CSA have delivered more than just logistics — they’ve built a shared narrative of excellence, accessibility, and national pride. The partnership saw FlySafair play a crucial role in the Proteas Men’s ICC Test World Cup victory tour, bringing the coveted mace to fans across the nation.
Meanwhile, the Proteas Women have continued their inspiring rise on the international stage, reinforcing their reputation among the world’s elite teams.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with FlySafair,” said Mtunzi Jonas, CSA’s Chief Commercial Officer. “This partnership is about more than transport — it’s about unity, excellence, and connecting South Africans through cricket. Having a young South African designer like Dinika play such a central role makes it all the more special.”
From Gqeberha to the Skies
For Naidu — a self-taught graphic designer and student at Nelson Mandela University — seeing her artwork emblazoned on a full-sized Boeing jet is the kind of moment dreams are made of.
“I don’t think there are words to describe how excited I am,” she said, visibly emotional at the reveal. “As a young designer, you hope your work gets noticed, but to see it flying across the country is surreal. I’m so grateful to FlySafair and Cricket SA for believing in young talent.”
Her design uses flowing, calligraphic lines to depict a cricket player emerging from the petals of a Protea — a metaphor for growth, performance, and national identity. The palette draws from both FlySafair’s signature pink and blue and the Proteas’ iconic green and gold, marrying two powerful South African brands in motion.
Taking the Spirit of South Africa Further
The Protea-liveried aircraft will now operate across FlySafair’s domestic network, turning heads at airports nationwide. The unveiling also signals the start of a new phase in the FlySafair–CSA partnership, with a series of fan activations planned throughout the summer season.
“This partnership is about celebrating South African cricket and creating extraordinary moments along the way,” said Gordon. “From flying the Test World Cup trophy to supporting the women’s team’s phenomenal achievements — it’s been a privilege to be part of the journey. And now, with Dinika’s design in the skies, we’re taking it to new heights, literally.”
As both the airline and the Proteas prepare for the road to the 2027 Cricket World Cup, the message is clear: South African creativity, talent, and teamwork can soar far beyond borders.
FlySafair x Cricket South Africa: A Celebration of Unity, Passion, and Pride From a student’s sketchpad in Gqeberha to the runways of Johannesburg, this collaboration is proof that when South Africans dream together, the sky is never the limit.