FlySafair and Cricket South Africa (CSA) yesterday unveiled a bold new aircraft livery celebrating their partnership, featuring a design created by 22-year-old Gqeberha student Dinika Naidu. The reveal took place at FlySafair’s Johannesburg hangar, marking one year since the airline became the Official Domestic Airline Partner of the Proteas.
The livery was selected from hundreds of entries in a nationwide competition launched when the three-year sponsorship was announced in October 2024. Naidu’s winning design features elegant calligraphic lines that evoke both the protea flower and FlySafair’s iconic branding, symbolising the unity between South Africa’s national cricket teams and the country’s leading low-cost carrier.
“This past year has been absolutely incredible,” said Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair. “When we partnered with Cricket SA, we wanted to do something uniquely South African, something that gave fans a real stake in the journey. Dinika’s design captures that spirit beautifully, and we’re proud to have it flying across the country.”
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The partnership has coincided with standout achievements for both Proteas teams. The men’s team claimed the ICC Test World Cup title earlier this year, with FlySafair supporting the trophy tour that brought the iconic mace to fans nationwide. The women’s team has also delivered exceptional performances on the global stage, reinforcing their status among the world’s elite.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with FlySafair,” said Mtunzi Jonas, Chief Commercial Officer at CSA. “This partnership is about more than logistics, it’s about unity, excellence, and connecting South African cricket fans around the country. Having a young South African designer play such a central role in this story makes it even more significant.”
Naidu, a self-taught graphic designer and student at Nelson Mandela University, funds her studies through freelance work. Seeing her creation come to life has been a surreal experience.
“I don’t think there are words to describe how excited I am,” Naidu said. “As a young designer, you dream about moments like this, but you never expect them to happen. I’m so grateful to FlySafair and Cricket SA for this opportunity, it really feels like I’ve made it.”
The design incorporates colours drawn from both FlySafair and Proteas branding, with flowing lines encompassing a cricket player to represent the partnership. Naidu intentionally kept the visual elements “simple but impactful,” ensuring the livery communicates the collaboration instantly.
Looking ahead, the partnership enters an exciting phase with both Proteas teams playing domestically this summer. FlySafair and CSA have planned fan activations throughout the season, building momentum toward the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
“This partnership is about celebrating South African cricket and creating extraordinary moments along the way,” added Gordon. “From flying the Test World Cup trophy to supporting the women’s team’s incredible performances, it’s been a privilege to be part of the journey. And now, with Dinika’s design flying our skies, we’re taking it to new heights, literally.”
The Protea-liveried aircraft will serve FlySafair’s domestic routes, ensuring visibility at airports nationwide.
