Thank you Programme Director,
Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality,
Executive Mayor of Polokwane Municipality,
Chairman of the GAAL Board,
Chairperson of Velvet Sky,
Chairperson of Polokwane Chamber of Business,
CEO of Trade and Investment Limpopo,
CEO of GAAL,
Invited Guests,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for allowing us to share with the people of our province and the country at large this celebrated event of the official inaugural flight of Velvet Sky Airlines from Polokwane International Airport to OR Tambo International Airport. It is indeed bon voyage as our eyes are about to witness aviation history being rewritten in our lifetime. This event comes days after the taxi industry has launched its own airline, the Santaco Airline, thus adding another dimension to the air travel industry. As the department of Roads and Transport, we are very proud to see the taxi industry beating all the odds to enter the market that was formerly the reserve of the few.
Today we hold our heads high, confident that our plans of ensuring a better life for all are on track. The partnership we entered into with Velvet Sky as one of the scheduled airlines operating from Polokwane International Airport marks the highest-profile response to a challenge that has been on our department’s operational radar for years. This landmark development will accordingly go a long way towards extricating Limpopo from the abyss of invisibility into a competitive brand and the people’s destination of choice.
Programme Director,
This colossal stride in transportation will not only strengthen our position as a global tourist player of note, but also suggests a strong business case for diversity in Limpopo.
The business case in this instance states that the Polokwane International Airport will continuously strive to create a thriving business climate for both its domestic and international clients alike. This quantum leap in the history of our province to make air travel more accessible and affordable is also clear evidence of a growing city.
Programme Director,
We are also committed as a provincial government to leaving a lasting legacy, creating a Limpopo approach and philosophy to conquer dynamic markets. Our partnership with Velvet Sky could not have come at a better time. As the Department of Roads and Transport, we value diversity as the inclusion and collaboration of different backgrounds, experiences, expertise and individual qualities of all the stakeholders who work with us.
This inaugural flight which we are all gathered here to witness is a culmination of long hours on our part to create a thriving business environment for our people. This is a response to our understanding of our customers’ requirements from a product and service perspective. To this end, we will continue to create synergies with partners like Velvet Sky as this will take us to the next level. We will always accord all our allies the attention and respect they deserve.
Programme Director,
As our part in this relationship we promise the Velvet Sky management that all the passengers that you will ferry to our shores will be given five star treatment, as those who visited us during the 2010 Soccer World Cup will attest to. Both our growing business and tourist sectors have a lot to offer in terms of tourism hotspots and investment potential. From the world renowned mighty Kruger National Park to the mysterious Maphungubwe our visitors will be treated to the wonders that Limpopo has in abundance. Our growing mining industry offers great potential to direct financial investment. This partnership will indeed set us soaring into the horizons beyond our imagination.
Programme Director,
This airport boasts one of the most respected management teams in the aviation industry. Through their guidance we safely processed thousands of visitors through the airport. Let us not forget that, amongst others, world football stars such as Lionel Messi of Argentina, former French international Zinedine Zidane and former Portugal international Louis Figo passed through this facility en route to the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
A number of important infrastructural improvement projects were undertaken to make this airport as competitive as it can be. These include a major facelift to the car rental parking, resealing of the apron, upgrading of the T49 hanger and renovations to the conference centre. The firefighting capability has also received a major boost with the acquisition of state of the art machinery and equipment. The ball is now in the Velvet Sky court to ensure that they entrench themselves in the hearts and minds of the people of this province. We have laid the foundation for what should be a competitive business in the aviation industry.
Programme Director,
We welcome Velvet Sky Airline and we are certain that this will add cosmetic beauty to the Limpopo Sky. We are confident that this will change the face of our province positively and for the benefit of our people and the generations still to come. Let us work together in the service of humanity because indeed by working together we can do more to create a better Polokwane, Limpopo, Province, South Africa, Africa and the world. Experience has shown that indeed we achieve more when we work together. It is time that Polokwane International Airport occupies its rightful place amongst the best airports that South Africa has to offer.
Thank you!
