SA DJS, OTHERS IN ESWATINI AIR’S 1ST FLIGHT

SIKHUPHE – South African entertainers, DJ Zinhle and DJ Oskido, were the first commercial passengers of Eswatini Air.

The pair were from a show held in Manzini on Saturday night and returned to their native land – South Africa – through boarding Eswatini Air plane. Their presence at King Mswati III (KMIII) International Airport drew attention from the many invited guests, who were there to experience the first flight of the national airliner. The first flight departed at KMIII International Airport at about 7:30am and arrived at O R Tambo International Airport at about 8:20am. Leading to the airplane’s departure, passengers who included Cabinet ministers, chief executive officers (CEOs), members of the business community, legislators and journalists, first witnessed the cutting of the ribbon marking the first day of operations of Eswatini Air.

Counterpart

Minister of Public Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, along with his counterpart from Tourism and Environmental Affairs Moses Vilakati, cut the ribbon before the former boarded the plane as the first passenger of Eswatini Air. Other Cabinet ministers present at the event were Princess Lindiwe (Home Affairs) and Thulisile Dladla (Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation). Also present was the Chief Officer of the King’s Office, Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, and Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) CEO Linda Nxumalo. Also, businessman Tum Du Pont and legislators from both Houses, who are members of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport Portfolio Committee, were present.

Meanwhile, the launch of the national airliner’s operations, through the maiden flight, was as smooth as the journey to Johannesburg. In fact, the pilot received rave reviews from passengers aboard for his smooth landing at OR  Tambo as they gave a round of applause, while Chairperson of the Select Portfolio Committee in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, MP Robert Magongo, praised him openly. As the captain of the plane, Robert Dlamini, steered it towards the arrivals entrance on the west wing of the airport – beneath the O R Tambo International Airport’s Viewing Deck – emergency personnel from the South African Airport celebrated Eswatini Air’s arrival by spraying it with water.

Meanwhile, as passengers disembarked from the airplane, businessman and founding member of Kalawa Jazzme Records, Oscar Mdlongwa, who is popularly known as DJ Oskido, informed journalists that he wished the country well in its pursuit. He said the flight had been smooth and hoped the air transport business would grow in Eswatini. His sentiments were also shared by DJ Zinhle, whom he was travelling with. On the other hand, CEO of RENAC Qiniso Dhlamini confirmed that the pair was the first commercial passengers of Eswatini Air. Dhlamini, who during the reception of Eswatini Air hosted by South Africa Tourism (SAT), Eswatini Air and Airport Company South Africa (ACSA), which manages OR Tambo International Airport, said: “My task today is simple and brief. It is that of expressing our gratitude as an airline for the warm reception as well as the cooperation and flexibility we experienced when we applied for slots at your wonderful airport. We look forward to a fruitful and memorable experience as we operate into this world class airport.”

Standards

Dhlamini made an undertaking that Eswatini Air would maintain the highest standards of safety and professionalism as it engaged in its operations at OR Tambo Airport.” He said Eswatini Air had assigned Menzies to be their representatives at OR Tambo International Airport, but they (Eswatini Air) would also be actively involved in all ground operations performed by Menzies on their behalf. On the other hand, Minister of Public Works and Transport, Chief Ndlaluhlaza, on behalf of government, appreciated the gesture by Tourism South Africa for hosting the reception of Eswatini Air at OR Tambo International Airport. He said: “Our two countries are intertwined in so many other aspects and the tourism sector is perhaps one of the areas which, when jointly developed, could see both our economies moving in the right direction of growth. In the same token, we thank Airports Company South Africa for accepting Eswatini Air to use your facilities and do business with you. I believe that the business relationship that has started will grow and translate into similar facilities as the ones we see here at OR also set up in Eswatini airports.”

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