New deal opens the door to aviation empowerment

Ray Smuts
A JOINT venture partnership between Makana Logistics and National Airways Corporation heralds a first in black aviation, but this is certainly not where it is likely to end as NACMakana Aviation chairman Peter-Paul Ngwenya made clear in Cape Town last week.
"We have opened the door and can't be satisfied with being just here in Cape Town," the former Robben Island prisoner told FTW at the
To page 16
From page 1
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront's East Pier on Thursday.
The partnership, to be registered as a company by next May, operates four helicopters and seven fixed-wing aircraft, all based in Cape Town but available on a national basis.
As a helicopter ferried guests along the Atlantic seaboard and across the Mother City, I put to Ngwenya what must be on everyone's mind : Is this the start of bigger things to come?
"Watch this space," he responded with a hearty laugh, adding, "you might possibly see us at the restructuring of SAA."
At a ceremony bristling with high-profile personalities including Minister of Public Enterprises Jeff Radebe, Minister of Defence Mosiuoa Lekota and former Gauteng premier Tokyo Sexwale, Ngwenya commented: "This is a big day for us, the first black empowerment company to become involved in aviation. But then there is also this link with Robben Island, which is where it all began, and confirms to us that it (the island) is not a symbol of oppression but rather of victory, putting into action what we have already said - that transformation in South Africa is a co-responsibility of all."
National Airways, active for 55 years, is owned by Imperial Holding. The new deal boils down to a 35% shareholding for NAC and 65% for Makana. The company is involved in a wide range of activities including shipping, freight and courier services.