- to lease a high-performance twin engine aircraft to train young pilots
One of the aviation players, Safari Air, a subsidiary of Chobe Holding Limited is in the process of leasing high-performance twin engine aircraft to train young pilots. Managing Director Wynand van Niekerk has said this was testament that the company recognises that the future of aviation lies in skills development.
Van Niekerk said this during the Cocktail Evening event on the eve of the Aviation Pitso which ends today in Maun. The cocktail event, held Wednesday night was sponsored by Safari Air.
According to Van Niekerk, this initiative will ensure pilots leave Safari Air after six years with full skill sets to transition into commercial airlines – ready, capable, and world-class.
Van Niekerk has highlighted the company’s deep commitment on empowering citizens, pointing that out of their 53 staff members, 52 are Batswana.
“All our pilots are citizens. This is not just a statistic; it is a reflection of our values. We believe in investing in people. Our localisation plan ensures that every employee is given the opportunity to grow, to lead, and to thrive. Promotions are earned from within, and mentorship is a cornerstone of our culture,” he said.
Van Niekerk noted that that their company is in the process of upgrading Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to enable it to operate twin-engine aircraft.
He said that upgrading of AOC will enhance their training capabilities, improve operational flexibility, and allow them to better serve both their internal and external clients.
Van Niekerk has further pointed that under the leadership of Chobe Holdings Limited, they have modernised their fleet, upgraded to the latest Garmin avionics, and embedded robust safety, security, and quality assurance systems. He indicated that Chobe Holdings Limited has also championed the upliftment of citizen pilots and mentored the next generation of aviation leaders.
According to Van Niekerk, currently Safari Air operates a fleet of 12 aircraft, that include seven Cessna Grand Caravans and five GA8 Airvans, with a combined asset value of over P180 million. He stated that they also provide third-party flying services, extending their reach beyond their group and supporting the broader tourism and aviation sectors.
For his part, HATAB Chairman, Joe Motse said Botswana is tasked with challenges to diversify from the diamond-based economy, highlighting that Safari Air is made up of diamonds that can shape the future of aviation industry.
“We have our very own diamond here in Maun, we need to export skills as a diversification for diamonds. The pilots that are trained, as mentioned by the MD will one day expand their wings beyond Botswana, creating room for more employment opportunities.” he said.
