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SAA takes Mandela message across the globe

Johannesburg, 4 July 2011. South African Airways (SAA) has taken its support for Mandela Day to a new level by using the Mandela Day logo on its aircraft to increase awareness of Tata’s legacy and encourage citizens across the globe to actively participate in this honourable initiative.
 
Today SAA unveils the first aircraft of its entire fleet to be branded with the Nelson Mandela Day logo with the intention to take the Mandela Day message across the globe. SAA also announces a Mandela Day programme that includes a myriad of onboard collateral including headrest messaging and relevant on-board edutainment to support our icon’s ongoing legacy. The programme will also involve, on the weekend of 16 July, giving groups of children from all provinces their first flying experience.  
 
Siza Mzimela, CEO of SAA says: “As an African carrier with global reach, it is only natural for SAA to strengthen its relationship with the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) by sharing our icon’s message with the world. As the national carrier, the message to inspire all our customers across the globe to make a difference, just as Tata did, is hugely pertinent. Each of us, as responsible citizens needs to play an active role in continuing his legacy.”  
 
Citizens are urged to donate 67 minutes of their time to a good cause during Mandela Day which occurs annually on 18 July. Mandela Mondays were launched as a build-up that culminates on this day. During Mandela Mondays, responsible citizens across the globe are encouraged to do good, no matter how great or small.
 
SAA launched its support for Mandela Day in July 2010 by flying 92 children from Qunu and Mvezo (where Tata was born, and spent his childhood and youth), to the NMF in Johannesburg, offering the children their first ever flying experience, insights into the world of aviation and an opportunity to express their birthday wishes to the world-renowned icon.
 
As SAA brings the world to Africa, and takes Africa to the world, enhancing its relationship with the NMF and making a marked improvement on the social landscape across the globe was a natural inclination.
The South African national flag adorns the tails of all SAA aircraft, and now, the first aircraft, unveiled with the Mandela Day logo will set off on a global journey to share Madiba’s message of goodwill.
The aircraft type unveiled is the fourth of six brand new A330-200 Airbuses which arrived in South Africa this morning from Toulouse, France. The other two Airbus A330-200s received in February and May this year, currently operate into Mumbai, Nairobi and Windhoek.  
 
This is not only positive for brand South Africa, but also an effort from South Africans to encourage the world to take action and inspire change, making the world a better place, one small step at a time.  
 
About Mandela Day
Mandela Day takes place every year on 18 July 2011, on Madiba’s birthday. Mandela Day is a call to action for people everywhere to take responsibility for making the world a better place, one small step at a time, just as Madiba did. Madiba spent more than 67 years serving his community, his country and the world at large. On Mandela Day, people are called to devote just 67 minutes of their time to changing the world for the better, in a small gesture of solidarity with humanity, and in a small step towards a continuous, global movement for good.
 
About SAA
South African Airways (SAA) is the leading carrier in Africa, serving 20 destinations across the continent, as well as major destinations within South Africa, from its hub, Johannesburg. It is a member of the largest international airline network, Star Alliance. SAA’s core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its four wholly owned subsidiaries: SAA Technical; Mango itslow cost carrier; Airchefs, the catering enitity of SAA and South African Travel Centre (SATC). SAA CEO Siza Mzimela is the first woman to be appointed into the IATA Board of Directors in its 67 year history. SAA is the winner of the 'Best Airline in Africa’ Award in the regional category for 9 consecutive years and the winner of ‘Service Excellence Africa’ for two consecutive years. Mango and SAA hold the number one and number two successive spots as South Africa’s most on time airlines.
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Issued by: SAA Group Corporate Affairs
Contacts: Dileseng Koetle
Acting Head: Group Corporate Affairs
Mobile: +27 83 400 0041
 
SAA Media Room: +27 83 282 6761
Media Room Email: media@flysaa.com
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