29 May 2017

Despite clashing of crowd-pulling events taking place the same day (May 27), many thronged the much celebrated Wesbank Botswana International Air Show now in its fifth anniversary.

The event was characterised by breath-taking stunts by teams that included Puma, Goodyear and such individuals as Nigel Hopkins, Jenson Beamish, Mark Hill and his son Jon-Marc.

Spectators also got to experience a bomb explosion with fire and smoke rising to the sky, sending shivers down the spines of many.

In an interview, one of the organisers from Matsieng Flying Club, Guillaume Knipe said the aim of the club was to promote and support charity in the country.

Knipe said since inception they had donated to various charity organisations and this year they donated about P150 000 to Lady Khama Charitable Trust, Motswedi Rehabilitation Centre, Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation and Mochudi Resource Centre for the Blind.

Apart from assisting charity organisations, he said the event was meant to instil passion for aviation, especially amongst the youth, who had a good time, mingling with aviators.

"Our hope is that some of them would choose aviation as a career or sport," stated Knipe.

He said the turn up was pleasing and the audience enjoyed a spectacle of stunts performed by around 80 airplanes every 10 minutes as well as parachute display.

Knipe acknowledged stakeholders’ support and partners who made the day a success.

Wesbank general manager, Justine Basiami said they were pleased to be the sponsors and also pride themselves in taking part in community social responsibility activities through FNBB Charitable Fund.

Basiami said Wesbank Botswana Air Show played a pivotal role in economic diversification, especially the aviation tourism aspect and sport.

She said the air show benefitted everybody who took part including the small and medium enterprises that were given an equal opportunity to sell their services and products on the day and had since created employment and boosted the economy.

She said going forward they would like to partner with Botswana Tourism Organisation so that the event is listed on the national calendar to avoid clashing with Khawa Dune Challenge.

Both could benefit if separated.

She also said they were looking into the possibility of coming up with another show of a similar magnitude in the northern part of country to give Batswana in that region a similar experience.

That, she said, would mean hosting at least two air shows annually.

Puma Energy general manager, Mahube Mpugwa said they had supported the event from inception and had seen it grow from strength to strength.

Mpugwa said they were happy to be part of the Wesbank International Air Show to assist in petroleum handling and mechanical aspect of aeroplanes and more importantly the tourism sector, which continued to experience growth in creating employment.

When receiving the donation on behalf of the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation, second president of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire said they were delighted to be part of an event that sought to assist those in need live a better life.

He said the donation would go a long way in helping the needy and implored the Matsieng Flying Club to continue with the good gesture. ENDS