'Victory Plane'
Photo Credit: Niel Swart

The ‘victory plane’ artwork that flew South Africa’s Springboks all over the country in the midst of World Cup celebrations and Bok-Fever was designed by a matric student with a dream to take to the skies!

 

South Africa (14 November 2023) — You’d be forgiven for thinking that the ‘victory plane’ carrying South Africa’s Springboks all over the country on their tour as Rugby World Cup champions was designed by someone with years of experience in aviation art.

But, the real story behind the ‘victory plane’ and its makeover is a lot more heartwarming.

The story begins in 2021 when a young Taariq Hendricks from Pinelands decides to let his creative juices flow. He had been inspired by the 2019, Rugby World Cup-focused, ‘Does Green and Gold Clash with our Colours’ video and challenge, posed by FlySafair.

Taariq, who was just 16 years old then, took it upon himself to use an aeroplane template to create a design of his own. As an aviation enthusiast and someone who dreams of becoming a pilot (to the point where a reward for good marks has been a trip to the airport to watch the planes), this challenge was right up his alley.

The design he created was largely for himself, but when someone on an aviation enthusiast forum inspired Taariq to share his design, things really took off.

It was from this forum that his design soon became a big hit, and caught the attention of none other than FlySafair’s CEO, Elmar Conradie.

Taariq was contacted for the use of his design for a real-life plane, not knowing then that it would house the honour of flying the Boks and their victory in yet another chapter of World Cup success, across South Africa.

Now at 18 years old, the young man who dreams of becoming a pilot and is currently focused on his Private Pilot’s License, gets to say that he designed the artwork of one of the most historic aircrafts of all time.

We can’t wait to see his dreams take off; his story also goes to show that you never know what might come of being bold and putting your ideas out there, no matter your age.


Sources: Salma Seedat – Supplied; InFlight
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google
Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

About the Author

Ashleigh Nefdt is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Ashleigh's favourite stories have always seen the hidden hero (without the cape) come to the rescue. As a journalist, her labour of love is finding those everyday heroes and spotlighting their spark - especially those empowering women, social upliftment movers, sustainability shakers and creatives with hearts of gold. When she's not working on a story, she's dedicated to her canvas or appreciating Mother Nature.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *