FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
NOVEMBER 26, 2025
PROFLIGHT’S CHITENGE FRIDAYS COMPETITION GIVES WINNERS WINGS TO FLY
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Every Friday at Proflight Zambia marks the beginning of the weekend and a celebration of Zambia’s vibrant culture, creativity, and shared identity as the airline staff don attires crafted with or incorporating Chitenge fabric. This ‘Chitenge affair’ has been picked up on and shared by customers and fashion fans alike.
“There are countless Chitenge patterns and creative designs that deserve to be showcased and worn more often,” said Proflight Zambia’s Director of Flight Operations, Captain Josias Walubita. “This campaign is our way of encouraging people to express themselves through culture while celebrating the unique qualities that make Zambia special.”
But behind each carefully put together and ingenious look is a talented garment-maker bringing to life the idea and desire of its wearer. And Proflight Zambia took to social media to celebrate both the model and the crafter in a competition dubbed ‘Chitenge Fridays with Proflight’.
A Celebration of Style and Spirit
The campaign unfolded in two six-week halves, with participants sharing weekly photos of their best Chitenge looks and the tailor behind the same, for a chance to win return tickets to any of Proflight Zambia’s destinations. The first half drew over 20 dedicated participants, some submitting outfits week after week, while the second half doubled the engagement, turning social media into a tapestry of imagination.
Four outstanding participants, each representing a different expression of what Chitenge means to contemporary Zambia, were named the winners after fulfilling the competition guidelines, one of which was the look with the most hearts. And in a first for the campaign, Proflight Zambia also recognised creative talent behind the standout designs with two of the tailors each receiving a return ticket to a destination of choice within its network.
And the Winners are!
For Rabecca Mwanja, the Chitenge is a symbol of empowerment. “Wearing Chitenge makes me feel beautiful, comfortable, and confident,” she shares. “I was motivated to join because it’s a campaign that celebrates who we are. Seeing the different ways people styled their outfits was so inspiring; everyone’s creativity told a unique story.”
Rabecca plans to use her ticket to Johannesburg for a mix of shopping and adventure.
For Mercy Namonje, the Chitenge is a visual expression of culture, and Proflight’s initiative reminded her of the beauty in everyday identity.
“Each pattern carries a story, and this campaign helped keep that story alive,” she says.
A passionate runner and academic, Maud Masiku Maiba finds a poetic connection between culture and endurance. “I love the vibrance and accessibility of Chitenge—it’s colourful, affordable, and just like running, it represents perseverance and spirit,” she says.
She plans to use her Proflight ticket voucher to fly to Cape Town to participate in the Two Oceans Marathon; running not just for herself, but also in celebration of Zambia.
“Proflight has done something truly special. They’ve shown that national pride doesn’t need to be loud, sometimes it’s stitched right into what we wear.”
For Roberta Musonda, a Gen Z participant, the campaign offered a chance to re-frame how her generation sees Chitenge. “Growing up, many of us thought Chitenge was for elders or special occasions as opposed to something stylish for everyday wear,” she admits. “Joining this campaign made me realise that it can be modern and fun.”
Roberta hopes to travel to Mfuwe, where she plans to explore Zambia’s natural beauty.
“Just like our landscapes, every Chitenge print is unique, layered, and alive. I’m grateful to Proflight Zambia for celebrating that.”
Flying Culture Forward
For Proflight Zambia, Chitenge Fridays is more than a campaign—it is part of its proudly Zambian heritage worn over generations. From the subtle trimmings on the uniforms to the colourful accents in airport lounges, Proflight has seamlessly threaded cultural pride into its corporate identity giving both passengers and crew alike a daily reminder of Zambia’s warmth, artistry, and elegance.
“Zambian culture is too special to be reserved only for ceremonies and events,” concludes Proflight Zambia Sales and Marketing Manager Barbara Namwila. “Chitenge Fridays is about celebrating who we are, every week, everywhere.”
-Ends-
About Proflight Zambia
Proflight Zambia, established in 2005, is Zambia’s leading schedule airline. Operating from its base in Lusaka its domestic routes include Kalumbila, Kasama, Livingstone, Mansa, Mfuwe, Ndola, and Solwezi, with seasonal safari routes to Jeki/Royal airstrips in Lower Zambezi National Park. The airline’s regional flights to South Africa operate between Lusaka and Johannesburg, Lusaka and Cape Town (via Livingstone) and Livingstone and Cape Town direct.
The airline prides itself in providing a safe, reliable, efficient, and friendly service, and offering good value to business and leisure travellers locally and internationally.
The airline operates five 50-seater Bombardier CRJ-200 jets, one Bombardier CRJ-100 parcel freighter jet, and five 29-seater Jetstream 41 turboprop aircraft.
More information is available at www.flyzambia.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Gillian Langmead at Langmead & Baker Ltd;
+260 979 060705;
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