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5 Designs. 1 Winner.

You Decide.

South Africa‚ it's your chance to choose the winning LIFT 5th birthday tail.

When LIFT launched in 2020‚ the public chose our name. 5 years later‚ we're inviting you to shape our story once more.

The entries are in. The shortlist is complete. Now it's over to you‚ our travellers‚ to have the final say. From thousands of submissions‚ we've narrowed it down to five standout tail designs that best capture the energy of LIFT.

The winning design will be applied to one of our Airbus A320s and revealed as part of our 5th birthday celebrations.

Meet the finalists

Alyssa Reyersbach (24) – Durban

Personal bio

Hello! I’m Alyssa Reyersbach‚ a 24-year-old Graphic Designer and Content Creator at Lemonade Design Co‚ living in sunny Durban. Design has always been a part of who I am — I’ve been sketching and creating for as long as I can remember‚ finding beauty in the small things and turning ideas into something magical. Nothing loud‚ just intentional‚ thoughtful‚ and a little bit lekker!

Entry rationale

This design celebrates the rich culture‚ heritage‚ and true South African spirit in the sky. Inspired by our nation’s collective unity and diversity‚ it tells a visual story of a country alive with creativity‚ culture‚ and lekker vibes — a proud reflection of who we are. A soaring symbol of connection‚ heritage‚ and heart.

Izabel Barkhuizen (29) – Cape Town

Personal bio

Hi‚ I’m Izabel‚ 29‚ from Cape Town. I’m a creative at heart‚ always looking for unique ways to visually tell a story — and I’ll take any excuse to illustrate! I’m currently missing my family‚ but the sea breeze called me here. Secretly hoping this tail design also lands me a kids’ book project one day!

Entry rationale

This design celebrates South Africa’s creative energy through an illustration of a musician playing a trumpet shaped like the “L” in the LIFT logo‚ turning the brand itself into a symbol of expressive joy. The vibrant colour palette reflects the lively personality of our country‚ while the fusion of music and movement captures LIFT’s spirit of #upLIFTment and connection to culture and local talent. By transforming the logo into an instrument of creativity‚ the tail becomes not just a visual mark but a celebration of South African artistry‚ optimism‚ and emotional LIFT.

Kealeboga Lethebe (23) – Pretoria

Personal bio

Hey‚ I’m Kealeboga Lethebe — a graphic designer and content creator from South Africa. I’ve always been drawn to visuals that tell stories‚ whether through bold design‚ digital art‚ or content that connects with people. My passion for design started with creative projects online‚ and the LIFT Tail Design competition became another way to express energy‚ culture‚ and emotion in a fresh‚ modern way. When I’m not designing‚ I’m exploring new ideas‚ trends‚ and inspiration in everyday life.

Entry rationale

This concept celebrates South Africa’s main cities through their iconic landmarks — the Telkom Tower‚ Moses Mabhida Stadium‚ and Table Mountain — inspired by the sleek‚ minimal aesthetic of the LIFT logo. Each design symbolises connection and movement‚ reflecting LIFT’s spirit of travel. Surrounding doodles bring life and personality to the landmarks‚ capturing each city’s unique rhythm and energy. Together‚ the structured forms and playful illustrations create a balance between precision and creativity — a visual journey that celebrates South African identity and the joy of flying.

Louw le Roux (47) – Bloemfontein

Personal bio

As the son of an Afrikaans “preacher man” in Bloemfontein — a far cry from Dusty Springfield’s famous lyric — my passion for art and design began early. My mom would buy the Huisgenoot every week‚ and I’d spend hours recreating the covers. This led me to study art and design‚ then into the fast-paced world of advertising — selling everything from cellphones and overpriced cars to baked beans. The industry taught me to stay grounded and to express myself by sharing the beauty of ideas and design with honesty and without pretence.

Entry rationale

Half a decade of delivering passengers to their destinations needs to be celebrated. My design “tips its hat” to the five years of success‚ passion and being proudly South African‚ and hopefully creates a moment in time for the brand. A simple expression with a strong message.

Leo Burger (28) – Knysna

Personal bio

I’m Leo Burger‚ 28‚ from Knysna‚ South Africa. I work as an Experience Design Lead at LRMG‚ and I’m passionate about creativity in all its forms. I draw inspiration from music‚ art‚ décor‚ and design — anything that connects people through shared experience.

Entry rationale

This design unites Cape Town’s Table Mountain‚ Durban’s beaches‚ and Johannesburg’s skyline into one connected horizon. Using LIFT’s colour palette and flat‚ modern shapes‚ it captures the idea of connection and movement — from ocean to city lights. It’s a visual celebration of how LIFT bridges distance‚ linking the country’s beauty‚ energy‚ and people under one shared sky.

CAST YOUR VOTE

Honourable Mentions

LIFT Tail Honourable Mention
LIFT Tail Honourable Mention
LIFT LIFT Tail Honourable Mention
LIFT Tail Honourable Mention
LIFT Tail Honourable Mention
LIFT Tail Honourable Mention
LIFT Tail Honourable Mention
LIFT Tail Honourable Mention
LIFT Tail Honourable Mention
LIFT Tail Honourable Mention

  • Terms & Conditions +

    Promoter

    The promoter of this competition is LIFT (Global Aviation Operations (Pty) Ltd)‚ registration number 2004/026323/07‚ with its principal place of business at Northern Perimeter Road‚ O.R. Tambo International Airport‚ Kempton Park‚ Gauteng‚ 1627.

    Eligibility

    The competition is open to all legal residents of South Africa‚ aged 18 years or older.

    Entrants under the age of 18 may only participate through a parent or legal guardian‚ who must complete and submit the entry on their behalf. Any prize awarded in such cases will be made to the parent or guardian.

    The competition is open to friends and family of Global Aviation Operations (Pty) Ltd t/a LIFT employees; however‚ employees of LIFT are not eligible to enter or win.

    How to Enter
    • Download the official tail design template via the LIFT website.
    • Create your design and submit it together with a short written bio/rationale (maximum 100 words) through the online entry form.
    • Entries close at 23:59 on 31 October 2025. Late entries will not be accepted.
    • Participants may submit more than one design. Each entry must be submitted separately and comply with all other Terms & Conditions.
    • No purchase is necessary to enter.
    Design Guidelines
    • Designs must be original‚ created by the entrant‚ and must not infringe any third-party rights.
    • Entries may not contain offensive‚ discriminatory‚ or unlawful material.
    • The design does not have to be birthday-themed but should reflect the spirit and values of the LIFT brand.
    • LIFT reserves the right to adapt‚ edit‚ enhance‚ or otherwise modify the winning design as reasonably required to meet technical‚ safety‚ regulatory‚ or branding requirements for aircraft application. While every effort will be made to retain the spirit of the winning entry‚ the final applied livery may differ from the submitted design.
    Shortlisting & Public Voting

    A panel appointed by LIFT will shortlist up to five finalists based on creativity‚ originality‚ and relevance to the LIFT brand.

    Finalist designs will be published on LIFT's platforms during November 2025 for public voting.

    The winning design will be determined by the public vote in combination with the discretion of the LIFT judging panel.

    Prizes

    Grand Prize: The winning design will be applied to a LIFT Airbus A320 aircraft and the winner will receive LIFT flights for a year (1 economy return flight per month for 12 months)‚ valid from 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2026 (subject to availability‚ blockout dates‚ and standard booking terms). The prize will include a checked-bag.

    The winning livery will be applied as a limited-run application on a LIFT Airbus A320. The duration of the application is subject to change at LIFT's discretion‚ and it is not guaranteed that the livery will remain on the aircraft for the entire validity of the prize or indefinitely.

    Voter Prize: One voter will be randomly selected to receive a LIFT Wallet credit of R5‚000.

    Prizes are not transferable‚ exchangeable‚ or redeemable for cash.

    Intellectual Property & Usage Rights

    By submitting a design‚ entrants grant LIFT a non-exclusive‚ worldwide‚ royalty-free license to use‚ adapt‚ reproduce‚ and publish their designs for the purposes of the competition‚ marketing‚ and publicity.

    The winning entrant agrees to transfer all intellectual property rights in their design to LIFT without further compensation beyond the stated prize.

    By entering‚ participants grant LIFT the right to use their names‚ submitted designs‚ and entry rationales for marketing‚ publicity‚ and promotional purposes‚ in any media‚ without further permission or compensation.

    Winner Announcement

    The winner will be announced via LIFT's official channels during December 2025.

    Winners will also be notified via the contact details provided. If a winner cannot be reached within 7 days‚ LIFT reserves the right to select an alternative winner.

    General Conditions
    • LIFT reserves the right to amend‚ suspend‚ or cancel the competition at any time without prior notice.
    • LIFT reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not comply with these Terms & Conditions.
    • The judges' and public vote results are final‚ and no correspondence will be entered into.
    Limitation of Liability

    LIFT will not be responsible for entries not received due to technical‚ network‚ or other issues beyond its control.

    Participation is at the entrant's own risk. LIFT will not be liable for any loss‚ damage‚ or injury arising from participation in the competition or acceptance of any prize‚ except where required by law.

    Data Protection

    By entering‚ participants consent to LIFT processing their personal information for the purposes of administering the competition and prize fulfillment‚ in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

    By entering this competition‚ you agree to be added to LIFT's mailing database and to receive newsletters‚ updates‚ and promotional communications from LIFT. You may opt out of these communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link provided in each email.

    Governing Law

    This competition is governed by the laws of South Africa.