LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Proflight Zambia’s ‘Chitenge Friday’ appreciated Zambia’s colourful and vibrant culture in a heartwarming competition that saw four lucky winners walk away with free return flight tickets to any of the regional airline’s destinations. Participants simply had to adorn the beautiful chitenge every Friday and share their love for the fabric, which has grown to become a timeless symbol of the Zambian and African culture.
The initiative, sought to connect Proflight Zambia with its loyal customers and audience as they joined staff for six weeks of a fashion extravaganza; with participants dressing in their finest chitenge attire every Friday and posting photos on social media.
A story in every thread
The Chitenge, a staple of Zambian fashion has over the years evolved from just a common wrapper to a style statement with both traditional nuances and generational variations, and a piece of history weaved into every thread and pattern.
Mungule Sepa, one of the winners, touched on the intricacy of the fabric – which can vary from a simple block colour and design to include more complex colours, patterns and textures – and highlighted the fabric’s transformation into a beloved material among the elderly and youth alike: “Years ago, the chitenge was perceived to be old-fashioned in some age groups but, now there are modern iterations. I have quite a number of outfits and I enjoy wearing them.”
The fabric further represents a cultural bond that unites Zambians: “We don’t have a single designated national attire because of our diversity – over 70 ethnic groups, but the chitenge is a common thread that connects us all. It signifies tradition, pride, and belonging,” she stated.
Winning the Proflight Zambia ticket was a delightful surprise for Mungule, who has now set her sights on a trip to Cape Town: “I’ve never been there but, it looks beautiful. This opportunity from Proflight Zambia means I finally get to experience Cape Town firsthand,” she said.
Two-time Proflight Zambia competition winner Rose Nakazwe added her own perspective and interpretation saying: “As a woman, you need to wear a chitenge because it symbolises respect and our culture. We need to showcase our heritage, not just within Zambia but beyond our borders. The contest and chitenge Friday by Proflight Zambia are some good ways to do that.”
Rose won a Proflight ticket to Johannesburg in 2023 and hopes to return there this year as well: “When I saw the competition, I participated every Friday for six weeks. The competition was tough, so I was thrilled to win again,” she heartily recalled.
Similarly, Daphine Luhanga saw the ‘Chitenge Friday competition as an opportunity to celebrate the local culture along with a chance of securing a special trip: “My birthday is coming soon, and I wanted to win a ticket to Cape Town to visit my sister. I have been flying with Proflight Zambia since 2019 and love their flash fares,” she said.
Another winner, Mwiche Chitembo, shared her heartfelt motivation for participating in the competition. “My little boys are fascinated by big machines such as aircrafts, and since I can’t afford to buy three tickets for us, I thought, ‘why not try to win one?’. The Chitenge, as a Zambian woman, symbolises a cultured upbringing and good morals. When I saw the contest, I was thrilled! I love wearing chitenge because of how it makes me feel – beautiful and connected to my roots.”
For Mwiche, winning a Proflight Zambia ticket meant a chance to introduce her children to the wonders of their country: “I would love to take a local flight to Livingstone so they can experience the majestic Victoria Falls and the Big Five. This will be an educational experience for them.”
Rooted in Culture and Community
As Zambia’s leading airline, Proflight Zambia remains deeply connected to the nation’s culture. The ‘Chitenge Friday’ campaign not only sought to reward loyal customers but also reaffirm the airline’s role in promoting and preserving Zambian traditions.
“Our culture must be passed on otherwise we risk current and future generations drifting towards other cultures with globalisation and all. So, it’s great when even companies like Proflight strive to stay true to who we are as Zambians,” Mwiche noted.
“Proflight Zambia is more than an airline; we are a bridge between people, places, and traditions. Our mission is to provide a friendly, reliable, and efficient travel experience that reflects the warmth of Zambia. As a proudly Zambian airline, we take pride in initiatives like ‘Chitenge Fridays’ that honour our heritage while connecting our people to opportunities, both within the country and beyond,” concluded Proflight Zambia Director Flight Operations Captain Josias Walubita.
We would like to highlight the fact that Proflight Zambia Staff wear Chitenge outfits every Friday. From this organisational cultural aspect, the Chitenge Friday competition was born to encourage different stakeholders to join and celebrate this aspect of the Zamian culture.
