South Africans, it's time to make your mark in the sky! After an overwhelming response to LIFT's 5th birthday tail design competition, voting officially opens on 13 November 2025, giving the public the chance to choose their favourite design from the top five shortlisted entries.
The competition has produced a vibrant mix of South African creativity, with the five finalists hailing from across the country - Durban, Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Knysna - a true reflection of national talent and connection. The winning design will be professionally applied to a real LIFT Airbus A320, transforming it into a flying work of art.
Since the competition launched, LIFT has received just under 3000 submissions from creative South Africans across the country. From the very beginning, LIFT has been a brand shaped by South Africans, for South Africans. Back in 2020, the country came together to help choose the airline's name - and now, five years later - LIFT is reconnecting with the nation to celebrate this milestone by inviting travellers to vote for the design that best captures what the airline means to them today.
"There were so many incredible designs submitted, it was incredibly difficult to narrow it down - but we have selected the top five," says Haydn Halim-Henning, LIFT Brand Manager.
"The creativity and variety we've seen have been most inspiring. From very manual hand-drawn and scanned-in options to sleek AI-integrated renders. The competition was open to every skill level, approach and idea, and SA has genuinely shown up and shown off. Proof that creativity takes flight in all forms! Ranging in age from 23 to 47, the finalists represent both fresh, emerging voices and seasoned creative professionals, each bringing a unique interpretation of what it means to capture the spirit of LIFT - its identity, culture, and sense of connection - through bold, distinctive design."
"We're excited to see South Africans getting involved again and helping us select the design that will grace our limited-edition birthday tail. The winning designer will also win flights for a whole year!"
A Durban-based designer known for her thoughtful, understated creativity, Alyssa's entry captures the heart and heritage of South Africa in flight. Her design draws from the nation's collective diversity and shared spirit, using rich textures and symbolism to tell a story of connection, culture, and pride. It's a design that soars - a heartfelt tribute to the unity and creativity that make South Africa, and LIFT, truly unique.
Izabel Barkhuizen (29) - Cape Town
An illustrator and storyteller at heart, Izabel reimagines the LIFT "L" as a trumpet, transforming the brand logo into a symbol of music, creativity, and joy. Her design fuses South Africa's cultural vibrancy with the brand's spirit of #upLIFTment, using a bright, expressive palette to celebrate artistic freedom and optimism. The result is a visual anthem - an illustration that quite literally turns LIFT into a sound of celebration.
Kealeboga Lethebe (23) - Pretoria
As one of the youngest finalists, Kealeboga's design reflects a modern, energetic spirit. Her concept merges iconic landmarks - from the Telkom Tower to Moses Mabhida Stadium and Table Mountain - symbolising LIFT's ability to connect South Africa's major cities. Surrounding doodles bring playful movement and rhythm, expressing a balance between precision and creativity, much like the LIFT experience itself - vibrant, purposeful, and full of life.
Louw le Roux (47) - Bloemfontein
A creative professional with roots in advertising, Louw brings decades of artistic insight to his design. His entry, a tribute to five years of LIFT's success, blends simplicity with depth -- "tipping its hat" to the airline's proud South African heritage and its journey of passion and purpose. Louw's work embodies a moment in time for the brand -- a minimalist expression with a powerful, celebratory message.
Leo Burger (28) - Knysna
An Experience Design Lead from Knysna, Leo finds inspiration in all forms of creativity -- from music and art to décor and design. His concept unites South Africa's diverse landscapes into a single, connected horizon, combining Table Mountain, Durban's beaches, and Johannesburg's skyline. Using LIFT's colour palette and clean, modern forms, his design captures the brand's essence of connection and movement -- from ocean to city lights, celebrating how LIFT bridges people, places, and experiences across one shared sky.
Together, these five designs celebrate LIFT's journey and the creativity that fuels South African identity - five unique interpretations, one shared celebration of connection, culture, and flight.
We're looking for the designs that best capture "the vibe of LIFT" - think bold, fun, and uniquely South African. Originality, creativity, and effort matter far more than technical skill or professionalism.
Keep track of the competition, updates, and spot prizes on LIFT's Instagram @lift__sa.
This is a full-circle moment for LIFT - celebrating five years in the South African aviation industry while reconnecting with the people who helped shape the airline's story from the very beginning. Don't miss your chance to have a say and be part of LIFT's history!