In a heartfelt tribute to South Africa’s dedicated educators, Emirates has gifted 100 teachers in Johannesburg with limited-edition, repurposed luxury backpacks from its ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection. This initiative underscores the airline’s commitment to “connecting communities,” fostering meaningful relationships, and making a tangible difference in the lives of those in the regions it serves.
Afzal Parambil, Emirates Regional Manager for Southern Africa, expressed, “Since our first flight to Johannesburg in 1995, we have not only invested in scaling our operations and developing South Africa’s tourism sector but invested in the community too. Education, much like travel, broadens the mind and brings immeasurable value to society at large. Celebrating these shared values, we wanted to show our appreciation for the teachers in one of Johannesburg’s most impoverished townships. We are proud to enrich the communities we serve.”
Marking the spirit of World Teachers Day, the Emirates team visited Carter Primary School and Gordon Primary School in Alexandra, Sandton. Located in one of Johannesburg’s most economically challenged areas, these schools play a vital role in shaping young minds and providing essential tools for a brighter future. The initiative aligns closely with Emirates’ long-standing support for youth-focused community projects, helping build sustainable and lasting impact.
Each teacher received a premium leather backpack handmade from upcycled materials from Emirates’ retired A380 and 777 aircraft, including leather sourced directly from First Class seating. These exclusive items, crafted at Emirates Engineering in Dubai, carry a touch of the airline’s legacy and represent the innovation that Emirates shares with educators. The backpacks also included a luxe leather notebook, an on-the-go tea tumbler, and a gift pack of Dilmah teas, adding a special touch to these tokens of appreciation.
Principal Seemela of Carter Primary School remarked, “It means a lot to us to have our hard work, dedication, and sacrifices recognized. We are grateful to the Emirates team for hand-picking our school. We don’t often get recognition for the work we do, in the communities we work in. Emirates has shown our learners that through hard work they too can be recognised for their efforts and become key players and role models in their own communities regardless of their backgrounds. And we hope that this is the start of a long-lasting relationship.”
Through the Emirates Airline Foundation, the airline has consistently supported educational initiatives worldwide. In South Africa, the Foundation sponsors Singakwenza, an early childhood education project for low-income communities, and Fikelela Children’s Centre, which serves children affected by HIV/AIDS. Last month, the airline’s latest A380 livery, celebrating the Foundation’s long-standing philanthropic work, arrived in Johannesburg, symbolizing its unwavering dedication to social impact.
The ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ initiative further illustrates this commitment by repurposing materials salvaged from the airline’s cabin retrofit program. With over 50,000 kg of materials from 191 aircraft to be recovered and repurposed, the collection will benefit early education programs across Africa and Asia, spreading the airline’s philanthropic reach far beyond the skies.