Case Study

On his website he is described as a young and vibrant entrepreneur from Soweto whose obsession with aviation, golf and business remains unmatched. So it comes as no surprise that for 28-year-old Nhlanhla Mohlauli, the sky is literally the limit. As the founder and executive chairman of Native Airways, his ambition, vision and entrepreneurial reach know no bounds. Nhlanhla Mohlauli ascribes his stellar rise partly to the fact that he landed a scholarship to attend the prestigious St Davids Marist high school near Sandton, despite being born in Soweto. At the age of 22, Mohlauli designed and built a golf course on state-owned land near Sun City prison in the south of Johannesburg, which he used to coach children to play golf.

Two years later, he revived a golf course in Johannesburgs Roosevelt Park, which helped him raise enough cash to finally study for his pilots licence. Nhlanhla saw a gap in the aviation market and launched Native Airlines in 2012 with the financial assistance of the Development Bank of Southern Africa. This enabled him to lease six private jets and six helicopters. He lined up five pilot friends to help him get his fledging airline off the ground. The company offers private jet and helicopter charter flights. Native Airways flies to niche destinations around the country, including Parys, Sun City and Knysna, as well as to more exotic locations, such as Madagascar, Zanzibar and islands around Mozambique.

What Mohlauli discovered was a pent-up demand for private jets from time-strapped executives. With big commercial flights you have to check what time the plane leaves and work out your trip according to that schedule, says Mohlauli. Private travel offers more flexibility. However, as a young black man, Mohlauli found it wasnt always easy to score customers. Surprisingly, Mohlauli says private jet-setting isnt just for the wealthy, and those who compare prices in the commercial sector know this all too well. It is safe, it is quick and it travels according to the customers schedule, he says. Just because he finally made it into aviation doesnt mean Mohlauli left his other passions behind. For one thing, he owns the Diski golf league, which aims to bring more black people into the elite sport. Mohlauli says he is also planning to build an airport in Soweto.

Referring to the Case Study Above, Answer the following Questions

Q.1) Name THREE market segments that could be attracted by Native Airways.

Q.2) Give a detailed description of the products/services offered by Native Airways.

Q.3) How did Nhlahla Mohlauli finance his business?

Q.4) What are the unique features of Nhlahlas products/services compared to big commercial flights?