The Team Behind the Vision

Engineering Excellence. African Innovation.

Excellence ◆ Integrity ◆ Innovation

Inkanyezi Aviation is a proudly South African aerospace company built by seasoned aviation professionals with a shared commitment to technical excellence, integrity, and the industrialisation of African aerospace.

Established 2024
Cape Town, South Africa
Black-Owned Enterprise
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Our Story

Rooted in Aviation Excellence. Built for Africa's Future.

From decades of combined aerospace experience to a shared vision of building South Africa's aviation manufacturing capability, this is the story behind Inkanyezi Aviation.

A Company Built on Purpose

Inkanyezi Aviation was founded in 2024 by Leon Themba and Mzoxolo Mooi, two seasoned aviation professionals whose careers have spanned commercial, military, and general aviation sectors across South Africa's most respected aerospace organisations.

The two founders bring together decades of hands-on expertise gained at South African Airways Technical (SAAT), Aerosud, Denel Aviation, Robin Coss Aviation, and other leading industry names. Their work has contributed to some of the world's most recognised aircraft platforms, from Boeing and Airbus commercial fleets to military platforms like the A400M, Rooivalk, and Oryx.

What makes Inkanyezi Aviation different is not just technical capability, but the vision behind it. The company was built to prove that world-class aircraft manufacturing can be established, sustained, and scaled from South Africa, delivering aerospace solutions that meet the highest international standards while creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of South African aviation professionals.

Est. 2024

Our Foundation

Decades of aerospace experience meeting African ambition.

"

Every aircraft entrusted to us represents lives, businesses, and dreams. Our responsibility is to deliver engineering excellence with absolute integrity, precision, and professionalism.

Leon Themba

Founder & Managing Director

Our Leadership

Meet the Team Driving Africa's Aerospace Future

Inkanyezi Aviation is led by a team of seasoned aviation professionals combining decades of technical expertise, operational discipline, and commercial vision. Meet the people behind the mission.

Founder & MD

Leon Themba

Founder & Managing Director

Leon Themba is the Founder and Managing Director of Inkanyezi Aviation, bringing over a decade of experience across commercial, military, and general aviation. He specialises in aircraft structural engineering, sheet metal fabrication, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations, with hands-on experience at Aerosud, South African Airways Technical (SAAT), Robin Coss Aviation, and Gemair. His career has contributed to the manufacture, maintenance, and modification of aircraft including the Airbus A319/A320, A340, A400M, Boeing 737, 767, 777, Cessna Caravan series, and Van's RV aircraft. Leon leads Inkanyezi Aviation with a clear vision: to build one of Africa's most respected aerospace engineering companies.

Areas of Expertise

Aircraft Structures Manufacturing & Assembly Sheet Metal Fabrication Structural Repairs MRO Operations Quality Assurance
Founder & COO

Mzoxolo Nicholus Mooi

Founder & Chief Operating Officer

Mzoxolo Mooi is the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Inkanyezi Aviation, bringing over a decade of hands-on experience in aircraft maintenance, engineering, technical operations, and aviation compliance. As COO, he oversees operational strategy, maintenance standards, technical delivery, and quality assurance. A Trade Tested Aircraft Mechanic, Mzoxolo has worked across fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft including the Boeing 737, Van's RV, Rooivalk attack helicopter, and Oryx helicopter, with career experience at Robin Coss Aviation, Denel Aviation, SAAT, and Telkom SA. His leadership ensures Inkanyezi delivers reliable, industry-compliant aviation solutions across every project.

Areas of Expertise

Trade Tested Artisan Aircraft Mechanics Airframe Maintenance Component Manufacturing Inspections & Repairs Systems Testing
Marketing Director

Siphiwe Tembe

Marketing Director & Business Strategist

Siphiwe Tembe serves as Inkanyezi Aviation's Marketing Director, combining a technical foundation in aircraft structures and mechanical engineering with extensive commercial experience across banking, sales, and business development. His unique blend of engineering knowledge and commercial acumen enables him to position Inkanyezi within the aviation sector while building long-term relationships with corporate clients, government stakeholders, and strategic investors. Siphiwe leads Inkanyezi's brand strategy, partnership development, and commercial growth, driving the company's presence across South Africa and beyond.

Areas of Expertise

Strategic Marketing Business Development Aviation Industry Relations Corporate Partnerships Investor Relations Mechanical Engineering
Aircraft Experience

Decades of Hands-On Aerospace Expertise

Our leadership team has contributed to the manufacture, maintenance, structural repair, and modification of some of the world's most respected aircraft platforms, across commercial, military, and general aviation.

15+
Aircraft Platforms
3
Aviation Sectors
10+
Years Per Founder
100%
Hands-On Delivery

Commercial Aviation

Boeing • Airbus • Bombardier
  • Airbus A319 / A320
  • Airbus A340
  • Boeing 737
  • Boeing 767
  • Boeing 777
  • Bombardier Dash 8

Military & Aerospace

Airbus • Denel • OEM Programs
  • Airbus A400M
  • Airbus A320neo
  • Airbus A321neo
  • Rooivalk Attack Helicopter
  • Oryx Utility Helicopter
  • Wingtip Manufacturing Programs

General Aviation

Cessna • King Air • Van's RV
  • King Air 300 & 350
  • Cessna 162
  • Cessna 185
  • Cessna 210
  • Cessna 406 Caravan
  • Van's RV Series

Experience gained across leading aerospace organisations including Aerosud, South African Airways Technical (SAAT), Denel Aviation, Robin Coss Aviation, and Gemair.

Our Commitment

The Values That Guide Everything We Build

Beyond aircraft and manufacturing capacity, Inkanyezi Aviation is committed to three principles that shape how we grow, hire, and deliver. This is our long-term promise to our people, our partners, and our country.

01
Pillar One

People

Developing skilled South African aviation professionals and creating a culture of safety, quality, and continuous learning across every level of our organisation.

  • Skills development & artisan training
  • Safety-first workshop culture
  • Partnership with Northlink College
  • Long-term career pathways
02
Pillar Two

Innovation

Investing in advanced technology, modern manufacturing techniques, and continuous improvement to keep South African aerospace globally competitive.

  • Advanced manufacturing methods
  • Precision engineering capability
  • Composite technology adoption
  • Continuous process improvement
03
Pillar Three

Sustainability

Building a responsible and sustainable aerospace business that delivers long-term value to our team, our clients, and the broader South African economy.

  • Long-term industrial strategy
  • Responsible resource management
  • Economic contribution to SA
  • Sustainable growth model

These aren't marketing statements. They shape how we hire, how we train, how we build, and how we grow as a company.

Get In Touch

Now You've Met the Team. Let's Build Something Together.

Whether you're an investor, a potential partner, or just curious about what we're building in Cape Town, we'd love to hear from you.

Lighting Up The Sky. Africa's aerospace future is being built one aircraft, one partnership, and one skilled artisan at a time. Come and be part of it.
Explore Our Vision Start a Conversation

Or reach us directly

+27 21 301 0283 info@inkanyeziaviation.co.za WhatsApp

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