Five Ikamvanites had the opportunity to visit the Virginia Air Show courtesy of Southern African Women in Aviation (SAWA). Capt. Refilwe Ledwaba, a helicopter pilot with the SAPS, invited 5 girls with good marks in Maths and Physical Science and an interest in aviation to participate in this programme. SAWA plans to partner with IkamvaYouth KZN to expose more learners to careers in aviation. The learners that qualified for the programme were: Fortunate Chinogurayi and Kalavani Perumal who are both in grade 10 at Bonella Secondary School, Sthembile Ngidi (Grade 10 Wiggins Secondary School) and Nontobeko Mkhize and Nomfundo Khumalo grade 11 from Tholulwazi Secondary School. They were accompanied by Nombuso Mthiyane who is a Physics tutor with Ikamva.
“The Girl/Fly programme is where we identify school girls that are interested in Aviation.We expose them to different careers within the industry, assist with the application process and also source sponsorship for their training.We also assist in the applications for the SAA cadette programme, South African Air Force and a lot more aviation companies, said Ledwaba about the programme.
SAWA will speak to all Ikamvanites about opportunities in aviation as well as arrange for them to spend half a day with Air Traffic Controllers, Engineers and Pilots on the job.
In the photograph (l-r) Air Force pilot Zanele, Fortunate, Capt. Ledwaba, Sthembile, Nomfundo, Kalavani, Nombuso and Nontobeko.
Lloyd Lungu