SA's Helicopter Pilot Refilwe Ledwaba Bags a Top Award in Aviation
- A South African pilot is the latest recipient of a top award in the aviation industry and that is a stunning Refilwe Ledwaba
- Ledwaba recently bagged the AeroTime Aviation Achievement Award and became the 23rd woman to secure such a top accolade
- The Mzansi pilot who also works as a helicopter pilot and flight instructor was handed the accolade by AeroTime’s Richard Stephenson OBE
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly News on your News Feed!
The South African aviation industry is celebrating with Refilwe Ledwaba who has been accredited with a top award. Ledwaba recently bagged the AeroTIme Aviation Achievement Award through the international aviation news entity, Global Executive.
According to a press release seen by Briefly News, Ledwaba’s achievement marks AeroTime’s six-month milestone of its women in aviation campaign. AeroTime has it that the accolade recognises the stunning Mzansi woman’s career-long dedication to achieving equity and diversity in aviation.
Source: UGC
Refilwe Ledwaba speaks about her latest achievement
The young local woman says she is delighted to secure such a big award and that she hopes to see more women in the industry. She said as quoted by AeroTime:
Enjoy reading our stories? Download the BRIEFLY NEWS app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!
“I’m very grateful to receive this award and do so not only on my own behalf, but also for the Girls Fly Programme in Africa Foundation. Diversity and inclusion have always been an important issue for me and it’s gratifying to see more and more companies understanding this too.
"I hope the recognition afforded by this AeroTime Aviation Achievement Award will significantly amplify our call for action across the industry.”
At the same time, AeroTime CEO Richard Stephenson OBE presented the award to Refilwe and shared his thoughts. He added:
“It was a genuine honour and pleasure to speak to Refilwe and congratulate her on this award. Many of us across the industry are aware of the need to improve representation.
"In Refilwe we have someone who has not only broken barriers herself but is taking tangible action to make change happen. Anyone who can impact 70,000 lives, as Refilwe has with the Girls Fly Programme Africa Foundation, is truly deserving of this award.”
Moreover, it is announced that Ledwaba is noticed for establishing the Girls Fly Programme in Africa Foundation, which has reached over 70, 000 girls across Africa, educating them about aviation and aerospace at a grassroots level.
Apart from her diverse resume, Ledwaba is a qualified helicopter and fixed-wing pilot, flight instructor, professional drone pilot and social entrepreneur. A true trailblazer, she was the first black woman in South Africa to gain an Air Transport Pilot helicopter licence. She also spent a decade flying aeroplanes and helicopter missions for the South African police.
The young South African pilot joins 22 recipients to be awarded the AeroTime Aviation Achievement Award.
Meet Refilwe Ledwaba, the helicopter pilot teaching young girls to fly
Looking at a previous report, Briefly News published that Refilwe Ledwaba, the first black woman in South Africa to fly a helicopter, is on a mission to teach young girls to fly.
She is the founder of Girl Fly Programme in Africa Foundation, BBC reports. It's a non-profit organisation that encourages girls to take up science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
The foundation organises an annual week-long aviation camp for 14 to 18-year-old girls in Southern Africa, Briefly News learned.
Source: Briefly News
