“The Universe Has Bigger Plans”: Man’s Journey From Checkers Worker to Flight Attendant Inspires SA

• A young South African man's glow-up from retail worker to cabin crew left social media buzzing with inspiration
• A TikTok video showed his incredible transformation from pushing trolleys at a local grocery outlet to serving passengers on board an aircraft
• Social media users applauded his journey, calling it motivational and encouraging others to keep chasing their dreams despite obstacles
• Briefly News caught up with Inga Mshiywa, a former cabin crew to learn about what it takes to become a flight attendant

A local guy showed many that it was possible to start slow and end with a bang, after moving from pushing a grocery trolley at a store to making one at an altitude exceeding 30,000 feet.

The man, TikTok user @sir.pure, shared his glow-up on the platform, touching the hearts of hundreds of social media users who showered him with compliments.

From grocery store worker to cabin crew

The video starts with a throwback showing @sir.pure in his Checkers Sixty60 work gear, talking to the person recording him while holding a waste bag close to the meat fridge, and walking away from them. The clip flips to show him standing tall in his Safair airline uniform outside the aircraft stairs at Cape Town International Airport, ready to welcome passengers. His body language screams contentment, clearly happy to live the dream he has worked hard for.

Watch the TikTok video below:

Becoming a flight attendant

The Briefly News team had the pleasure of speaking with Inga Mshiywa, a former SAA cabin crew about the steps involved in becoming a flight attendant. We asked the lady what the requirements for becoming a cabin crew member were. She said:

"To work as a flight attendant, you must be medically fit, meaning you must pass a full aviation medical examination, to ensure you are free from conditions that could impair your performance, especially under pressure or during emergencies. One must also be a suitable height, for SAA, if I remember correctly, it is 1.58 meters minimum.

This is so that a person can reach safety equipment, which is usually stored around the overhead stowages. They must be able to swim unaided with a body mass index that falls within a healthy range, generally between 18.5 and 24.9. Must be 18 years or older, have a Grade 12 certificate, with a clear criminal record."

The team asked her how long it takes to obtain a cabin crew license and what the process is like. She responded:

"I got my license through SAA in 2010 as part of the World Cup recruitment crew, and the full process took about three months. Training included safety procedures, firefighting, first aid, emergency evacuation procedures and drills, and customer service. After completing the SACAA-required training exams, you receive your license.

Today, many flight attendants attend schools that help prepare for the SACAA exam, with programs usually lasting six to 12 weeks. Once licensed, each airline also provides its own aircraft-specific training."

When asked what the most challenging part of being a cabin crew was. Inga responded:

"I truly loved the job, but the hardest part was missing family events, adapting to early mornings or long hours, acclimatising after being in a country with a different time zone, and jet lag.

Occasionally, there were difficult passengers, but I soon realised that kindness turned the situation around. Staying focused on why I loved the job, travelling, meeting people, and making a difference, helped me handle the challenges with a smile."

The man inspires Mzansi

The comments were packed with love as social media users congratulated the young man. Many shared their own stories of grinding, hoping for a breakthrough. Some said the video gave them the push they needed, wishing @sir.pure success in his new career. Others expressed interest in joining the field, asking the young man questions about where he obtained his cabin crew license.

User @Lindi said:

"We went through the same thing! I was a cashier at Checkers years ago, and now I work for an international airline as a flight attendant. God really shaped my character there, 😅be blessed brother."

User @Johannah M shared:

"This is what it means to live in answered prayers. May God Almighty continue to bless you and grant you all your heart's desires 🥹😭."

User @Unknown said:

"Sa o tshwanela SEO (this suits you), you're professional 👏🏾🫱🏻‍🫲🏽. I was on your flight from King Shaka to Lanseria."

User @SIR.PURE commented:

"Lose, win, lose, you keep pushing regardless. God has bigger plans for you, just keep your faith and enjoy the journey."

User @RacksOnChr$🇨🇦 shared:

"Emirates and Qatar await you, bro. The universe has bigger plans for you 🙌🏾."

User @Yanga X Jezile asked:

"I tried, but I can't reach 212cm, which they require😭. Do you know of any flight company that doesn't need this🥺?"

3 Briefly News articles about the aviation industry

• A man on a domestic flight was mesmerised by a gorgeous cabin crew member during her manual safety demonstration, and he took a video of her.
• A local woman recorded herself and other travellers on a flight, excited to be riding in a double-decker, and social media users warned it was impolite to record people without their permission.
• A 24-year-old humorously marketed herself to passengers waiting to board an aircraft, telling them she was single and ready for marriage.

Source: Briefly News