Asnath Mahapa facts for kids

Asnath Mahapa (born in October 1979) is a pilot from South Africa. She has flown planes for important groups like the United Nations Red Cross and the World Food Programme. She helped people in Central and West Africa. Recently, she became a spokesperson for the Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day campaign. This campaign encourages young girls to explore different careers.

Early Life and Dreams

Asnath Mahapa grew up in a place called Rosenkraans, GaMatlala, in Limpopo province, South Africa. When she started studying at the University of Cape Town, she soon realized her true passion was flying. She left university to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot.

Flying Career

In March 1998, Asnath Mahapa began her pilot training in Polokwane at G&L Aviation. Later that year, she moved to Progress Flight Academy to get her private pilot's license. This license allowed her to fly for fun.

On October 8, 1999, she earned her commercial pilot's license. This meant she could now fly planes for a job. Since then, she has worked with many well-known organizations.

From 2001 to 2002, she was part of the South African Air Force. Between May 2003 and January 2007, she flew for the United Nations World Food Programme and The Red Cross. Her work mainly took her to countries in Central and West Africa.

Before joining South Africa Airways, she also flew for DHL in the Southern African Region. In February 2019, she started flying for South African Airways. Today, she flies internationally as a senior first officer on large planes like the Airbus A340.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Asnath Mahapa has received many awards and honors for her amazing achievements:

• She was named one of the "100 Greatest Women in Aviation World-wide" in a book published in 2016.
• In 2003, she received the First African Female Pilot Award from the Black Management Forum.
• She also received the Limpopo Women in Excellence Award from the Black Management Forum.
• In 2003, she was nominated for the Woman of the Year Award for Science and Technology.

Inspiring Others

In 2012, Asnath Mahapa opened the African College of Aviation in Johannesburg. Through this college, she trains and inspires young people who want to become pilots. She helps them achieve their dreams, just like she did.