In continuation of its celebration of Women’s month South African Airways (SAA) passengers are in for a treat on Tuesday the 30th of August as the carrier’s early morning flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town (SA 317), and the departure out Cape Town (SA332) will have an all-female crew.
After the success of the first all-female flight on Women’s Day on August 9, SAA says this is a fitting way to end the country’s four-week acknowledgement of the enormous contribution that women make to society and to the economy.
And it’s not just on board the flight but important operations and logistical functions will also be handled by women including flight dispatch, running the operational control center, as well as ramp and departure functions.
Captain Zeenat Safi will be in the cockpit. The Purser will be Thembi Skosana assisted by Heidi Vandekeere, Constance Mthimkulu and Mariam Suliman. Flight Dispatch will be the bailiwick of Mpho Molebatsi. The Operational Control Centre will be managed by Noluthando Mosese. Ramp functions will be managed by Jessica Ratshivhangwho and seeing the flight on its way at Departure Control will be Surekha Sewpersad.
The special flights is just one initiative SAA has implemented during Women’s Month under the theme “Fly High #NdizaNtombazane,” “Fly High Girl.”
Celebrations included discounted fares for customers during the month of August and an external competition where customers stand a chance of winning a flight simulator experience with one of the airline’s female pilots. It is appropriate that an all-female crew take command of the last 2022 Women’s Day flight of the month, symbolic as flagbearers for the next generation of inspirational young women who see themselves pursuing a career in aviation.
Purser Thembi Skosana, says, “This flight demonstrates the accomplishments of women in what is often perceived as a male environment.” SAA’s Interim Chairman and CEO Professor John Lamola says the all-female flight project show that all genders are equal in life and in the workplace, “Both these flights demonstrate SAA’s commitment to gender equality, and we hope this encourages young women to lift their heads and look at flying as a career choice.