by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
Sibongile Sambo is a 42-year-old female from South Africa grew up dreaming of being a flight attendant one day.
The dream has seen Sibongile, who after going through a flight attendant screening with South African Airways, unfortunately not meet the minimum height requirement.
Sibongile did not take the outcome of the screening lightly, as she dreamt of empowering more women in her country to take up this male dominated industry.
Sibongile sold her car out and together with her mother’s pension, she used this to obtain an Air Operating Certificate by the South African Civil Aviation Authority to set up her company ‘SRS Aviation’.
In 2004, Sibongile launched her all-women owned aviation company in Johannesburg.
With permission, the company was allowed to operate commercial flying activities.
During this time three women were given the opportunity and eventually gain their private pilot licences. The three are now employed as full time female pilots.
The benchmark set by Sibongile is a positive, thus encouraging many women in the country to become female pilots in the male dominated industry.
Since its launching, the company has partnered with MCC Aviation and is slowly reaching out to other destinations.
Today, Sibongile is the founder and Managing Director of SRS Aviation. The company is a 100 per cent all black, female owned company providing personal and professional flights to global destinations.
With positive progress, Sibongile says she wants to enable the dreams of other South African women who have similar aspirations like her.
She is working to expand the company’s operations, as well as reach out to many women encouraging them so they can join in too.
Sibongile is a living success and model in the country for many women, but most importantly in the aviation industry in the country. She has not only succeeded in her business networks as a businesswoman but also in her professional career.
You can read more on this link about Sibongile’s achievements.
