Special ride for Tembisa children

Tembisa children had an opportunity to fly on Friday last week.

Mr Mpho Mashigo, the sales manager at Capital Air, said September 11 was the day for the company to give the children a first-hand experience to the world of aviation.

“We believe it will have a lasting impression, so that if they get into aviation, they know what they are talking about,” said Mr Mashigo.

“Capital Air approached the committee of creches with a proposal to bring a helicopter to the township for the children. They usually come to our airport and they see the helicopters in a stationery mode, so we wanted to cut out the boring part and give them a wonderful experience,” said Mr Mashigo.

Chairperson of the Group A Child Minder Association, Mrs Meggi Makwela, said the association was happy about the day’s events because this month’s learning theme was transport. She said the children were being taught about different modes of transport, which included helicopters.

“It is a special day because they are actually going to ride in a helicopter,” she said.

The chairperson of the committee, Mrs Stephina Mashinini, thanked the SAPS for providing security and the social workers for making the day possible.

Mr Joao Paulo Vinagre, the pilot, said they hope future pilots were born out of the day’s experience.

“We hope to start a dream for these children,” he said.