Local pilot shares her journey into aviation

Thandeka Themba’s journey into aviation began with wonder and curiosity but quickly evolved into a mission filled with grit and purpose.

A dream that took shape in her late teens became a defining pursuit in her life.

“I’d always been curious about the idea of being above the clouds,” she said.

“When I started researching aviation seriously, I realised how deeply it resonated with me. And through that, I realised I could make my dreams a reality. I was hooked.”

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Her first introductory flight sealed the deal.

“I remember lifting off and feeling this incredible mix of freedom, focus and wonder.

“Everything else just fell away. That flight didn’t just confirm that I wanted to be a pilot. It made me feel like I was already one in spirit.”

But Thandeka’s training journey has been far from smooth. Like many aspiring aviators in SA, she faced the costly challenge of funding flight hours without institutional support.

“Flight training requires consistency. Long gaps between lessons make it incredibly hard to maintain momentum. My parents helped as much as possible, but I had to take breaks, get creative with raising funds, and stay resilient.”

Despite her setbacks, she endured, drawing strength from mentors, online aviation communities and, most importantly, her family.

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Programmes like the Girls Fly Programme in Africa also played a role, offering visibility and networking for young women in aviation. The day she earned her private pilot license was a moment of triumph.

“Holding that license in my hands was proof that I wasn’t just dreaming; I was doing it. It gave me hope and reminded me that, with persistence, even the biggest dreams are possible.”

Among her most memorable experiences was her first solo cross-country flight from Lanseria to Rustenburg and Potchefstroom.

“It was so strange flying alone without my instructor’s voice guiding me. But it was powerful. It taught me to trust myself and embrace the silence as part of the growth.”

Today, Thandeka stands among the small but growing percentage of female pilots in SA. While proud, she’s keenly aware of how rare her position still is.

“It’s empowering and sobering. I want to help normalise the presence of women in the cockpit and create more space for others to follow.”

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She recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to continue her training toward a commercial pilot license, a path made difficult by limited access to loans and the high cost of more flight hours.

“Most banks don’t offer student loans for flight training. You’re often expected to take a personal loan, which isn’t practical for many of us. The system favours those with money, not necessarily talent.”

For real transformation, she believes the SA aviation industry needs more inclusive funding models, structured government programmes, and school outreaches to demystify the career.

Looking ahead, Thandeka hopes to fly for a commercial airline, mentor the next generation of pilots and eventually establish an initiative that supports aspiring aviators from diverse backgrounds.

“Representation in aviation means visibility, possibility and breaking cycles. When young girls see someone who looks like them in a pilot uniform, it plants a seed that says, ‘You can do this, too’.”

She urges young dreamers not to give up.

“Start where you are. Reach out. There’s more support than you think. It might take longer and be harder, but it’s worth it.”
Currently, she is committed to sharing her journey and continuing her trajectory, driven by faith, determination, and a lofty vision of what is possible.