‘Tis a lesson you should heed: Try, try, try again. If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try, try again. -William Edward Hickson

This is probably Sibongile Sambo’s mantra.

Sibongile, for the longest time, wanted to be a flight attendant with South African Airways, but her dream wasn’t realised because she didn’t meet the minimum height requirement to become one.

But now, she’s not just the pioneering woman of South African aviation, Sibongile is the first black female to own an aviation company in the world!

To start her own business, Sibongile had to sell her car and combine the cash she got with her mother’s pension money.

SRS (Sibongile Rejoice Sambo) Aviation is operated by a female pilots as well. 

Since the company began operations in 2004, it has helped three women get their private pilot licenses. They are now employed full-time. SRS Aviation has grown to provide personalized services including helicopter, tourist and luxury flights to destinations spanning the globe. The crew, which is based in South Africa, have flown as far as the U.S. and Germany.

We are glad that women are making headway in the otherwise male-dominated industry.