Written by Megan Turner, a VSFS Intern with the U.S. Department of State. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
Photos courtesy: Refilwe Ledwaba
As one of South Africa’s first female pilots, Refilwe Ledwaba’s journey from the cabin to the cockpit began after college. While employed as a flight attendant, a pilot she worked with recognized her aviation potential and connected her with the owner of a small aircraft. The ensuing flight inspired her to pursue a career as a helicopter pilot with the South African Police Services, which eventually led to a position as a fixed-wing pilot.
With over two decades of experience in the aerospace and aviation industry, Refilwe founded the Girls Fly Programme in Africa. Her experience led her to participate in the U.S. Department of State's Alumni Thematic International Seminar (Alumni TIES) this fall in Cairo, Egypt, where she connected with other women from Africa and the Middle East who are transforming STEM education in their communities.
When asked about her motivations to attend the Alumni TIES seminar, Refilwe spoke to the value of “...having people, a tribe to engage with on any issues, from personal to technical.” She appreciates the potential collaborators she met at the seminar who are “making a tangible impact and trying to amplify the voices of women.”
Throughout her career journey, Refilwe became increasingly aware of how difficult it was for women in South Africa, particularly those from low-income backgrounds and women of color, to gain access to careers in the aviation and aerospace industry.
“The fact I was one of the first [female pilots in South Africa], it couldn’t end there. We need to hear about the 2nd, 3rd, or 100th person flying. Because I knew about the industry, I was the perfect person to start something that would enable all these young people to work in the aviation and aerospace industry,” she said.
The Girls Fly Programme is expanding access to STEAM education for girls in Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa. In these countries, the organization generates awareness and excitement around aerospace and aviation topics amongst girls in rural communities, helps them build the skills and capabilities to pursue their STEAM career goals, financially assists girls through university studies, and ultimately provides networking opportunities to place women in their dream aerospace and aviation careers.
Reflecting on the incredible work the Girls Fly Programme has done over the past decade, Refilwe recounted how previous program participants’ career trajectories have shaped opportunities for the next generation of aspiring STEM professionals. In particular, she spoke of one former program member who joined the Girls Fly Programme in 11th grade, went on to college, and now works as an aeronautical engineer. She set a precedent in her rural community, showing other young girls that they, too, can pursue higher education and careers in STEM. Now, more girls from her community have also begun pursuing higher education and STEM careers.
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efilwe is incredibly proud of the work she and the Girls Fly Programme are carrying out in Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa and emphasizes the meaningful, reciprocal power of her work. “People think of it [Girls Fly Programme’s work] as a single word – helping people – but it’s not. It’s often us that get changed in the process. I’m giving and someone is looking after me,” she said.
Refilwe looks forward to further growing as a leader, and continuing to expand girls’ access to higher education and careers in aviation and aerospace.