SAA celebrates women's month with all-female crew

South African Airways (SAA) yesterday celebrated women's month with a flight between Johannesburg and Cape Town, which was operated by an All-Female crew.
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The rest of the flight preparations were also conducted by females. On board, the commemorative flight also comprised of SAA female executives, led by Ms Zukisa Ramasia, General Manager Operations. Ms Ramasia is responsible for SAA’s overall global operations portfolio, which comprises SAA’s flight and cabin operations, airport operations, ground handling, lounges, on-board logistics and inventory, aviation safety and security as well as SAA’s central nerve system, global operations control centre.

SA313 was captained by the airline’s first black female captain, Captain Kavistha Maharaj, with First Officer, Olga Bottger as the co-pilot.

Looking after customers were cabin crew Purser: Nomvuzo Mjanyelwa, Senior Cabin Crew Member: Rene Essack, Cabin Crew Member: Sonali Bissessor, Cabin Crew Member Thilimbeli Mikosi and Cabin Crew Member: Michelle De Freitas.

Playing a key role in putting the flight together was Mathilda du Plessis, the Flight Dispatcher. Nwabisa Mbulaheni, was the Operations Controller. The load controller was Nicole Mortimer and the Ramp Controller Lucia Mcpherson.

“We are extremely proud of the achievements of the women at SAA, where we are represented throughout the company, in leadership positions as well as in key operational areas which enables SAA to run smooth and on-time operations,” says Ramasia.

The All-Female operated flight is symbolic and yet a strong transformation indicator reflecting the airline's efforts to transcend the stereotypes and barriers of the past. These were manifest in the form of race and gender discrimination.  Today SAA has women working as technicians, flight deck crew, cabin crew, and in key operational and support areas throughout the SAA Group.

At present SAA women make up 38.96% of all staff, (24.85% general staff; 0.83% cockpit crew and 13.29% cabin crew).