22 Sep 2026

Girls aspiring to pursue careers in aviation have been urged to equip themselves with a strong academic foundation, confidence and a commitment to safety as they prepare to enter the demanding industry. Speaking during the Girls in Aviation commemoration day at Maun International Airport on Saturday, aircraft maintenance engineer at North West Air, Ms Blessing Kelathilwe said success in aviation required more than an interest in aircrafts.

Ms Kelathilwe said aspiring aircraft maintenance engineers should pay particular attention to Mathematics, English and Physics, which she identified as important subjects for building the foundation required in the profession.

“Girls entering aircraft engineering should remain confident despite working in an environment where their abilities could sometimes be questioned,” she said.

Ms Kelathilwe encouraged aspiring female aviators not to be discouraged by the challenges associated with the profession, saying determination and passion could help them navigate the demands of the industry.

“One of the challenges I face include being taken for granted by clients due to how small I am but I work hard to prove my capabilities and I always satisfy and exceed their expectations” she said.

For those interested in becoming pilots, Wilderness Air Botswana pilot, Ms Tebogo Mosiame said the profession required an understanding of aircraft operations beyond the actual task of flying. She said pilots needed to be prepared to take on different responsibilities when circumstances required, particularly when operating in remote areas.

Ms Mosiame said pilots operating from remote airstrips should also be able to respond appropriately to changing weather conditions, while ensuring that safety remained central to every decision they made.

“Safety has to be at the centre of every decision, hence as a pilot one needs to be capacitated in all fields related to aviation so as to be able to make proper decisions when a challenge arises,” she said.

She also said aspiring pilots should therefore understand that aviation was an industry that demanded discipline, continuous learning and the ability to make sound decisions in different operating conditions. The Girls in Aviation commemoration day highlighted some of the practical realities that aspiring aviators would have to confront as they pursue careers in the sector, while encouraging girls to prepare themselves academically and personally for the demands ahead. ends