FIRST AFRICAN FEMALE
PILOT
SPREADS HER WINGS

Article and photographs by
Supt Erica Holtzhausen

On 11 January 2006, Refilwe Ledwaba’s ambition to become a pilot was fulfilled when she was presented with her wings at the SAPS National Intervention Unit in Pretoria. Refilwe is a helicopter and fixed wing pilot who had been training privately before she applied to be recruited in the South African Police Service Air Wing in 2004.

The 26-year old pilot originally hails from Tzaneen and is the fourth of seven children raised by Mrs Hilda Ledwaba. Refilwe has always been an academic high flyer and attended Prestige High School in Hammanskraal before she zipped off to the University of Cape Town. At UCT she enrolled for a BSc, majoring in microbiology and biochemistry.

Refilwe says she has always been interested in flying. In 2004 she joined a programme offered by the SAPS after having met all the requirements with her mathematics and science achievements in matric. She also passed the psychometric and other compulsory tests set by the SAPS Air Wing. She has now successfully completed the two-year piston engine helicopter training and will soon start to fly turbine conversion engine helicopters.

Divisional Commissioner Arno Lamoer of Operational Response Services officially welcomed Refilwe into the SAPS family at a promotional function held at National Intervention Unit Headquarters in Pretoria. He said that he was extremely proud of Refilwe’s success and that her achievements would lead the way for other young women to follow suit.

Proud mum Hilda Ledwaba also attended the function. Hilda’s eyes were bright as spoke about her daughter: “She is a hard worker. We can only thank God for her success”. But it seems this single mother who is also the Principal of Punch Maponya Senior Primary School has a recipe for success with children. Among Refilwe’s brothers and sisters, who have completed their schooling are a lawyer, a lecturer and an engineer.

Refilwe encourages other young women to take up the challenge. She said: “For me it was something I really wanted to do and once I got into it, the passion took over. I love flying. I just love it. I am glad that I can show others that it is possible to make it by working hard at what you want.”