Barbie® and FlySafair Celebrate Opportunities for Girls in the Aviation Industry in Africa

Johannesburg, November 29th, 2023 – With over 250 different job titles on her CV, the Barbie brand purpose has always been to inspire the limitless potential in every girl. That message has never been more relevant than it is today. In 1961 Barbie took on three new careers, becoming a registered nurse, a ballerina and a flight attendant. Now, almost 65 years later, Barbie and FlySafair are drawing back the curtain to show girls in South Africa that careers in aviation aren’t limited, and they can become engineers, pilots, air traffic controllers, work in airlines management and marketing, become a safety inspector, and so much more.

Barbie’s career line reinforces the brand’s purpose to inspire the limitless potential in every girl. Barbie has always been a trailblazer across various career fields. In the 1970's, Barbie took on a career as a Surgeon, at a time when few women were applying to medical school. In the 1980's she took to the corporate boardroom as CEO Barbie, just as women began becoming Senior Executives. And according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, in the 2000’s, with only 24% of today’s STEM careers held by women, Barbie has been a Computer Engineer, Video Game Developer, Mars Explorer and Robotics Engineer, just to name a few.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with FlySafair to help show girls in South Africa that their opportunities are limitless. By giving them an expert view of the various careers that are available to them within the aviation industry, we hope to spark their interest in a career that they might not have been introduced to previously, inspiring the next generation of engineers, pilots and inspectors.” Says Terusha Naidoo, Barbie Marketing Manager for South Africa.

The Barbie brand believes in spotlighting industry leaders who break boundaries to inspire the next generation of girls. As part of the initiative girls were invited to join short talks, demonstrations and engaging presentations from expert women at FlySafAir, who specialize in different fields. Their aim is to inspire and continue to lead the way by sharing their insight, expertise, journeys and unpacking their career fields, so the next generation can find their professional callings.

"We are excited to show the next generation just how wide the array of career opportunities that exist in the aviation sector is. For us, this partnership is a great way to inspire and nurture this next generation of talent and encourage more diversity throughout all departments. Although aviation is often perceived as a male-dominated environment, this is an opportunity to showcase the limitless possibilities that exist for women and girls in this sector. We are extremely proud of our staff who spoke and all those who didn't, as they are living examples and role models demonstrating that the sky is the limit for girls and women with an interest in aviation.” Says Maryke Pienaar, Marketing Manager at FlySafair.

-- ENDS --About MattelMattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogues of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Monster High® and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming and digital experiences, music, and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us online at mattel.com.

About FlySafairFlySafair is a South African low-cost carrier operating in Southern Africa. Flights are available locally between OR Tambo, Lanseria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, George, East London, Durban, and Bloemfontein from just R550*. FlySafair also operates internationally, with flights to Mauritius and Zanzibar from just R2 950*, and Harare, Vic Falls, Livingstone, and Maputo from R1400*. FlySafair was awarded Aviation Company of the Year at the 2019 South African Civil Aviation Authority awards and Aircraft Operator of the Year, Aviation Customer Services, Aviation Security, and Aviation Maintenance Organisation. The airline has also been awarded the Skytrax Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa award in 2021, 2022, and 2023. FlySafair began operations in October 2014 and is ranked Africa’s most on-time airline, while proudly being the Trusted Domestic Carrier for the Springboks.

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