Johannesburg, South Africa – On the 21 August South African Airways (SAA) celebrated women’s month with a flight to Cape Town from Johannesburg. What set this flight apart from other domestic flights is that it was operated by an All-Female crew.

The rest of the flight preparations were also conducted by females. On board this flight of flights to Cape Town were SAA female executives, led by Ms Zukisa Ramasia, General Manager of 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 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 Members Sonali Bissessor, Thilimbeli Mikosi and Michelle De Freitas.

Playing a key role in putting the flight together was Mathilda du Plessis, the Flight Dispatcher and 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 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).   

About SAA

South African Airways is a Star Alliance member that offers flights to 38 destinations worldwide. Domestically, SAA operates 544 flights a week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. Regionally SAA offers 24 destinations across the African continent and its international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 10 direct routes. In the regional category, SAA has received the Skytrax ‘Best Airline in Africa’ Award for 11 consecutive years.