Asnath Mahapa born October 1979 is a South African pilot who has flown for United Nations Red Cross and World Food Program in Central and West Africa.
As a teenager, planes fascinated Asnath Mahapa, little did she know she would break boundaries by becoming South Africa’s first African female pilot.
In March 1998, Asnath started her training as a pilot in Polokwane at G&L Aviation and later moved to Progress Flight Academy to obtain her private pilot’s license. On 8 October 1999, she acquired her commercial license and since then has worked with renowned organizations.
In 2001, Asnath joined the South African Air Force and worked until 2002. Between May 2003 and January 2007, she flew for the United Nations World Food and The Red Cross, mainly operating in Central and West Africa countries.
She has been recognized as one of the 100 Greatest Women in Aviation Worldwide.
In 2003, she received the First African Female Pilot Award by Black Management Forum and Limpopo Women in Excellence Awards by Black Management Forum. She was also nominated for the Woman of the Year Award (Science and Technology)
Asnath Mahapa was not satisfied with just breaking barriers and receiving awards, she wanted to train and inspire a new generation of pilots, so in 2012 she opened the African College of Aviation in Johannesburg, where she trains and inspires a new generation of Pilots.
Recently, she was appointed as a representative for Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day campaign.
