In 2019, Mandisa Mfeka made history by becoming the first Black African female fighter pilot from South Africa.
Born in Ntuzuma, KwaZulu-Natal, Mandisa grew up in Malvern, and recalls developing a passion for aviation as a young child, around the age of five.
Her mother and grandmother frequently took her to airshows at Virginia Airport, where, due to financial constraints, they could only watch from outside the gates as they couldn’t afford the entry fee.
Though Mandisa initially aspired to become a doctor, her interests shifted during her high school years.
In Grade 10, she began exploring career options that would utilize her love for math and science.
This led her to discover aeronautical engineering, prompting her to apply to various universities to pursue this field.
However, her career path took a turn when she came across an article about the South African Air Force.
After learning that she met the entry requirements and could become a pilot, Mandisa was immediately drawn to the idea.
“From the moment I discovered the SAAF, I knew that’s what I wanted to do, and since then I haven’t looked back,” she said.
Mandisa joined the South African Air Force (SAAF) in 2008 and began training at the Central Flying School in Langebaan in 2010 and graduated by 2011.
Her experiences as a combat pilot drastically reshaped her understanding of aviation and military life.
Yet, despite the challenges, Mandisa considers her role as a combat pilot to be an extraordinary journey.
“It is such a dynamic environment and so mentally stimulating, and I love it because I’m growing in my technical expertise and learning more about aerodynamics,” she shared.
