Precious Sibalo’s journey is an inspiring testament to perseverance, determination, and resilience.
Born in Zimbabwe and raised by her grandparents after the tragic loss of her mother, Sibalo faced life’s challenges head-on.
At just 17, she became a young mother and relocated to South Africa, where she worked as a waitress to support herself and her child.
Her ambitions, however, never wavered. She dreamed of becoming a pilot and used her job as a stepping stone toward that goal.
Later, she moved to Dubai, where she continued working as a waitress and eventually applied for a cabin crew position at Qatar Airways.
Out of six friends who applied, she was the only one accepted.
She worked at Qatar Airways for five years, saving diligently to fund her pilot training.
In 2017, Sibalo took a major step toward her dream by enrolling in the Integrated Airline Transport Pilot License (IATPL) program at 43 Air School in South Africa.
On November 24, 2020, she earned her Commercial Pilot License, fulfilling her childhood aspiration of becoming a pilot.
Today, Sibalo is a certified commercial pilot, philanthropist, and motivational speaker.
Beyond her aviation career, Sibalo is deeply committed to giving back.
She founded the Precious Wings Foundation to empower marginalized children and serves as an Advisory Board Member at Women Power Africa.
She also uses her platform to inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter the obstacles.
Currently, she is working on her Flight Instructor’s Rating and building flying hours, aiming to pilot large aircraft for Qatar Airways. Her advice to others is profound:
“People should never give up on their dreams. I used the job of a waitress as a stepping stone. Some people will always say, ‘I will never take this job.’ No, take it and use it as a stepping stone. The same waitress job took me to Dubai and paved the way for my job at Qatar Airways,” she said.
Notably, Sibalo’s story is a shining example of how dedication and a positive mindset can transform even the most challenging circumstances into opportunities.
