SAA Makes History with First Black African Female Flight

Earlier today, history was made at South African Airways as two black African female pilots operated a flight together for the first time in the airlines 88 years in existence.

The flight which was operated by an Airbus A319 aircraft from Johannesburg to Cape Town, was commandeered by Captain Annabel Vundla who was assisted by Senior First Officer Refilwe Moreetsi. 

Captain Vundla is South African Airways first Black African Female Captain and First Officer Moreetsi is not only a seasoned and experienced pilot, but also the first Black African female Management Pilot as she is also responsible for Fatigue Risk Management at the airline.

As part of October 2022 Transport Month, SAA is honoured to operate this historic flight. 

SAA Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, says, “This is a milestone in the transformation of our national carrier. The airline continues to show leadership in transforming the aviation sector and overcoming inequalities in scarce skills and employment opportunities.”

SAA is a truly transformed airline with an ethnicity count of 63% Africans, 11% Coloureds, 10.5% Indians and 15.5% Whites.

“South Africans can feel proud of a national carrier that is truly represented of our diversity and we celebrate that.  SAA is a non-discriminatory, non-racial, equal opportunities employer with a strategic transformational role,” says SAA Executive for Human Resources, Mrs Mpho Letlape.