Efforts need to be intensified to entice more youth from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to join the aviation industry, North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise said in congratulating 44 students that graduated from the Afrika Union Aviation Academy (AUAA) in Mahikeng over the weekend.
In commenting the Nigerian government which had enrolled 36 students in the academy’s first intake of 42 students, Premier Modise said that her administration will consider increasing the number of students it has sponsored for the aviation programme.
In his keynote address delivered at the graduation ceremony, Special Advisor to the President of Nigeria on Niger Delta Affairs, Honourable Kinglsey Kuku reminded the graduates that beyond pilot training, character is vital.
“Affordability would have ruled out our participation in the programme that guarantees the take-off of our flying careers. Without the sponsorship of our training by the North West Provincial Government, our dreams to fly wouldn’t have been realised,” said jubilant 20 year old Thato Ntseane from Magogoe village in Mahikeng.
Thato, the only girl among the three students sponsored by the provincial government and Thato Serepelele (19) from Tlakgameng village were among the eighteen students who received their Pilot wings, i.e. Private Pilot License (PPL) considered to be the gateway to a career in aviation and is an essential part of the basic training while 20 year old Thabo Seane from Motsoseng obtained his solo flying license.
The South African flag was lifted higher by 25 year old Romeo Seane from Kimberley in the Northern Cape who graduated as a Grade 2 flying instructor and testing officers while another 22 year-old Olerato Matabela from Orchards in Gauteng also received her pilot wings.
AUAA Chief Executive Officer, Allan Charles Roebuck said that the on-campus training facilities at Mafikeng airport are the beginning of the first Aviation University on the African continent that has thus far produced 896 pilots ranging from Private to Instructors and airline transport pilots flying for the national airline today.
“The needs of our students were placed at the epicentre hence we celebrate their ambitions, achievements and triumph,” added Roebuck.
The academy is accredited with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as a flight training institution as well as accredited with the Transport Education and Training Association to protect students against poor quality training programmes as well as to maintain the credibility of aviation qualifications.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 086 620 4802
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
