Premier Ntombela salutes Phetogo Molawa; the first black woman to become Airforce Base Station Commander
The Premier of the Free State, Hon. Sefora ‘Sisi’ Ntombela, has bowed in honour for Lieutenant Colonel Phetogo Molawa, who was over the past weekend handed the command of the South African Air Force (SAAF) Base Station in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape province.
Lt. Colonel Molawa (32), from Thaba Nchu, in the Free State, is not only the first black person to take command of the SAAF, but also the first woman. In 2017, when she was merely 21, Lt. Colonel Molawa made history by being the first Black Female Helicopter Pilot in the Air Force.
Responding to this achievement, she said; “I wanted to show other young women that I can do what men can do. Above all, soldiers get things done, we protect our country’s airspace and also contribute in building a better world during our external deployments”.
“I am extremely proud of Phetogo Molawa. She has proven that a woman, more so a black woman, is as good as any man in any trade and practice. We encourage other young women to learn from her, and reach for the sky. She has made the Free State very proud”, Premier Ntombela said.
Enquiries:
Tiisetso Makhele
Tel: 051 405 5799
Cell: 076 833 0033
E-mail: tiisetso.makhele@fspremier.gov.za /makhelets@live.com
