Aspiring pilot from KaMhlushwa needs help to achieve dream

Immaculate Masuku (21) says she is determined to make her way into the male-dominated aviation industry.

Having accumulated 45.5 hours of flying already, Masuku says she needs 22.5 more hours to realise her dream of attaining her private pilot’s licence (PPL).

“My love of aviation started showing when I was only 12 years old. While navigating through my academic years, I knew I wanted to end up in aviation. I would often be told by others that it is impossible for a black girl to become a pilot as the industry is male-dominated. I did not feel discouraged, but was actually more determined to prove that it is very possible to achieve what you desire in life as long as you remain focused,” said Masuku.

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She matriculated from Beacon College in 2021 and says financial constraints are what stand between her and a PPL.

“I am currently enrolled at Kishugu Aviation Training situated at the Nelspruit Airfield, where I am studying towards my PPL. I have completed and passed all eight exams that I wrote before commencing the practical flying lessons in November 2022. My parents have been assisting with the funding for the training so far. However, my family is currently facing financial challenges, hence they are unable to continue funding my lessons.”

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“For my dream to become a reality, I am in need of a total of R60 000 to facilitate the completion of my PPL. I am therefore humbly appealing for assistance with the funding required in order to achieve my dream. My goal is to become an airline pilot some day and work for our national airlines, which include South African Airways, SA Airlink and Safair, to name a few, or any other charter aviation company within our nation.”