Lethabo Malesa, 21-year-old is a female commercial pilot from Seshego in Limpopo, South Africa.
Her visit to Pretoria airport as a primary school pupil and seeing an aircraft land and take off was all it took to convince 21-year-old Lethabo Malesa to dream of soaring the skies.
Her story captured the hearts of South Africans and inspired many in Africa and around the world.
Even Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema wrote about her obtaining a commercial pilot license in December 2023.
The country jumped to her praises, noting her humble beginnings in Seshego, Limpopo. She went on to accept financial support from the EFF pilot program and used it to earn her place in the aviation industry.
Malesa is so determined to make a name for herself in South Africa aviation that all she thinks about is soaring through the skies.
Family Background
Malesa grew up as a grounded young woman as she describes herself – with a Christian background.
“I lived with my mom. I give credit to both my parents for raising me. Even though I grew in mother’s hands, my dad was also involved and present in my life, emotionally, mentally, financially and academically,” she said in an interview.
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She is the oldest in a family of 5.
“I can’t say I come from an underprivileged background, because my parents could afford every basic need. I am grateful that I was able to cherish whatever they could put on the table and that I never went to bed on an empty stomach.
“My mom was unemployed, but my dad was working. I don’t remember what he was doing.”
According to her, she always knew she was born to chase her goals and achieve dreams.
School life
In every learning institution, Malesa was a disciplined student with a promising future.
She is certain news of her achievement wouldn’t surprise her educators in Peakanyako Primary and Bokamoso Senior Secondary School. She carried herself well until she completed her matric in 2019.
The pilot was a smart, reserved, well-mannered and interactive learner. She always made sure she was in the top 10 group, getting awards, and participated in many activities.
Malesa went to Superior Pilot Services at Grand Central Airport where she enrolled in February 2020 and completed in December 2022.
“I have always wanted to be a pilot from a young age. I would be inspired every time I saw a female captain in one of those old movies.
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“My love for aviation grew when I went to Polokwane International Airport on a school trip. When I saw those big birds, I knew that my dream was to one day soar the sky.
“I also knew being the first female pilot in my community would break stereotypes and inspire many young black women,” she said proudly.
Challenges & Achievements
Malesa said that her overall journey was tough, but she made it fun with the flights. She would fly her friends to interesting places, have lunch, do some activities and fly back home.
“My family were super proud. They could not stop calling and screaming. Some were even crying. I really made them proud.
I was honestly relieved when I finished, I wasn’t proud,” she laughed. “The training was so hard that when I got to the finish line, all I said was ‘thank God I am done’.”
Malesa said it was only sinking in now just how big this achievement was. She is proud of herself and can’t stop looking at herself in the mirror every day and smiling.
She stated that if she had not made it in the aviation industry she would be in medicine. This is per the reference from a paper she had at the back of the door in her room in high school, and she had written ‘pilot’ as her first option and ‘medical doctor’ second option.
