My name is Bokang Kwadi, from Midrand. I am a 3rd-year student at the University of the Witwatersrand completing my BSc Aeronautical Engineering degree.

My interest in the aviation industry began in high school, however, I remember always being inquisitive about aircraft from a very young age. I had the privilege of being in a high school that offered Model Flying as an extra-mural activity where I had the opportunity to fly Radio control (RC) aeroplanes.

I attended the Girls fly programme in Africa (GFPA) foundation aviation and space camp in 2014. The camp introduced us to the vast world of aviation, broadening our knowledge of several sectors in the industry. When I attended the camp, I had hoped to become a Commercial Pilot, however, due to the extremely high cost of obtaining a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) I could not pursue it yet – I plan to obtain my Private Pilot license shortly after I start working.

We went on several excursions throughout; the picture above was a trip to SAA technical. The aircraft in the hangar were mostly stripped apart and I was fascinated by the intricate structure of the components. This planted a seed of engineering as a profession one day.

In matric when my parents told me that they are unable to fund the tuition at flight school, I opted for Aeronautical engineering. The camp was a great platform for me. I had the opportunity to meet exceptional women in aviation and build friendships with people of the same passion in Aviation as I was. The experience was absolutely empowering and informative, from aerospace knowledge at SANSA (South African National Space Agency) to the several team building activities. Which is why I accepted the offer to be a volunteer at the 2018 camp. I wanted to make the experience extraordinary for the young girls aspiring to pursue careers associated with STEM education.

Thank you GFPA team for the work you continue to do for so many females. May God continue to pour his blessings upon each and every one of you, for your hard work has impacted the lives of many.