The sky is no limit for Refilwe Ledwaba, 26, who has become the first black female helicopter pilot in the South African Police Service. There were smiles and kudos all round on Wednesday when Ledwaba, who comes from Tzaneen in Limpopo, was congratulated by the SAPS at a function in Pretoria.
Top brass hailed Ledwaba's achievement as a "success story and another sign that the police service belongs to all South Africans". Divisional Commissioner of Operational Response Services Arno Lamoer encouraged black women to follow in Ledwaba's footsteps, adding that he was proud of the transformation that had taken place within the SAPS.
The new helicopter pilot, a University of Cape Town BSc graduate, said she had become interested in flying "just to explore" the idea of being in the sky.
Having met the pilot training entry requirements with her maths and science achievements, she joined a programme offered by the SAPS in 2004.
Her ability to handle heights was tested. She underwent a psychometric test to check whether she was mentally fit to become a pilot.
Ledwaba trained at 43 Air School in Port Alfred where she started her career as a pilot. She later went for further training at Starlight Aviation before returning to the SAPS. She has completed 30 hours of flying for the SAPS and is enjoying herself.
"At first it was just one of those things that come into one's mind. It later grew in me that I could make it as pilot and my love of flying kept me going. Now, I just love it.
"I'm not able to talk about any challenges or difficulties on my way to becoming a pilot because it has been like playing any other fun game. My love for what I'm doing has helped me to do it. I'm glad that others may follow this career because I have shown them that it is possible to make it," said Ledwaba.