FIRST AIRLINE BY A BLACK WOMAN GOES INTERNATIONAL

Fly Blue Crane is the first South African based airline owned by a black woman. It is set to go on its first international flight on May 13, just after eight months of the airline’s inauguration in September 2015. Before now, the airline flew locally in South Africa.

The CEO, Sizakele Mzimela, is a pioneer and veteran in African aviation with 20 years of experience in leadership roles. Her first job started as an analyst at South African Airways where she got several promotions till she rose to become the CEO and left to form her own airline. She was also the chairwoman of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and the Airlines Association of Africa (AASA).

‘’You can stand up and say ‘I am the best person for the job’. Understand that we just have to work harder. It’s unfair, but you spend less time complaining and more time finding a way to move on and break through regardless of the difficulties. Be mentally prepared that climbing that mountain will be different. I’m prepared to climb to the top. It’s your job to say ‘Nothing will stop me. I’m going to make it, ‘because it doesn’t look like, I’, sad to say, that things will change any time soon.’’ Says Mzimela, in an interview with Runwaygirl Network.

Lesson: The sky is the starting point for those who are determined to walk and work through the clouds. Despise not the days of little beginnings. Women can do big things. So don't believe in the lie that your gender will limit you.