Safari Air used Girls in Aviation Day 2026 to do more than introduce young women to aircraft and pilots. It sought to help build the next generation of Botswana’s aviation workforce.
Held at the company’s hangar at Maun International Airport recently, the event brought together girls aged 10 to 18 for hands-on exposure to careers in aviation, aerospace and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Organised as part of the global Women in Aviation International (WAI) initiative in partnership with Chiedza CheAfrica, the programme featured aircraft tours, engineering demonstrations, flight operations activities and mentorship sessions with aviation professionals.
The event comes as the aviation industry globally faces skills shortages and increasing efforts to attract more women into technical and operational roles traditionally dominated by men.
Safari Air pilot Virginia Mafa said aviation offered rewarding opportunities for those willing to commit to the profession.
“If you want to be a pilot, study Mathematics, Science and English and do absolutely well in those subjects,” she said. “We use them every day. Geography and Physics are also important because they help you understand navigation, weather and the forces behind the aircraft.”
“If you want to be a pilot, study Mathematics, Science and English and do absolutely well in those subjects,” she said. “We use them every day. Geography and Physics are also important because they help you understand navigation, weather and the forces behind the aircraft.”
Mafa, one of the first Batswana women employed as a pilot by Safari Air, shared her own journey from a childhood dream of flying to operating aircraft across the Okavango Delta.
“As a little six-year-old young lady, I told my friends I wanted to be a pilot,” she said. “They thought I was crazy, but I grew up and I still wanted to be a pilot.”
She also spoke candidly about the challenges she encountered, including entering the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic and the costs associated with maintaining pilot licences and ratings.
The event gave participants an opportunity to interact directly with pilots, engineers and operational staff, providing insights into the skills and qualifications required for careers across the aviation sector.
Held under the theme “If She Can See It, She Can Be It,” the initiative aimed to show young women that aviation careers are within reach.
For Safari Air, the day represented an investment not only in inspiring future pilots, but also in strengthening the pipeline of talent needed to support Botswana’s aviation and tourism industries in the years ahead.
