Yolanda Kaunda (née Ndala) (born 1987) is Malawi's first female aircraft captain and its second female pilot.
Captain Yolanda Kaunda Aircraft captain | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1987 Lilongwe |
| Citizenship | Malawi |
| Occupation | Aircraft captain |
Biography
editKaunda was born in Lilongwe in 1987 and from the age of six she wanted to become a pilot.[1] She completed her secondary education at Kamuzu Academy in Kasungu in 2005, then went to South Africa's Progress Flight Academy.[1]
In 2016, Kaunda graduated as Malawi's first female aircraft captain.[2] Her first flight as Captain took place on 11 March 2016 at Kamuzu International Airport, in Lilongwe.[3] The first Malawian female pilot was Fellie Mkandawire, who stopped flying before reaching the rank of captain. Kaunda graduated as the second female pilot in Malawian history.[4] She was the only woman in her aviation class of 80 people.[4] She was granted her pilot's license in 2009.[1]
For International Women's Day in March 2017, Kaunda captained the first all-women aircraft flight for Malawian Airlines.[5] They flew from Blantyre to Dar es Salaam.[5]
Legacy
editA portrait of Kaunda is featured in a mural on the wall of Khwalala Community Secondary School in Mulanje.[6] She has been praised by the First Lady of Malawi, Dr. Gertrude Mutharika, for closing the gender gap for women.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c Twea, Brenda. "Yolanda Ndala-Kaunda and Lusekelo Mwenifumbo – The Nation Online". Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ Chatora, Arthur (9 March 2016). "Meet Malawi first female Captain, Yolanda Kaunda". This is africa. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ "Ethiopian Airline Malawian Female Pilot Makes First Successful Flight as a Command Captain". www.fabafriq.com. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Malawi Airline first female Captain inspires school girls to aspire". Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Malawi celebrates all-women operated flight: Aviation history for Malawian Airlines". Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Misa Malawi chair, lady pilot used as role models for school girls". Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "First Lady hails women pilots". mbc.mw. Retrieved 24 March 2020.