Air Force Hawk Pilot | Aviatrix | Wisdom Speaker
Airforce Hawk Pilot , Major Madisa Mfeka is South Africa’s first black female combat pilot and her journey to get there has required grit and determination.
Mandisa has always been surrounded by strong women; her mother and grandmother playing a significant role. From the tender age of 5, they would take her to watch air shows and this is where her fascination with planes was born. She dreamed of becoming a combat pilot but had no idea that it was even possible. As a physically and academically strong schoolgirl, she settled her sights instead, on becoming a doctor. But whilst researching careers in Maths and Science at the age of 16, she came across a recruitment advertisement by the South African Air Force. At that moment, she instinctively knew she wanted to become an Air Force Pilot and serve the defence force. Which she did from 2008.
She earned her wings in 2011 and became an overnight star when she flew one of the five SA Airforce Hawk Mk 120 aircraft over Loftus Versveld Stadium in Pretoria during the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2019.
Mandisa is also a motivational speaker in the realm of financial literacy and advocating for wealth creation and financial freedom. Determined and hardworking, she is still ambitiously in pursuit of reaching the pinnacle of her career.
Wherever that pinnacle may take her, what is for sure is that flying will always be deeply woven into her DNA; it is her spiritual expression.
“Dare yourself to venture into worlds unknown, for you never know what treasures you might find; what stories are waiting to be told. The sky is the baseline” - Major Mandisa Mfeka
“On this journey called life, we should celebrate. Our pitfalls, our heartaches, our mistakes and our losses; because sometimes life will shake us rigorously to remove those things that do not serve us, to highlight that which we still need to overcome in our pursuit towards our greatest self. Keep choosing the light, no matter how hard it may seem. Your gifts and talents are meant to be shared with the world, make sure you honour them” - Major Mandisa Mfeka
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MANDISA speaks to Strongest Story on the riveting journey of becoming South Africa’s first black female combat pilot and graciously tackling social misconceptions:
“ The automatic thing is to wonder about this young girl who wants to go into this grueling environment. But I have always been determined not to be confined by stereotypes because then we miss so much.
There are certain tools that society doesn’t equip us with, especially as women: how to be assertive without feeling like you are compromising respect and how to be self-confident and comfortable in your own body and not feel like that infringes on what you can do. If you’re open to learning and being diligent, being married to the idea of developing yourself daily – you can achieve anything.
The company you keep shapes the type of person you become – if you want to be a successful leader one day, surround yourself with those people so you can pick up and model those traits to help you grow in that direction.
If someone tells you you can’t – don’t take it, don’t hold it and waste time. Limitations can be subliminally programmed and you need to become aware when those limitations don’t resonate with you. I had to keep reminding myself, “Mandz you fly formation and fly aerobatics. You are built for this – you are shorter, you are female, you handle the G’s better than the guys.”
Don’t let anyone impose limitations on you. Ever.
When you’re in a male dominated field, or a field where you’re a pioneer, you tend to try and assimilate to what is already there and then you can lose yourself. That doesn’t inspire anyone. Instead, stand in your truth , be authentic and give from your gifts - that’s how you can be awe-inspiring as a woman!
Being a woman, working in a male-dominated space is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. It was a culture shock. It was not easy. I had to learn to become more assertive. You have to be physically strong, endure long distances, be agile and quick thinking.
Fighter flying requires extremely high focus. You have control of the aircraft performing complicated and advanced flying maneuvers. The take-off and landing is exhilirating but once airborne it is peaceful, spiritual even. My most memorable flying adventure was the first time I went formation solo on the hawk.
I wanted to see myself wearing those wings. I remember the moment that dream came true and I received my wings, it confirmed my belief that where you come from does not need to determine your capacity, your capacity is something that you set for yourself. The sky is your baseline. The excellence bar that you pushed yesterday should be your starting point, tomorrow.
The year after I received my wings, we were tasked to fly the Nelson Mandela funeral, but the cloud base was too low, and we were grounded. I was disappointed but so honoured to have been invited! I didn’t have the privilege of meeting Madiba while he was still alive, but I am representing the legacy he fought for and I honour that with every fibre of my being. I am so grateful to be part of the younger generation’s unique opportunity of having all doors open to us. Representing the first black female to come into the combat line and succeed makes my action more deliberate. I serve the country like I vowed I would: always staying ready for that “I will be there” moment.
I’m doing it for that young girl at the air show and to show her it is possible”
A message from Strongest Story:
Mandisa became a household name overnight after her participation in the inauguration, with many praising her for breaking stereotypes. Yet she has not allowed the fame to consume her and always deflects the attention by giving credit to her mentors and living by the #gratitude. She remains solidly grounded in the reality of who she is; a life-long learner, full of grit, driven by ambition and courage, aiming to inspire and transform young women’s paradigms. She is an intelligent decision maker; wise beyond her years.
As an older woman, I have been so impressed by my written conversations with Mandisa. I guess it’s that smile and infectious laugh that shines through her words. I was particularly touched to read of a mom who had placed a framed picture of Mandisa up in her baby girl’s playroom to serve as a reminder that gender equality is still something to believe in.
Mandisa, my 17 year old daughter no longer has a playroom, but as she now stands where you stood on the edge of choosing a career, I will hold your story up to her as a picture of what it looks like to aim high and love what you do.
Your unshakeable heart for women can be summed up in your ode to your little sister: “May you grow to conquer your own spaces. May you grow confident in your own beauty, to discover and love the gifts that the Almighty has blessed you with.May you discover your own flavour of bravery, your own courage and an immense love for those around you. May God bless you with the wisdom and inner strength to pave your own way. May you be grounded enough not to feel shaken by the spotlight now on you. These shoes may feel big to you now, but I pray that you never feel like you have to wear them... If they don't resonate with you, let them be, you'll grow into your own pair.”
Since that historic moment at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s inauguration, you have set social media ablaze and been inundated with radio, tv and print media engagements. Thank you for saying “yes” to us too. You are the epitome of female excellence and we hold you up high. As you get to literally spend more and more time in the clouds, gracing our skies, please know that from the ground, Strongest Story humbly salutes you!