Susan Mashibe

Susan Mashibe (born 1973) is a pioneering Tanzanian certified pilot, maintenance engineer and businesswoman who founded her own company, VIA Aviation, in 2003. It supports private jet aircraft with services such as refuelling, catering, cleaning and logistics.[1][2] In 2011, she was recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum,[3][4] and in 2013 was a speaker at the Bush Institute's African First Ladies Summit in Dar es Salaam.[5]

Early life

Born in 1973 in Kigoma, a small town in western Tanzania, Susan Mashibe was the daughter of a civil servant. She was left with her grandmother after her parents flew to Dar es Salaam when she was four years old. Realizing that she would not be left behind if she could fly a plane herself, from that day on she dreamt of becoming a pilot.[6] She spent her childhood in Mwanza on Lake Victoria.[1]

After completing her school education in Tanzania, she went to Western Michigan University where she began training as a pilot when she was 19. While studying to improve her English, she entered a course on aircraft maintenance at Southwestern Michigan College qualifying as an FAA-certified airframe and power plant technician in 1996. She completed commercial pilot training in 2001.[1][2]

Career

In conjunction with her studies in the United States, she worked for Duncan Aviation in Kalamazoo repairing turboprop engineers.[1][2]

After earning her commercial license, as a result of the September 11 attacks Mashibe had difficulty in finding work as a pilot. On the advice of a South African, she decided to open her own company providing ground services for private jets in Tanzania.[6] In 2003, she launched Tanzanite Jet Center or TanJet with a small office at Dar es Salaam Airport. Her first client, Jacob Zuma who would later become president of South Africa, was so pleased with the quality of her services that she was soon handling all the private planes connected with the South African embassy.[1]

Today Mashibe's company, now called VIA Aviation, provides support services for planes operated by company executives, the military and heads of state.[2] Equipped with 80,000 square feet (7,400 m2) of hangar space, it was the first company in Tanzania and East Africa to offer logistical support services, including aircraft handling, clearances, security and fuel.[7]

Mashibe also heads Universal Africa Logistic Ltd. and Kilimanjaro Aviation Logistics Centre, handling authorizations for private jets throughout Africa.[8] In addition to her professional duties, she strives to promote the inclusion of mathematics and science subjects in education programmes giving particular attention to girls in Tanzania's primary and secondary schools.[9]

Awards and distinctions

Susan Mashibe has received many awards, including:[10]

  • 2009: Selected as an Archbishop Tutu Fellow
  • 2009: Tanzania Women of Achievement Award
  • 2011: Fortune Most Powerful Women Mentee
  • 2011: Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum
  • 2012: Women4Aprica Recognition Award
  • 2013: Global Development (IGD) Jennifer Potter Emerging Leaders Fellowship Programme
  • 2017: African Female Leader of the Year (co-winner) from African Leadership Magazine[11]

References
  1. Bryant, Jill (2013). Phenomenal Female Entrepreneurs. Second Story Press. pp. 79–. ISBN 978-1-927583-13-5.
  2. Mashibe, Susun (26 June 2017). "Taking a Dream to New Heights". Daughters Of Africa. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  3. "Susan Mashibe". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  4. "Susan Mashibe". Black Entrepreneurs & Executives. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  5. Wallace, Charity (23 August 2013). "Wall Street Journal Features Tanzanian Entrepreneur Susan Mashibe". George W. Bush Residential Center. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  6. Soetan, Folake (31 March 2012). "How One Woman's Idea Revolutionised Business Aviation In East Africa". Ventures Africa. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  7. "Susan Mashibe - The startup story of a Tanzanian woman entrepreneur with an aviation dream". Lionesses of Aprica. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  8. "Executive Profile: Susan Mashibe". Business Chief. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  9. Abana, Atti Mahamat (28 April 2018). "Susan Mashibe, dirigeante de la seule entreprise de jets privés en Afrique !" (in French). CulturEbene. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  10. "Susun Mashibe: A high-flying woman pioneeri in aviation services". Lionesses of Africa. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  11. Moeng, Bontle (15 January 2018). "African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year 2017 Winners announced". BizNiz Africa. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
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