Yolanda Kaunda

Yolanda Kaunda (born 1980) is the Malawi's first female aircraft Captain and its second female pilot.

Captain

Yolanda Kaunda

Aircraft captain
Born1980
Lilongwe
CitizenshipMalawi
OccupationAircraft captain

Biography

Kaunda was born in Lilongwe in 1980 and from the age of six she wanted to become a pilot.[1] She completed her secondary education at Kamuzu Academy in Kasungu, 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 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 female aircraft flight for Malawian Airlines.[5] They flew from Blantyre to Dar es Salaam.[5]

Legacy

A portrait of Kaunda features 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
  1. Twea, Brenda. "Yolanda Ndala-Kaunda and Lusekelo Mwenifumbo – The Nation Online". Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  2. Chatora, Arthur (9 March 2016). "Meet Malawi first female Captain, Yolanda Kaunda". This is africa. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  3. "Ethiopian Airline Malawian Female Pilot Makes First Successful Flight as a Command Captain". www.fabafriq.com. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  4. "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.
  5. "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.
  6. "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.
  7. "First Lady hails women pilots". mbc.mw. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
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