For Asnath Mahapa, the road to achievement and recognition was actually tortuous and fraught with rejection and uncertainties. She is South Africa’s first African female pilot.
This weekend, CNN’s television magazine programme, African Voices, will feature this African Amazon who has defied social barriers and broke glass ceilings to blaze the trail for young black women who seek a place and relevance in the deeply traditional and cultural African societies.
Viewers of African Voices will hear Mahapa, who currently flies Airbus 319 and 320 for South African Airways (SAA), as she takes viewers through her amazing journey in a profession dominated by the men folk. “It has not been all rosy…” she recounts. She goes on to explain that she went through hell to get to where she is today; “ I went through periods where I didn’t have a job. In actual fact after I obtained my Commercial license, I stayed without a job for over a year. No matter how many companies I approached, I just could not get anything,” she says.
According to data masters, Globacom, who are sponsors of the program, this weekend’s edition will feature Mahapa and other strong women across Africa who are breaking down invisible barriers by being the best they can be regardless of the challenge.
Another icon being featured is one of Uganda’s biggest media personalities, Flavia Tumusiime “Viewers of the popular magazine programme will see how this icon continues to build her legacy by empowering women to move into the spotlight,” Globacomsaid in a statement.
Another guest, Nicole Amarteifio, is the creator and executive producer of the webseries, An African City. On this show, viewers will be treated to her experience as she shares with the audience how her personal life inspired her to create the series and how it is helping change the face of the African woman within mainstream society.
According to Globacom, this edition which broadcasts on CNN International by 11.30 a.m. on Fridays is repeated at 3.30 p.m. on Saturdays, 1.30 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. on Sundays. Viewers can also see the show on Monday at 12:30 p.m. and on Tuesday at 6.30 a.m.
The 30-minute magazine programme last week featured Olympic Sports with focus on Julius Yego, Kenya’s Javelin thrower; Paralympics swimmer Achmat Hassiem of Cape Town, South Africa, and Zambia’s runner, Ngozi Asinga.