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Cape Town - The time has come for transformation of the aviation industry in South Africa, according to Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters.
"The indictment is on us, that 20 years after freedom this is still the picture of our aviation industry. We cannot have equality in politics, but not in aviation," said Peters.
She was the guest of honour at a gala event at the Pepper Club in Cape Town where the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) launched its first bursary scheme.
The bursaries are aimed at addressing skills shortages and transformation challenges in SA's aviation industry.
More than 20 bursaries were awarded to young people, who would not otherwise have had the means to study in this direction. Applicants from all over the country were screened in the process.
"The bursary scheme is to change the predominantly white face of the aviation industry in SA," said Peters.
"I am sure white people in SA would also want to see the white face of the industry change."
Not only about black people
She explained that transformation certainly does not mean only having black people in the aviation industry.
"We also need more white males as cabin crew. It cannot just be about having a 'flying domestic worker' situation," she said.
She also made it clear that the transformation process would not mean providing people, who are not properly qualified, to the industry.
"Transformation does not mean take Dipuo and put her in a cockpit - that would be disastrous," said Peters.
"We are not looking for favours. No, it is about providing competent people, but the industry must also help with transformation."
She wants the SACAA to engage with role players in this regard.
New blood
"There is a dire need to infuse new blood and create space for people to enter into the SA aviation industry," said Peters.
"Training for aviation, however, does not come cheaply and we cannot have one particular area, which is only for the 'haves'. The way ahead will be challenging, but with a public/private partnership we can do it."
The bursaries are awarded to aspiring aircraft maintenance technicians, aeronautical engineers and pilots. Others will pursue training in avionics and aircraft structural work.
"Many kids want to fly these big planes, but a commercial pilot needs R500 000 for training and must then increase the number of flight hours on top of that," said Peters.
"This bursary scheme would be fruitless if we make training possible, but then they cannot get enough flight hours. We, therefore, need to create the space for internships."
Not just to play
She told the bursary holders to grab the opportunity and not waste it.
"Don't disappoint us. Don't just go and play. In five years' time history will judge us to see if we still read the same type of aviation statistics," she said.
She realises, though, that the cadets will need a support structure and cannot just be funded and then left alone.
"Don't be afraid to knock on the doors of your white compatriots. They were also helped to be where they are," said Peters.
"We must form a human chain. That is how we build our country."
- Fin24
"The indictment is on us, that 20 years after freedom this is still the picture of our aviation industry. We cannot have equality in politics, but not in aviation," said Peters.
She was the guest of honour at a gala event at the Pepper Club in Cape Town where the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) launched its first bursary scheme.
The bursaries are aimed at addressing skills shortages and transformation challenges in SA's aviation industry.
More than 20 bursaries were awarded to young people, who would not otherwise have had the means to study in this direction. Applicants from all over the country were screened in the process.
"The bursary scheme is to change the predominantly white face of the aviation industry in SA," said Peters.
"I am sure white people in SA would also want to see the white face of the industry change."
Not only about black people
She explained that transformation certainly does not mean only having black people in the aviation industry.
"We also need more white males as cabin crew. It cannot just be about having a 'flying domestic worker' situation," she said.
She also made it clear that the transformation process would not mean providing people, who are not properly qualified, to the industry.
"Transformation does not mean take Dipuo and put her in a cockpit - that would be disastrous," said Peters.
"We are not looking for favours. No, it is about providing competent people, but the industry must also help with transformation."
She wants the SACAA to engage with role players in this regard.
New blood
"There is a dire need to infuse new blood and create space for people to enter into the SA aviation industry," said Peters.
"Training for aviation, however, does not come cheaply and we cannot have one particular area, which is only for the 'haves'. The way ahead will be challenging, but with a public/private partnership we can do it."
The bursaries are awarded to aspiring aircraft maintenance technicians, aeronautical engineers and pilots. Others will pursue training in avionics and aircraft structural work.
"Many kids want to fly these big planes, but a commercial pilot needs R500 000 for training and must then increase the number of flight hours on top of that," said Peters.
"This bursary scheme would be fruitless if we make training possible, but then they cannot get enough flight hours. We, therefore, need to create the space for internships."
Not just to play
She told the bursary holders to grab the opportunity and not waste it.
"Don't disappoint us. Don't just go and play. In five years' time history will judge us to see if we still read the same type of aviation statistics," she said.
She realises, though, that the cadets will need a support structure and cannot just be funded and then left alone.
"Don't be afraid to knock on the doors of your white compatriots. They were also helped to be where they are," said Peters.
"We must form a human chain. That is how we build our country."
- Fin24
