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WOMEN IN WOMEN IN 65x310 ICAO Avex Advert 2018 CTP PRESS.pdf 1 26/06/2018 6:33 PM
AVIATION AVIATION

STEAM CLUBS & ONLINE AVIATION TRAIN-
MEET THE GFPA TEAM ING – RENEE SMITH
Renee started her career as a draughtsman in the
1990s, in a class of 40 men and just two women.
GFPA FOUNDATION GLOBAL FUND – REFILWE aerospace professionals of the Determined to enter the male-dominated engineer-
ing industry, Renee has since worked in a number
LEDWABA future. of industries over the past 20 years, including road

MARKETING AND design and traffic engineering, wastewater treatment
plants, and civil infrastructure. To this end, Renee is
COMMUNICATION – part of the GFPA Foundation’s Executive Team. The

LINDA NGOZWANA Foundation recognises that although much is being

Linda qualified as an done to change the gender landscape in aviation,

Aeronautical Engineer we need to do more to attract suitably trained and

from the University of the market-ready professionals that can meet the needs
Witwatersrand. Being in a of the industry in future.

male-dominated field, Linda Through initiatives like Girls in Aviation Day

felt the need to be a part of and STEAM Clubs, Renee believes she can share
GFPA Foundation in order to her knowledge and empower girls and women

bring support to young girls to become the best they can be. She loves being
who want to pursue careers part of the change and wishes to see in the

in aviation and STEAM. Linda world by sharing my ideas and encouraging oth-
believes in breaking boundaries and stereotypes and hopes to inspire ers to be part of the solution. Renee is studying

other young black girls to do the same by leading in the promotion towards her N6 Civil Engineering qualification.

of gender equality and access to quality education as is underpinned

in SDGs 4 and 5. She dreams of always being actively involved in

the development of the knowledge economy and technology VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT – KUTLWA-

advancements in Africa and believes GFPA Foundation has all the NO HUTAMO

ingredients to achieve this. Linda is a delegate for United Nations’ Kutlwano Hutamo is responsible for volunteer
Camp 2030, which will take place in New York, September 2020. management at GFPA. She is a partner in KEMT

OUTREACH CO- Consulting (Pty) Ltd. She is the managing director
ORDINATOR – ZETHU at Washesha, an online grocery store that she
GUMEDE co-founded in 2016. She has 11 years of experi-
ence in the intellectual property (IP) sector and

Refilwe is a qualified Helicopter, Fixed wing, Instructor Pilot. She Zethu studied Bachelor of has worked in some of South Africa’s cutting-edge

is passionate about girl's education and sustainable development Science in Environmental science councils in Africa (Agricultural Research

in Africa. She is a Techwomen fellow (USA) Obama Africa leader Science at UKZN and Council and Council for Scientific and industrial

(Africa) and a Bill and Melinda gates foundation goalkeeper (USA). completed her honours in Research) managing IP. Kutlwano is currently

Refilwe is also passionate about education having obtained a BSc Geography at the University completing her LLB studies through the University

(Biochemistry and Microbiology), a postgraduate qualification in of the Witwatersrand. She of South Africa with the aim of becoming an

Business Administration, and an MBA. She will be perusing a PhD currently work as an Air admitted attorney.

in developmental studies. She currently serves on a number of Traffic Service Officer at OR Kutlwano has a background in the biological

organizations as a board member both locally and internationally. Tambo International Airport. sciences having attained a Masters in Veterinary

She is a member of the Tropical Diseases from the University of Preto-

Organization of Women in
MANAGING Science in the Developing World (OWSD-NC) which has stemmed ria. She has also obtained a Masters in Business

DIRECTOR AND her passion to get more women at school level to choose subjects Administration (MBA) from the Gordon Institute
of Business Science.
FUNDRAISING – in maths and science. Zethu hopes the foundation serves as a

NANDI ZAMA beacon of hope for South African girl children that they can become FUNDRAISING MANAGER – KENEILWE
Nandi is a military whatever they choose to be. LETSELELA

trained pilot actively Keneilwe is a former University lecturer in
serving in the South EVALUATION AND Environmental Education and Sustainable

African Air Force since MONITORING – LEROY Development. She has supervised and externally
2006. She is a Hercules BAKASA examined masters’ level research in Environmental
C130BZ commander Leroy is an Aircraft Education for both University of North West and

at 28 Squadron. Nandi Maintenance Engineer under University of South Africa. She has vast Project
has always been an the South African Civil Aviation Management skills having also worked as a Project

advocate for making Authority (SACAA) and an Manager/ Tourism Development for a District

a tangible difference Airframe and Power plant Municipality. Her comprehension of governance
in all she does and the Mechanic under the US Federal and fiduciary responsibilities has seen her serve in

GFPA Foundation is a Aviation Administration (FAA). various Boards of Directors including the erstwhile

realisation of that. To He served 10 years in the Invest North-West (now merged with the North
be blessed to apply her South African Air Force where West Development Corporation. Keneilwe is a

skills, knowledge and he acquired more of my love well-rounded businessperson running several
experience in empow- for aviation. Leroy currently companies operating in Educational Research,

ering girls just like her works for Safair Operations Transport and Construction.

is what she believes professional women in aerospace should strive Pty Ltd as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer on the L-382/C130 and She holds a Bachelor of Agriculture in Edu-

for. For whom much is given, much is expected. As the foundation we Boeing 737-400 and 737-800. Leroy joined GFPA Foundation to make cation, Honours and Masters in Environmental

hope to expand our footprint in South Africa and positively impact a difference in the lives of girls who love to be in aviation. In so doing Education form University North West. GFPA

over 100 000 young people. More importantly, we are establishing his hope and vision for this year under GFPA is to impact as much girls Foundation to work with like-minded individuals

a pipeline, not just a once off contact, of education and support to lives as possible making them part of the aviation family. in promoting the interest of STEM education to young people especially girls. Q

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