On the 09 December 2023 the department of transport celebrated the International Civil Aviation Day in Bisho, Bulembu Airport, Eastern Cape Buffalo City Municipality. The International Civil Aviation is normally commemorated on the 07 of December, the department celebrated under the theme ‘advancing innovation for global aviation development’ with objective to promote global connectivity and raise awareness of the importance of local and international air travel to a country’s socio-economic development. The event was held by the department of transport in conjunction with the Eastern Cape Government, the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and Amathole district Municipality. It was supported by aviation entities, the South Africa, Air Traffic and Navigation Service, as well the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA).
On this day the Premier of the Eastern Cape Oscar Mabuyane said “it means a lot; it forms a part our overall agender of looking leach areas that we can work on actually categorizing our economic reconstruction and covering post covid, so this is the area. That’s why we had that week of festival flights landing here, people of local were here, were welcomed and some cleaning this place, they were seeing some serious future coming and they could feel it”. He carried on saying they are happy and they welcome the opportunity thank you to the President for allowing an event of this nature to came and take place at our province.
Along with the department there was Sisipho Nofemele from the Easten Cape Mthatha, Upper Xhongorha who is 25 years of age. She has been with aviation since 2018 June when she joined. “Aviation industry is a very interesting industry where you get to experience things that you have never experienced before and the only thing that you can do is to believe in yourself, and it needs you to be ready and confident” said Sisipho. She continued saying as a pilot it takes determination and boldness in person to become a pilot in aviation because it is not easy, it is tough but it’s doable. She said the are lots of opportunities in the aviation that you can be, you can be a Pilot, Air traffic controller, aircraft mechanic and so on. She closed by saying “for someone who would like to join aviation I would like to say giving up is not an option believe in yourself and make sure that you are determined”.
Premier Sindiswa Chikunga told the students how lucky they are because back in their days they could only choose from being a nurse, teacher, and a police officer, but today you can do whatever you want they should say thank you to democracy. She carried on and said “as the department of transport I can say not as NSFAS we have signed a Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with the universities of Eastern Cape WSU, UFH, NMU and other FET colleges. We gave them money and say take these students let’s say they want to do transport economics or any career under the department but taking those who meet the requirements”. She even told them about a program where in 2022 they took 5 students and in 2023 they took 8 to go abroad to study to be Pilots and most of all the students they took they come back with good results.
Noliso Jabe from East London said they are so greatful for this opportunity, and they didn’t waste their time attending the event because they come out with lot of information both her and her daughter.