The Most Influential Women in Business and Government were announced at an awards ceremony last week. Three women from the travel industry were nominated and the ceremony saw each of them recognised for their roles.
Bongiwe Pityi, deputy director for Airport Operations at Acsa, won in the category State Owned Enterprises (SOEs). She says: “It is quite humbling to be recognised as someone who has made a difference within the aviation industry. As a role model for others within and those aspiring to join the industry, I remain acutely aware that this places a huge responsibility on my shoulders to always remain focused and to work even harder.”
Captain Jane Trembath, senior captain for SAA, won a Lifetime Achiever award. She says she felt honoured to receive it as it is recognition that she has stayed the course through the challenges in her 31 years of flying and has been able to use that to benefit others. “On an industry level, I believe it signifies that women have come of age in aviation and I hope many more will follow in my footsteps until we don’t even notice any more that the pilot is a woman.”
Carla da Silva, regional manager South Africa and Latin America for Air Mauritius, was first runner-up in the industry category.
