South African becomes first woman to own an airline

South African businesswoman, Sizakele Petunia Mzimela has become the first black woman to own an airline. This comes after her company, Fly Blu Crane kicked off operations at the OR Tambo International Airport in September 1, 2015.

According to reports, she is also the first woman appointed to the International Air Transport Association's Board of Directors in 67 years.

Siza, as she is widely referred to, served as the Chief Executive Officer of South African Airways SOC Limited from April 1, 2010 to October 8, 2012.

Siza started her career as Research and Development Manager at Standard Bank's Small Business Division in 1991 after which she joined South African Airways ('SAA') in 1997 as Market Analyst and gained extensive experience in different business Units of the Airline.

She serves as Non-Executive Chairperson at Cargo Carriers Ltd. She served as Independent Non-executive Chairman of Cargo Carriers Ltd. since October 31, 2013. She has been an Independent Non-Executive Director of Cargo Carriers Ltd., since October 18, 2008.

Also, she has been an Independent Non-Executive Director at Ansys Limited since June 05, 2013. She served as an Executive Director of South African Airways SOC Limited since April 1, 2010 to October 8, 2012. She served as Executive Director of South African Express Airways SOC Limited. She serves as a Member of the Board of Governors at International Air Transport Association (IATA). 

With a BA in Economics and Statistics, she has also served as the Head of Global Sales and Voyager Programme at South African Airways SOC Limited. She employed at Standard Bank and Total.

Source: Pulse Nigeria (Pulse.ng)