SACAA’s Executive Corporate Services, Phindiwe Gwebu, says that the reason why they wanted young learners to attend the road show is to inform them of which subjects to choose when they get to grade 10 - if they have an interest in pursuing a career in aviation.

Another reason for the roadshow is to find professionals that will reflect the demographics of the country. "When looking at only our pilots’ statistics in the country, we noticed that 85% of our pilots are white, about 11% are African, and the numbers get smaller when you go to coloureds and Indians – which is not the reflection of our demographics," she explains.

The message that they hope learners in the province will grasp is that there are opportunities in the sector for them in the future. "We are also saying there is support that is available to them – so that if any learner is interested, they can take the support that is being offered. However, for them to know all of these, it starts with raising awareness," states Gwebu.

For the past two years, SACAA had closed their bursary programme, but they recently reopened it and they are hopeful that learners will show interest. "We hope that the learners will take advantage of the opportunities and the advice that are presented to them."

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What is different from the youth shows they have previously done is that they have brought a drone show as well, because drone piloting is the next big thing. "Also, the drone-pilot training is much more affordable than the actual main pilot training," she explains. 

Drone piloting is coming up with different attractive opportunities for the youth because drones are used in most industries at the moment for delivery. "In mining, they are used to monitor traffic, in farming they are used to curb animal poaching. A drone licence has recently been issued to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) and they are now doing deliveries via drones," concludes Gwebu. 

Present also at the youth show was the Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, William Bulwane. He addressed at least 750 learners from previously disadvantaged schools in the Mangaung surrounding areas such as Koffiefontein, Trompsburg, Petrusburg, Gariep and Tweespruit, and said they took learners from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to show them the variety of careers they can have.

"We need more people in these types of careers. We were never given such opportunities while growing up, so I believe this information is key."

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