Zimbabwean Bishop applauds first Malawian female aviation captain

Renowned Zimbabwean Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa of the United Methodist Church (UMC) has joined the list of dignitaries congratulating Malawi’s first and only Female Aviation Captain Yolanda Kaunda who has beaten the odds in the male dominated field.

Captain Yolanda Kaunda on the hot seat
Captain Yolanda Kaunda on the hot seat

Malawian Airlines promoted Kaunda to Captain in March this year.

Bishop Nhiwatiwa came to Malawi Wednesday September 28 through Malawian Airlines to preside over the Annual General Meeting of UMC in Blantyre, Malawi.

According to Nhiwatiwa, he first noticed Captain Yolanda whilst reading the Malawi Tourism Magazine during his flight to Malawi and little did he know that she was the one flying the plane.

“At first I thought it was just an advertisement telling visitors that Malawi is indeed a warm heart of Africa. I never knew it was real. I said to myself Malawi cannot produce this much and later when the plane started off for Malawi we were told Yolanda Kaunda was the one flying us from Zimbabwe to Malawi. Seriously, I was puzzled and I felt some sense of joy in my heart realizing that Africa is really making strides in educating and empowering women though amidst many challenges,” said the Bishop.

During the church service, Nhiwatiwa told the congregation to stand up and give a hand of applause for Yolanda.

He said Yolanda’s success has opened doors to young women and men not only in Malawi but also in the African Continent.

The Bishop said Africans must know the story of Captain Yolanda and he himself will help spread the good news to Zimbabweans to inspire the youths make it in life.

“According to the article in the magazine, Yolanda has persevered a lot to reach where she is now. She is really opening a new chapter in the continent. We already have female Captains in Zimbabwe but not as young as Yolanda so Africans should really learn a great deal here and if possible use Yolanda to encourage and inspire all girls around the world if at least we are to achieve girl’s education,” He said.

The rank of captain is the highest level of responsibility in aviation circles attracting four accolades on ones sleeve.

While Malawi has had a female pilot before, Kaunda has become the first to reach the rank of captain.

The first female pilot, Fellie Mkandawire stopped flying while she was a senior first officer, which is a lower rank compared to that of captain.

Mkandawire was also amongst the people who sent congratulatory messages to Kaunda.

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Gogodasi
7 years ago

Malawi is not the first country in Africa to have female Captian. Kenya Airways has several of them and they fly Boeings and Air buses on long hauls such as Nairobi- Monrovia, Nairobi- Freetown, Nairobi- Dubai and even Kenya and Chjna via Hong Kong. Some of them have flown to Lilongwe via Lusaka many many times. So what is this Bishop talking about? Flying the smallest aircraft and covering a distance of not less than one hour and you make noise. The Bishop has not travelled much. If Africa is to learn something, it is fair to say it can… Read more »

Gogodasi
Gogodasi
7 years ago

Kenya Airways has several female Captains who even fly Boeings and airbuses on long hauls- from Nairobi to Monrovia, Nairobi to Freetown, Nairobi to Dubai and Nairobi to Guangzu,China via Hong Kong. What is Harare- Lilongwe on a 15 seater aircraft? What does the Bishop mean by Africa should learn from Malawi. To be fair, the Bishop should have just compared Malawi and Zimbabwe not Africa. This simply reveals that the Bishop has not travelled much and those making empty praises for the Malawian female Captain are equally ignorant of the strides some countries in Africa are making in the… Read more »

zabwino izi
zabwino izi
7 years ago

so inspiring captain!

GODFEARING PERSON
GODFEARING PERSON
7 years ago

Write such stories osati za ma false prophets anuwo. This is a good story and is real. Osati za walking in air, miracle money,

Lompha
Lompha
7 years ago

I am proud of her too

Madalitso
7 years ago

It gives me a lot of pleasure when people appreciate others achievements. Congratulations to Yolanda. Thumbs up to the Bishop for bringing out such news for all to appreciate as well

Point
Point
7 years ago

Infact she is not the first but second. There is Mrs Mkandawire first malawian pilot.

Fyabupi
Fyabupi
7 years ago
Reply to  Point

Mkandawire was just the first Pilot but Yolanda is the first Captain which is a highest rank in aviation

Eduardo
Eduardo
7 years ago
Reply to  Fyabupi

True, Yolanda is Captain and not just Pilot as Fellie was. Of course flying a plane like Felie did was also no mean achievement more so as she is a lady. Congratulations Yolanda. These are the positive stories we need to hear about our country osamangotukwana President ayi.

Zinziri
Zinziri
7 years ago
Reply to  Point

Read between the lines Sir. The article is talking about being most senior not just pilot

Logic
Logic
7 years ago
Reply to  Point

takataka ya dull yati ithire ndemanga

BUshido
BUshido
7 years ago
Reply to  Logic

takatakadi ya dalo!

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