Abner Hamukwaya, the founder of the Namibia Aviation Training Academy (NATA) and an experienced pilot, is advocating for greater participation of Namibian youth in the aviation sector. 

He sees significant potential for development and opportunity within this relatively nascent industry in the country. 

“The aviation sector in Namibia presents a promising landscape with considerable prospects for growth. By cultivating and employing our own young talent, we can not only foster the industry’s advancement, but also secure a sustainable future for our youth,” he stated. 

NATA is dedicated to developing young talent by equipping them with the essential skills and qualifications necessary for success in the aviation field. 

The academy provides a variety of training programmes, including ground school courses and flight training.

This prepares students with the knowledge and practical experience needed to become qualified pilots and aviation professionals.

Hamukwaya invites unemployed pilots to contact him directly. 

“I encourage any qualified pilots who are currently without employment to reach out to me. We are consistently seeking talented individuals to enhance our team,” he said. 

He added that the institution provides training for students, and subsequently employ them upon graduation. 

Currently, a significant number of pilots in Namibia are foreign nationals, which incurs costs for the country. 

As a result, there is a strong desire to train more local youth who have a genuine interest in the aviation sector. 

The institution has expanded its fleet from three aircraft to nine, and is now accepting students from Grades 11 and 12, regardless of whether they follow the old or new curriculum, provided they have achieved 22 points.

“The majority of pilots in our nation have graduated from NATA, and we train pilots from various countries. Our distinction lies in the fact that we not only train pilots, but also offer programmes in aircraft maintenance engineering, covering both helicopters and airoplanes,” he said.

He acknowledged that the institution’s operations are costly due to the high expenses associated with maintaining aircraft and fuel. 

Nevertheless, the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has alleviated some financial burdens for students by covering their tuition fees.

Limbere Fredoline Gabriel, widely-recognised as Captain Yo-yo, has reached a significant milestone in his aviation career by successfully obtaining a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) from NATA. This achievement is the culmination of years of diligent effort, commitment and steadfast support from family, friends and various institutions.

Gabriel’s journey in aviation commenced in February 2017 when he enrolled at NATA. 

From the beginning, the academy fostered a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere, which made it feel like a second home. 

After completing his ground school training in April 2017, he progressed to flight training, and earned his Private Pilot Licence (PPL) in May 2018.

Following his graduation, he experienced a brief period of unemployment, which was only five days.

He then secured a position after obtaining his CPL. Nevertheless, financial challenges posed a significant threat to his ambitions. 

Despite these obstacles, he was able to persevere, largely due to the unwavering support of his mother, and the financial assistance provided by the NSFAF.

“I am profoundly thankful to my mother for her sacrifices, and for her unwavering belief in me. I am equally grateful to the NSFAF for helping turn my dream into reality. Today, I proudly call myself a pilot,” he stated. 

He highlighted the financial difficulties that aviation students often encounter.

He encouraged aspiring pilots to maintain patience and determination. 

Additionally, he expressed appreciation for the updated NSFAF funding system, which is expected to facilitate the aspirations of future generations of pilots.

“Patience is a virtue, and hard work yields results. I always believed I would obtain my CPL, but the wait was challenging. I consider myself fortunate and truly blessed. I am not among those facing prolonged unemployment, a situation that many young people currently endure. Only time will reveal how long this will persist,” he added.

-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na