Windhoek
Works and Transport Minister Alpheus !Naruseb has expressed satisfaction with the transformation of the country’s aviation industry in including more women.
!Naruseb expressed his satisfaction on Tuesday while celebrating and presenting gifts to 15 local women for their personal and professional achievements as pilots, as well as the contribution of women to the country’s aviation industry in general.
The event formed part of the International Women Day celebrations and took place at the ministry’s head office in Windhoek.
In a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Sankwasa James Sankwasa, !Naruseb said although only 10 percent of the 450 registered aircraft maintenance engineers are women, in general he is very pleased with the notable achievements made by the sector in including women in the aviation industry.
“I can say to a certain degree Namibia is doing fairly well, given the number of women present here today. I’m very pleased to be associated with the ministry’s notable past and present efforts that have enabled so many women [to secure] financial assistance to pursue their dream careers,” he stated.
!Naruseb also used the opportunity to inform the audience and the country at large of the decision taken by the ministry in 2012 to incorporate aircraft maintenance engineers in its bursary scheme.
He added that of some aircraft maintenance engineering students are now on the verge of graduating from 43 Air School in Port Alfred, South Africa. Of the nine maintenance engineering students, three are women.
According to !Naruseb, the ministry also afforded two of its staff members ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) Fellowships to complete their diplomas in aircraft maintenance engineering in Ethiopia.