'You get into an aircraft, and it's not a typical office. What's not to love about that?' - Captain Annabel Vundla

Stephen Grootes speaks with Captain Annabel Vundla,about her inspiring journey in the aviation industry, breaking down barriers and empowering women to pursue careers in aviation.

Listen to the interview in the audio player below.

Captain Annabel Vundla is a trailblazer in South Africa's aviation industry.

It all began 25 years ago for her when she signed up to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) after a recruiting team visited her school.

She enlisted in SANDF, where she completed two years of military training. In 1999, she became a pilot in the South African Air Force and later advanced to the role of military flight instructor.

Her achievements in the aviation industry speak for themselves.

Vundla is the first black female flight captain at the South African Airways, and she also served as a member of the presidential cockpit crew between 2005 and 2010, when she piloted former South African presidents, including Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.

In October 2022, she captained a Boeing 737 journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town, alongside First Officer Refilwe Moreetsi, marking an historic moment in South African Airways’ history that a flight was operated by an all-black female cockpit crew.

Speaking to Stephen Grootes on The Money Show, Vundla discussed what drew her to the career and what she loves most about piloting an aircraft.

"You get into an aircraft, and it's not a typical office. Stunning views, and that is your every single day operation. So what is there not to love about that?"

- Captain Annabel Vundla, pilot - South Africa Airways

"When I joined the Air Force in 1999, I was actually one of the only women of colour at the time that joined the Air Force. It was such a new environment for me, but what a challenge."

- Captain Annabel Vundla, pilot - South Africa Airways

"...flying President Mandela and the different heads of state sort of exposed me to the professional part of flying, but also exposed me to being humble because I got to hear the stories that President Mandela had,..."

- Captain Annabel Vundla, pilot - South Africa Airways

"It's a lot of hard work. It's the first thing I emphasise, and re-emphasise. This is a lot of hard work. you have to have a passion to fly an airplane, but you also have to have the discipline."

- Captain Annabel Vundla, pilot - South Africa Airways

Scroll to the top of the article to listen to the full interview.