YOUNG PILOT READY FOR SIKHUPHE

MBABANE – Simiso Gina, a 25-year-old Swazi pilot says there are great opportunities for aviation in Swaziland.
Simiso is one of the few Swazis who have had the opportunity of training as pilots at the Swaziland Aeronautical Academy in Matsapha.

He said he first developed the desire to become a pilot at the age of nine when he was in Simunye where his father, Victor Gina, worked.
Simiso eventually completed his course at the E95 000 pilot training 18-month course in 2013.
He also graduated with a Law Degree from the University of Swaziland in the same year.

Simiso is currently working at the Sikhuphe International Airport as a passenger screener.
He is employed by the Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority.
Simiso excitedly said working as a passenger screener would take him closer to his dream of being a full-time pilot. “This has been my dream since I was a boy,” said Simiso. He can now fly a Cessna 172, which can reach a speed of 640km/hr.

Simiso said he had so far flown 45 hours, which include 20 hours on his own and the rest with an instructor.
He said for one to be an efficient pilot, he should understand various sections of the aviation industry including handling customers.
Simiso said he was at the stage where he was learning to handle people.

He said he would soon be getting his license as a private pilot.
Simiso is hopeful he will also venture into commercial flying.
He also admits he is often a subject of discussion among his peers because he can fly a plane.
Simiso said when he first told his father, a former police officer, about his dream, his response was: “It is a far-fetched dream.”
He said his father told him it would never be done.

Simiso said his mother Thembi Kunene was also doubtful but encouraged him to pursue the dream.
This did not stop him from thinking about being a pilot all the time.
He was first inspired when he saw planes which sprayed chemicals on the sugar cane plantations when he was about nine years old.
“I then said I wanted to fly as well,” he said.

Simiso said this continued during his early years while he was a pupil at St Paul’s Primary School in Lukhula, just outside Siteki.
He then later went to Good Shepherd High School for his secondary education. Simiso said as he grew up, he realised that he did not think of any other career than being a pilot.
He completed his secondary education in 2007 then enrolled at UNISWA in 2009. Simiso said he did not just want to be a pilot with a license but also wanted a qualification from a recognised institution. “Airlines no longer just employ anyone with a license. They are looking for professionals,” he said.

He said it was for this reason that he also enrolled at university so he could have another qualification in addition to being a pilot.
Simiso also admitted that enrolling for the pilot training course was not easy because he did not have the E95 000 which was required. Victor, Simiso’s father said he was proud of his son.
“When he first told me, I thought it was just a childish dream,” said Victor.
He said he has not yet had the opportunity to see him in flight but said he was ready to fly with him.
“I can take that chance,” said Victor.

Victor said Simiso had six siblings who were equally proud of him.
Thembi, Simiso’s mother, also said she was excited that her son had finally achieved his dream.
She, however, said she can never fly with him as she has the fear of flying.

Sabelo Dlamini, Marketing and Coporate Affairs Manager of SWACAA, said he was not able to comment until he had enquired more about Gina.
When called a week later last Friday, Dlamini said he had not yet enquired.

He said he would call after he had the information.
He had not called back when this report was compiled yesterday.

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