Pretoria, South Africa: The world of aviation is no longer just for the chosen few. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) reshaping industries at a rapid pace, the skies are opening up to new and diverse talent. The recent graduation of the second cohort of women drone pilots under the UNISA’s Drone Divas Programme is a testament to this transformation. On 3 March 2025, at the Sunnyside Campus of UNISA, the graduates stood tall, ready to carve their paths in an industry that has long been dominated by men.
At the heart of this milestone is the Inhlanyelo Hub NPC, in partnership with Ntsu Aviation Solutions. Together, they are not only reducing graduate unemployment but fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. By equipping young women with cutting-edge drone piloting skills, they are enabling them to participate in the digital economy and leverage the tools of 4IR to transform society.
Bridging the gap between academia and industry
One of the biggest challenges in education is ensuring that graduates are not just theoretically proficient but industry-ready. The partnership between academia and industry—exemplified by the Drone Divas Programme—has created a bridge between knowledge and practical application. This aligns seamlessly with South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP), which prioritizes skills development and employment creation. Moreover, the programme directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, emphasizing the role of education in sustainable economic growth.
A programme built for impact
When the first cohort of Drone Divas launched in 2023, the goal was simple: get more women into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields by training them in drone operations. Originally designed to accommodate 20 participants, the inaugural cohort attracted 22 applications, and every single applicant was trained. Today, the programme has expanded to include Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) training, providing an advanced edge to graduates who wish to specialize in surveillance, environmental monitoring, security, and even drone entrepreneurship.
One of the most impactful additions to the programme has been the five-day boot camp, which focuses on business skills and entrepreneurship. It equips pilots with essential knowledge on defining their value proposition, attracting investors, and turning their skills into sustainable businesses. The result? Many graduates have already secured employment, while others are establishing their own businesses in a rapidly growing industry.
Stories of resilience and success
One standout story from this programme is that of Nomsa Longwe, who joined as part of the second cohort. Nomsa, an Information Technology alumnus at UNISA with a Bachelor of Commerce (Informatics) and an Honours Degree, had never interacted with drones before. The steep learning curve and intense training regimen were daunting, especially as she was pregnant during the programme. Yet, she persevered. Through swollen feet and exhaustion, she pushed forward, proving that determination and resilience can overcome any obstacle. Today, she plans to use her new skills in the security sector, adding another layer of innovation to an industry that is embracing technology at an unprecedented rate.
Another inspiring graduate, Masana Mtileni, hails from Giyani and serves as a Captain in the South African Police Service (SAPS). With her BVLOS rating, Masana now sees endless possibilities in wildlife monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and risk mitigation—all without having to leave a command center. She emphasized how the business model initiative by Inhlanyelo Hub has prepared her and her peers to enter the industry with confidence. “True success,” she noted, “isn’t about avoiding failure, but about bouncing back stronger.”
The programme has also sparked innovation. Graduates are already making waves with their entrepreneurial ventures:
- Lerato Sekano, founder of Atosphere, specializes in local drone manufacturing and radar detection systems.
- Masana Mtileni, through her company EcoVue Monitoring Solutions, is leveraging drones for environmental monitoring.
- Happiness Godora, co-founder of EduDrone, is engaging students in STEM events and drone racing, making learning interactive and fun.
What’s next?
The Inhlanyelo Hub isn’t stopping here. The next phase involves business support from the incubator at the Hub, ensuring that graduates have the resources to commercialize their skills. The Bosadi Artisans Project is another exciting initiative, ensuring that women who have completed their trade tests can gain meaningful access to the economy. Similarly, the Bosadi Fashion Design Programme, which started with 15 young black women (UNISA students), is preparing for its first fashion show in May.
And for those fascinated by artificial intelligence (AI)? The Inhlanyelo Hub is already preparing to establish innovation labs focused on artificial intelligence, creating an ecosystem where drones, AI, and 4IR technologies converge.
A vision for the future
Prof Raphael Mpofu, CEO of Inhlanyelo Hub, envisions a future where drones are not just flown but also built and maintained locally. Thanks to UNISA’s financial support, participants access this world-class training at no cost, ensuring that economic barriers do not hinder talent development. Also attending this event were Prof Thenjiwe Meyiwa, (Vice Principal for Research at UNISA), Dr MT MaseTshaba, (Acting Executive Dean at the College of Economic and Management Sciences), Professor Lumkile Lalendle (Executive Director, Planning and Quality Assurance), Prof Zethu Nkosi (Executive Dean of the College of Human Sciences). Ntsu Aviation Solutions was represented by its CEO, Mr Sam Twala.
As team Flying Jurist, we can confidently say that the Drone Divas Programme is not just about training drone pilots—it’s about empowering a new generation of innovators, problem solvers, and entrepreneurs. This is what the future of aviation looks like: diverse, inclusive, and driven by excellence.
To the latest graduates, your journey is just beginning. The sky is no longer the limit—it’s just the starting point.
#DroneDivas #InhlanyeloHub #WomenInSTEAM #4IR #FutureOfAviation
Prof Angelo Dube
