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Air Lt Angeline Bosha in the cockpit

John Manzongo Herald Photographer
The Big African airshow that was held in Harare over the weekend was a pot-pourri of exciting events.
From scintillating acrobats to a fascinated crowd, the airfare had its own share of surprises.
But probably the biggest surprise on the day was the inclusion of the only female pilot, Air Force of Zimbabwe’s Air Lieutenant Angeline Bosha to be part of the 35 male pilots who took part in this exhilarating show.

Air Lieutenant Bosha, in her 20s, has become an air daredevil who is thrilled by the skies, speed and powerful air machines.
“I just love the adrenaline rush that comes with flying,” confessed Air Lt Bosha in an interview soon after she descended from the skies at the airshow.

While many of her peers would have been scared to take part in the airshow following the tragic death of two of her male colleagues, Air Lt Bosha did not back down, but went for the kill.

“I had to take up the challenge and fly,” she said.
Such bravery is rare among her peers; a unique characteristic Air Lt Bosha nurtured while growing up, having realised that she wanted to be a pilot.

When her peers were busy admiring Hanna Montana apparel, the lanky student was already reading books and watching television programmes on flying.
She was so fascinated with the air drills that she saw on television that she vowed that one day she would fly a big airplane.

Air Lt Bosha at the airshow

Having joined the Airforce of Zimbabwe in 2010 as an officer cadet, Angeline said her journey was not an easy one but saw her encountering and overcoming several hurdles.

“I saw an advert in the press where AFZ was looking for pilots and I decided to apply. I went for selection and I qualified. I immediately started training.
“During that time I would regularly read old AFZ magazines and that is when I saw Chipo Matimba in one of them. I then recalled that I used to admire her as the first combat pilot in the AFZ during my primary school days.

“When I realised I had reached her level, I said to myself if she could do it then there was nothing that could stop me from doing the same.
“I started communicating with her and she was so kind and encouraging,” she said.

A few months after she had started the course, she could now do lot of antics while in the air, something that boosted her confidence and inspired her to work harder than her peers.

Air Lt Bosha said contrary to beliefs that flying was a male dominated area, the field is open to all who have a passion for the skies and can handle the adrenaline-rush that comes with it.

“Many women think it is difficult to break into male dominated areas but I just want to encourage them to pursue their dreams.
“Yes there are hardships and through thick and thin I managed to sail through. I got in as a cadet then later started pilot training at the School of Flying Training (SOFT) at Thornhill Airforce base in Gweru.

“I am so proud to be participating in this air show because I know there are other women and girls out there who want to be like me.
“Having witnessed this, they now know that everything is possible.

“Being a woman does not mean you can only be a housewife, you can be anything that you want to be.
“Put everything in God and the sky is the limit. I was flying SF260, four in a formation in this air show”, she added.

Air Lt Bosha said she was recently posted to start piloting jets which are used on fly pasts on national events.
Being the first in a family of four, two girls and two boys and still single, Air Lt Bosha will certainly inspire her siblings.

She said her future ambitions will be to participate in many high level events demonstrating her piloting skills.
Air Zimbabwe Captain Chipo, who was formerly with the Airforce of Zimbabwe, said she feels highly honoured to have inspired other ladies.

“It is a great honour to be admired or emulated by others especially when you inspire them to fulfil their dreams in life. I feel so proud to have inspired young women to join the previously male dominated jobs.

“I have two girls who openly said I inspired them into being combat pilots, among them Portia Jokonya who became a pilot in 2011. I just hope and pray the young ladies will be able to encourage others to follow their path,” she said.