Meet Sizakele Mzimela, a visionary leader in aviation and the first Black woman to own an airline.
Born and raised in South Africa, Siza studied Economics and Statistics at the University of Swaziland before starting her career as a research analyst at Standard Bank. In 1996 she joined South African Airways (SAA) as a route analyst, quietly learning the inner workings of an industry that fascinated her.
Over the next fourteen years she rose steadily until, in April 2010, she became the first woman to serve as Chief Executive Officer of SAA. During her time in charge she introduced new international routes, including direct flights to New York and Beijing. That same year she became the first woman ever appointed to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board of Governors.
After achieving so much inside established organisations Siza wanted to build something of her own. In September 2015 she launched Fly Blue Crane (FBC) with two 50 seat Embraer regional jets. With this launch, she became the first Black woman to own and operate her own commercial airline, a milestone in an industry dominated by men and large corporations.
Aviation is one of the most difficult industries in which to succeed. Costs are high, competition is intense and regulation is complex. Less than two years after its launch FBC entered business rescue and in February 2017 its operations were suspended. For Siza this was not the end but a lesson in courage, planning and perseverance. She continued to use her expertise to advise other carriers through her company, Blue Crane Aviation, and later took senior leadership positions in South Africa’s freight and transport sectors, including as Chief Executive of Transnet Freight Rail (TFR).
Her story is a powerful reminder that preparation, purpose and resilience matter as much as success itself. Years of experience at SAA equipped her with the knowledge to start her own airline. Her focus on underserved routes kept her mission clear even when conditions were tough. By stepping into ownership she expanded the picture of who belongs in aviation. And when FBC struggled she did not disappear; she kept leading, learning and contributing in new ways.
Her journey challenges us to examine our own ambitions. Where have we been waiting for perfect conditions. Which dreams in our lives remain grounded because no one has dared to act. Siza Mzimela built more than an airline; she built a story of possibility and impact.
Let it lift your vision. You may not be launching planes but you can chart your own route, take your own bold step and trust that even in turbulence your wings can carry you.
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