| 2024/10/06 |
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Media Statement
KEMPTON PARK – The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola congratulates Lieutenant Colonel Kgothatso Khunou for walking away as the overall winner in the aviation category at the Forty under 40 Awards. Khunou is the first female chief helicopter pilot attached to the SAPS Airwing in the Free State and one of 17 female pilots nationwide. The awards which are held to honour and celebrate young achievers under the age of 40 from various industries took place last night at the Raddison Blu Hotel in Kempton Park. The Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga delivered the keynote address at this prestigious event. Khunou was nominated together with Captain Zeldah Ntuli who is a fixed-wing pilot attached to the SAPS Airwing based at Wonderboom Airport. Khunou hails from the ‘dusty streets of Rustenburg’, as she fondly describes her humble upbringing as a ‘village girl’. She says a career in aviation found her and not the other way around. As a teenager, Khunou kindled a dream of following a career in science. Khunou has a commercial pilot licence and also holds a National Diploma in Biotechnology. Having a fear of flying, Khunou courageously jumped at the opportunity to overcome this fear when she was offered a scholarship to qualify as a commercial helicopter pilot. This ultimately led her to join the SAPS in 2014 as a junior pilot at the rank of warrant officer. Khunou is currently in her final year of obtaining a Diploma in Management (Aviation). On a daily basis, Khunou’s duties include attending to day to day operations by providing air support to ground units searching for suspects, dangerous criminals and assisting with search and rescue missions. “We are immensely proud of both our pilots who were nominated in the aviation category for the Forty under 40 awards. This is an example of the pockets of excellence that exists in the SAPS,” said General Masemola. Ends
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