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‘As we celebrate the strides made by women this Women’s Month, we need to emulate the moral values of those who came before us. Part of that is equipping our children, especially young girls, with the skills needed to navigate an ever-evolving world.’
by NONTOBEKO AISHA MKHWANAZI
WHEN Fatima Jakoet took to the skies, she did more than just navigate an airplane. She broke barriers, shattered stereotypes and inspired future generations. As South Africa’s first Muslim female pilot to fly commercial airplanes, Jakoet’s story is one of resilience, determination and unparalleled passion.
Her pioneering achievements are particularly noteworthy as South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, influenced by the historic Women’s March on August 9, 1956.
On this significant day, 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against oppressive Apartheid laws. Their bravery and unity marked a transformative moment in the struggle for freedom and set a powerful precedent that continues to motivate women today.
In an interview, Jakoet emphasised the importance of celebrating women not only during this period but throughout the year.
‘Women’s Month highlights that women are special and should be celebrated. It’s an opportunity to recognise the sacrifices and contributions made by women in various communities. However, we are not women only during this month; our daily challenges and how we overcome them should be celebrated every day,’ says Jakoet.
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She also draws attention to the challenges many women face, such as single motherhood and financial instability.
‘Despite these challenges, women continue to be the backbone of our society. They nurture and give their all to their families – from women in rural areas who carry buckets of water over their heads and walk long distances, to street vendors struggling to provide for their families, to women in different fields who face different forms of discrimination. All deserve to be celebrated,’ Jakoet declared
Following in the footsteps of great women before her, Jakoet, in her 40s and based in Cape Town, has made a significant mark in aviation. Her journey started as a qualified forensic toxicologist and narcotics expert. During this time, she worked at the airport, reigniting her passion for flying and leading her to work hard to achieve her goals.
She began her tenure at South African Airways (SAA) in 2001, initially flying the Boeing 747-400 and 747-800. She later transitioned to the Airbus 340 series for international routes and the Airbus 319/320. This passion, however, came with its own set of challenges.
Reflecting on these challenges, Jakoet says one of her biggest challenges was being a Muslim female pilot in 2001.
‘As a country, we were a few years into democracy, and people’s mindsets had not yet changed. After 9/11, it became even more difficult for hijabi pilots. Additionally, some men were uncomfortable with a woman in the cockpit, especially someone of a different skin colour and accent,’ said Jakoet.
Despite the adversity, Jakoet chose to persevere, learning that ‘other people’s opinions of you can’t define you. You can influence their opinions through your behaviour and interactions with them.’
Her experiences have shaped her leadership approach, teaching her the importance of setting an example and striving for excellence.
‘Back then, there was no social media to express the challenges I was facing and there was no support in my space. I learned to be assertive and steadfast, although it was out of my comfort zone. However, this experience allowed me to practice Islamic teachings, like treating people with kindness regardless of their attitude towards me,’ noted Jakoet.
She has also drawn motivation from Islamic teachings on seeking knowledge and from historical Islamic women such as Khadijah (RA), Umm Salama (RA), and Fatimah al-Fihri.
Jakoet holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Stellenbosch Business School, is an undergraduate in chemistry, an alumni of Harvard Business School where she completed the Executive Leadership Programme, and many more qualifications in aviation, science and technology.
Her commitment to fostering a bright future for upcoming generations in aviation is evident through her establishment of Sakhikamva Foundation, a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), in 2010.
‘The aim of this organisation is to connect children to global citizenship and create opportunities, especially for those from impoverished backgrounds,’ said Jakoet.
She adds that the organisation provides children with opportunities to dream beyond their daily realities.
‘While social media exposes children to both good and bad role models, it often inspires unrealistic goals. Meeting a role model in person and hearing about their challenges and triumphs fosters hope and creates a realistic vision, encouraging hard work and self-determination,’ Jakoet highlighted.
Among the foundation’s flagship projects is the world’s first Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Aerospace and Mathematics (STREAM) laboratory, launched in June 2015 by Jakoet.
With the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, Jakoet decided to leave her pilot career and focus on entrepreneurship and the foundation, which also empowers young girls through various initiatives.
‘As we celebrate the strides made by women this Women’s Month, we need to emulate the moral values of those who came before us. Part of that is equipping our children, especially young girls, with the skills needed to navigate an ever-evolving world. We must unite as men and women to make the world a better place, allowing everyone to make a meaningful impact on society,’ said Jakoet.
This article was first published in the August 2, 2024 print edition of Muslim Views.
