Pretoria - Parents love to hear children talk about what they dream of becoming as adults.
However, most children change their career aspirations as they grow older and discover their true potential and identity.
Kelebohile Mothoa, 21, defies this norm. Her career counsellors planted in her the permanent seed of a desire to fly airplanes when she was just 8.
The counsellors had visited her at Sediba-Sa-Tsebo Primary School in Soshanguve.
All her life she watched her friends, peers and people around her change their minds about what they wanted to become when they grew up, but her obsession with flying and her dream to fly passengers across the world was not negotiable.
Her parents heard her speak about her dream and just knew the child was never going to change her mind. They they started saving money to make her dream a reality.
Today her story proves that when a child is disciplined and committed, and the parents are observant and supportive, dreams can come true. She is now a proud student pilot at Bluechip Flight School at Wonderboom National Airport in Pretoria.
Mothoa said she had endured a lot of hardship, and missed out on the fun other young people were having between 2019 and last year while she buried herself in books to equip her for flying.
“I finished my theory last year, and this year and next year I will be doing my practical to get my private pilot’s licence. After that I will spend another two or three years working tirelessly to get my commercial licence. I am almost there and I will not stop. I cannot afford to fail or quit. I work hard and I am very disciplined. I know what is ahead, and that propels me forward to my dream.
“I see myself working as a charter or airline pilot. It has not been an easy journey due to finances and the emotional challenges that come with it, but it has been fun.
“Life as a student pilot is hectic, full of training and tests. You never stop studying and learning. Every flight needs to be prepared a day before, hence you never stop studying. You basically just rest, eat, study and repeat that again.
“But I have many reasons to push forward, including my biggest inspiration: our late family friend, Captain Thabo Moeketsi. Because of people like him, I see myself being a successful pilot working for an airline outside of South Africa, and possibly owning an aviation school for orphans.”
However, she admits that she has thought of quitting many times, but her family supports her and looks up to her because of her relentless drive and passion to go after what she loves.
Mothoa said she loved inspiring others, and always told other young people who love the profession about the importance of staying fit and sober in the industry.
“It’s a great deal of responsibility for the safety and welfare of passengers and flight crews, and requires a lot of focus because there will be uncomfortable situations that will need immediate decisions. You definitely do need to be fit and sober to do this work.
“I tell them that if you love it, do the research, follow your heart, know what you want, stay focused and stay disciplined. Thereafter, look for a school that is affordable. I, too, have not received any funding from anyone or a sponsor.”
Pretoria News