Pilot training takes flight

The first batch of pilots – 17
helicopter pilots and 20
marine pilots – graduated
from Transnet’s Maritime
School of Excellence last week,
demonstrating their newfound
skills on the left at the
Port of Durban in a graduation
ceremony hosted by public
enterprises minister Malusi
Gigaba, chairman of the
Transnet SOC Board, Mafika
Mkwanazi, and the company’s
group chief executive, Brian
Molefe.
The helicopter pilots,
who achieved both private
and commercial licences, will
be flying marine pilots to the
vessels. This is the first time
Transnet has taken ownership
of training and employing its
own aviation pilots.
Speaking at the ceremony,
Gigaba said: “Increasing
access to training and skills
development opportunities
is an economic imperative
for us. We expect Transnet
to train beyond its business
requirements in support of
government initiatives to
address the challenges of skills
shortage and mismatch.”