AT just 17, Tinotenda Mupamhadzi (TM) is already charting a remarkable course in aviation, becoming the youngest student in the history of Airborne Aviation (the first and oldest aviation school in South Africa) to obtain a Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
Mupamhadzi began her aviation training at the age of 16 and, after four months of intensive training, she successfully completed her PPL shortly after celebrating her 17th birthday.
Her achievement has also placed her among the youngest private pilots in South Africa.
Trained by instructor Takudzwa Matsika, Mupamhadzi’s journey has been characterised by discipline, focus and determination, qualities that have seen her achieve in months what many aspiring pilots take considerably longer to accomplish.
In this interview with The Herald reporter Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo (YKC), Mupamhadzi speaks about her passion for aviation, the challenges of learning to fly at such a young age, her experience in the cockpit and her ambitions for the future.
YKC: At just 16 years old, what inspired you to pursue aviation and eventually become a Private Pilot Licence holder?
TM: Becoming a pilot has always been a dream of mine. I’ve loved airplanes and everything about flying since I was about four years old, so aviation has always felt like something I was naturally drawn to. After completing my GCSEs, I decided that instead of simply keeping that dream at the back of my mind, I was going to take a risk and actually chase it. I knew choosing aviation at such a young age would be a big step, and I didn’t know exactly where the journey would take me, but I knew I would regret it if I never tried. So I took that leap, committed myself to the training, and started working towards my Private Pilot Licence. What started as a childhood dream quickly became something I was working towards every single day.
YKC: Take us through your journey from starting your pilot training in April to completing it in just four months.
What did your training involve, and what was the experience like?
TM: I started my training in April, and the four months that followed were some of the most demanding, but rewarding months of my life. It was a balance of the theory and practical side of aviation — studying subjects like navigation, meteorology, air law, and aircraft technical knowledge, while also putting everything into practice in the cockpit.
There were early mornings, late nights, long study sessions, exams, and definitely days when I didn’t feel like getting up to fly or study. But I learnt that discipline is doing it anyway. We also relied on each other, helping with difficult subjects and encouraging one another through the challenging days. Four months may sound short, but behind those four months were countless hours of sacrifice, determination and hard work — and that made reaching the finish line even more rewarding.
YKC: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your training, particularly balancing your young age with the demands of becoming a pilot?
TM: One of the biggest challenges was learning not to let setbacks make me question whether I belonged in aviation. There were times I was told I wasn’t ready to go solo, and that was difficult, especially at my age. Even during my PPL test, weather delays meant I had to wait while others were getting tested, which could be frustrating. I also had to learn not to compare my journey to everyone else’s. I was sometimes so focused on trying to progress as quickly as others that I forgot that everyone is running their own race. I realised that setbacks and delays don’t mean you’re not capable — they’re simply part of your journey, and you have to keep your eyes on your own lane and trust your timing.
YKC: How did your family, friends, teachers, and instructors react when you told them you wanted to become a pilot, and how did they support you throughout your journey?
TM: My family was incredibly supportive, especially considering my age. They gave me the chance to pursue something that meant so much to me, and whenever things became difficult, they were always there to encourage me to keep going. My dad would remind me why I started whenever I felt discouraged, while my mom always reminded me that taking the first step was the hardest part, and that I couldn’t stop halfway.
My friends, teachers, and instructors also played a big role. They encouraged me, sup-ported me through the difficult days, and believed in me, sometimes even when I doubted myself. Having people around me who genuinely wanted to see me succeed made the journey so much easier.
YKC: Do you have someone who was grooming you or mentoring you that played a role in helping you realise and accomplish your dreams ?
TM: The girls programme under Life Issues Solutions Hub, headed by Mrs Fortunate Kufakunesu, played a big role in helping me realise that aviation was possible for me. It taught me that, as a young woman, I shouldn’t see my age, gender or background as limitations. That mindset gave me the confidence to pursue a career in an industry where women are still under-represented.
The programme also taught me that with God in control, hard work and determination, anything is possible. Those lessons stayed with me throughout my training and helped me keep going, especially when things became difficult.
YKC: Can you describe the moment you realised you had successfully completed your Private Pilot Licence training? What went through your mind when you took to the skies as a qualified pilot?
TM: When I realised I had successfully completed my PPL, it honestly felt unreal. I kept thinking about everything it took to get there — the early mornings, the setbacks, the moments I doubted myself, and all the times I had to remind myself why I started.
Getting my licence wasn’t just an achievement for me; it was the moment a childhood dream became real. Taking to the skies as a qualified pilot, I felt incredibly proud because I knew how much the journey had demanded from me. In that moment, I wasn’t just looking at the sky anymore — I had earned my place in it.
YKC: You have been described as the youngest PPL holder in Zimbabwe and one of the youngest in South Africa. What does this achievement mean to you personally, and what do you hope it means for other young Zimbabweans interested in aviation?
TM: Personally, being recognised as one of the youngest PPL holders means a lot to me because I know the journey behind that title. I was a young girl with a dream, and there were definitely moments when I questioned whether I was too young or whether I could really do it. So being here today reminds me that taking that first step and believing in yourself can take you further than you imagine. For young Zimbabweans, I hope my achievement can be a reminder that our dreams do not have to be limited by where we come from. I want other young people to look at my story and realise that aviation, and even careers that may seem far beyond their reach, are possible. If my journey can inspire even one Zimbabwean child to dream bigger, pursue their passion and believe that they belong in the skies, then this achievement means even more to me.
