24-year-old Lady makes history as first female commercial pilot in Rwanda, achieves dream
AFRICA | 24-year-old Lady makes history as first female commercial pilot in Rwanda, achieves aspiration.
24-year-old, Esther Mbabazi has made history as Rwanda’s first-ever female commercial pilot, breaking barriers and inspiring numerous others throughout East Africa.
When Esther was just five years old, she saw an airplane cutting through the sky, and her love of flight was born. She thought, “I wish I were the pilot of that aircraft.” Her resolve was strong, even though she grew up in a nation that had never seen a female pilot.
“You know what? “This idea I had as a young child, and that’s what motivated me my entire life—I’m going to fly,” she said.
“I love the adventure. Every day is different. Even if I’m flying to the same destination, something will be unique. That’s what I enjoy most about my job—each day brings its own excitement,” Esther said, addressing the devastating loss of her father in a plane crash when she was just eight years old.
Although some family members feared her aviation dreams were motivated by unresolved trauma, Esther clarified that her aspirations were propelled by her love of flying, not her past.
Esther refused to let societal stereotypes hold her back. “It’s a modern world. I have no fear of heights, and I like machinery,” she asserted. Her career has also not been without challenges.
On one occasion, a male passenger refused to board her flight after discovering she was the pilot. But Esther chose to focus on the overwhelming support she receives. “For every person who doubts me, there are thousands more who celebrate and uplift me,” she said.
She credits Rwanda’s progressive stance on women’s empowerment for creating opportunities for her and others like her. “In Rwanda, we’re seeing more women in non-traditional roles. It’s a testament to how far we’ve come as a nation,” she noted.
Esther’s accomplishments go beyond shattering stereotypes. She was recently inducted into the International Society of Women Airline Pilots’ Captain’s Club (ISA+21) and has flown the Airbus A330 and CRJ-900 for RwandAir.
“You know, women in Rwanda hold a lot of leadership positions. According to her, Rwanda is doing a fantastic job of educating and assisting women in all facets of life.
Numerous teenage girls in Rwanda and beyond have been inspired by Esther’s narrative. Aspiring female pilots who view her as an inspiration write her many letters.
“Everything starts with a dream. Study math, ignore the naysayers, and think about what stands between you and your dream—then completely ignore it,” Esther advised.
