Zimasa Mabela
Lt-Cdr Zimasa Mabela is a South African Navy officer who became the first black female appointed commander of a naval vessel. She took command of the SAS Umhloti on 26 August 2015, succeeding Commander Brian Shor.[1] The Change of Command ceremony took place at Delta berth, SA Navy Dockyard, in Simon's Town, South Africa.[2] A mother of two,[3] she was named one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2016.
Early life
Zimasa Mabela grew up in the village of Lady Frere, mid-Eastern Cape and did not see the ocean until she was 18 years old. She joined the navy in 1999 and did not complete her BSc in education.[4]
References
- ^ Mortlock, Monique. "First African woman to take command of navy vessel". EyeWitness News.
- ^ "SAS UMHLOTI Change of Command parade". www.navy.mil.za.
- ^ "100 women 2015: Africa's first female navy commander". BBC News. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
- ^ "'I was just a normal village girl' - SA's first black female navy commander". News24.