President - Dare To Dream |
Author of “Born To Fly: The Story of a Female Military Pilot Rising in Africa”
Pilot | Public & Motivational Speaker
Captain Kgomotso Phatsima's journey from a small village to becoming one of the first female Military Pilots in the Botswana Defence Force is an inspiring tale of determination and achievement. Growing up in the humble village of Ledumadumane, located near Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, she walked barefoot to school, all while harboring a deep-seated passion for flying, inspired by the airplanes passing over her mother's house. Armed with a Bachelor of Education Science in Mathematics and Physics, Captain Phatsima joined the Botswana Defence Force in 2009, undergoing a year-long basic military training. Her story took a transformative turn when she qualified as one of the first female Military Pilots in the Botswana Defence Force, realizing her childhood dream.
In response to her own journey, Captain Phatsima founded Dare to Dream, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering young women and girls in STEM Aviation and Aerospace, as well as Entrepreneurship development skills. She leverages the power of flight to ignite dreams, celebrate passion, and promote diversity and inclusion, particularly among those who, like her, grew up in villages without exposure to aviation opportunities.
Captain Phatsima's educational achievements include a Commercial Pilot License from the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana, a Basic Military Flying qualification from the Flying Training School (Botswana Defence Force), a Master of Science (MSc) in Strategic Management from the University of Derby, and a Bachelor of Education Science in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Botswana.
Reflecting on her journey, Captain Phatsima emphasizes her commitment to inspiring the next generation, especially girls from villages like hers, who may not have had the opportunity to interact with pilots or experience the inside of a flying machine. Dare to Dream serves as a platform to provide young individuals with the chances she never had, using the power of flight to instill a sense of purpose in their education.
Beyond her contributions to aviation, Captain Phatsima is a social entrepreneur dedicated to advancing youth, women, and girls in STEAME (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Entrepreneurship). Her accolades include being among the first female military pilots in the Botswana Defence Force, winning the Botswana Youth Awards Best Female of the Year 2017, and receiving the 80th British High Commission Commonwealth Point of Light Award.
As an Obama Foundation Africa Leaders Fellow and an alumna of the International Visitor Leadership Program for Women Leaders Promoting Peace and Security in the USA, Captain Phatsima continues to make waves as a motivational speaker, coach, and a symbol of empowerment. Her story, documented in the CNN African Voice's Changemakers Documentary, serves as an inspiration for aspiring individuals, proving that dreams can take flight regardless of one's background or circumstances.
Social Media Handles:
LinkedIn: Kgomotso Phatsima
Instagram: @kgomotsophatsima
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