Zimasa Mabela
Lt-Cdr Zimasa Mabela (born 1976 or 1977 (age 46–47))[1] 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.[2] The Change of Command ceremony took place at Delta berth, SA Navy Dockyard, in Simon's Town, South Africa.[3] A mother of two,[4] she was named one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2015.[1]
Early life[edit]
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.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "BBC 100 Women 2015: Who is on the list?". BBC News. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
- ^ 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.