Captain Chipo Matimba made aviation history when she became the first black African woman to fly commercially in Southern Africa. Her journey began in the 1990s when she joined the Air Force of Zimbabwe, where she became the first female pilot to graduate from the cadet program — a groundbreaking achievement in a male-dominated field.

After her military service, she transitioned into commercial aviation and co-piloted Air Zimbabwe’s first all-female flight crew alongside Captain Elizabeth Simbi Petros. Their historic flight from Harare to Victoria Falls was more than symbolic — it was a bold statement of progress and representation for African women in aviation.

Beyond the cockpit, Matimba has become a passionate advocate for women in STEM. She mentors young girls, speaks at leadership forums, and uses her story to challenge stereotypes and inspire the next generation of Zimbabwean women to aim higher and fly further.

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