Zimasa Mabela

Lt-Cdr Zimasa Mabela (born 1976/1977 (age 42–43))[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

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
  1. "BBC 100 Women 2015: Who is on the list?". BBC News. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  2. Mortlock, Monique. "First African woman to take command of navy vessel". EyeWitness News.
  3. "SAS UMHLOTI Change of Command parade". www.navy.mil.za.
  4. "100 women 2015: Africa's first female navy commander". BBC News. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  5. "'I was just a normal village girl' - SA's first black female navy commander". News24.
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