FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
MARCH 26, 2024
WHEN DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT
The inspiring journey of a young woman who always wanted to soar
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Tisa Muwema’s passion for flying was evident from an early age and was fuelled by her father’s career in aviation and her mother’s hardworking ethic.
A First Officer on CRJ jets at Proflight Zambia, her journey is one of courage and self-belief.
A fledging in the making
Growing up with a ‘pilot dad’ certainly had its perks as the young aviation enthusiast’s weekends were filled with visits to Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, where her father John Lwandamo Mutemba worked at the former Zambian Airways. Watching planes take off and land ignited a dream in her heart of one day piloting those great machines across the blue skies.
A patient perseverance
Although her passion for flying was evident from an early age, Tisa’s parents – with the future in mind – advised her to pursue a degree in another field of her choosing before diving into aviation. She heeded their counsel, attaining a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Namibia International University. Her dream of flying never waned, however.
“I wanted to be a pilot; I knew what I was destined to do and what my passion was,” Tisa recalls. After completing her degree, she embarked on pilot training journey, obtaining her Private Pilot License (PPL) in 2016, marking the beginning of her ascent into a career in aviation.
For Tisa, flying is more than just a job; she approaches each day as a new adventure, relishing the thrill of exploring different airspace. Her enthusiasm is contagious, making every flight a joyous experience for her, the cabin crew, and her passengers.
Taking to the skies
Tisa’s career with Proflight Zambia began five years ago, when she started off with the Jetstream 41, before transitioning to the CRJ aircraft. The shift from a turboprop aircraft to a jet presented significant challenges, but Tisa’s patience, dedication to learning and growth as a pilot served her well. She quickly mastered the CRJ, delighting in its speed and ease of flying.
In her years of flying, Tisa has stood out for her exceptional work ethic and determination.
“People are sometimes quick to disregard you as a person, even more so as one with an ‘impossible’ dream,” Tisa says. Over the years, she has learned to stand up for herself and let her work ethic show that she has earned her seat in the flight deck. In the process She has garnered both smiles and the respect of her colleagues, proving that gender is not a barrier to success in aviation.
A full heart
Tisa’s favourite aspect of working for Proflight is its people: “It’s a family-oriented airline,” she says, “We sit and discuss the daily operations, agree as crew on safety and network.”
She values the welcoming environment and the sense of family among her colleagues, as well as the adventure that comes with flying for Proflight; with routes that take her to destinations like Ndola, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
Home
Her hometown of Ndola holds a special place in Tisa’s heart. Flying there keeps her connected to her roots and staying close to her family and community despite her demanding schedule. “I love flying to Ndola because I was raised in Ndola, I schooled in Ndola, and my parents are from Ndola.”
Taking night stops are her favourite because then she can take time out to visit her childhood home.
Higher still to go
Tisa is a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. She prioritises her well-being by maintaining a healthy work-life balance and enjoys reading, going to the gym, and spending time with loved ones—activities that help her de-stress and recharge.
Tisa’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring pilots. She continues to soar through the skies, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, courage, and self-belief, and encourages others to pursue their dreams wholeheartedly, no matter the obstacles they may face.
“I set out to pursue my dream, not knowing what the outcome would be. But eventually, it became easier by the day. The journey is often times hard before it gets easy. I am proud of how far I have come; I can hold it down!” Tisa affirmed with a happy laugh.
-Ends-
About Proflight Zambia
Proflight Zambia was established in 1991 and is Zambia’s leading scheduled airline. From its base in Lusaka its domestic routes include Livingstone, Mfuwe, Ndola, Solwezi, Kalumbila, Mansa, and Kasama; seasonal safari routes Chunga airstrip in Kafue National Park and Jeki/Royal airstrips in Lower Zambezi National Park; and regionally to Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa from Lusaka.
The airline prides itself in providing a safe, reliable, efficient, and friendly service, and offering good value to business and leisure travellers locally and internationally.
The airline operates four 50-seater Bombardier CRJ-100/200 jets, a Bombardier CRJ-100 Freighter Jet, four 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft and one 18-seater Jetstream 32 aircraft.
More information is available at www.flyzambia.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Gillian Langmead at Langmead & Baker Ltd;
+260 979 060705;
info@langmead.com