Starlite Maintenance Engineer, Nomzamo Ngcamu was born and raised in Empangeni, in Northern Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.  She attended Empangeni High School and went on to study aircraft maintenance at 43 Air School, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa where she acquired her first rating as an AME.

“After being retrenched, I approached Emmanuel Mhungu, Chief Engineer and Accountable Manager of Starlite Maintenance Durban and offered to do shadow work to keep my logbook current and maintain my rating, she said.”

Nomzamo, made her mark from the first day.  She exuded enthusiasm and her friendly, humble personality meant that she fitted into the maintenance team with ease and soon became part of the highly respected and supportive team.

“Four months later, Chief Engineer Emmanuel Mhungu, offered me a job,” she said, “both he and Ronald Collyer supported me and taught me everything I needed to know about aircraft and more,” says Nomzamo, who admits that, “it’s a demanding career where we think and live ‘safety’ above all else.“

Nomzamo’s growth as an AME has been exponential since she joined Starlite.  “I am sure of one thing, that as long as one is prepared to put in hard work and dedication, one can achieve great things,” she added.

Making Starlite proud at the World Skills Competition

Nomzamo was one of 26 candidates out of 200 to represent KZN at the World Skills Competition 2022 at the provincial level. “It was an honour for me to be chosen to represent KZN and Starlite, South Africa. I entered the competition with the attitude of showcasing my best work and using what I have learnt during my career in aviation thus far.”

Nomzamo’s second place in the finals which is no mean feat, was narrowly flanked by an AME from Airlink.

“I would like to inspire young women to follow a career in aircraft maintenance engineering, as it is an extremely exciting and rewarding,” says Nomzamo.