Zimasa Mabela Explained

Lt-Cdr Zimasa Mabela (born) 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.^[1] The Change of Command ceremony took place at Delta berth, SA Navy Dockyard, in Simon's Town, South Africa.^[2] A mother of two,^[3] she was named one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2015.^[4]

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]

Notes and References

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