A young female South African Pilot, is breaking stereotypes, and helping children reach their dreams of flying. Becoming a pilot involves high costs and extensive hours, and is still out of reach for many from previously disadvantaged communities. Boitumelo Katisi is hoping her company, Aviation Development in Africa, can change this, and get more youngsters into the field. CGTN'S Julie Scheier has more.

A young, female pilot is challenging the norm in South Africa. Her initiative, Aviation Development in Africa is helping township children fly.

BOITUMELO KATISI, PILOT & CO-FOUNDER, AVIATION DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA "A lot of Black kids or previously disadvantaged communities don't really know what aviation is, or what happens in aviation, how to become a pilot or a flight attendant, and so forth, so we saw the need of having this organisation and actually helping kids complete any sort of training in aviation by providing that funding through us getting investors."

Katisi's first open day, brought hundreds of aspiring aviators, searching for information.

NOMATHAMSANQA PITSO ASPIRING PILOT "They don't really talk much about flying and being a pilot or working in aeroplane. They only tell us what subjects we need for what career. And this day made my step closer to where I wanna be in the future, I want to be in a plane."

The first step towards becoming a pilot is a private licence. But the leap into commercial takes more than 500 flying hours.

LESEGO MODUNGWA, COMMERCIAL TRAINEE PILOT "It was a dream for me and my best friend actually. He wanted to be a pilot. I wanted to be a flight attendant but then I ended up switching because I wanted to be in control. I'm flying privately towards my commercial licence."

ALLISTER RAMABOA "You'll come across a lot of obstacles, a lot. But the number one thing is not to give up. You need to be passionate. You need to work hard. Nothing comes easy in life. You realise that with aviation."

JULIE SCHEIER, SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA "Many young people still dream of flying, but it takes hard work and a lot of money. Boitumelo has planted a seed to help develop the future of South Africa's aviation industry. JS, CGTN, SOWETO, SA."