It was a great day for women in the African drone space last week, as many of them got just rewards for their sterling work at the seventh Annual Women in Emerging Aviation Technologies Awards in Washington DC.

Organised by Women and Drones, the ceremony is an annual celebration of female trailblazers, innovators, mentors, and business leaders who are making significant contributions to the UAS/AAM industry all over the world.

And this year, a remarkable number of women making positive strides in the African drone industry made the continent proud.

Queen Ndlovu, the CEO and founder of QP Drone Tech, and managing director of South Africa Flying Labs, took home the Humanitarian Award, which she received as recognition for the role her organisation has played in introducing drone and robotics-based STEM education to young people in South Africa, and raising awareness about the positive impact of drones in the country.

“Her efforts have helped foster public trust and acceptance of drones among stakeholders and communities,” Women and Drones said of her efforts.

Naturally elated with such an honour of world-class record, Ndlovu she reckoned the work her organisations are doing in offering sustainable drone-based solutions, especially in the area of disaster recovery; as well as introducing drone technology to young South Africans in under-privileged communities; played a part in convincing the judging panel.

“I think I have received the Humanitarian award because of the work we do to close the digital divide by training unemployed youth in 4IR and the school in rural areas,” Ndlovu said.

“We also work hard to address the issue of climate change by hosting an annual Drones in Disaster Management event, so we encourage communities to contribute carbon reducing activities that will help in the country achieving its sustainable goals and ambitions.”

This year’s awards ceremony was also the turn for the world to be introduced to Kim James, Africa’s favourite Drone Chick, who has been a leading light in drone technology evangelism on the continent.

And it is about time too; there was a time around 2018 when there were so few women in the drone industry in Africa; and the battle looked lonesome for Kim, Louise Jupp and Dr Debbie Jewitt and a handful others in the industry at the time.

But then Louise founded Women and Drones Africa Chapter, and together with Kim, they located and started connecting female drone professionals all over Africa, and in turn started inspiring other women to try their hand into the drone business.

We have chronicled here how Kim has been tireless in finding placements for new female drone recruits in South Africa, also including people with disabilities.

And all that is besides her day-to-day work as director at UAV Aerial Works, a South African drone services company that is carving out its niche space with industrial drone services such as security and surveillance.

At this year’s awards, Kim was nominated alongside eleven other women for the 2023 Women to Watch in Emerging Aviation Technologies, which recognises preeminent women in business, government and education, working within the Uncrewed Aviation Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industries.

“Doing what I do in our business but also for the greater good of our industry, our specialism and others, and being recognized for it, spurs me on to do even more,” said Kim.

“It means a lot. I have to say, spending time with so many female giants in their own right, was so inspiring and fed my soul. I fly home today with a happy heart, a big smile and head of full of ideas and inspiration.”

Also among the women to be celebrated in this category is Dr Debbie Jewitt, an environmental conservation stalwart who was already using drone technology by the the year 2016, and sharing her experiences with other technology enthusiasts at the time.

Real early adopter vibes.

Dr Jewitt and her colleagues at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, an animal and environmental conservation agency in KwaZulu Natal province, use drones to identify and mitigate threats to the ecosystem by collecting important biodiversity data in more efficient and effective ways.

The awards ceremony also made a Hall-of-Famer out of Sonet Kock, the Director of AviComply who helps aviation professionals navigate the legal and regulatory minefield, especially in Southern Africa. Sonet is also part of Premier Mapping Africa, and survey and mapping services provider that recently made history by developing the Cullinan survey drone.

 “Sonet Kock, is the Director of Drone Policy & Regulatory Development, Founder and Managing Director of AviComply (Pty) Ltd, a leading South African consulting firm specializing in Aviation Compliance Solutions,” Women and Drones said.

“She is known for her expertise and extensive experience in Aviation Regulatory Compliance and has dedicated her efforts to ensuring quality and safety assurance for both crewed and uncrewed flight operations.”

Mercy Makau, the President and Founder of the Young Aviator Club of Africa as well as Chairperson of Drone Club Kenya also made this year’s Hall of Fame list.

She is considered a passionate change maker deeply committed to empowering youth and promoting gender equity in Africa’s aviation and aerospace industry.

Other women to be inducted into the Hall of Fame were Loretta Alkalay, Barbara Bollard, Jackie Dujmovic, Desiree Ekstein, Laurie Grindle, Jenn Player, Dr. Debbie Saunders, Annalisa Russell-Smith, and Abigail Smith.

Not to be outdone, the African Drone and Data Academy picked up the Impact Award for its work alongside UNICEF and the government of Malawi in training over 1,154 youth from over 40 African countries on how to construct and pilot drones, and to integrate them into a supply chain system.  

“These efforts will dually equip young people in Malawi and the African region with necessary 21st-century skills while strengthening the drone and data ecosystem for more effective humanitarian and development response,” Women and Drones said.

A special dedication was made to the late Kelebogile Molopyane, the CEO of AB4IR in South Africa, who sadly passed away in September this year

The awards organisers described the late Ms Molopyane as a highly respected businesswoman, passionate advocate, coach and mentor in the technology industry in South Africa who was instrumental in bringing technology to South African youth and communities.

She was also a strong supporter of Women and Drones Africa, the African chapter for Women and Drones.

More than 100 representatives from the Uncrewed Aviation Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industries gathered to celebrate the outstanding women and companies helping shape the future of aviation, and Women and Drones Founder and CEO Sharon Rossmark was full of gratitude for everyone who helped make the event possible, including, especially this year’s sponsor Sabrewing Aircraft Company.

“We believe this yearly opportunity to recognize and celebrate the women driving change and leading the way will help us take significant steps forward in positioning the future of aviation as inclusive and dynamic,” Rossmark said.

Each year Women and Drones runs a global search for the women and organisations who are inspiring innovations and solutions, positively shaping the public perceptions of UAS/AAM technology, empowering more women to enter the industry as well as advocating for more inclusive practices in STEM and aviation.

The individual awards are designed to acknowledge and inspire women who are driving change and leading the emerging aviation industry closer to gender parity, while the company awards acknowledge organisations that in their pursuit of excellence, have a culture of inclusiveness where women are engaged in key roles leadership positions of the organisation.