GEORGE NEWS - George Airport's terminal and landside manager, Siyabonga 'Siya' Sithole, has built a career in aviation spanning more than two decades, proving that determination, education and hard work can take a person far beyond the circumstances into which they were born.
Since joining the Airports Company SA (Acsa) in December 2025, she has been responsible for ensuring the airport's terminal and landside operations run safely, efficiently and with a strong focus on customer service.
Raised in King William's Town in the Eastern Cape, Sithole says growing up in a township with few role models inspired her to create a different future for herself. "I realised that a young person can only dream according to the environment in which they grow up. I decided I would not allow those limitations to become barriers to what I wanted to achieve," she said.
After obtaining a tourism qualification at East London College and spending a short time at a small tourism agency, she began her aviation career with South African Airways in East London. Promotions later took her to Cape Town, Gqeberha and Durban. She then spent almost six years at Dube TradePort in KwaZulu-Natal before returning to the aviation industry and joining Acsa.
While building her career, Sithole completed a Business Administration degree and an Honours Degree in Supply Chain Management and Logistics through the University of South Africa, as well as a Management Development Programme at Stellenbosch University, all while working full-time and raising two sons as a single mother.
"My ticket out was education, discipline and focus," she said. "I want my children to know that it is possible to dream beyond the environment you come from."
She credits supportive managers throughout her career for encouraging her development.
Siyabonga ‘Siya’ Sithole, terminal and landside manager of George Airport. journey. Photo: Marguerite van Ginkel
For Sithole, aviation is about far more than aircraft. She says airports connect people, businesses and communities, support tourism and trade, create jobs and contribute to economic growth. Behind every successful flight is a co-ordinated effort involving airport operations, airlines, security services, air traffic control, emergency services, maintenance teams and many others working together to deliver a safe and seamless travel experience.
Her message to young people is that aviation offers opportunities well beyond becoming a pilot or air hostess.
"There can never be enough gender representation. We need women running airports, working as aviation lawyers and aircraft engineers, and in spaces that were never traditionally considered for them. Those opportunities are there. They are just waiting for young girls to be curious enough to pursue them."
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