South Africa’s First Female Submarine Navigator Dies

South Africa’s First Female Submarine Navigator Dies

South Africa’s first female submarine navigator was among the three naval officers who died at sea off the coast of Cape Town on Wednesday, the country’s military has now confirmed.

In a statement, the South African National Defence Force said Lt Cdr Gillian Malouw, as well as Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa and Warrant Officer Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela, died when high waves swept them away as a helicopter was delivering supplies to their submarine.

Lt Cdr Malouw became a submarine navigator in 2019 at the age of 28.

“The world is filled with naysayers and negativity but no-one can take away what you’ve learnt and no one can take away your dreams,” she was quoted as saying at the time.

“If you truly want something, do everything in your power to make it happen.”