Young African Lady Whose Mother Sold Biscuits to Fund Her Dreams Finally Becomes a Pilot

Tshepang Ralehoko, a determined young woman from South Africa, has fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a pilot, thanks to the incredible sacrifice and support of her mother, Lulu Ralehoko, who sold biscuits to raise funds for her daughter’s flight school tuition. 

In 2019, without access to scholarships or bursaries, Lulu and her sister Doris started a small biscuit business in Tshwane, South Africa, with the goal of raising R100,000 (approx. $6,800) needed for Tshepang’s pilot training at Blue Chip Flight School in Pretoria. “I’m good at baking. I’m good at baking too,” 

Lulu recalled—words that sparked a business that would lift Tshepang into the skies. 

With local sales, word-of-mouth, and social media promotions, the biscuit business gained traction. Although it covered a portion of her fees, Tshepang still needed an additional R60,000 for her Private Pilot License and R250,000 for her Commercial License. 

To avoid protests disrupting her training, she moved closer to Wonderboom Airport and continued with perseverance, supported by her mother, aunt, and community. 

Eventually, a scholarship helped cover the rest of her training costs. In 2022, Tshepang officially earned her wings, becoming a certified pilot. She now flies with Eagle Air, already advancing toward her third stripe—a symbol of her rising career. 

“I’m not doing this just for myself. I’m trying to create the drive to fund other people in the future that are also Black and female,” Tshepang said. 

Her story is a testament to resilience, sacrifice, and the power of community — and a message to young women everywhere that no dream is too high to fly.