Former Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies star Nomonde Nomtsheke has become the first woman to qualify as a paratrooper in the South African Engineer Corps.
‘The Iron Lady’, as she’s popularly known, joined the South African Army in 2020.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has commended Nomtsheke for a job well done and described her as someone who had an exceptional level of fitness, both mentally and physically.
The 28-year-old enrolled for the paratrooper selection process at 44 Parachute Regiment in Bloemfontein, where she was found competent and was allowed to undergo the Paratrooper Course (Jump Course).
Afterwards, she went on to 2 Field Engineer Regiment in Bethlehem, where she completed her SA Army Engineer Corps Training at Junior Training Branch.
According to SANDF, the Paratrooper Course comprises two phases: the Basic Static Line Course, a first jumping course that qualifies one to become a paratrooper. The second phase is the Advanced Static Line course, which qualifies one to be a fully-fledged paratrooper.
The Mangaung-born ex-footballer also added: “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. First Para lady of Engineer Corp. More to come.”
