A young Port Elizabeth woman, born and bred in Schauderville, has become the first African woman to work as a qualified submarine navigator.
And though Lieutenant Gillian Malouw’s experience of the still male-dominated world of the SA Navy has not always been smooth sailing, she is not easily intimidated.
In fact, the 29-year-old has already set her sights on one day commanding the SA Navy submarine on which she serves, the SAS Manthatisi.
.
The accolade of being first African woman submariner to qualify as a navigator was far from her mind when she tackled the gruelling course.
“I didn’t think this would mean anything to anyone other than me,” she said, adding that she had been overwhelmed by all the media attention.
Malouw matriculated from St James Secondary School in 2008.
It was during her school years, when she opted to join the Sea Cadets, that her interest in the maritime industry was sparked.
“For me it seemed like an easy transition going to the navy after school,” she said.
She recalls how, when she was studying at the SA Military Academy, she was among a group eight students who were selected to spend 24 hours aboard a submarine.
All she knew at that point was that she would be under water.
But her knowledge, confidence and interest grew the more time she spent training.
It took the determined young woman just three years to pass all academic and practical testing and training.
She is now staffed on board the SAS Manthatisi, a diesel-electric-powered Heroine-class, single-deck submarine that can accommodate 45 members at a time.
The Manthatisi’s home port is Simon’s Town naval base in Cape Town.
Her job is to chart safe courses for the ship, as directed by the commanding officer.
“A major part of our training is simulated and is run by the Submarine Training Centre,” she said.
“We are put through the paces and our performance is evaluated before we go to sea, by which time you usually know most procedures quite well, which obviously helps with the nerves.
“It feels good to know that you’ve put in the work, passed all the tests and that your officer commanding trusts that you will be able to carry out your duties safely.”
She said a combat officer or navigator needed to know everything that was happening on the technical side and the control centre to make the correct decisions.
But the job was often physically and psychologically taxing.
She said the crew were sometimes required to be awake for 20 hours at a time.
“The environment I work in requires that we all do our best at all times. The safety of your shipmate is in your hands.
“For me, the pressure comes more from my need to know more about what I do and ensuring that I am continuously improving.”
She said the navy was still a male-dominated industry, which came from the societal perception that the armed forces in general were geared towards men.
But, she believes, no job should be the preserve of one sex.
“Though I am now the only qualified female officer, there are 47 women who have qualified in various other roles in the submarine service.”
And while she may have a home in Cape Town, Malouw’s heart will always belong to Port Elizabeth, where her family still lives.
“I still have a long way to go. This was only the first hurdle for me,” she said. “Just do you. Find your passion and push through the noise and negativity.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.