Zimasa Mabela (original) (raw)

Lt-Cdr Zimasa Mabela (born 1976/1977 (age 45–46)) is a South African Navy officer who became the first black female appointed commander of a naval vessel. She took command of the SAS Umhloti on 26 August 2015, succeeding Commander Brian Shor. The Change of Command ceremony took place at Delta berth, SA Navy Dockyard, in Simon's Town, South Africa. A mother of two, she was named one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2015.