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FEBRUARY 3, 2023
A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH ONE STEP
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Meet Modestus Mwachindalo, one of Proflight Zambia’s longest-serving employees, who has had an incredible journey of self-development at the leading local airline, rising from general worker to manager thanks to hard work and determination.
Modestus currently serves as Proflight Human Resource Manager and has had an incredible 18-year journey with the airline.
In a family of seven, he was born in Powanga village in Chongwe District. Modestus is ‘a man of introspection and faith’; as he looks back at his school life when he was in Scripture Union.
After Primary at Kasisi Basic School, he went on to complete high school at Chongwe High School where he played football and was part of the Scripture Union – two of his favourite things at the time.
According to him, his journey in aviation took flight after completion of high school in 2004. While still in high school, he went to pray and fast with his friends; three of his friends said they wanted to be pastors. Modestus however, told them that he lived near the airport so he would get a job at the airport.
“As soon as we wrote our exams; I stayed home a few days and went straight on to Proflight to get a job. I’ve been here since then,” Modestus said.
His passion for aviation was planted as a young boy living close to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, a site he and his friends would go to watch planes fly.
“My elder brother used to work for British Airways,” he recalls. “Every time I’d go to the airport, I would look for the airline so I could chance my brother and wave at him,” he said.
It was in 2005 when he joined Proflight as a general worker and has grown within the company ever since.
After working as a general worker for a few months he climbed the ladder and became an accounts clerk for eight years, learning accounting and started foundation studies for ACC.
When the airline introduced a Service Centre in charge of procurement and providing internal services to all departments; he was moved to that department as Senior Service Centre Assistant. This new role also provided cover to the Service Centre and the HR manager respectively.
From 2019-2020, Modestus assumed both Service Centre Manager and HR Manager roles as at the time both positions were vacant, the position he held for a year until his subsequent appointment as Human Resource Manager in mid-2021. The due roles provided an opportunity to gain experience in both Human Resource and Administration.
“It was a wonderful experience for me, I’ve learned so much from working with both the previous managers,” he said.
“As Human Resource Manager, I contribute to the company by ensuring that the right people are brought into the company and are doing the right thing at the right time in order to ensure that our company is moving forward in the right direction,” he added.
Modestus believes that HR plays a significant role in the aviation industry. By bringing fulfilling the organisation’s commitments, such as talent acquisition, performance management and maintaining a healthy work environment; the company has progressed because it has the right people, with the right skills for the job.
“Before Proflight became a scheduled airline it was a charter company; I used to interact with a lot of people. My passion in this field has grown by meeting and working with diverse people; it’s such a wonderful experience.”
“The strength of every organisation is based on the skills of the employees; if you have strong skilled employees then you will grow the company,” said Modestus.
“We have internal training for soft skills and send employees to enhance their skills.” The aviation industry is a highly regulated industry; licensed employees like pilots, cabin crew, and engineers need to have training often; so that they remain current on their requirements,” he said.
However, the goal-driven man said that the best part about his job is to help solve both employee and organisational problems.
Outside work Modestus is a family person, he spends lots of time with family and does a little farming, as well as civic work. He is friendly and loves learning from others.
“Learning has always been a part of my life. To practice HR in Zambia, you have to be qualified; I hold a Diploma and Degree in Human Resource Management and currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in law,” he said.
He will continue his studies so that he can be the best and contribute to both the company and the nation as well.
“I wish to encourage young professionals; everything is possible all we need to do is believe in ourselves, add a little effort, love what you do and remain focused. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
“It’s been an amazing 18-year journey and experience for me. I have not worked for any other organization but Proflight Zambia. It has been nothing short of amazing,” Modestus concluded.
Ends
About Proflight Zambia
Proflight Zambia was established in 1991 and is Zambia’s leading scheduled airline. From its base in Lusaka its domestic routes include Livingstone, Mfuwe, Ndola, Solwezi, Mansa, and Jeki/Royal airstrips in Lower Zambezi; and regionally to Johannesburg in South Africa from both Lusaka and Ndola.
The airline prides itself in providing a safe, reliable, efficient and friendly service, and offering good value to business and leisure travellers locally and internationally.
The airline operates three 50-seater Bombardier CRJ-100/200 jets, three 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft and one 18-seater Jetstream 32 aircraft.
More information is available at www.flyzambia.com.
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Gillian Langmead at Langmead & Baker Ltd;
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