Original version

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

The Conversation

Factual: Life Stories

Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

The Conversation: Women at Sea: Zimasa Mabela and Jasmin Labarda

Magazines & Reviews

Women at Sea: Zimasa Mabela and Jasmin Labarda

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Women at Sea: Zimasa Mabela and Jasmin Labarda

Two women in charge of ships in South Africa and the Philippines discuss life at sea.

A naval commander from South Africa and a licensed ship's captain from the Philippines talk about their experiences of being women on the high seas.

Kim Chakanetsa finds out what it's like to run a ship in South Africa and the Philippines.  

Zimasa Mabela is the first African woman to command a navy vessel.  Commander Mabela is in charge of a de-mining ship based in Cape Town, South Africa.  She grew up two hours from the sea, but only saw it for the first time aged 18.  A few years later she felt compelled to join the navy so she could see the world.  Zimasa was recruited as a radio operator and has travelled around the world to countries like India, Canada and Uruguay.  She says she's very happy to have shown that a woman can not only join the navy, but that she can end up in charge.

Jasmin Labarda is the first woman, and Filipino, to become the Chief Mate and a senior Dynamic Positioning officer of an offshore ship. She is currently navigating Technip's flagship vessel, the Deep Blue, which lays pipe along the ocean floor. Having first served on a tanker vessel at the age of 17, Jasmin worked her way up the ranks and in 2010 passed the Master Mariner's exam, which means that she is a licensed ship's captain. Jasmin is looking forward to the time when she finally can take up that sought-after Captain's position. 

Image
Left: Zimasa Mabela (Credit: South African Navy)
Right: Jasmin Labarda (Credit: Alecs Ongcal/Rappler taken in IMOSTI)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Conversation

Women at Sea: Zimasa Mabela and Jasmin Labarda

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service