The recent passing of Lieutenant Gillian Malouw, the first woman to navigate a submarine in Africa, marks the loss of a trailblazer within the maritime industry. This historic achievement was regrettably brought to an abrupt end during a submarine operation in Cape Town that claimed the lives of three Navy crew members and left others injured. In this tribute, we delve into the life and accomplishments of Lieutenant Malouw, celebrating her groundbreaking contributions to the naval field.
Lieutenant Gillian Malouw will be celebrated as a maritime industry pioneer, making her mark as the first woman to navigate a submarine in Africa. However, her promising career came to a sudden halt during a recent submarine operation in Cape Town. On a tragic Wednesday in Kommetjie, three Navy crew members, including Malouw, perished in a devastating accident. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has since launched an inquiry to examine the details of this incident.