[1] She was born in the town of Tzaneen, in Mopani District Municipality, in Limpopo, South Africa, circa 1987.
Following the attainment of a high school diploma, she turned down a full scholarship to study mining engineering at the University of Pretoria and an alternative to study aeronautical engineering at Wits.
Instead she joined the South African Air Force (SAAF), to pursue aviation.
Later, she studied at Stellenbosch University, where she obtained a Higher Certificate in Military Studies followed by a Bachelor of Military Science in Aeronautics, Aviation, Aerospace Science and Technology.
She attended the Central Flying School in Langebaanweg, Western Cape Province and undertook the Pupil Pilot Course.