Beyond the Horizon: One Woman’s Journey to the Sky

“Summer, who is Summer? Summer has always been Summer, although she was born in winter, she is warm, ambitious, and full of life! A light-hearted, playful, but true statement from the mother of Summer-Joy Hendricks. 

A dream born on a flight back from her first South African Championships, she uttered the words “Mommy, I want to be like these ladies— a flight attendant” at just nine years old. Moments later, her mom had an even better idea, “Well, Summer, what if you just fly the aircraft yourself…” The plane landed, and Summer knew…

Meet Summer-Joy Hendricks, born 08 July 2003, a vibrant young woman, hailing from Worcester in the Western Cape.  Known for being a South African gymnast for eight years and a Western Province netball player from Grade 7 up until Grade 12. Talented and gifted, how does one acquire this type of drive? She came from humble beginnings and hard-working parents who saw her full potential from the start, stating that what she has and who she is are all because of them. 

Captured by photographer, Aiden Fransman

However, she’s known for so much more than her athletic abilities. At the age of 22, Summer completed her Private Pilot License from Cape Town Flight Training Center after kicking off her studies and training at only 18, directly after matriculating. While celebrating this achievement, she is also actively working to obtain her Commercial Pilot License. 

Summer states that people often think her journey was easy, and it’s child’s play becoming a pilot; however, she must complete the theory part as well, which includes 10 additional modules, in addition to training. She has a 75% average across her ten modules; nothing comes easy, everything has been worked for. 

Towards the end of the interview, “OG,” which Summer referred to her mother as, expressed that “Summer puts in everything.” Though many people in her community questioned the validity and possibility of her accomplishment, she persevered. Liberated by ambition and courage, this young woman remains humble as she continuously stuns herself by becoming more. Showcasing true strength and resilience by thriving in a male-dominated field as a 22-year-old woman. 

Summer recently attended the Winelands Community Youth Games of 2026 as the keynote speaker, where she encouraged young people from all backgrounds to pursue their ambitions despite challenging circumstances. For Miss Hendricks, your success is not determined by where you come from, but by the choices you make. She reminded the young minds gathered at the games, “You are not a product of your environment or circumstances, you are a product of your choices.”