Ann Maria Bocciarelli (also Anna 1897-?) was a South African aviator. In 1913, she was the first woman to earn a pilot's license in Africa.
Bocciarelli was of Italian descent and was born in Kimberley in 1897.[1][2] She was the daughter of the sculptor, Achille Bocciarelli.[1]
In 1913, Bocciarelli was one of 10 citizen flight trainees sponsored by the Union of South Africa to train with the Paterson Aviation Syndicate.[3] Like other pilots in the school, she trained on Compton-Paterson biplane.[4] She earned her pilot's license in 1913, making her the first woman on the African continent to become a licensed aviator.[3]
Eventually, she and her family returned to Italy.[2]