SA Express Investing IN OUR FUTURES

The history of South Africa is one of inequality. According to the South African Institute of Race Relations (SARRI), you are more likely to be raised in a single-parent household if you are poor and black. Poverty disrupts familial stability and correlates strongly with class and race. The statistics are even more alarming when you consider that 60 % of South African children have absent fathers and more than 40 % of South African mothers are single parents.*

As an airline, SA Express is determined to be a leader in transformation in aviation, but remains cognisant of the challenges South Africa and other Sub-Saharan countries face with regards to access to information and education, as well as the required resources to ensure that learners are able to pursue careers in aviation.

One of the key tenets at SA Express, as a strategic asset of the South African Government, is to be a talent pipeline for the aviation industry in the country, and to achieve the success we need to encourage the youth to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). As such, the airline’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives are dedicated to this cause.

To further the airline’s commitment to development, SA Express participates in projects and programmes that empower young people to seek and pursue careers in aviation. Two such projects are the Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day and the Moving Ahead Development Agency (MADA) in the Boys2Men Engi-Tech Career Path Programme.

For Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day, SA Express hosted 23 young leaders from LEAP Schools in Alexandra, Garankuwa and Diepsloot for a day of aviation, exploration and adventure. The learners were introduced to First Officer Refilwe Ledwaba, a pilot with an inspirational story and an MBA, as well as to aircraft mechanic Anna Mohitshane. These young, black and gifted leaders have life stories that are similar to the learners’ own.

In July 2017, the airline joined forces

with the Moving Ahead Development Agency (MADA) in the Boys2Men EngiTech Career Path Programme, which saw 45 Grade 9 boys – all being raised without fathers and all with minimum marks of 80 % in Maths, Science and English – from all nine provinces visiting the airline’s heavy technical department for a day of fun and learning.

The programme for both days included the learners – most for the first time – boarding an airplane. They sat in the flight deck with a pilot to explore the instruments and controls that guide the aircraft. Avionic and mechanical engineers helped them explore all aspects of a working machine and what it takes to get it signed-out and safe to fly. Competitions spawned rivalries as the learners wanted to impress each other – and most looked ready to join the exhilarating world of aviation!

According to Mamochite “Rex” Mapholo, a mechanical technician, it was an experience to remember, as his interaction with both the girl and boy learners was a true reflection of the excitement and complexity of the aviation industry. “I enjoyed the fact that I can truly say I made a difference in their lives.”

Rex headed the team of SA Express engineers and technicians that took part in the programmes. “Many of the learners did not know what the aviation industry has to offer young people like themselves. Their questions were insightful and most of all, they were interested!”

Boitumelo Tlala, SA Express CSI, sponsorships and events coordinator, emphasised that for her, CSI must add value and cannot be a tick-box exercise. “It was inspiring to have learners from different townships across the country who are striving to excel and uplift themselves through education. The future looks bright for the African child. This year SA Express exposed the learners to different career paths that can be pursued in Aircraft Engineering – and wow, what an eyeopener!” Tumi’s takeaway message?: “We can all dream beyond our circumstances.”

SA Express prides itself in its role as a developmental hub in the aviation industry of South Africa. An area where we are the clear leaders in our field nationally and within our industry is our commitment to transformation, and developing a pipeline of competent transformational leaders as part of continuity strategy and succession planning.

In the words of SA Express Acting CEO, Victor Xaba, the responsibility of current leadership is to mould and create a better environment for future leaders, which is why he is passionate about projects such as these. His message for the all learners was as follows: “There is always a hero near you. Find them, follow their example, or be greater than them!”

Investment in the future of the country starts with its youth. SA Express remains committed to development and a sustainable future.

*Human Sciences Research Council – HSRC- 2015