Head Office | The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service

Management and Administration

The general manager reports to the executive committee and is responsible for day-today management. Medical and aviation decisions are taken in consultation with the chairperson of the medical committee and the pilots panel respectively. Day-today financial administration is handled by the management staff in accordance with the budget approved by the trustees.

All meetings are minuted and conform strictly to acceptable standards of corporate governance practice.

Philip Erasmus

Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for all services we render.

Philip Erasmus

Philip Erasmus

Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for all services we render.

Chief Executive Officer

Farhaad Haffejee

Corporate Development Manager

My role as Corporate Development Manager acts an an interface between government and other partners of the AMS with regards to the development of services of the AMS and all its activities. Aside from building new relationships, this department is also tasked with maintaining existing relationships. This happens both at national as well as an International Level with organisations such as ADAC, Rega, etc. As such, advocacy, PR and strategic management are conerstones of this department. The service development manager is also tasked with overseeing the Public Relations and Fundrasing Departments as well as looking aster the ever changing IT and communication needs of the developing organisation that is the AMS. In addition, this office also guides research involving the AMS.

Farhaad Haffejee

Farhaad Haffejee

Corporate Development Manager

My role as Corporate Development Manager acts an an interface between government and other partners of the AMS with regards to the development of services of the AMS and all its activities. Aside from building new relationships, this department is also tasked with maintaining existing relationships. This happens both at national as well as an International Level with organisations such as ADAC, Rega, etc. As such, advocacy, PR and strategic management are conerstones of this department. The service development manager is also tasked with overseeing the Public Relations and Fundrasing Departments as well as looking aster the ever changing IT and communication needs of the developing organisation that is the AMS. In addition, this office also guides research involving the AMS.

Corporate Development Manager

Catherine Brown

Human Resources Manager

The Human Resource Department develops initiaves and provides strategic support to AMS management with regard to human resource policy. It supports line management in the departments, performs centralised service tasks and ensures AMS wide application of operational human resource activities. Main areas of responsibility include manpower planning, orgaisation development, employment and association conditions, recruitment, job classification and salary adminsitration, performance appraisal, advancement, internal mobility, training and development, working conditions, settlement of disputes and relations with the personnel.

Catherine Brown

Catherine Brown

Human Resources Manager

The Human Resource Department develops initiaves and provides strategic support to AMS management with regard to human resource policy. It supports line management in the departments, performs centralised service tasks and ensures AMS wide application of operational human resource activities. Main areas of responsibility include manpower planning, orgaisation development, employment and association conditions, recruitment, job classification and salary adminsitration, performance appraisal, advancement, internal mobility, training and development, working conditions, settlement of disputes and relations with the personnel.

Human Resources Manager

Gary McCormick

Quality & Technical Manager

As the Quality Manager, I am responsible for the effective development, implementation and review of a quality management system, through the provision of technical support, protocols, procedures, training and regular audits.

Gary McCormick

Gary McCormick

Quality & Technical Manager

As the Quality Manager, I am responsible for the effective development, implementation and review of a quality management system, through the provision of technical support, protocols, procedures, training and regular audits.

Quality & Technical Manager

JR Redelinghuys

Flight Operations Manager

Responsible for the co-ordination and control of the flight training of the AMS, Responsible for maintaining flying standards in consultation with the Chief Pilot and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Responsible for ensuring standardization of instructional and flight techniques among flight training personnel, Conduct and control proficiency checking requirements on behalf of AMS with regard to all initial and periodic flight training including subsequent route competency and instrument rating checks, Ensure that training files & complete documentation records are maintained for each individual flight crew member, Ensure that all South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regulations requirements in respect of renewing or upgrading of pilot licenses have been timeously complied with, Liaise with other training organisations and to submit recommendations which may serve to enhance AMS training capability and or procedures.

JR Redelinghuys

JR Redelinghuys

Flight Operations Manager

Responsible for the co-ordination and control of the flight training of the AMS, Responsible for maintaining flying standards in consultation with the Chief Pilot and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Responsible for ensuring standardization of instructional and flight techniques among flight training personnel, Conduct and control proficiency checking requirements on behalf of AMS with regard to all initial and periodic flight training including subsequent route competency and instrument rating checks, Ensure that training files & complete documentation records are maintained for each individual flight crew member, Ensure that all South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regulations requirements in respect of renewing or upgrading of pilot licenses have been timeously complied with, Liaise with other training organisations and to submit recommendations which may serve to enhance AMS training capability and or procedures.

Flight Operations Manager

Gadija Ryklief

PA to the CEO

Gadija Ryklief

Gadija Ryklief

PA to the CEO

PA to the CEO

Sizeka Mvunge-Bentsile

Receptionist

Sizeka Mvunge-Bentsile

Sizeka Mvunge-Bentsile

Receptionist

Receptionist

Venessa Jafta (neé Horn)

Public Relations & Fundraising Officer

Venessa Jafta (neé Horn)

Venessa Jafta (neé Horn)

Public Relations & Fundraising Officer

Public Relations & Fundraising Officer

Letitia Lewis

HR Administrator

Letitia Lewis

Letitia Lewis

HR Administrator

HR Administrator

Dorothy Zimba

Accounts Clerk

Dorothy Zimba

Dorothy Zimba

Accounts Clerk

Accounts Clerk

Eugene Mazimpaka Muramutsa

Aviation Maintenance Engineer

Eugene Mazimpaka Muramutsa

Eugene Mazimpaka Muramutsa

Aviation Maintenance Engineer

Aviation Maintenance Engineer

Ashwin Krishna

National Operations Manager

Ashwin Krishna

Ashwin Krishna

National Operations Manager

National Operations Manager

Marc Lawson

AMO Manager

Marc Lawson

Marc Lawson

AMO Manager

AMO Manager

Nic Vallentgoed

Aviation Training Manager

Nic Vallentgoed

Nic Vallentgoed

Aviation Training Manager

Aviation Training Manager

Thembakazi Qokolo

Intern

Thembakazi Qokolo

Thembakazi Qokolo

Intern

Intern

Rushana Slarmie

Support & Training

Rushana Slarmie

Rushana Slarmie

Support & Training

Support & Training

Carol Korner

Bookkeeper

Carol Korner

Carol Korner

Bookkeeper

Bookkeeper

Heinrich Williams

AMO Technical & Quality Controller

Heinrich Williams

Heinrich Williams

AMO Technical & Quality Controller

AMO Technical & Quality Controller

Gugu Ngwema

Financial Manager

Gugu Ngwema

Gugu Ngwema

Financial Manager

Financial Manager

Francois Du Toit

Safety Manager

Francois Du Toit

Francois Du Toit

Safety Manager

Safety Manager

Riaan Combrink

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Riaan Combrink

Riaan Combrink

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Lunga Sityebi

Storeman

Lunga Sityebi

Lunga Sityebi

Storeman

Storeman

Merwyn October

AMO Apprentice

Merwyn October

Merwyn October

AMO Apprentice

AMO Apprentice

Siyabonga Ngqumba

General Assistant - AMO

Siyabonga Ngqumba

Siyabonga Ngqumba

General Assistant - AMO

General Assistant - AMO

Martell Killian

Technical Controller

Martell Killian

Martell Killian

Technical Controller

Technical Controller

Ismail Kabley

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Ismail Kabley

Ismail Kabley

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Shelli Ferreira

Technical Records

Shelli Ferreira

Shelli Ferreira

Technical Records

Technical Records

Jason Cahill

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Jason Cahill

Jason Cahill

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

Aviation Maintenance Engineeer

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Latest News

Meet our team

Today we introduce one of the newest additions to the AMS family. Themba Ngaleka joined the Head Office team in April as the Accounts Payable Clerk. Here’s a look into his world …

Tell us about yourself: “I was born and raised in the Eastern Cape in a place called Matatiele. I completed my Grade 12 in 2006 in KwaZulu-Natal. During 2007 I moved to reside in Cape Town, completed my Accounting and B-Tech in taxation at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).”

Were you in any other trade before? “I have worked as an Admin and General Bookkeeping Clerk for a Construction Company.”

What do you do in your spare time? “I spend most of my time at the library or watching soccer.”

What is the one thing about you few people know? “I am a very approachable person.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “I have always wanted to work in a Financial Department, so I enjoy everything about my job.”

What is on your bedside table? “Books - a novel and Bible.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Xolani Gwala, Thabo Mbeki, Trevor Manuel, Tsepiso Makwetla and Anele Mdoda.”

What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? “My plan for the day.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “When I was handed my car keys.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “To be a Minister of Higher Education.”

What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “Exercising.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Don’t stop learning, education is the key to success.”

Any motto you live by? “Prayer is the key of the day, the lock of the night.” George Herbert.

Meet our team

Meet our team

Today we introduce one of the newest additions to the AMS family. Themba Ngaleka joined the Head Office team in April as the Accounts Payable Clerk. Here’s a look into his world …

Tell us about yourself: “I was born and raised in the Eastern Cape in a place called Matatiele. I completed my Grade 12 in 2006 in KwaZulu-Natal. During 2007 I moved to reside in Cape Town, completed my Accounting and B-Tech in taxation at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).”

Were you in any other trade before? “I have worked as an Admin and General Bookkeeping Clerk for a Construction Company.”

What do you do in your spare time? “I spend most of my time at the library or watching soccer.”

What is the one thing about you few people know? “I am a very approachable person.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “I have always wanted to work in a Financial Department, so I enjoy everything about my job.”

What is on your bedside table? “Books - a novel and Bible.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Xolani Gwala, Thabo Mbeki, Trevor Manuel, Tsepiso Makwetla and Anele Mdoda.”

What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? “My plan for the day.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “When I was handed my car keys.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “To be a Minister of Higher Education.”

What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “Exercising.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Don’t stop learning, education is the key to success.”

Any motto you live by? “Prayer is the key of the day, the lock of the night.” George Herbert.

Meet our Team ...

Today we introduce the friendly face that greets you when you visit our Head Office. Sizeka Mvunge our Receptionist has been part of the AMS family for 11 years. Sizeka grew up in Qumbu in the beautiful Eastern Cape Province. She completed her 18 month Office Administration Course at the Skill Training for Employment Centre (STEC). Here’s a look into her world…

Were you in any other trade before? “I’ve worked for Sakhisizwe Personnel for two years as a messenger.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “To play a guitar.”

What do you do in your spare time? “Being a working wife there is no spare time. You work from Monday to Friday then Saturday you are busy doing your house duties and going to church on Sunday. After church you start preparing yourself and the children for Monday again.”

What is the one thing about you few people know? “I am a friendly person.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “Dealing with different personalities.”

What is on your bedside table? “A side lamp, Bible and my phone.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “My grandmother, Winnie Mandela, Nicholas Bhengu, TD Jakes & Myles Munroe.”

What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? “How is the traffic?”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “The day I received Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “To work in an animal hospital.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Coffee.”

What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “Jesus, He’s everything to me.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Be kind to all, even your enemies.”

What animal best represents you and why? “Pigeon or Dove – they represent love and kindness.”

Any motto you live by? “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”

Meet our Team ...

Meet our Team ...

Today we introduce the friendly face that greets you when you visit our Head Office. Sizeka Mvunge our Receptionist has been part of the AMS family for 11 years. Sizeka grew up in Qumbu in the beautiful Eastern Cape Province. She completed her 18 month Office Administration Course at the Skill Training for Employment Centre (STEC). Here’s a look into her world…

Were you in any other trade before? “I’ve worked for Sakhisizwe Personnel for two years as a messenger.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “To play a guitar.”

What do you do in your spare time? “Being a working wife there is no spare time. You work from Monday to Friday then Saturday you are busy doing your house duties and going to church on Sunday. After church you start preparing yourself and the children for Monday again.”

What is the one thing about you few people know? “I am a friendly person.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “Dealing with different personalities.”

What is on your bedside table? “A side lamp, Bible and my phone.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “My grandmother, Winnie Mandela, Nicholas Bhengu, TD Jakes & Myles Munroe.”

What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? “How is the traffic?”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “The day I received Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “To work in an animal hospital.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Coffee.”

What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “Jesus, He’s everything to me.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Be kind to all, even your enemies.”

What animal best represents you and why? “Pigeon or Dove – they represent love and kindness.”

Any motto you live by? “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”

Meet our Team ...

Today we introduce Kegan McGregor, a candidate in our Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programme. The organisation has established and implemented a work experience programme for unemployed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) learners with the aid of the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). This formal programme is entered into with the College of Cape Town. Kegan’s current field of study is ND: Fitting and Turning. He is currently undergoing his practical training within the organisations’s Aircraft Maintenance Department. Here’s a look into Kegan’s life …

Tell us about yourself: “I was born in Cape Town, when I was five my family moved to Malmesbury. I attended Schoonspruit High School in Malmesbury, thereafter I left to attend College for three years”.

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “A snowboarder but that’s a bit difficult as there is very little snow in South Africa.”

What do you do in your spare time? “Skateboarding.”

What is the one thing about you few people know? “I am very much a family man.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “The people and the environment. I enjoy the technical and problem solving aspects of the job at hand.”

What is on your bedside table? “A lamp, Spiritual guide and water.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people past or present who would they be? “Tom Cruise, Leonardo di Caprio, Halle Berry, Tyler Perry and Jacob Zuma.”

What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? “What is the weather going to be like today?”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “When I went to The United Arab Emirates (UAE).”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “A Formula One driver.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Chocolates."

What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “My bed.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Sink or swim.”

What animal best represents you and why? “Tiger because it is tenacious, brave, confident, competitive, unpredictable, and self-confident.”

Any motto you live by? “Every day I am hustling.”

Meet our Team ...

Meet our Team ...

Today we introduce Kegan McGregor, a candidate in our Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programme. The organisation has established and implemented a work experience programme for unemployed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) learners with the aid of the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). This formal programme is entered into with the College of Cape Town. Kegan’s current field of study is ND: Fitting and Turning. He is currently undergoing his practical training within the organisations’s Aircraft Maintenance Department. Here’s a look into Kegan’s life …

Tell us about yourself: “I was born in Cape Town, when I was five my family moved to Malmesbury. I attended Schoonspruit High School in Malmesbury, thereafter I left to attend College for three years”.

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “A snowboarder but that’s a bit difficult as there is very little snow in South Africa.”

What do you do in your spare time? “Skateboarding.”

What is the one thing about you few people know? “I am very much a family man.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “The people and the environment. I enjoy the technical and problem solving aspects of the job at hand.”

What is on your bedside table? “A lamp, Spiritual guide and water.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people past or present who would they be? “Tom Cruise, Leonardo di Caprio, Halle Berry, Tyler Perry and Jacob Zuma.”

What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? “What is the weather going to be like today?”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “When I went to The United Arab Emirates (UAE).”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “A Formula One driver.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Chocolates."

What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “My bed.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Sink or swim.”

What animal best represents you and why? “Tiger because it is tenacious, brave, confident, competitive, unpredictable, and self-confident.”

Any motto you live by? “Every day I am hustling.”

Walking for a cause ...

28 May 2018: We are excited to report back on the progress of the Mercy Marathon. Today marks the 17 day of the 36 day journey! The team is doing well, full of energy and enthusiasm. To date they have walked through 17 towns completing 1200 kilometres. The event is about camaraderie, commitment and the support from the communities. Early this morning the walkers left Middelburg, heading to Nieu-Bethesda. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who supported the event thus far.

Walking for a cause ...

Walking for a cause ...

28 May 2018: We are excited to report back on the progress of the Mercy Marathon. Today marks the 17 day of the 36 day journey! The team is doing well, full of energy and enthusiasm. To date they have walked through 17 towns completing 1200 kilometres. The event is about camaraderie, commitment and the support from the communities. Early this morning the walkers left Middelburg, heading to Nieu-Bethesda. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who supported the event thus far.