Head Office

Team focus

After 13 and a half years at AMS, Gadija closed her working chapter yesterday and is off to enjoy all the beautiful things life has in store for her. Here’s a look into the life of a true Red Crosser …

Tell us about yourself: “I was born, bred and schooled in Cape Town.  I have a son

and daughter; my daughter is married and I have three grandsons, they are my world.”

Tell us about your journey with The South African Red Cross Society (SARCS): “I started with the SA Red Cross Society as a receptionist, went through different Departments; worked in the training department - received my silver medal, then taught basic first aid to primary school learners thereafter I moved to Public Relations & Fundraising and successfully raised much needed funds for the Society. I became the confidential secretary at Wynberg office then moved to the National Office as Administrative Manager and PA to the Secretary General. I was with SARCS for 20 years, when the National Office moved to Gauteng, I joined AMS in August 2005.” 

Were you in any other trade before? “Having attended secretarial college, I was always involved in secretarial work. My first job was an admin clerk at an insurance company in Cape Town, then as secretary to a Bank Manager & stand-in teller at a small branch bank in Athlone.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS?  “It was an easy choice, a bit like a continuation of what I was already doing.  Besides, once a Red Crosser, always a Red Crosser.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “I wish I had studied to be a psychologist, or school teacher.  I feel I have the underlying ability to bring out the best in children.”

What do you do in your spare time? “I design and make my own clothes and sometimes for others. I love creative challenges, whether its cooking, baking, making jewellery.”

What might someone be surprised to know about you? “After divorce and kids all grown up, I enjoyed “me-time” I took some guitar lessons and surprised my family one night after dinner with some Spanish classics – I received a standing ovation.... hahaha!!  I don’t think I was so good they were just overwhelmingly surprised!  I also joined a sports club running half marathons.  I ran a race in Istanbul, which was my best run. Oh and I met Prince Charles, quite a ‘prince charming.”

What is on your bedside table? “Bedside lamp, Bubbly chocolate, a novel A Thousand Splendid Suns by author Khaled Hosseini which I am reading again after four years, he is brilliant, his other book The Kite Runner is also a great read.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Queen Victoria and her Indian lover, Jackie Kennedy, Coco Chanel and

Khalil Gibran.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “I bet

you get good rates on international flights.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “I get an adrenaline rush every time I depart to fly to a distant holiday destination.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “Be a stylist to the stars – fashion is my passion!”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Spoiling those I love.”

What is the one thing, you can’t live without?  “Lipstick!”

What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “Loyal.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?  "Running teaches you, perhaps more than anything else, that there's no reason to fear starting lines...or other new beginnings” -  Amby Burfoot.

Do you have a life philosophy?  “The best thing about the future, is that you can take it one day at a time.”

Any parting words of wisdom? “Don’t take yourself so seriously, no one else does.”

Meet our team

With 2019 in full swing, we continue to introduce you to the team that strives to provide those we serve with a service of excellence. Today we get to know the newest team member who joined the AMS family a month ago, Agosthino Goliath who takes up the reigns of Senior Accountant based at Head Office. Agosthino hails originally from the ‘ostrich capital of the world’, Oudtshoorn.  Here’s a look into Agosthino’s life …

Tell us about yourself: “I am originally from Oudtshoorn, and moved to study in Stellenbosch when I was 18. I met the love of my life – Elzaan while studying. We are engaged to be married (hopefully this year). I am trained as a Management Accountant and you may address me as Associate Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).”

Were you in any other trade before? “I have been a store greeter wearing a tophat, a store clerk at Musica and a leaflet spreader.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS family? “I want free flights in the heli J”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “Learn Spanish, so that I can watch Narcos without subtitles.”

What do you do in your spare time? “I am part of a social group that get together every weekend to play Pokemon. Elzaan and I go to Bikini bookstore every chance we get to buy new books to read.”

What might someone be surprised to know about you? “I am ranked in the top 25 Pokemon players in South Africa. I love snowboarding and I can speak a little Japanese.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “Finding solutions to problems that no one realised was a problem or couldn’t previously fix.”

What is on your bedside table? “Apart from the massive stack of books, a tablet to watch Netflix.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Stephen Hawking – to explain the secrets of the universe; Malcolm Gladwell – to unlock the potential in myself and change my world view; Elon Musk – to tell me where the world is heading; Robin Williams – to help me put a smile on people’s faces even when I am struggling, XXXTentacion – he was a tortured soul that tried to make the world a better place in his short lifetime.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “Can I have a fly around please.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “The day I passed my final Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) exam.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “Professional Chef/Pokemon trainer.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Biltong, drinking yoghurt in a bag and popcorn.”

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

What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “Empathy – you need to put yourself in another person’s shoes to understand them.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Do not judge others, you don’t know what happened in their life.”

Do you have a life philosophy? “Don’t take things so seriously. YOLO”.

Meet our Team ...

Today we introduce Craig Chaplin, helicopter pilot based at our Durban operation. Craig joined the AMS family in July this year. Here’s a look into his world … 

Tell us about yourself: “I was born in Pinetown in KwaZulu-Natal. I grew up in Kloof which is just inland of Durban. I used to spend most of my time on the beach trying to surf. After school I spent two years in the SA Navy, I was a gunner on the Strike Craft. I then went on to study Dental Technology. After I qualified I worked as a technician for a number of years while travelling to Europe and America and being a snow board bum. When I returned from America I decided to become a pilot and get a “real” job. I learned to fly with JNC Helicopters at Virginia in Durban. I have worked in the off shore industry for the past nine-ten years and am very happy to be home now as out of the rotational lifestyle.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS? “From when I started learning to fly I always wanted to use my profession to help people and I can’t think of a better company than AMS to do that with.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “Motorcycle mechanic.”

What do you do in your spare time? “Ride motorbikes, bicycles, I am trying to remember how to surf and I try to keep fit.”

What might someone be surprised to know about you? “I used to play the violin.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “I feel proud to be able to help people who are less fortunate than I am.”

What is on your bedside table? “I don’t have a bedside table.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Umm, I can’t think of five but I’d definitely like to have dinner with Lance Armstrong. I want to ask him why he lied. And I want him to give me back my money for the books of his that I bought.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “Guaranteed to at some point to be asked...When does a pilot start to sweat?   When the fan turns off” and then the uncomfortable silence as they wait for you to laugh.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “Being able to help my folks buy their house.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “Brain Surgeon.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Chocolate. Lindt Toasted Sesame.”

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

What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “Perseverance.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “You don’t always have to be right.”

Do you have a life philosophy? “Have as much fun as possible.”

Meet our team

Today we get to know Marc Lawson, AMO Manager. Marc has been with the AMS family for eight years and is multi-skilled, amongst others an ELO instructor and an aircraft mechanic, here’s a look into his world…

Tell us about yourself: “I was born and raised in Cape Town, but have travelled and stayed in many different countries. I completed high school in Cape Town in 1990 then went on to complete my National Military Service, where I worked for about three years. I joined the Air Force as an Aircraft Mechanic thereafter. I completed my Flight Engineers and Instructors Course in the Air Force and then was off to the Middle East for two years. I came back to South Africa and was offered a job at AMS."

Were you in any other trade before?  “One of life’s philosophies... Jack of all trades and a master of few.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS family?  “I appreciated and had an understanding of what the organisation stands for. This was one of the key factors why I joined.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “Understanding women.”

What do you do in your spare time? “What spare time, I work for AMS lol. I service helicopters in my private capacity, I volunteer as a life saver, I have my own aviation school and I am restoring my own two personal aircraft when the time allows.

What might someone be surprised to know about you? “I am very soft hearted and caring for people in reaching their full potential.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “There is very little repetition.”

What is on your bedside table? “My watch, my cell phone, my pocket Bible and my bedside light that my wife bought which I never use because Eskom is too expensive.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be?  “Shoo!  Mmm… I’ve never really thought of it hey … can’t think of anybody … oh wait maybe Donald Trump, I just want to find out how he thinks.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “Most people think people that working in aviation is a routine well paid job, when it’s the opposite …”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “When I got married and when my two sons were born.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “Shoo! Mmm… a pilot for personal reasons.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Chocolate and food is my biggest weakness.”

What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “My family. My wife and kids.”

What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “I am caring yet consistent.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “There’s so many of them, Don’t leave for tomorrow what can be done today. Saving is part of your budget. Don’t look at others, look at the change you can make.”

Do you have a life philosophy? “Enjoy life, go places, do things! The older you become the more painful it is.”