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

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

Themba Ngaleka

Accounts Payable Clerk

Themba Ngaleka

Themba Ngaleka

Accounts Payable Clerk

Accounts Payable 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

Simthembile Gadezweni

IT Technician

Simthembile Gadezweni

Simthembile Gadezweni

IT Technician

IT Technician

Nokhanyo Mntsokobha

Intern

Nokhanyo Mntsokobha

Nokhanyo Mntsokobha

Intern

Intern

Agosthino Goliath

Senior Accountant

Agosthino Goliath

Agosthino Goliath

Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant

Jocelyn Park-Ross

Training & Development

Jocelyn Park-Ross

Jocelyn Park-Ross

Training & Development

Training & Development

Thembakazi Qokolo

Intern

Thembakazi Qokolo

Thembakazi Qokolo

Intern

Intern

Rushana Slarmie

Head Office Administrative Coordinator

Rushana Slarmie

Rushana Slarmie

Head Office Administrative Coordinator

Head Office Administrative Coordinator

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

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

New headsets for our fleet

The AMS is excited to partner with Bose Aviation and Wings ‘n Things to replace all the headsets of its current fleet with brand new Bose A20 headsets.

“We are pleased to welcome Bose Aviation and Wings ‘n Things (authorized Bose dealer) as supporters of the AMS. The ongoing support will ensure that we can focus on the task at hand to continue to provide an innovative, quality and rapid aero-medical service to all communities.” said Dr. Philip Erasmus, AMS CEO. The aero-medical environment is a challenging environment where providing care for critically ill and injured patients in the confined space of an aircraft is crucial. Communication between pilots and paramedics during all phases of flight and patient care in the cabin is vital to ensure safety during every mission. The greater noise reduction feature of the Bose headsets assists with decreasing crew fatigue and improves the quality of the communication through the headsets between the crew members.

“Bose is honored and proud to be able to support the terrific work done by the amazing people of The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service. Keep up the excellent lifesaving and outreach work you do so well.” Patrick Schutterop, Category Business Manager - Aviation EMEA & India from Bose Aviation.

“Wings ‘n Things are truly excited to have been given the opportunity to play a part in facilitating this great initiative between Bose Aviation and the AMS to have been able to arrange something that will ease the financial burden at an operational level and allow them to invest these resources into their services to the communities that they serve. With the Bose A20 headsets we are also ensuring the health of the pilot’s hearing to enable them to function at the high level which is expected of them. We are grateful to our long-term partner, Bose, for their generous assistance that enabled us to contribute to this opportunity.” Colin Blanchard, Owner & CEO Wings ‘n Things.

New headsets for our fleet

New headsets for our fleet

The AMS is excited to partner with Bose Aviation and Wings ‘n Things to replace all the headsets of its current fleet with brand new Bose A20 headsets.

“We are pleased to welcome Bose Aviation and Wings ‘n Things (authorized Bose dealer) as supporters of the AMS. The ongoing support will ensure that we can focus on the task at hand to continue to provide an innovative, quality and rapid aero-medical service to all communities.” said Dr. Philip Erasmus, AMS CEO. The aero-medical environment is a challenging environment where providing care for critically ill and injured patients in the confined space of an aircraft is crucial. Communication between pilots and paramedics during all phases of flight and patient care in the cabin is vital to ensure safety during every mission. The greater noise reduction feature of the Bose headsets assists with decreasing crew fatigue and improves the quality of the communication through the headsets between the crew members.

“Bose is honored and proud to be able to support the terrific work done by the amazing people of The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service. Keep up the excellent lifesaving and outreach work you do so well.” Patrick Schutterop, Category Business Manager - Aviation EMEA & India from Bose Aviation.

“Wings ‘n Things are truly excited to have been given the opportunity to play a part in facilitating this great initiative between Bose Aviation and the AMS to have been able to arrange something that will ease the financial burden at an operational level and allow them to invest these resources into their services to the communities that they serve. With the Bose A20 headsets we are also ensuring the health of the pilot’s hearing to enable them to function at the high level which is expected of them. We are grateful to our long-term partner, Bose, for their generous assistance that enabled us to contribute to this opportunity.” Colin Blanchard, Owner & CEO Wings ‘n Things.

Team focus

Pamela Ngidi, affectionately known to many as Aunty Pam is responsible for keeping our facilities at the AMS King Shaka Base in a neat and tidy condition. Aunty Pam has been part of the team for 12 years, she always wears a smile on her face and enjoys socialising. Here’s a look into her world.

Tell us about yourself: “I was born in KwaMaphumulo and grew up in Durban (in Mlazi Township). I completed my Matric in 1986 at Ezindongeni Adult Centre. I am a very friendly person who laughs a lot and enjoys socialising with people.

Were you in any other trade before? “I worked for Check-Med Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Assistant for 15 years.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS? “While I was growing up my wish was always to be a Doctor one day. Unfortunately, this did not realise, so when I received the opportunity to work at AMS I was thrilled to know I will be working amongst doctors.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “To drive my own car.”

What do you do in your spare time? “I clean my house, I go to church and teach Sunday school.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “My Family, as all my children stays in Johannesburg.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “Someone can look at me and see a strong woman but I am also a sensitive person.”

What is on your bedside table? “My Bible and my phone.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “They are excited and want to come fly.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “The graduation of my children.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “A Steers Burger.”

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

Which animal do you feel best describes you and why? “A cow, because cows are providers (you get milk, meat, leather etc.) just like me at the workplace as well as my home.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Pray and be patient.”

Do you have a life goal? “To complete my house.”

Team focus

Team focus

Pamela Ngidi, affectionately known to many as Aunty Pam is responsible for keeping our facilities at the AMS King Shaka Base in a neat and tidy condition. Aunty Pam has been part of the team for 12 years, she always wears a smile on her face and enjoys socialising. Here’s a look into her world.

Tell us about yourself: “I was born in KwaMaphumulo and grew up in Durban (in Mlazi Township). I completed my Matric in 1986 at Ezindongeni Adult Centre. I am a very friendly person who laughs a lot and enjoys socialising with people.

Were you in any other trade before? “I worked for Check-Med Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Assistant for 15 years.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS? “While I was growing up my wish was always to be a Doctor one day. Unfortunately, this did not realise, so when I received the opportunity to work at AMS I was thrilled to know I will be working amongst doctors.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “To drive my own car.”

What do you do in your spare time? “I clean my house, I go to church and teach Sunday school.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “My Family, as all my children stays in Johannesburg.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “Someone can look at me and see a strong woman but I am also a sensitive person.”

What is on your bedside table? “My Bible and my phone.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “They are excited and want to come fly.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “The graduation of my children.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “A Steers Burger.”

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

Which animal do you feel best describes you and why? “A cow, because cows are providers (you get milk, meat, leather etc.) just like me at the workplace as well as my home.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Pray and be patient.”

Do you have a life goal? “To complete my house.”

Team focus

Today we introduce Dorothia Zimba, Accounts Clerk based at our Head Office. Dorothia has been with the organisation for more than two decades. Here’s a look into her world…

Tell us about yourself: “I was born in the Eastern Cape, in a place called Queenstown. I grew up and completed my studies there.”

Were you in any other trade before? “No.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS? “I chose AMS because it is a good organisation.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “I would like to be a social worker.”

What do you do in your spare time? “I enjoy cleaning and baking.”

What might someone be surprised to know about you? “That I am still working at AMS.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “Learning something new every day.”

What is on your bedside table? “My Bible.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Barack Obama.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “They encourage me to work hard.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “When I started working at AMS.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “To be a Chief Executive Officer.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Capturing invoices.”

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

What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “I am a hard worker.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Work hard.”

Team focus

Team focus

Today we introduce Dorothia Zimba, Accounts Clerk based at our Head Office. Dorothia has been with the organisation for more than two decades. Here’s a look into her world…

Tell us about yourself: “I was born in the Eastern Cape, in a place called Queenstown. I grew up and completed my studies there.”

Were you in any other trade before? “No.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS? “I chose AMS because it is a good organisation.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “I would like to be a social worker.”

What do you do in your spare time? “I enjoy cleaning and baking.”

What might someone be surprised to know about you? “That I am still working at AMS.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “Learning something new every day.”

What is on your bedside table? “My Bible.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Barack Obama.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “They encourage me to work hard.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “When I started working at AMS.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “To be a Chief Executive Officer.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Capturing invoices.”

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

What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “I am a hard worker.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Work hard.”

Meet our team

Our National Operations Centre (NOC), relies on a small team of dedicated co-ordinators to provide client access, mission co-ordination services and the collection, recording & distribution of data to mention a few. The newest addition to the AMS team resides in this Department; today we get to know Dean Oliver, NOC Coordinator.

Who is Dean Olivier? “I can’t remember where I was born, I also didn’t really ask. I am sure it was in a hospital in Cape Town somewhere (lol). I lived in Atlantis initially but also grew up largely on the Cape Flats specifically Mitchells Plain and Delft where I still reside today. I matriculated from Roosendal High School in 2003 and studied & qualified from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in 2011.”

Were you in any other trade before? “Since matric I have been in the EMS environment. For three years I worked in the call centre industry, but this too required the use of my EMS knowledge.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS? “I think the question should be why AMS chose me. It is a field I have never experienced before so it offers me personal growth in an industry, I have no experience in (aviation). I also have a chance to be the coolest dad when I bring my son for a tour of the base.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “Ummmm… tough question… be a pro at trading the foreign exchange, I guess.”

What do you do in your spare time? “Relax with family, going fishing and playing FIFA.”

What might someone be surprised to know about you? “I go fishing.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “I enjoy the fact that every day poses new challenges. The challenges range from poor flying weather conditions to dealing with excel documents; but most importantly I enjoy the fact that AMS is a family. In my short tenure here, I have seen how pilots, medical crew, engineers and operations centre staff work together and all of this is in aid of flying our patients safely and rescuing the injured. Besides, who does not enjoy being part of a team who operates like a well fuelled and maintained AgustaWestland rescue helicopter?”

What is on your bedside table? “I don’t have one. But next time you ask the question I certainly will.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Winston Churchill - led Britain to victory in the Second World War; Madiba - widely regarded as an icon of democracy and social justice; Florence Nightingale – the woman who changed the face of nursing forever; Thomas Edison – Inventor The Phonograph, Light Bulb, The Motion Picture; Leonardo da Vinci - one of the world’s greatest thinkers, artists and philosophers.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “When can we fly.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “The day I married my wife Nicole.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “To be part of the AMS flight medical crew.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Playing video games.”

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

What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “Always willing to help.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Never underestimate the power of 1.”

Do you have a life philosophy? “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

Meet our team

Meet our team

Our National Operations Centre (NOC), relies on a small team of dedicated co-ordinators to provide client access, mission co-ordination services and the collection, recording & distribution of data to mention a few. The newest addition to the AMS team resides in this Department; today we get to know Dean Oliver, NOC Coordinator.

Who is Dean Olivier? “I can’t remember where I was born, I also didn’t really ask. I am sure it was in a hospital in Cape Town somewhere (lol). I lived in Atlantis initially but also grew up largely on the Cape Flats specifically Mitchells Plain and Delft where I still reside today. I matriculated from Roosendal High School in 2003 and studied & qualified from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in 2011.”

Were you in any other trade before? “Since matric I have been in the EMS environment. For three years I worked in the call centre industry, but this too required the use of my EMS knowledge.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS? “I think the question should be why AMS chose me. It is a field I have never experienced before so it offers me personal growth in an industry, I have no experience in (aviation). I also have a chance to be the coolest dad when I bring my son for a tour of the base.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “Ummmm… tough question… be a pro at trading the foreign exchange, I guess.”

What do you do in your spare time? “Relax with family, going fishing and playing FIFA.”

What might someone be surprised to know about you? “I go fishing.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “I enjoy the fact that every day poses new challenges. The challenges range from poor flying weather conditions to dealing with excel documents; but most importantly I enjoy the fact that AMS is a family. In my short tenure here, I have seen how pilots, medical crew, engineers and operations centre staff work together and all of this is in aid of flying our patients safely and rescuing the injured. Besides, who does not enjoy being part of a team who operates like a well fuelled and maintained AgustaWestland rescue helicopter?”

What is on your bedside table? “I don’t have one. But next time you ask the question I certainly will.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Winston Churchill - led Britain to victory in the Second World War; Madiba - widely regarded as an icon of democracy and social justice; Florence Nightingale – the woman who changed the face of nursing forever; Thomas Edison – Inventor The Phonograph, Light Bulb, The Motion Picture; Leonardo da Vinci - one of the world’s greatest thinkers, artists and philosophers.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “When can we fly.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “The day I married my wife Nicole.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “To be part of the AMS flight medical crew.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Playing video games.”

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

What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “Always willing to help.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Never underestimate the power of 1.”

Do you have a life philosophy? “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”