presented by don schenk, deputy chairperson, …...wonders of aviation (woa). npc no.:...

Presented by Don Schenk, Deputy Chairperson, Wonders of Aviation

Wonders of Aviation (WOA). NPC no.: 20201607342408 Royal Aeronautical Society of South Africa Annual Conference 2017. 26 October 2017. Don Schenk, WOA Deputy Chairperson. Keynote Address: People, Knowledge & Innovation.

2017/10/13

• Gift is a product of the Aero Club’s T&D team and was one of WOA’s first Award Winners.

• He demonstrates the leadership we hope to see in all our team. • He has been given leadership positions at Cornerstone College where he

learned to fly drones. • He has been given responsibility for some of the Aero Club’s activities and

was responsible for this year’s collaboration with CSIR. • He is a Schenk Family Award Winner, was elected Secretary of WOA, and

has been awarded a bursary by WOA to help him pursue his pilot training. • AASA sponsored his attendance at their Annual General Assembly this year. • He also spent time using drones to protect elephants on behalf of a

foundation that is supported by the Lindbergh Foundation (which would not mean much to me if it were not for the fact that Erik Lindbergh is a neighbor and friend on Bainbridge Island in the USA).

Our accomplishments are our people Gift Kgadima


2017/10/13

• Buhle is our first Award Winner who is an aeronautical engineering student.

• She is one of Wits University’s top aeronautical engineering students, and has taken the time to help with WOA.

• She is in the process of designing a program that will encourage high school students to read more books about aviation; she helped the National Aerospace Center develop an exciting one day program at Wits for our Award Winners; and she was responsible for selecting next year’s Award Winner from Wits.

• She was part of the South African Aero Squad team that made it into the top 50 in a global Airbus competition.

• She is this year’s Schenk Family Award Winner.

Our accomplishments are our people Buhle Dlodlo


2017/10/13

• Orifha is a great example of the power of WOA. He lived in Limpopo and could not participate in any of our Awards because we have no funds and he was equally poor. His dream was to become a pilot and I mentored him as best I could from 13,000 miles away.

• At the end of his matric year, we discussed his options, one of which was to attend the University of Pretoria and study computer science or set university aside and try to find a way to become a pilot. We decided that he was being given a wonderful opportunity to attend this university, where he started last year.

• I offered him the opportunity to experience our awards one year later, and he jumped at the opportunity. He has done so well that he has been invited to teach a first year computer course.

• He is an existing WOA mentor, and has offered to provide a leadership development course in computers to WOA.

Our accomplishments are our people Orifha Mbedzi


2017/10/13

• Frans grew up in Mamelodi dreaming of becoming a pilot. However, he has been unable to obtain the funds to begin training.

• I have spent a lot of time mentoring him on what he should do and what he should know in order to make an informed decision. In the mean time he has continued to develop his skills as a poet, attend outreach events where he provides inspirational talks, and mentor award winners.

• He is a published poet, and I would encourage everyone in this room to purchase a copy.

Our accomplishments are our people Frans Monakisi


• WOA believes in the power of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to transform individuals and the world, but leaders require more than academic learning.

• We believe in supporting all three of our stakeholders:

1. Services for supporting aviation institutions (such as RaSAA): provide awards and leadership training, support outreach activities, and encourage collaborations.

2. Support for exceptional individuals: education awards, leadership development courses, assume a leadership role in WOA, and encourage a tradition of giving back.

3. Support for the broader public and everyone who is inspired by aviation: encourage registration to the AASA/WOA sponsored LinkedIn group.

The power of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math STEM & WOA


Collaboration with CSIR: Wind Tunnel Tour

3 July 2017. Outreach Education Event. Learn about the role of wind tunnel’s in aviation and a

visit to the CSIR national facility.


Contact Information Dy Moonsammy, Wonders of Aviation’s Chairperson

Gift Kadima, Wonders of Aviation’s Secretary Glen Snedden, Royal Aeronautical Society’s Chairperson Donald Schenk, Wonders of Aviation’s Vice Chairperson

Wonders of Aviation (WOA). NPC NO.: 20201607342408

P.O. Box 7049, Bonaero Park, 1622, Gauteng, South Africa

www.wondersofaviation-southafrica.org www.wondersofaviation.org (USA)

2017/10/13


http://www.wondersofaviation-southafrica.org/




http://www.wondersofaviation.org/

Thank you.

presented by don schenk, deputy chairperson, …...wonders of aviation (woa). npc no.:...

Documents