Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority International Airport P. O. Box D361, The Gables H126 Tel: +268 2518 4390, 2518 4047, 258 4049 Fax: +268 2518 4199 Email: [email protected] Website: www.swacaa.co.sz SWACAA SWAZILAND CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY

The Official SWACAA Magazine Vol: 5 - January 2013

Our People Graduate ACCOUNTABILITY IS OUR WAY OF LIFE Hospice at Home and SWACAA - A life saving partnership ICAO MISSION - Focus on flight safety Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority The Official Swacaa Magazine Vol. 5 - JANUARY 2013 ContentsCONTENTS OUR VISION AND OUR BUSINESS...... 4 EDITOR’S CORNER...... 5 FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL’S DESK...... 6 ICAO MISSION – FOCUS ON FLIGHT SAFETY ...... 8 - 9 WE HAVE MOVED ...... 10 LIFE COMING FULL CIRCLE FOR THE FINANCE DIRECTOR...... 12 - 13 HOSPICE AT HOME AND SWACAA- A LIFE SAVING PARTNERSHIP...... 14 PICTURE GALLERY...... 15 -18 INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION DAY 2012...... 19 ACCOUNTABILITY IS OUR WAY OF LIFE...... 20 - 21 THE SWAZILAND INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR IS OUR SHOW...... 22 WORLD ROUTES 2012 - ABU DHABI...... 23 East3Route – Our Life Line ...... 24 OUR PEOPLE GRADUATE ...... 26 - 27 WHAT DO I DO AT SWACAA?...... 28 TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS ...... 30

Sometimes, flying feels too godlike to be attained by man. Sometimes, the world from above seems too beautiful, too wonderful, too distant for human eyes to see . . . — Charles A. Lindbergh, The Spirit of St. Louis, 1953

3 Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority

Our Vision “To attract and retain world air traffic and related customers through our efficient, regulated, safe and reliable business offerings to the aviation industry”.

Our Business

1. The Civil Aviation Authority Act 10, 2009. 2. Industry regulations in harmony with SADC. 3. A well run organisation responsive to clients and stakeholder needs. 4. People development to meet regulator and operator skills requirements. 5. Comprehensive guidance documents or inspector manuals. 6. Certification of the aviation industry. 7. Continuous safety and security oversight. 8. Resolution of safety and security concerns.

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EDITOR’S CORNER

he year 2012 must be allowed to rest in peace for eternity. It features among the most difficult in mankind’s memory and economically T is comparable with the years of The Great Depression leading to and around the Second World War. Governments went bankrupt to the point of inability to provide basic services for citizens, threatening a disintegration of the Social Contract which exists between governments and the rank and file. Desperate austerity measures were imposed by some European Governments that had some citizens burning themselves to death – not as a form of protest but because there seemed to be no practical way out for these individuals. Sabelo Dlamini - Editor

For the first time in history (I think) a sitting US President, Barack Obama, had to cut short his Christmas going to be better than yesterday. This is no doubt going holiday in Hawaii with his wife and daughters to go back to be the best national news of the year. He was quick to to Washington DC. Not because the twin towers were caution, rightly so, that the country’s long-term financial burning. No. He needed to avert what the Americans call solutions lie not in SACU “shares” but in sustainable a “fiscal cliff”. We are talking about the United States of national economic development. Here is to hope that America here, the world’s most glorious economy. Hallo! the humbling experiences of 2012 will spur us all in our different ways - in our little corners to do the best we can But I have graced mother Earth long enough and I can and to say, “Never again”. claim some understanding of the ways of this world. To compensate for what cosmologists may dismiss as the The idea behind the SWACAA publication is to tell the human being’s insignificant lifespan in the universe, story of an industry that throughout the world is a key I took to reading from a tender age and I still do so in to economic development because of the wonders that it good measure. I have therefore lived for several millennia can do. We tell this story fully aware that ours is one of through books on many different subjects, be they history, humble beginnings. But we believe in what we do and are scripture, politics, science, the arts or the law. I know as a confident that we are part of a solution, perhaps long-term matter of fact that hardship has the tendency to produce in nature, but a solution to “sustainable national economic the best in man. It is during trying times that this species, development”, as the Minister said, to be appreciated even commonly known as the human being, is at its most by generations yet to come. resilient and has the miraculous ability to overcome. In this regard, we acknowledge the contribution to this Woza 2013! I like the positive energy and resolve that cause that big names in corporate Swaziland have made has traditionally characterised new years. It is like to our ability to be seen and heard in the form of this new beginnings. There is resolve for triumph over the publication in the four continents where we are presently things that have cowed us in the past to remind us how in circulation: Sincephetelo MVA Fund, Swaziland Post vulnerable we are. Quite often we emerge victorious. Such & Telecommunications Corporation, Old Mutual, is the human spirit. Our Minister for Finance Mr. Majozi Swaziland . What is it that they say about standing Sithole has happily disclosed that tomorrow is certainly on the shoulders of giants?

5 Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority

FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL’S DESK

e are on the threshold of history in the Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Industry. The Ministry of Economic Planning and W Development has taken my principals – the Board of Directors - to Sikhuphe International Airport to begin the process of partially handing over the airport to SWACAA. Sikhuphe is happening in 2013 and it is no longer a case of wishful thinking. This is an emotional time for me personally and I am privileged to have known Solomon Dube - Director General the airport when it was a concept on a drawing board.

It is opportune at such an approaching milestone in the 8. Army (USDF) deals with National Security and Civil / history of Swaziland’s aviation to reflect on our mandate Military coordination in Swaziland airspace; and interaction with other stakeholders. The guiding 9. Swaziland Tourism Authority and Swaziland Invest- document, the CAA Act No. 10 of 2009, states that the ment Promotion Authority: marketing Swaziland objective of the CAA is to: jointly as no one comes only to an airport. 1. Regulate the aviation industry; 2. Operate the country’s airports; All these entities periodically partake in international 3. Promote air transport. conferences, workshops and seminars in a drive to In carrying out this mandate SWACAA liaises with harmonise world aviation practises. This is necessary international and national stakeholders, as follows: because aviation is international by nature. An aircraft taking off from is in another’s country’s 1. Air Transport deals with market entry into the airspace within 10 minutes. Pilots must comply with each aviation industry; and every country’s air laws without fail. Equipment on 2. Inspectorate (Safety & Security) deals with Critical board aircraft must match ground equipment at each Elements, 6 (Certification of the industry); 7 state’s airports. (Continued surveillance) and 8 (Resolution of safety concerns – fines and corrections); It takes endless meetings to harmonise in all areas that are 3. Airports deals with technical and commercial necessary for safe flight. Such meetings are also used as management of airports and airstrips; information sharing and benchmarking platforms for all 4. Air Navigation Service deals with giving proper personnel in the different departments. SWACAA and in guidance to aircraft during takeoff, en-route and turn Swaziland can now boast of a pool of senior officials landing; who truly understand what civil aviation is all about. This 5. Ministry of Health liaises with SWACAA for control has been through international training, informative of pandemics through aviation; weekly meetings, external training and attendance at 6. Ministry of Home Affairs deals with the security international aviation meetings and conferences. All of travel documents and cross border movement of this has been made possible through the cooperation people; SWACAA Executives have received from the Board and 7. Royal Swaziland Police liaise with security personnel the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, our parent for border security and general state security; Ministry.

6 The Official Swacaa Magazine Vol. 4 - september 2012 Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority

ICAO MISSION – FOCUS ON FLIGHT SAFETY

ICAO Regional Officer Mr. George Njao (left), Regional Officer Flight Safety Mr. Milton Tumusiime and SWACAA Director General Mr. Solomon Dube

here has been a series of missions to Swazil- a professional civil aviation industry. SWACAA then and by the International Civil Aviation developed a Corrective Action Plan which it presented Organisation. The reasons are easy to to ICAO. The latter then presented to SWACAA and T understand: Swaziland is in the major process the Minister of Transport the ICAO Plan of Action for of overhauling its civil aviation industry and making it Swaziland. The two documents are a roadmap of how the compliant with world standards, as determined by the two organisations are to collaborate in the task of getting world civil aviation governing body, ICAO. It is a historical Swaziland out of the woods. fact that there was an ICAO audit of the industry in Swaziland in 2007. This audit found that Swaziland was Mr Milton Tumusiime and Mr George Njao came to not complying with set standards by as wide a margin as Swaziland in August 2012 from the ICAO Regional Office in 84%, meaning that out of 100 items, there were only 16 Nairobi, Kenya on an assistance mission. Like others before that we were possibly getting right. them, they too are specialists in their areas. Their mission was on flight safety with the goal of providing guidance to The Government, having identified air transport as a vital SWCAA on how best to resolve safety concerns, using the and strategic necessity for the economy, made a commitment ICAO Plan of Action for Swaziland. The mission worked to implement ICAO’s findings and recommendations, very closely with flight OPS and Airworthiness Inspectors essentially covering eight critical elements to resolve the from SWACAA. According to Mr. Tumusiime, probably the situation. Probably the most significant of these decisions most pressing need that was identified almost immediately was to adopt ICAO’s recommendation to form a Civil by the team was an evident lack of skills to enable the Aviation Authority - SWACAA - and mandate it to carry officers to competently carry out the roles of inspectors. out, on behalf of the state, all the duties necessary for A workshop was held with the SWACAA team that was

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especially designed to create awareness of the ICAO website and its usefulness in enabling each state to work on line and update the corrective action plan electronically, a feature which serves as a reporting tool. The mission assisted with arranging for the SWACAA team to obtain user IDs and passwords to enable access to the websites and update them at their convenience.

It was important from the mission’s point of view to satisfy itself that the team of inspectors for the new organisation understands the issues relating to their jobs that were raised in the 2007 audit. It was also crucial to make sure that the corresponding ICAO Regional Officer Mr. George Njao and Regional Officer corrective measures that appeared in the Corrective Flight Safety Mr. Milton Tumusiime Action Plan were also clearly understood. So the workshop Swaziland’s conditions and situation. The organisation was to make sure that ICAO and SWACAA were on the same of the library was also a case in point. Assistance was page, sharing the same understanding of the problems as provided on how to organise the library based on the well as the solutions to them. The mission also emphasised ICAO model, basically so that anybody walking into the the need for SWACAA to make sure that it remains relevant library will be able to access material with minimum need to ICAO annexes, noting that these are dynamic. It is very for assistance from the librarian. easy for a state’s regulations to quickly become archaic if it does not keep track of amendments. The mission again In the area of licensing, certification, approval and guided SWACAA to an online tracking tool which will authorisation, the mission noted that as a new entity, immediately expose gaps between the national regulations SWACAA was unsurprisingly still a long way away from and any amendments that may have been made to an annex being self-sufficient. It is still providing secondary services at ICAO level. This enables SWACAA to determine the such as validating and converting foreign-issued licences regulations that need to be promulgated in order to remain without the ability to issue its own original certification. compliant with the annexes. This is because it is yet to build the capacity, means and skills to determine its own systems, such as an examination ICAO acknowledges that the size of the inspectorate team board. The mission noted that SWACAA needed to identify should be commensurate with the present size of the country’s contingency systems and plans and make sure that in the civil aviation industry but emphasises the urgent need to meantime, a strong backup system is readily available. equip the inspectors with specialised training as well as on- the-job training in order for them to cope with the associated There is no doubt that ICAO is delighted with Swaziland’s safety oversight obligations. Once trained and sufficiently resolve to implement the corrective measures. However, skilled there is also a need to develop remuneration strategies amidst all the other problems the main concern is the to ensure that skilled and experienced inspectors are not lost lack of skills and adequate experience for the SWACAA to other countries and markets. inspectorate to meaningfully perform its duties. They recommended continuous monitoring and assistance. The mission also provided guidance on how to develop Agreeing with the observation, the Director General has Technical Guidance Material so that inspectors are further made it a priority to source skilled personnel aware of procedures and checklists that they need for from the regional office on a mid-to-longer-term basis to the professional execution of their overseeing duties. provide on-the-job training to the staff: this on top of an SWACAA is still developing and customising them to aggressive training programme for the inspectorate.

9 Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority

WE HAVE MOVED issues typical of a building project, such as client- To our premises in initiated changes in scope, weather conditions and occasional delays in the delivery of material imported from . MATSAPHA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Director General’s view is that the relocation was logical as soon as there was certainty of the airport ownership investing with SWACAA after all the transition issues were finalised.

“It is important that we get closer to the business and the people we are working with. It is when this happens that you appreciate details that would Board Members being shown around the new offices by otherwise not be picked up in passing”, he said. He also Welile Mhlanga, SWACAA Project Manager explained that the relocation of the head office has made a significant contribution to the building of a united team that fter two and a half years operating from the is not separated by any physical and psychological barriers. Cooper Centre in , the leadership of The relocation has improved efficiency and delivery because the Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority took the people simply walk across to meet each other instead of A decision to relocate its Head Office to Matsapha making phone calls and taking long journeys to have issues International Airport. According to Mr. Solomon Dube the resolved. Director General, the move was approved by the Board of Directors during May 2012 and supported by the Minister of Public Works and Transport, the Honourable Ntuthuko Dlamini.

Mr. Welile Mhlanga, SWACAA’s Project Manager, said that he and his team received instructions from senior management to rehabilitate an existing structure, previously used as a OUR NEW CONTACT DETAILS: workshop for the Department of Civil Aviation fleet, and convert it into an office complex.

The work began with the tender process advertisement in the media and ultimately the tender was awarded to Tee & Jay Investment. The project predominantly consisted of dry wall partitioning, tiling, carpeting, wiring, painting and air conditioning, among other items in the bill of quantities. It was estimated that the rehabilitation would take five months Our new premises at Matsapha International Airport and the offices would be ready by Septemberst 1 . Even though Mr. Mhlanga believes that they were lucky to engage one of the As far as the Minister of Public Works and Transport is most professional and competent companies, the work took concerned, SWACAA’s relocation to its own property instead two additional months and the offices were not to be ready of rented premises indicates an understanding of the country’s until November 4th 2012. This was due to several unanticipated financial climate and sets an example worth emulating.

10 Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority (SWACAA) The Official Swacaa Magazine Vol. 4 - september 2012 WE HAVE MOVED To our premises in MATSAPHA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

OUR NEW CONTACT DETAILS:

Tel: +268 2518 4390, +268 2518 4047, +268 2518 4049 Fax: +268 2518 4199 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.swacaa.co.sz

Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority (SWACAA) Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority

LIFE COMING FULL CIRCLE FOR THE FINANCE DIRECTOR

Mr. Samson Mbhamali SWACAA Finance Director

r. Samson Madoda Mbhamali is an He enjoyed it and worked at the tower for over a year. affable character, humble and reserved. Asked why he resigned in 1977 he says: “We were In conversations, he prefers listening to waiting for scholarships so that we could proceed for M talking. At first impression you would be training as fully-fledged air traffic controllers. At the forgiven for assuming that he is a shy person, until you same time I had applied for enrolment at the University discover his infectious laughter and a mischievous sense to study Accounting. The University process happened of humour. He is relentless in his approach to financial first and when I got a letter of admission I resigned and control and yet so cooperative once he is convinced of the went straight to University where I began my studies in value to be derived out of the expenditure. His capacity to Bachelor of Arts in Economics with majors in Economics tolerate different personalities is legendary. He is famous for and Accounting.” He added that 33 years later, in June keeping a calm face and a smile even in the most adverse 2010, he found himself with this new parastatal tasked circumstances. Staff at SWACAA fondly refer to him by his with doing the business of the airport. clan name “Tholeni’’ or simply FD (for Finance Director). “Life is full of interesting ironies. After a very long It has been a long journey for Mbhamali since December professional journey I am back where I began. It has come 1975, when he was given his first job as a Trainee Air full circle for me!” he said. Traffic Controller at Matsapha International Airport.

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“At all times you have to be fully aware that you are handling taxpayers’ money and give due respect to the manner in which you handle funds. We are a fully state-sponsored parastatal and do not have the luxury of meaningful revenue streams. So the taxpayers’ money with which we are entrusted must be utilised with that level of consciousness.”

The SWACAA Finance Director has amassed vast we can trade with the world freely and also begin on a clean experience during his illustrious career in the finance footing with Sikhuphe International Airport. We have to discipline in different industries such as forestry, sugar, license both airports, recruit and train staff and aggressively insurance and electricity generation and distribution. raise our profile internationally as a tourist and business destination accessible by air. These issues cost a lot of Mr. Mbhamali spent 17 years at the Swaziland Electricity money and there is no way you can avoid that expenditure,” Company, seven of which were in the capacity of General stated the Finance Director. Manager Finance. Talking about how he landed the job at SWACAA, he revealed that he saw an advertisement by a The FD is in charge of a large team in the Finance recruitment agency in the newspaper. It was clear to him that Department and has the Finance Manager as his right the job required a seasoned finance executive so he applied. hand man. Information Technology is also in the FD’s He went through two interviews, and was also interviewed portfolio with the IT Manager reporting to him. The Board by the Board of Directors, before finally being approved by of Directors prefers to have Mbhamali as Acting Director cabinet, as is the legal requirement for parastatal finance General whenever the substantive Director General Mr executives. Other than his work experience, Mbhamali has Dube is away, and owing to Mr Dube’s busy schedule an impressive academic record with a string of professional internationally, Mr Mbhamali is often loaded with the qualifications such as Chartered Accountant and Chartered duties of the both DG and the FD. At times like those, he Company Secretary. confesses that the pressure can be immense and work can go on until as late as nine o’clock at night, but he takes it all Talking about his job at SWACAA and his approach to in his stride. “I am not complaining. It comes with the job”, finance control, Mbhamali said: “At all times you have to he said. be fully aware that you are handling taxpayers’ money and give due respect to the manner in which you handle funds. Born and bred at Ekutsimleni in the , We are a fully state-sponsored parastatal and do not have Samson Mbhamali is a family man. Having lived in the luxury of meaningful revenue streams. So the taxpayers’ Mbabane for the better part of his life since his days at money with which we are entrusted must be utilised with Mater Dolorosa High School, he has recently built a palatial that level of consciousness.” home at Hawane, a few kilometres to the north of Motshane where he resides and spends quality time with his family. Mr. Mbhamali’s job includes budgeting, consolidation He likes watching television with the family and is fond of and approval processes, as well as managing the funds wrestling. once allocated, liaising with external Auditors and making financial reports to the Board of Directors and the Public He was attracted to Hawane by the magnificence of open Enterprises Monitoring Unit. He believes that his is a spaces and green rolling hills. When he is not paying the high pressure job but he is used to the pressures of the bills and balancing the books at SWACAA, he is pursuing finance office and for him it is like being a fish in water. with a passion his love of farming, which this smallholding He concedes, though, that it can be tough sometimes as he at Hawane enables him to do. finds himself having to do his best to satisfy all stakeholders with polarised expectations. “Hawane is a very tranquil and peaceful area. I am able to determine my own pace here. Once I have climbed “Our priority is to correct all the critical elements that all the mountains from Matsapha to Hawane, I feel I am ICAO pointed out as our shortcomings as a state - the issues breathing fresh air from a good altitude and I am able to that got us into the European Union’s bad books - so that rest. I can say to myself, I am home.” He concluded.

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HOSPICE AT HOME AND SWACAA – A LIFE SAVING PARTNERSHIP

“The cost of both medicine and food has sky- rocketed in the last couple of years and the international donor community has dwindled by the day. This has left us terribly exposed. We also do outreach programmes where we have patients that are on a home-based care program where the desperate food need becomes much more pronounced”, she said.

A donor gave a cow to Hospice at Home, which was used as a prize for a fund raising mini soccer tournament that was open to several social teams for a joining fee. SWACAA staff members paid the joining fee, participated in the tournament, beat all the teams and took the prize.

As Mzi Mthethwa later put it, “We had a big Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director Mr. Sabelo Dlamini and Hospice at Home Director Mrs Thuli Msane barbecue and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. But then we said to ourselves, it cannot end here, he year 2012 will not be missed and will always because we have seen for ourselves that the need at the be remembered for the pain and hardship caused centre is so huge and overwhelming. An idea was born that to citizens by a failing economy. There have been we go back to Hospice sometime before Christmas with T no new jobs created: instead jobs have been medicine and food”. lost. Those lucky enough to still have jobs have not even had inflation cushioning salary raises. This has left people It was indeed a dream come true for the staff as on Friday seriously cash strapped and sinking in debt. the 21st December a large contingent of staff members delivered much needed medicine and food parcels to the Is it the English who say that for every dark cloud there Director at Hospice at Home. is a silver lining, or words to that effect? What this means is that sometimes it takes catastrophes to get the best out SWACAA Director General Mr. Solomon Dube, of mankind. This must have been the spirit that propelled acknowledging this great generosity by his staff had this to staff members of the Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority to say: ”Bravo to all of you dear colleagues for what you have stand up and dig deeper into their shallow pockets to buy done. Sparing a thought for others regardless of your own medicine and food for the terminally ill patients at Hospice circumstances is what life is about”. Elaborating on this at Home. The hospice, headed by Senator Thuli Mswane, initiative, he pointed out that as a parastatal, the Authority is situated at Lusushwana in Matsapha. Its purpose is to does not have the means to fund a comprehensive look after the very sick of society: those who have been Corporate Social Investment Programme. He was, however, diagnosed with terminal illness such as cancer and all the encouraged to see that staff and management of SWACAA complications caused by HIV, sugar diabetes, hypertension did not want to wait for the company. “They enthusiastically and many others, and who are bed ridden. According to supported a worthy cause, happy that they were doing so Senator Thuli Msane, the two biggest problems facing the under the banner of the company”, he concluded. centre is lack of medicine and food for the patients.

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PICTURE GALLERY Hospice at Home & SWACAA Partnership

15 Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority

PICTURE GALLERY CIVIL AVIATION DAY & TRADE FAIR 2012

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PICTURE GALLERY OUR PEOPLE GRADUATE AT ATNS

17 Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority

PICTURE GALLERY WORLD ROUTES – ABU DHABI 2012

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INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION DAY 2012

he 7th of December is Inter- national Civil Aviation Day. While this is not a holiday, T it is a commemorative day recognised by the United Nations and observed by the Civil Aviation Industry worldwide. Swaziland commemorated the day for the first time at Matsapha International Airport on Friday December 7th 2012 at a well organised event attended by the Board of Directors, staff, the local industry and members of the public and the media.

SWACAA Marketing and Communi- cations Director Sabelo Dlamini, who was also the Master of Ceremonies, described the event as the industry’s open day when it explains its purpose to Private Pilots Mr. Bongi Gwebu (left) and Mr. Faizal Mohammed (right) members of the public. with Ms Ntombikayise Gwebu during the Civil Aviation Day

“Civil Aviation Day is about the industry attempting to Mr Mbhamali noted that either by design or sheer demystify itself, when it opens itself up to the public so coincidence SWACAA was also formed through it understands it better and is able to appreciate what is legislation that became law on the 7th of December 2009 involved”, said Mr Dlamini. Members of the public arrived and that on this day the Authority also commemorated in their numbers and were treated to quality entertainment three years of existence. He added that while the work by Swaziland’s finest musicians, such as Flow D and the has not been easy, it has been made possible through the Royal Swaziland Police Band. There were also shows such guidance of a knowledgeable Board of Directors and a as low level flying, flips and aircraft displays to enable dedicated Minister of Transport. members of the public to touch and feel the inside of an aircraft. A draw was held and lucky participants won great Also speaking was Ms Nanikie Mnisi, who represented prizes, such as a 30 minute flight over Matsapha, Malkerns the Minister of Public Works and Transport Mr. Ntuthuko and Manzini, as well as introductory flying lessons. Dlamini. The Minister paid tribute to the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) for the guidance that it The Director General, who was away on other business, has selflessly provided to SWACAA, in the quest to have was represented by the Finance Director Mr Samson Swaziland taken off the European Union’s black list. He Mbhamali, who spoke on his behalf. He narrated the acknowledged the Board, Management and staff for good history of civil aviation, tracing its origins to the famous work done over the past three years but encouraged them Wright Brothers who, in 1903, invented the world’s first to put in even greater effort as the journey is still long successful flying machine. He observed that since those and involved, especially with the imminent opening of humble beginnings the industry has proved to be the Sikhuphe International Airport. He thanked management answer to the world’s need for a fast and efficient form of for organising an event such as Civil Aviation Day, to transport across the continents for people and cargo. allow members of the public to engage with SWACAA.

19 Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority

ACCOUNTABILITY IS OUR WAY OF LIFE

s a new company recently established in 2009, the Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority was determined from the onset to lay a foundation A that reflects modern methods of conducting itself in doing business. It is a category A Class 1 parastatal that manages national assets: Matsapha and Sikhuphe airports combined are worth in excess of two billion Emalangeni. The stakes are high and call for great sensitivity on the part of those entrusted with their care.

The Director General, Mr. Solomon Dube said that the subject of finance and assets have to be viewed by everyone in broad terms so that every staff member understands that the protection of resources is not a matter for only the Finance Department.

“We must all be conscious of the fact that we are surrounded by valuable assets at our work stations every day. We have to exercise a high degree of care whenever we put these to use. There will be serious consequences for those who misuse and abuse company assets. We want to avoid wastage Mr. Mandla SWACAA Finance Manager because of its ugly tendency to deteriorate resources at the the custodian of all SWACAA Finance Policies and is tasked expense of the taxpayer,” said Mr. Dube. with enforcing their daily application. His view is that the successful implementation of any policy, especially a Finance Mr. Samson Mbhamali, the Finance Director said that Control Policy, relies on it being known and understood by SWACAA is one of the most regulated companies he has its users. The understanding, according to Ngwenya, is the ever worked for. “When we established our finance policies most important part so that people should not view a policy we were using the Government procurement provisions as a as “this thing that is there to deny us access to spending guide, but we really benefited from the combined experiences company money”. He added that if this happens, people then of the management team, which came from different look for ways of circumventing the policy and that leads to institutions and backgrounds. I believe that our policies are more serious problems. among the best and most practical,” he said. According to Ngwenya, the history of putting policies in Mr Mbhamali narrated how every policy is presented to place at SWACAA was through employee workshops as soon senior management in its draft form. It is debated, corrected as a number of policies had been approved by the Board. at that forum and submitted to the Board of Directors Employees, as the main users, had to be familiarised with for approval as a policy to inform and guide SWACAA them and the importance to all parties of adherence to such operations in that respect. It is only after signed approval policies. “We wanted a total buy-in. You may not like the by the Director General and the Board that a policy may be policy but at least understand why we need to have it, and distributed to staff for implementation. Mr Mandla Ngwenya, understand also that you cannot opt out of it for as long as the Finance Manager reporting to the Finance Director, is you are around,” he stated.

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The policies are sent electronically to every employee’s computer for ease of reference. As far as Mr. Ngwenya is concerned, people in general do not like rules but he is happy with the awareness and the effort that his fellow staff members are making in co-operating with his office. He believes he has noticed an understanding among colleagues that the more we do things correctly in adherence with policies, the less likely we are to encounter delays in getting business done and transactions approved.

Talking about how elaborate the depart-ment policies can be, the Finance Director, Mr. Samson Mbhamali made an example of the Procurement Policy, which in his opinion is the most crucial as it affects almost everyone on a daily basis. He said that SWACAA is an open tender environment. The Finance Director is the Chairman of the Tender Committee and every purchase in excess of E10 000 must be approved Mr. Samson Mbhamali- SWACAA Finance Director by the Tender Committee, which sits at least once a week Mr. Mbhamali also cited The Business Travel Policy as one of or more frequently depending on the need. Tenders are those that the Authority had to get right. He said that there advertised in the media including on the company website. is a sizeable amount of travel in the industry with employees After a meeting of the Tender Committee the Finance travelling for training and business. Director meets with the Director General to brief him on the tenders awarded. This is important so that the Director “Travel is a sensitive topic with serious financial implications. General is aware of procurements that are about to be made If we could help it we would avoid it, but the reality is that our before the Company commits to Third Parties. Once the success depends on other stakeholders beyond our borders. Director General has been briefed and has approved the So with the Travel Policy we seek to maintain a healthy tender awards, the Finance Director will issue a purchase balance between the basic needs of the travelling employee order to the service provider if the goods or services being and the reality of scarce resources. We hope we succeed”, he procured are less than E250,000 in value. If goods or services said. He added that every trip outside the country must be are worth more than this amount but less than E500,000 approved by the Director General and be endorsed by the the purchase order must be signed by the Director General. Chairman of the Board. Tender awards in excess of E500,000 are approved by the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr Mbhamali revealed that there have already been two audits on the affairs of the Authority and both came out with Mr. Ngwenya clarified that tenders above the E500,000 unqualified reports. To him these reports are an encouraging threshold are adjudicated by the Tender Committee sign that the Authority is on the right path. independently of the Board, but management has no authority to commit to the service provider. The Board must satisfy itself first and then management can award.”

“Travel is a sensitive topic with serious financial implications. If we could help it we would avoid it, but the reality is that our success depends on other stakeholders beyond our borders”.

21 Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority

THE SWAZILAND INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR IS OUR SHOW

The Trade Fair presented an opportunity for SWACAA to showcase opportunities for local business people with the imminent opening of Sikhuphe International Airport.

he Swaziland International Trade Fair has for several decades been the Kingdom of Swaziland’s top trade and exhibition forum. It has continued T to grow over the years, attracting exhibitors from neighbouring countries and North Africa as well as Asia. For Swaziland businesses large and small, the International Trade Fair is the place to be.

Since its establishment, the Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority has been a keen participant in this premier local show and 2012 was no exception. The Trade Fair presented an opportunity for SWACAA to showcase opportunities for local business people with the imminent opening of Sikhuphe International Airport. Mr. Goodman Kunene at the Trade Fair Individual members of the public flocked to the SWACAA SWACAA was also privileged to be given exhibition stand to get information and details about an opportunity to explain air access and progress at the airport and the terminal building design, elaborate on Sikhuphe International Air- as well as the requirements to prepare for businesses of their choice. A team of staff at the stand was always ready port business opportunities. to give helpful information to assist decision making on The 2012 International Trade Fair was organised by the part of local business people. SIPA and so there was a lot of business presentation time allocated. Presentations by various businesses from other According to Goodman Kunene, one of the team of staff African States were made and different opportunities in members who was manning the stand at the show, Swazis Swaziland were also highlighted by various industries and are keen to understand the business of airports, aircraft institutions. SWACAA was also privileged to be given and airlines. Younger Swazis wanted to know about careers an opportunity to explain air access and elaborate on and prospects for bursaries in order to pursue dreams of Sikhuphe International Airport business opportunities. joining the industry as professionals later in life. The Trade Fair ended with a workshop on the newly A significant number of people inquired about progress established national brand of Africa’s New Promise, while made by SWACAA in having the European Union ban organisations that are involved in marketing the country lifted and airlines willing to fly to Sikhuphe. It is after all in different capacities were educated on the correct use of a show and a great opportunity to network and exchange the brand. As always, the Swaziland International Trade ideas with Swazis, as well as to get the views of people Fair offered ideal conditions for a nation to understand outside the industry. itself better.

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WORLD ROUTES 2012

orld Routes is the supreme forum for Airlines and Airports throughout the W world. Organised by the world renowned UBM company based in Manchester England, World Routes has become the premiere industry forum where the Civil Aviation Industry, tourism promotion boards and Investment Authorities meet to market their products and services to the core industry captains and decision makers.

Since its establishment and coming into office The Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority has been a regular feature in this crucial At the SWACAA stand a delegation from the Abu Dhabi Emirate in a marketing forum. According to the Director meeting with Sabelo Dlamini General Mr. Solomon Dube Swaziland has been a participant in the Routes Marketing Forum well made and two key Airlines considered to be giants in before SWACAA came into being. It was in the marketing Africa gave the Swaziland team audience and ever since strategy developed by the consultants that had been dialogues and contacts have been maintained. engaged by the Ministry of Economic planning and Development to assist with the International marketing of The completion of the airport will be Sikhuphe International Airport. The consultants helped good news for all concerned as marketers identify ways and means of getting Swaziland and her new and airlines will for the first time be airport in the agenda of airlines. Hence the idea of World Routes was proposed and approved. Mr. Dube remembers engaging with each other with certainty a Swaziland delegation attending World Routes for the of a complete facility. first time in 2008 in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. World Routes 2012, held in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, saw strong indications of willingness Swaziland hosted the African version of Routes also to try Destination Swaziland, at least by the captains of the organised by the same company in May 2010, a meeting travel and transport industry in Abu Dhabi. A delegation that was graced by His Excellency the Honourable Prime from the Abu Dhabi Emirate visited the Swaziland stand Minister Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini. A number of and initiated air service agreement discussions with Airlines, tourism boards and airport companies attended Swaziland, culminating in the signing of a Bi-lateral Air the meeting. For Swaziland the major benefit was to get Service Agreement Memorandum of Understanding people to have a first-hand experience of the country between the two States. While it is a fact that we have lost and to actually view Sikhuphe at the time still under some potentially good opportunities with the delayed construction. Attending World Routes later in September completion of Sikhuphe International Airport, it is also 2010, with the marketing of the airport for the first time correct to state that the airlines industry wants to hear that under SWACAA, it became obvious that a lot of good work it is complete and ready for use. The completion of the had been done before in terms of promoting Swaziland airport will be good news for all concerned as marketers and Sikhuphe International Airport to the global Civil and airlines will for the first time be engaging with each Aviation and Travel Industry. Meaningful progress was other with certainty of a complete facility.

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EAST3ROUTE- Our Life Line

Clearly articulated by its sponsor, MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu from KZN, investment is being made in educating the stakeholders about the product so that when, for example, a Mozambican marketer talks about the East3Route in Sao Paulo, he will have marketed not only but Swaziland and KZN as well. Thus in the long run the costs of marketing to the world will invariably be shared by all three entities.

According to Minister for Tourism and Environ- mental Affairs Mr Mduduzi Small Joe Dlamini, the priority for Swaziland is to increase the number of people visiting our part of the world and coming to our Kingdom in the process. This is also a gap for SWACAA. Mr. Sifiso Mnisi, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Mr. Small Joe Dlamini SWACAA Director of Air Transport, who is with Mr. Mike Mabuyakhulu and other dignitaries also in charge of product development, participated in the excursion for the first time in 2012. He said that the challenge for Swaziland, which we identified as we interacted with Airline he East3Route is an example of what neighbours Executives across the globe, is the seemingly small number of can achieve together, putting aside whatever people travelling to and from the kingdom. petty differences they might have to focus on T what may be profitable to them. Started in 2011 “Packages such as the East3Route are the trend in travel at the initiative of the Kwazulu Natal Provincial Government, because of their multi-destination orientation. We therefore the East3Route is a tourism product under development, want to say that let us have Swaziland as the first point of call involving and incorporating Kwazulu Natal, Mozambique for consumers of this product. This will increase the number and Swaziland. While in its first phase, the excursion started of visitors and certainly create viability in air service”, he said. in Kwazulu Natal, moved to Pont D’our in Mozambique and ended in Swaziland. The second phase in 2012 began in The 2012 tour was bigger and more successful for Swaziland Swaziland and proceeded to Maputo in Mozambique before as more time was spent in the kingdom and many products ending in style in Northern Kwazulu Natal. were sampled. The East3Route also helps remove stereotypes and myths perpetuated by false, biased and sensational media Championed by the three ministers of tourism from the reporting. It offers neighbours opportunities to make their own three areas, the East3Route excursion is undertaken by all judgment and to learn more about each others’ products to be stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry from the able to market them separately and successfully abroad, as well three states. The idea is to develop this product and properly as encourage tourism between neighbours. The East3Route understand it, so that once it is fully developed, it may be is indeed a golden opportunity for us all and for Swaziland’s aggressively marketed abroad. travel statistics growth. This triggers a lot more benefits, such as sustainable Air Transport.

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Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority

Front row from left to right, Mr. Simo Shongwe, Mr. Mduduzi Dlamini, Mr. Phillip Bhembe Back row from left to right, Mr. Cyprian Sikhondze, Mr. Canaan Msibi, Mr. Jabulani Magagula during the IATA Graduation OUR PEOPLE GRADUATE

he day that everyone has been waiting for is Quality Management System. This is done in accordance finally here: the 12th of October 2012. It is devoted with the ISO 9001:2000 Code of Practice. to celebrating an important point in the lives of T seven SWACAA employees. Class attendance During this event, 53 students were conferred with the and examinations are finally over, scruffiness is replaced prestigious and sought-after International Aviation Manage- with smart suits and everyone is excited about reaching the ment Diploma as follows: finishing line of a long marathon. Most of all, this is a time • Civil Aviation Management; of unrestrained optimism. The weather is not perfect - it’s • Safety Management in Civil Aviation; raining and chilly but this fails to dampen the spirits of the • Aviation Security Management and; graduates. • Air Traffic Services Management.

We are at Bonaero Park, Kempton Park, South Africa Seven of the graduates are from the Swaziland Civil where The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) Aviation Authority and the rest are South African. Mr Simo Aviation Training Academy (ATA) in conjunction with the Shongwe, Mr Phillip Bhembe, Mr Simiso Nkambule and Mr International Air Transport Association (IATA) is hosting Mduduzi Dlamini received Diplomas in Safety Management its 9th IATA Diploma graduation. in Civil Aviation, while Mr Jabulani Magagula, Mr Cyprian Sikhondze and Mr Canaan Msibi received Diplomas in About ATNS Aviation Security Management. The ATNS Training Academy is a division of ATNS, which provides a full range of Air Traffic Services, Technical Representing the Director General, Miss Busisiwe Gumedze Support and related training. Since April 2000, the ATA has said: “In order for the Authority to be compliant with ICAO proudly trained more than 9000 delegates. set standards, such training is fundamental. As an institution we are proud to be part of the ATNS family and we believe The Academy employs top instructors and personnel to that this will not only improve the skills of individual manage the institution’s state of the art equipment and employees but will also ensure continued compliance with facilities. It is uncompromising in the maintenance of its aviation safety and security standards”.

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In order for one to succeed there should be a combination of hard work and effort. Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm”

For business and operational effi- ciencies, the environment must be conducive and the industry should be equipped with trained personnel. Safety management is also about keeping a balance between safety and customer satisfaction.

Meanwhile back at the graduation, the officials’ speeches made everyone glow. Graduates beamed with self fulfilment and realised that indeed it was worthwhile. The Academy had the satisfaction of bringing yet another group through the system.

Addressing the graduates, Mr. Thabani Mthiyane, ATNS Acting CEO said: “The ATNS vision is to be a major Mr Jabulani Magagula receiving his certification during the Graduation contributing partner in ensuring Ceremony aviation safety in Africa through its training efforts. The institution is Mr Jabulani Magagula, Head of Aviation Security (AVSEC) committed to world best practises and undertakes to give said: “We live in a world of a changing landscape of each client the skills and knowledge to successfully take on criminal attacks on civil aviation. We have to be on the alert the challenges faced by providers of air traffic control and all the time. Such training is vital for assuring efficient and technical services”. compliant operations while complying with national and international legislation”. Mr Dumsani Sangweni, Executive Member in the CEO’s office thanked the Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority for In a nutshell, the Diploma in Safety Management the relationship it has sustained over the years and for qualification enhances one’s ability to gain a solid choosing the Academy for training purposes. understanding of ICAO Safety Management Systems and how to implement this systematic management approach on “In order for one to succeed there should be a combination a day-to-day basis with emphasis on quality management, of hard work and effort. Success is the ability to go from one safety overseeing and a comprehensive overview of human failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm”, he concluded. factors in creating business and operational efficiencies. On a day-to-day basis, this is achieved among other means, Each graduate will go on to have a life of joy and pain, of through industry certification, surveillance, enforcement, positive and negative experiences. The future always seems inspecting and continuous monitoring of relevant manuals more promising than the present, and the present on in compliance with the CAA Regulations. graduation day was pretty good!

In order to achieve quality management, there must be To all the graduates - all the best! proper record keeping, procedures must be followed consistently and there must correct usage of necessary tools and equipment for high quality end products.

27 Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority WHAT DO I DO AT SWACAA?

Ministry of Public Works and Transport. He was sent to school in Cairo, Egypt in 1992 to do Basic Radio Teletype Operations and worked with Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Networks. Shortly after that, he went to Singapore and did a course on Aeronautical Information Service. Garnet’s day to day job is to check that all the equipment at BRIEFING, which is now known as the AIM Department, is in a state of operational readiness. Part of his job involves attending to queries, gathering new information for publication, and editing information if any changes arise.

“It is important to update infor- Mr. Garnet Simelane- Head of Aeronautical Information Management mation every day, especially when Department new data is gathered” he empha- sised. r. Garnet Simelane is Head of SWACAA’s Aeronautical Information Management Simelane added that they do what is known as notum (AIM) Department, which deals with summary on a monthly basis. This is a notice to all M information about Designate Authorities airmen about what is happening at an airport, and that work hand in hand with and form an integral part alerting them to issues that might cause incidents or of the airport. accidents. A classic example he made was of the recent painting of the runway at Matsapha International Simelane’s main job is to make sure that they do research Airport and he highlighted that such information is on aeronautical information for SWACAA and publish published prior to the activity taking place to prevent it officially in the Aeronautical Information Publication incidents from occurring. (AIP). His key word is ‘research and publication of information based on facts, not just hearsay!’ The country has an obligation to provide this information and SWACAA must do it in terms of the Such information consists of how the Designate Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2009 which Authorities operate, their contact details, information provides that “the state shall provide Aeronautical on how to get to Swaziland and also en-route Information Service”. It is also adopted and adapted from information based on airways and levels of flying. They ICAO Annex 15-Aeronautical Information Service and also get information from outside Swaziland, especially provided for by the Aeronautical Information Manual. from South Africa, which he terms as “foreign Annex 15 is referral point of the AIM Department’s information which is transmitted through Aeronautical operation. Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN)”. Simelane’s aspirations for the department and SWACAA Mr Simelane is fully aware that his is a behind-the- as a whole is to see the AIS growing to new heights and scenes job and therefore less known yet so vital to especially developing technologically, as well as to have airport operations. Very few people are trained to more advanced digital systems and equipment to meet do this kind of job, and he revealed that his career ICAO standards. in this field started while he was working under the

28 The Official Swacaa Magazine Vol. 4 - september 2012 Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority

TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS

n the last issue of our series of “Tips for Travellers” articles, we discussed the traveller’s two bags – the hand luggage and the main bag - and considered I the contents of these bags against the requirements of airport security. We also discussed the recommended dress code for minimising inconvenience caused by electronic security scans. We reminded each other why it is so important that the traveller has to be at the airport two hours before departure. Today we attempt to go through the airport and depart but before we do that let us consider the plight of the sick traveller:

Prescribed medicine: As a general civil aviation rule, liquids and gels in excess of 100mls are not allowed past the security checkpoint. However in case of prescribed medication, travellers need to carry their doctors’ prescriptions with them to be able to pass through without hindrance. In fact a doctor’s prescription is always parked) and boarding time. Check the boarding time required when carrying medication. which at this stage is more important than the departure time! The former is usually much earlier than seems Airline check-in: There is a trend in the airline business reasonable. The writer has witnessed many passengers to book in more passengers than the capacity of the plane. being left behind at airports (having already been checked The British Airways official policy is to book in as much as in!) because they have made the mistake of assuming that 10% more passengers as airline executives do not want to the boarding time is the same as the departure time. Be risk an empty seat. This practice, though seemingly unfair warned. to the passengers, is widespread. A booking is therefore an indication that you will be travelling with the airline Luggage Check-in: Your main luggage is also checked in: but the confirmation is actually when you physically the process is as involved as your checking in and is linked present yourself on the day of departure. This emphasises to you. Make sure you ask that it be checked into your final the point that it is prudent to arrive at the airport early destination to save time and minimise the risk of loss. The because it is now a first-come-first-served situation. airline representative will issue you with your luggage tag, which should be kept safe and handy. It contains Boarding Pass: Your Airline representative at the counter important information about your bag that your airline will ask for your passport and in turn issue you with will need to trace it in case it gets lost or for some reason a boarding pass. If you are transiting at another airport you do not get it at your destination. before your final destination, ask to be checked into your final destination. The boarding pass is your ticket for the In the next issue, we continue with our aircraft and it contains useful information, such as your journey from the boarding call. Until then, seat number, your boarding gate (where your aircraft is happy travels!

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