SAAF Chief sends off scholars on UK
schools challenge
 A fully representative group of five high
school scholars from the Waterkloof High School’s Aviation
Academy did their country proud by coming second world-wide
in the annual UK schools aerospace challenge. This challenge
is a joint venture ran by the world-renowned aerospace
faculty of the Cranfield University, the Royal Air Force and
Aviation Industry Partners in the United Kingdom.
 After an invitation in 2003, South Africa
became the first team ever outside the UK to participate in
this challenge. The team made such an impression that the
invitation was repeated in 2004. This team ended amongst the
top performers and ensured an invitation this year. The
international flavour that the South African team brought to
the competition has prompted the organizers to invite a
second international team from Singapore this year.
 This competitive programme aims to attract
top achievers into further education and, ultimately, a
career in aerospace. The South African Government has
earmarked the aerospace sector as a strategic asset
deserving additional investment and infrastructure
development. South Africa’s participation in this challenge
will secure its aeronautical future, job creation and
consequently economic growth.
The students chosen for this programme
were selected by means of aptitude testing by the Military
Psychological Institute, an aviation related assignment,
appearance before a formal selection board and academic
recommendations by the Waterkloof High School. Based on
gained knowledge the team had to prepare a paper on an
airship based surveillance system for UK Homeland Security.
On 3 August 2005, the Chief of the South
African Air Force, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, sent off these
students and wished them the best of luck in their endeavour
to be good representatives of our country. “It will only be
through an initiative such as this that members of the work
force of the aviation industry will acquire the status of
role models. Role models excite young people and through
initiatives such as this we will achieve the explosion we
envisage and not a misfire,” he said.
The Siyandiza team departed for the United
Kingdom on 10 August and proudly returned on 25 August 2005.
By Maryke Lynn
Journalist Ad Astra magazine
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