ATNS – Investing Into Our Youth

For the first time, Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company (ATNS) ran a “Winter School” during the week of 4 July 2005 at the ATNS Aviation Training Academy as part of a Mathematics development program, initiated by ATNS’ new CEO Ms Wrenelle Stander.

This program accommodated and hosted twenty Grade 12 learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds for Maths tutoring as part of an ATNS initiative to assist South Africa’s youth in improving their Mathematics skills.

”To be successful in the Air Traffic Management environment, either as an Air Traffic Controller, or within other fields including Technical Services, one needs to have a good grasp of Maths. ATNS believes in developing our youth and so launched this programme in an effort to assist Grade 12 learners in passing their final examination. This also gives learners the exposure to our industry, and who knows, might interest them in pursuing a career within Air Traffic Management - a completely new career possibility for them to consider” says Stander. “It was a worthwhile investment and we hope that they have gained a lot of knowledge at the Aviation Training Academy.” 

Junior Bikwa, one of the Grade 12 learners from Aha-Thuto in Orange Farm says, “It was an experience of a lifetime. I never thought my passion for Maths would come back. I had already lost hope. The Maths teacher, Mampho Langa reinstated my confidence in Maths and I am sure I am going to do well in the final examination. Had it not been of this initiative from ATNS, I wouldn’t have the spark for Maths that I have now.”

Boitumelo Chaka, also a Grade 12 from Boksburg High School says it was beneficial, especially for others learners who were struggling, as those who had a better understanding could share their knowledge with them. “The interaction was great, the teacher helped us to teach ourselves. Her strategy worked” says Chaka.

Ms Stander indicated that she would like to continue this program on an annual basis, not only to invest into the youth of South Africa, but also to engage with these learners and expose the field of Air Traffic Management as preferred career options.

The twenty Grade 12 pupils were selected from and represented various schools, including Ikusasa Secondary School in Orange Farm, Aha-Thuto Secondary School in Orange Farm, Boksburg High, and Sir Pierre van Ryneveld in Kempton Park.

The learners were met by various executive and employees of ATNS on their first day, with various of these people addressing the learners, including a message from the Minister of Education and the General Manager of the ATNS Aviation Training Academy. 

The Winter School was facilitated by Mampho Langa, a Mathematics expert, with an excellent track record in Maths. Mampho has written for a number of Mathematics publications, she has headed up various Mathematics departments, has received an array of Awards of Achievement -  one of them being for “The Most Outstanding Results achieved in the district for higher grade Maths” – and has also spoken at various Maths seminars & conferences.