Travelling
Namasondo (Sonti) Mashiane
Chief Operations Officer
28 Aspen Avenue, Marais Steyn Park, Edenvale
Summary
Resourceful operations leader experienced in monitoring the daily operations of the company, establishing policies that promote company culture. Adept at leading employees and driving maximum growth and improving operations. Skilled in general aviation, specializing in flight operations. Extensive experience in financial management and stakeholder management.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
7
7
Languages
Work History
Chief Operations Officer
DoubleTree SME Capital (Pty) Ltd
03.2022 - Current
- Provided oversight on the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the business.
- Drove operational direction, administrative and cost efficiency and coordination of the SMME funding initiatives.
- Partnered with the Chief of Commercial, Chief of Risk and Chief of Finance to achieve favourable financial results with respect to profitability, collections, systems, reporting and controls.
- Met customer service standards and expectations consistently by effectively communicating and actively listening.
- Supported business growth through strategic planning and process development.
- Streamlined company processes and procedures while enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with investors, customers, and strategic partners.
- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization, thereby reducing waste and business bottlenecks.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
Chief Risk Officer
DoubleTree SME Capital (Pty) Ltd
04.2021 - 03.2022
- Provided risk management and oversight on organization-wide SMME funding functions, challenging existing operational risk routines to improve identification, fraud controls and incident reporting standards.
- Established and oversaw application of enterprise-wide risk policies, technology and tools and governance processes to create lasting solutions for minimizing losses.
- Monitored key business risks and established risk management procedures.
- Led the team in ensuring registration and accreditation with the National Credit Regulator, and the compliance thereof.
- Collaborated with the management team to review and maintain compliance with regulations, including South African Revenue Services (SARS).
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
Manager - Flight Crew Training and Administration
South African Airways (SAA)
09.2014 - 09.2020
- Oversaw the overall management of the Aviation Training Organization (ATO's) operational and administrative functions relating to Flight Crew legislative training and licensing in accordance with applicable regulatory and audit requirements.
- Coordinated aircraft readiness by ensuring flight crew are adequately trained and licensed to operate flights, and comply with Flight and Duty requirements, ensuring full compliance and risk controls as per both IATA and SACAA restrictions.
- Ensured full compliance with SAA Quality Assurance audit, AOC and IOSA audit, along with SACAA ATO renewal audit by streamlining and monitoring quality programs to alleviate overdue compliance activities.
- Served as both the industry expert and the subject matter expert with regards to flight crew scheduling, tracking and training requirements – Pairing requirements, Flight and duty limitations, Initial training, Conversions, and Recency requirements.
- Successfully managed shoestring budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Onboarded newly-recruited flight crew (pilots and cabin crew) with training and new hire documentation.
- Liaised with external customers in relation to third party Simulator bookings and the applicable financial and access-control measures; thereby ensuring maximum utilization of the various Simulator assets and increasing profits.
- Acted as a Departmental Safety and Health Representative in order to ensure and maintain a professional, organized, and safe environment for all employees and all stakeholders.
- Successfully managed the smooth introduction of the A350 fleet and A330 into the SAA fleet base by ensuring that necessary offshore training for all flight crew is planned and completed within acceptable time frames of duty travel.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work; and resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
Fleet Support Officer
South African Airways
06.2006 - 08.2008
- Managed all general administrative and operational functions on the A320, B738 and A330/A340 Fleet and liaising with all service suppliers impacting on SAA’s on-time performance system.
- Managing strategic and tactical planning staff (Crew Scheduling) to ensure that Flight Deck crew are efficiently planned for their training and flight duties.
- Administered all Pilots’ training and route check claims, employee allowances/incentives, scheduling, and other matters.
- Planned and oversaw the Fleet budget and tracked expenses such as additional/unplanned hotel costs, Extra Flight Payments, Meal Allowances, etc, against plans.
- Prepared monthly reports on Fleet operations statistics such as flight hours, leave allocation, retirement forecast to assist Flight Operations management with key decision making and strategic operational planning.
- Assessed personnel performance and implemented incentives and team-building events to boost morale.
- Monitored employee and customer (flight crew) interactions to assess quality of service.
- Coached employees through day-to-day work and complex problems, and assisting them in resolving issues quickly and professionally.
Crew Scheduling Officer
South African Airways
06.2006 - 08.2008
- Scheduled Flight and Training Rosters for approximately 800 Flight Deck and 1500 Cabin Crew - Pairings, Days Off, Standbys/Reserve, Leave, Recurrent / Conversion Simulator and Ground training courses - on a monthly basis as per annual fleet strength and qualification renewal dates; and arranging Conversion training as per fleet requirements, company standards (SAA Regulating Agreement) and (SACAA) FDP compliance requirements.
- Collaborated closely with Training Admin, Daily Roster Maintainers, Instructors, Program Planners and crew with pairing and training-related matters to improve customer service relationship.
- Maintained constant communication with Human Resource personnel, Network Planning, and Crew Pairing departments to ensure crew productivity and performance.
- Thrived in this highly regulated fast-paced environment.
- Collaborated effectively in a team environment whilst embracing my strengths of working independently as well.
Cabin Crew Member
South African Airways
03.2000 - 05.2006
- Provided on board passenger care and comfort as per company standards, policies and procedures.
- Performed pre-flight safety checks to ensure oxygen masks, life jackets, medical equipment and other emergency equipments are on board and in a good working order.
- Ensured that the aircraft is cleaned and aircraft cabin, galleys and lavatories are serviced and presentable prior the flight and in-flight.
- Followed company regulations and rules to promote safe environment for travelers and employees.
- Resolved passenger conflicts and medical emergencies during flights when necessary.
- Minimized inflight disruptions with good conflict resolution and mediation skills, and use of advanced tactics such as restraints and law enforcement involvement.
- Accounted for all supplies used with pre-flight checks and post-flight inventories.
- Acted as both an SAA and a South African ambassador both on board and upon disembarkation.
Projects Facilitator
SM2 Social Training And Development Consultants CC
01.1998 - 02.2000
- Providing consultation and facilitation on projects aimed at poverty alleviation to identified communities, as per the Community-Based Public Works Program and facilitated the formation of Project Steering Committees (PSC) in identified communities.
- Compiled various community profiles and projects’ feasibility studies, and advocated for fund raising where needs were identified, such as childcare facilities, old age activities, youth and the disabled empowerment projects.
- Planned and facilitated training workshops based on identified project management skills to both Project Steering Committees and labour and oversaw the overall management of labour – training, contracts, labour disputes, timesheets, and remuneration.
- Liaised with various stakeholders on the identified projects and communities in accordance with the relevant funders specifications including report-writing and project monitoring and handover.
- Provided basic counseling and social support services to identified community members.
- Facilitated dialogue between participants, families, communities and program workers to provide best possible program and individualized program.
Education
Certificate: Risk Management - Principles And Prac - Risk Management
University of Stellenbosch Business School - ED
Stellenbosch 04.2001 -
Management Advancement Program (MAP) - Business Management
WITS BUSINESS SCHOOL
Johannesburg 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
University of Witwatersrand
Johannesburg 04.2001 -
Skills
Performance Optimization
General Management and Administration
Flight Operations and Management
Crew Resource Scheduling
Aviation acumen
Customer Service Managementt
Operational Management and Excellence
Stakeholder Management
Business and Financial Administration / Management
Service Delivery Oversight
Resource Utilization
Regulatory Compliance
Employee Coaching
Community Outreach
Employee Motivation and Performance
Articulate Communication
Results Orientation
Industry Expertise
Board Reporting
Corporate Governance
Planning and Coordination
Negotiation
Balanced Work Ethic
Policies and Procedures
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with my team in ensuring that the selected cabin and flight crew are trained (offshore) and SACAA -licensed and certified in time for the A350 fleet introduction.
- Nominated and selected as the Best Performing Flight Operations (FSO) personnel in 2018.
- Actively participated in the introduction of technological advancement tools in my various positions - FSO (Pegasys and Ullysys) , and COO (web-based loan application and ZOHO)
Additional Information
SHORT COURSES COMPLETED – Professional Development
- Finance For Non-Financial Managers
- Mentoring and Coaching
- Various Aviation-related courses
Interests
Listening to music
Volunteering and Social cause
Reading
Watching sports
Timeline
Chief Operations Officer
DoubleTree SME Capital (Pty) Ltd
03.2022 - Current
Chief Risk Officer
DoubleTree SME Capital (Pty) Ltd
04.2021 - 03.2022
Manager - Flight Crew Training and Administration
South African Airways (SAA)
09.2014 - 09.2020
Fleet Support Officer
South African Airways
06.2006 - 08.2008
Crew Scheduling Officer
South African Airways
06.2006 - 08.2008
Certificate: Risk Management - Principles And Prac - Risk Management
University of Stellenbosch Business School - ED
04.2001 -
Management Advancement Program (MAP) - Business Management
WITS BUSINESS SCHOOL
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
University of Witwatersrand
04.2001 -
Cabin Crew Member
South African Airways
03.2000 - 05.2006
Projects Facilitator
SM2 Social Training And Development Consultants CC
01.1998 - 02.2000