Andrews is certainly no stranger to the world of aviation, having gained a formidable reputation as the man who prevented the ailing US-based World Airways from becoming bankrupt a few years ago.

With the impending privatisation of South African Airways, he certainly has his work cut out for him. The Transnet Board, headed up by Saki Macozoma, has no qualms about Andrews's ability to take the airline successfully into the new millenium. Says Macozoma, "We searched the world to find the right man for the job, and we have found him. Coleman is a professional with an enviable track record and exactly the right qualities needed to equip South African Airways to become a profitable and competitive airline."

He holds a Stanford MBA and a BA magna cum laude from Dartmouth College, New Hampshire. Andrews is a keen animal and nature lover as well as a breeder and trainer of labradors. In the States, Andrews was very involved in wildlife and agricultural activities.

The growing competition in the South African marketplace certainly offers its own challenges but Andrews is not daunted by these at all. He says, "South African Airways is a proud and established company, but one that has been thrown on the defensive in recent times. I see my role to make the airline a flagship for the new African Renaissance that South Africa is entering. We need to develop an airline which customers love and competitors fear."

Andrews is totally aware of the amount of work that lies ahead, and since his arrival in the middle of June the phrase 'never a dull moment' has certainly been appropriate. He is a visionary who understands the practical aspects of making a vision a reality. "We need to develop a clear vision of what the company can be in order for employees to embrace this vision and work towards its accomplishment."

Text credit : Sawubona, the Inflight magazine of South African Airways. The word is an Nguni word meaning "greetings".

Index | Vision, Mission & Values | The Birth of South African Airways | SAA Today | Communications | Capital & Engineering Project Planning | Profile 98 | Specialist Services