Focus on the crew

FOCUS ON THE CREW OF THE SAS MENDI

By Petty Officer Dennis Ndaba

LS VAN DER HEEVER	Leading Seaman (LS) Willem van der Heever is a diver onboard the SAS Mendi. He gained his experience from other ships and joined the SAS Mendi on 15 May 2004. His day-to-day tasks involve helping out in the galley and ship's husbandry, but during man overboard and fire fighting exercises he switches back to his own mustering. He has gained much experience and met many people from different cultural backgrounds during his deployment on board the ship. He said that, during his stay in Germany, he made use of public telephones on the quay or in town to communicate with his loved ones - until public phones were installed on board the ship. He encourages young people to join the SA Navy and see the world.
LS BOSHIELO	LS Linky Boshielo is a steward in the wardroom and an assistant chef. It is her first time on board a ship and she is taking the challenge head on. She would like to encourage other young women to come and work at sea as it one of the greatest experiences. According to her, life onboard a ship sometimes has its ups and downs. She missed being ashore in August, since it was women's month, but says there is always a next time. In the beginning she suffered from seasickness, but she has acclimatized. LS Boshielo is looking forward to going home. She has been deployed twice in Burundi and she understands the feeling of being homesick.
PO LENDIS	Petty Officer (PO) Shaun Lendis is an assistant chief of the watch in the mechanical division. He has a very demanding job and obtained his senior watch keeping ticket while he was still a leading seaman. This was his second time in Germany. He first time was in January 2003, as part of ten people doing the Mechanical Technical Operators Course in Germany and the USA. He mentioned that it was tough in the beginning and that they had to learn and adjust quickly. After a while it became "like a walk in the park." Everyday is a learning curve to him, as he learns something new. He misses his wife and daughter very much.
LS HYSTER	LS Annelise Hyster is a surface weapons operator. She was looking forward to being in Germany because she had put much effort into her studies to prepare for her various tasks. As there are no weapons on board, she is being utilized as a bridge lookout and does seamanship duties. She enjoys working and maintaining weapons. She prefers working with men rather than women and says that they do not treat her as an equal. She is homesick as she misses her family, fiancé and friends, but she takes solace in the fact that she is on her way home. Whilst at sea, crewmembers are given access once a week to send messages to their families, but as soon as they are alongside they make use of public telephones. LS Hyster was supposed to go on course, but her deployment on board the SAS Mendi received preference. However, she hopes to do all the required courses for her next promotion when she is back in Simon's Town. She said people must do what they feel is right and be happy with themselves. Take each day as it comes and "take the good points from the bag."
AB DYANTI	Able Seaman (AB) Thamsanqa Dyantyi is an engine room attendant on board the ship. His job is to ensure that all the mechanicals are running properly and the damage control equipment is in working order. He arrived in Germany in April and is homesick, because he missed South Africa, its people and its languages. According to AB Dyantyi communication between all the members of the ship's company is very good. He emphasized that all the exercises that they have on board help them to respond to any emergency on time and to sharpen their skills.