I know for sure that one of the other guys that applied for the position was the 777 training manager at EK for 5 years, with 12 years Chk and Tng on type, AND AN AUSSIE!!!!
I know V Australia knocked this bloke back in favour of the (non rated?) South African. The South African must be one seriously well qualified and incredibly talented man to have been found to be a better option than the Australian they knocked back...
or cheaper.
I have to agree with the rather jaded comments others have already made that I think we can all expect to be hearing quite a few exotic, if southern hemisphere accents from VOz aircraft and will all have to get used to hearing "Itzapleaaassssure" over the radio.