I spent about three years in South Africa teaching the Kenyan Airways cadets most of whom progressed straight onto the B738. Without exception I found them to be amongst the most well adjusted and mature African students I have met. They understood the dynamics of their countries politics and shared a collective concern about it. They are very much the future of Kenyan aviation and I hope that one day they will be in positions where they can effect good changes to the system and perhaps allow it to become a model for the rest of Africa.
Heaven only knows we need a drastic improvement in Africa's standing in the global aviation community. It does not enjoy the greatest of reputations though there are isolated examples of hope; sadly given its significance, South Africa is not one of them.
