Not many people live their lives with the pursuit of saving others. Affectionately known as “Heksie”, Santjie White is regarded as one of the greatest aviation souls around today. 

Image: Department of Transport

Santjie White started her career with the Department of Transport (DOT) in 1983 under the Division Civil Aviation (DCA) in the Air Traffic Service (ATS) section.

Embracing her career with passion and dedication, she soon held various positions within the Johannesburg Air Traffic Control Centre.

Santjie started to realise her true calling when she got involved in the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) as a volunteer. She became a Search Mission Co-ordinator (SMC) after, the inception of the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) when Search and Rescue Operations (SAROPS) was handed over from the South African Air Force.

Santjie worked herself up to ARCC Chief and Acting Head of Aeronautical Search and Rescue Operations. The SAR positions were all voluntary and an addition to ATS positions in the ANSP.

In May 2014, she took the solo responsibility of the ARCC whilst still holding the Pool Manager position until being seconded to the ARCC in March 2015; Her official appointment was vetted by the DOT as the ARCC Chief.

She was formally appointed as permanent ARCC Chief in 2016 and again in 2019 when she was forced to reapply for her position, and has been responsible for the day to day administration of the ARCC, SAR Operations and all SAR meetings locally and internationally.

What is sad is that all this was done without a permanent staff compliment and on a 24/7 basis. In April 2020, the total permanent staff of the ARCC increased to two when the Deputy ARCC Chief was appointed.

In the period 2014 to 2021, ANSP staff were sporadically assigned to the ARCC, and this remained the status quo until 2021. The responsibility covers the allocated Search and Rescue Region by ICAO of approximately 28 million square kilometres.

She has been formally appointed as Search and Rescue Technical Expert to the two ICAO regional offices, Eastern and Southern African (ESAF) and Western and Central African (WACAF) offices  since 2016 and has successfully assisted in the establishment of SAR structures in many African States.

 “Saving a human life is a gift!”

In 2020 Santjie was the lead expert and together with her team, they were responsible for the writing of the African and Indian Ocean Island States (AFI) SAR Plan which was accepted in draft in 2021.

She has been involved in SAR Regional Workshops including the signing of the Lome Declaration on SAR which was signed by the African State Leaders.

She was a member of the ICAO/ International Maritime Organization (IMO) Joint Working Group of SAR Experts on the Harmonization of AMSAR as a SAR Expert which writes policy and procedures for inclusion into the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manuals which is the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARP) for SAR.

She was a member of the Joint Bilateral SAR Committees of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Reunion.

She has been invited in 2019 by ICAO ESAF, as a guest speaker and panellist to the AFI week in Uganda as a SAR expert.

Santjie was the first recipient of the South African Civil Aviation DCA Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to South African Aviation and has received numerous awards for her contribution in SAR.

Due to mounting pressure and untold stress, Santjie resigned in 2021.

Today, as always, her biggest objective is the saving of aviation lives.

Heksie’s dedication, commitment, passion, selfless contribution of aeronautical search and rescue services in South Africa is legendary. Whenever a fellow pilot is down, Heksie is there giving all the support and services needed. Time is precious during an accident and Heksie has contributed to the saving of many lives by her selfless and dedicated efforts in ensuring a successful rescue.

Santjie works continuously to promote safety and is an integral part of the industry SAFETY FIRST safety campaign; presenting where she can amidst the myriad of work, she carries out. She also gives freely of her time to promote Search and Rescue and the safety message to small flying schools, flying clubs and similar aviation groups.

Santjie also tried her level best to improve the focus of safety at the executive level of SASAR, whilst a member of the Executive, and tirelessly promotes safety in her personal capacity on social media platforms. The many standing ovations received by Santjie at events is a fitting testament to amount of respect and love the Aviation Industry has for this remarkable lady.

She is still actively involved in events, flight schools and flying clubs as a SAR Awareness speaker or observer. She is also still actively involved in assisting Airlines and Airfields with their Emergency Response Plans (ERP).

Santjie White does not really believe in bios and always says that your impressive history would never make up for the fact that your heart and soul should be in the right place and that you should always Join Hands So Others May Live.

She says, “Love, compassion and never ever giving up makes you a SAR Chief.”

 “Not even witches fly in bad weather”.

When she resigned she said, “No-one will ever understand how bad 113 and many more days (over 1000) since 2014, of constant 24 hour shifts does to one’s body – no time off, no remuneration.”

Is it worth nearly losing your life, leaving your most precious gift orphaned? “Hell no. I have resigned and my last day of service was 31 May 2021.”

Santjie was paying a very heavy price in her personal health but when asked about  every life saved and every family taken care of. Was it worth it? “Hell yes!” she answers.

However, today, as in the past, Santjie’s aim is still to achieve Aviation Safety for the greater industry by actively participating in awareness lectures, safety evenings and safety talks to the entire industry by being visible.

“I will always have a very special place in my heart for my Aviation family,” she says.

Honours & Awards

• SASAR Platinum Aristocrat Award – 2023
• Brakpan Aeroclub Safety Award – Nov 2022
• CAASA General Aviation Award – Dec 2020
• The Director Civil Aviation Special Industry Award – for Exceptional Individual contribution to the Aviation Industry – Nov 2018
• Aeroclub of South Africa Safety Award 2015 “The prestigious Don Tilley Trophy Award for Safety in Aviation
• SASAR – Arthur Bradshaw Award – Jan 2009
• South African Search and Rescue Commendation Certificate (SASAR)  – May 2005

“If you are not sure about flying, drink a beer, then you have eight hours to think about it”.