Jerome Simelane
SAX Senior Manager – Revenue Management & Planning
Smiling All the Way to Work

Upon first entering Jerome Simelane’s office, you can’t help but notice a big green balloon with the words ‘Hakuna Matata’ written over it in large letters. It means “no worries”, and nothing can better describe this revenue and planning manager. Of course, it is a state of mind that comes with extreme competence.

Its been nearly two years since he joined SAX and he has loved every minute of it. He speaks with great enthusiasm and his eyes light up when talking about his passion for numbers. “My dream job would be anything involving figures and that is what my job is all about at the moment. It entails everything that has to do with ticket pricing and determining profitability. It’s about selling at the right time to the right person at the right price. I also deal with the reservations,” says Jerome.
With a degree in mathematics and statistics behind his name, Jerome is currently doing a diploma in business administration with GIBS.

Not one for uniformity, Jerome divides his time between right and left-brain activities. He has equal enthusiasm for words, which was instilled in him by his English teacher in high school. “Who knows,” he says, “maybe in ten years time I’ll be sitting on a beach somewhere with my laptop writing a novel. I’d even like to give owning this company a shot,” he adds with a laugh.

It is difficult to get a straight face out of this energetic manager, and his bellows of laughter resonate through the building. “I’ve always known myself to be loud,” he says. “I can’t recall a quiet time in my life. Loud is free, and I don’t know why anyone would want to be quiet. I am not a very stressed person; I have a way of not letting my workload be a problem.”

With a mature head on his 26-year old shoulders, Jerome does not look towards the future only, but shows a keen appreciation for the past. “It is important for people to know where they come from,” he says. “I was not part of the Apartheid era but I feel we can learn a lot from our past and from the people who struggled through it. There is enormous humility and strength to be learnt from those who were there. I spend a lot of time reading biographies of historical South African figures.”

Because he loves what he is doing, job satisfaction has never been a problem for Jerome. In fact, he radiates passion for his job. “For me it’s not about money, but about doing something that I am enthusiastic about. I never get bored because it is not your typical nine-to-five kind of job. Passion is what makes a business successful. I think it is so sad that there are people who have to work for the sake of working, waking up in the morning not wanting to go to work because they don’t enjoy what they are doing.”

Although very much ambitious, it is family that makes life worthwhile for this enthusiastic young man; the same quality that he brings into his professional life as well. “I am part of a small team that is responsible for an integral part of the company, and we all work so well together. It is like a family here, our relationships go beyond just being colleagues. You are only as good as the people you work with, so it is the relationship that you have with them that can make or break you.”

Well-travelled, Jerome has been to almost twenty countries in the past four years. But asked about his favourite place in South Africa, he is quick to point out his mother’s house. Very much the family man, Jerome has no shortage of praise for those who raised him and taught him the fundamentals of life – love and respect. “My mom taught me to show love and respect to those around me no matter how different we might be. That is fundamental. If we have respect we are at peace with each other,” Jerome reflects philosophically.

The human element is the most important resource in any company, and Jerome is keenly aware of his role and that of others in his company. “We at SAX are more in the business of service than that of flying. In our industry it is the survival of the fittest and it is the human touch that will keep the customers coming back. Understanding your customers and respecting them is the secret to success.” he explains.

Just a few minutes into a conversation with Jerome Simelane is enough to make you realise that this is a man who embraces life whole-heartedly. The ideal colleague and employee, Jerome is a man who sees opportunities where others see only problems, a man who has a wonderful way with words, and an even better way of getting things done!