AOC Company News
Social Responsibility
For the last year, AOC Geomatics has been training three disadvantaged South Africans in the use of basic computing and mapping skills.
Initially employed to perform the manual scanning of large format films, Tandeka Lufele, Nosiphiwo Jonas and Xoliswa Hiti were then trained to meet AOC’s expansion into digital photography. AOC wanted to train within, rather than outsource, which would have ultimately made these women’s positions redundant.
On completion of basic computer training, concepts of perspective, spatial awareness and problem solving skills were instilled, allowing the three trainees to join the production team to learn Pictometry® and LiDAR. One of the unforeseen outcomes of this training is the transformation in confidence and communication skills of all three trainees.
Martin John Sanderson
Martin recently retired from AOC after 43 years with the company.
Martin started in survey with the Department of Federal Surveys based in Salisbury (now Harare) in the Federation of the Rhodesias and Nyasaland in 1956. These were pioneering days when teams of surveyors would disappear into the bush for months on end with 4X4 vehicles and helicopters and were self sufficient in all respects including hunting for the pot.
In 1966 Martin joined AOC in Johannesburg as a photogrammetrist and worked in AOC regional offices in Windhoek and Salisbury. His early harsh field days came in useful on a ground survey project in Lesotho when he went into the highlands for 4 weeks with a small team and mules for transport.
He quickly rose through the ranks and managed a wide range of disciplines such as the Road and Railway engineering department. Martin introduced computers to AOC with the resultant need to write programs for engineering, photogrammetric and airborne applications. Martin became a Director in the 1970’s and served as such until his retirement.
His involvement in airborne geophysics saw him travel extensively worldwide on estimating and logistical missions. He was also involved in planning and implementing a number of innovative and unique geophysical solutions to keep AOC as a leader in the field.
Martin eventually ended as a co-owner of AOC with long time colleague George Wood. George retired in 2008 with Martin following in 2009 now that the transition to AAM ownership had been successfully completed.
