On one occasion, I accompanied a couple of senior government officials to a meeting in Durban. We had to travel in a twin-engine Cessna out of Mthatha Airport. The seating in the aircraft cabin was set out so that the seats faced each other, which allowed for conversation between passengers.
One of the officials on the trip was a weathered, elderly Xhosa gentleman who had that reserved but quirky air about him that is so typical of civil servants with decades of experience behind them. Accomplished, considered, experienced, and understated with a sharp sense of humour. He was entirely unflappable.
On our return journey the gentleman sat opposite me, and we started chatting about matters of the day. But the weather was pretty inclement and en route from Durban we flew into some strong side winds that regularly picked up the small Cessna and swept it to the left and right like a plastic bottle in the waves, or dropped it five metres or so as it pitched its precarious way through the storm. The pilot must have been flying on instruments because there was very little visibility.
The further we flew, the stronger the storm raged, and the more the little plane pitched and rolled. And the more concerned I became. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the seat I was sitting in while I tightened my seatbelt in an attempt to minimize the uncontrolled tossing.
The old man couldn’t help but notice the fear etched on my face and lent forward to speak.
You know, he started matter-of-factly, I have been flying this route for quite a few years now and I remember a few years back being in an almost identical situation that we find ourselves in here. He paused, thinking back, and collecting his thoughts in a contemplative manner.
Really? I asked hesitantly but glad of the distraction. What happened?
Well, the old man replied, raising his eyebrows, the pilot was very good, and he made it as far as Umtata Dam. You know the dam that lies just next to the airport?
And? I replied, nodding nervously.
On that day we ended up having an emergency crash landing in the dam and had to swim to shore! he concluded.
I could see that he was quite amused with himself with a glimmer of a smile and twinkle in his eye. Not long afterwards I discovered that as I believed it be from the start, it was a true story.
It wasn’t too bad, he continued. The water wasn’t too deep, and we were able to wade most of the way out!
I just laughed, adding a nervous Thanks for sharing! And it broke the ice, so to speak.
On that occasion we landed on the runway, safe and sound, and I lived to tell the tale.