SAMRO Staff have their say
Pat Bertasso
Publisher Administrator, Pat Bertesso, has been with SAMRO for 34 years and
says that the best part of working for the organisation is the variety of duties
that are part of the job as well as the interaction with the publishers. "I
believe that the new logo and branding is very good and that it will spur us on
to be driven to even more success in the future," Bertasso says.
Glenda Theron
Glenda Theron joined SAMRO in 1972 and is currently in the Accounts
Department: Licensing Services. "I enjoy everything about working at SAMRO – and
always have. Change comes, like with the new logo, and I am the kind of person
who goes with the flow and always looks forward to what the changes will bring.
I hope SAMRO keeps going for many years and that we always embrace the
challenges that face us."
Danie Geber
The IT Department at SAMRO has been Danie Gerber’s place of work for 35 years
and through it all, he’s seen many changes, "all of them positive though". "The
only complaint that I may have is wishing the new changes are implemented faster
– after all, a change is as good as a holiday." Gerber says that one of the
features of his early years with SAMRO were the many pranks that were played by
members of the department. "I remember Scott Vowles in particular – he would sit
and relax and the guys would throw a soft drink can into the wastepaper basket
which was in such a position, it always flew up. Poor old Scott got caught
everytime. They were great days but I’m always looking to the future."
Rick Louw
Business Development Manager, Rick Louw, is another SAMRO staff member who is
heading for the 35 year service mark. "What has been remarkable to me is that
working in so many different departments throughout the years has equipped me
with the skills and experience for my current position. I think the SAMRO of
today is brilliant because there are so many more areas of opportunity that are
opening up for all staff which is a really good thing. I love the new logo and
brand positioning – I think it will see the organisation grow and also offer the
chance for personal growth too."
Johannah Setshoane
For someone who heads SAMRO’s catering department, Johannah Setshoane has an
excellent head for dates – remembering the day she joined the organisation more
than three decades ago as well as the move into Braamfontein. "We moved from
Cavendish Chambers between May and July 1973 and stated operating on August
16th. In those days, the building was called De Beers House and
occupied only three floors. My kitchen was on the third floor but nowadays SAMRO
has grown to occupy nearly five times that number and my kitchens are on the
ground floor and 12th floor. I am retiring in a few months but I will miss SAMRO
and hope that the new SAMRO is good to everyone."
Lisa Halvorsen
Lisa Halvorsen is yet another SAMRO staff member who has worked in the
organisation for over thirty years. Currently the administrator for licensing
field representatives in the Marketing Deparment, Halvorsen says she feels all
the changes the organisation has undergone during the years "have been very
positive". "I am looking forward to the new developments. It’s funny to think
back on the old days when everything was done manually. Today SAMRO is a world
class computer driven society and the sophistication makes it easier to meet the
challengers of new technology."
