Dina Taute – the Legend!

A tribute to Dina Taute – The Legend R.I.P. You either loved her, or you didn’t like her at all. Whatever your opinion of Dina, she left an indelible imprint on hostessing in SAA, perhaps larger than the “larger than life” person that Dina was.   To enlarge the photo, simply click on it. You can then leave a reply below any of these pics – I would love to hear your comments please! - Joppie.   

7 responses to Dina Taute – the Legend!

  1. ~Jenny (Mc Farlane) Leathers 1974--1999 said on November 2, 2012

    I had so much respect for Dina. Always firm but also fair. She stood no nonsence from anyone. Her Mother worked in a grocery store which my parents frequented when i was a child. My dad was a pilot and was instrumental in Dina’s interest in flying and “airhostessing”. I had a chicken as a pet; which I used to carry around under my shirt or jersey. Head sticking out the top. legs hanging out the bottom. The chicken often went on visits to the grocery store. When I joined the Airline, Dina took one look at me and said” Oh my goodness, you are the child with the chicken! Dont think that you will be doing any of that funny business here…..this is not a zoo!!” (Some days we did think it was a zoo, but I never dared to tell her) A wonderful lady. She will live on forever in my memory.

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    Colleen Barker Thane - A/H said on October 18, 2012

    I walked past that office one day tipping toeing like Amy but at great speed…”Colleen may I see you please”. Waaaah…..yellow canary? For what? Dina wanted to know what colour and make my nail polish was. PHEEEEW! Nearly wet myself with relief. Bought her two bottles in London I was so happy!

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    ~Amy (Lai Kan) Schoeman (SAA a/h 1977-1993) said on October 10, 2012

    Dina was truly a Legend. Used to be so in awe of her when I first joined SAA and walking past her office at Cabin Services was usually to try and quietly sneak past hoping she didn’t notice you to no avail of course. Always got called in and asked how I’m doing, am I still enjoying the HKG flights, etc. She was a lovely person to know and as someone mentioned, strict but fair. RIP Dina, your memory lives on.

  4. ~Helena (Neethling) de Kock 1973--1982 said on October 8, 2012

    I was fortunate to work under Dina – in training of course. She was so professional – took no nonsence, but very fair! Once took me to the salon and told me I need more make-up – she did a whole make-over! I loved it!
    I had a foot operation and could not wear uniform – this was already a disaster, but to top it all I had to wear flat sandals – needless to say she was appalled! But all was handled with good understanding!

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    ~Joppie Nieman (SAL-SAA 1971-1981) said on August 4, 2012

    Over the next few days a large collection of pics of this SAA legend will be published here in this gallery album. We began the massive task of selecting the pics from the hundreds of pics we were sent by the Orange Tail members. Each photo must be quality enhanced, scratches removed and in many cases photo painted. Then they need to be cropped to the right dimension ratio, and reduced in size for uploading to the website.

    • * Hettie (De Bruin) Proudfoot (SAA a/h 1972--1979) said on October 9, 2012

      I was always called back as I passed Dina’s office – “Hettie dont wiggle your hips” then
      “Hettie now you are marching!” So big was my surprise when I was offered a post in training, I turned it down, because I loved the flying too much, and was not ready to spend so much time on the ground. She was not happy with me, but took it in good grace! She was a wonderful person, and I think very misunderstood by a lot of people. She truly, like Niel Haasbroek will go down as a great legend! Who can ever forget her sayings such as “i’ve got friends I haven’t even used yet” and if you would like to impress one of the cockpit, for goodness sake dont work the cockpit, –
      why would you want him to see you crawling on your hands and knees on the floor!! RIP Dina your words live on!

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        Nina (van der Merwe) Burger (SAA a/h 1971--1978) said on May 25, 2013

        Ek en Dina het vreeslik vasgesit aan die begin maar uiteindelik het ons die grootste van vriende geword. Ek dink toe sy besef het ek is ernstig oor my loopbaan en toe ek besef het sy is eintlik ‘n baie besondere mens onder daar vreeslike kwaai voorkoms en voorgee. Ek het vir haar di8e grootste agting gehad en wens regtig ek kon haar net eenkeer nog gesien het.

        Saam met Neil en Suki was hulle my mentors in Lugdiens en ek groet hulle met ‘n baie groot handdruk.

        Hopelik sien ons mekaar weer in die Hiernamaals want dis nou maar die pad wat ons almal nog moet loop.

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