EDITORIAL

Note from the editor

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.

~Anatole France(1844 - 1924)
French poet, journalist, and novelist

The South African Journal for Industrial Engineering (SAJIE) has been fortunate to have experienced stability in editorship for the greatest part of its existence. Two editors, Professors Paul Kruger and Schalk Claasen, each spent many successful years at the helm of SAJIE. I have also spent six years in the role as editor. During the six years it has been a privilege to serve the community of South African industrial engineers in this capacity. The growing international followership of SAJIE has also been interesting and I have been fortunate to meet many new colleagues from interesting countries - although these "meetings" were primarily technology-based occurrences.

During my tenure as editor 13 issues have been published. These 13 issues contained 213 articles. At present, almost 100 articles are in process on the SAJIE website. I am therefore comfortable that SAJIE is in a healthy state. I have therefore decided that it has become time to hand over the editorship of SAJIE and have been fortunate enough to find a suitably qualified and willing successor.

Prof Corné Schutte (Stellenbosch University) has agreed to take over the reigns as editor of SAJIE. Prof Schutte is a past president of the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering and has a proven track record as the organiser of numerous previous SAIIE conferences. I am therefore confident that SAJIE will be in capable hands and that the publication will continue on its growth path.

In this final edition under my editorship, eleven of the 17 articles are from South African authors. The spread of the sponsoring universities across the South African higher education landscape is heartening. Although SAJIE now has a following from 135 countries of the world, it remains the primary showcase for South African research in Industrial Engineering. Since the launch of the journal website in November 2012, almost 10 000 unique visitors have visited the website. On average the website has 80 visitors per day. This confirms the visibility and exposure that SAJIE now enjoys.

May SAJIE go from strength to strength under the leadership of the new editor.

Susan Adendorff
Editor