SA SOLDIERSA SOLDIERThe official monthly magazine of the SA Department of Defence

Prevention isbetter than cure

Letters:feedback from our readers

A final compliment to a General for life

Our Army bids ourChief farewell

Air Force partingfor our Chief

A path to peaceand stability

Celebrating Victoryin Europe

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23 New Government InformationTechnology Officer

School of Cateringawarded judging status

SANDF and SAPS service benefits

Know the Matrimonial Property Law

Shaking hands with industry

Burundian learners voiced their gratitude

The People's Navy well and afloat

Naming ceremony of our submarine

New Chief of Joint Operations

The worth of our National Flag

Improving militaryrelationships

Peacekeeping Instruction (Part II)

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STREET ADDRESSDefence Headquartersc/o Nossob and Boeing StErasmuskloofPRETORIA

POSTAL ADDRESSSA SOLDIERPrivate Bag X158PRETORIA, 0001

TELEPHONETel: 012 355 6341 Fax: 012 355 6399email: sasoldier@mil.zawebsite: www.mil.za/magazines/sasoldier

EDITORIAL STAFFEditor: Ms Nelda Pienaar

Editorial Staff: Ms Nomonde Vuthela F Sgt David NomtshongwanaCPO Dennis Ndaba

Text Editor: Mr Eugene Muller

CONTRIBUTIONS: Although all possible care is takenwith articles, the editorial staff cannot take any responsibility forlost articles and photographs.

Reproduction & Printing:Formeset Printers Johannesburg(Pty) Ltd, 44-66 Wriggle Road, Heriotdale, Ext 13, 2094Tel: +27 11 626 1330/2/3Fax: +27 11 626 1331

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Distribution: Mr Jim Tshabalala Tel: 012 355 6341

Layout & Design: Mr Werner v/d Westhuizen

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EDITORIAL BOARDBrig Gen K.D. Mangope (Chairperson)Col L. XabanisaCol S.P. Zeeman

Ms N. Pienaar Lt Col F. SiyongwanaCdr B. StocktonMaj T.W. CheelaMaj J. du Toit

Ms J. RenderMr W. van der WesthuizenF Sgt D. NomtshongwanaCPO D. Ndaba (Secretary)

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SA SOLDIER is published monthly - 12 issues per year. The views and opinions expressedby the authors of articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those ofthe Department of Defence (DOD). Acceptance and publication of advertorial and advertis-ing matter in SA SOLDIER does not constitute DOD endorsement or warranty in respect ofgoods or services therein described. The DOD does not assume any liability in respect of anyclaims made in advertisements.COPYRIGHT: No article or picture in this magazine may be reproduced without the writ-ten consent of the Editor.

For the latest news on defence matters in South Africa, visit our website at: www.mil.za/magazines/sasoldier

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FRONT COVER: We salute our new Chief, General Godfrey Ngwenya. Pleaseread more about the change of command parade on pages 10 to 13. (Photo: F Sgt David Nomtshongwana)

TOP PHOTO (PAGE 3): At the function after the parade Mr January Masilela, the Secretaryfor Defence, hands over a gift to Gen Siphiwe Nyanda, the outgoing Chief of the SANDF(left), while Lt Col Frans Schoombee, looks on.

PHOTO (PAGE 2): Fltr: R Adm (JG) Rusty Higgs, Director Maritime Warfare, V AdmJohannes (Refiloe) Mudimu, the Chief of the SA Navy, Mr Roelf Meyer, a former Minister ofDefence, and R Adm (JG) Jonny Kamerman, Project Director of Project FITRON, inGermany.

message

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From the Editor's desk

e at SA SOLDIER salute our outgoingChief of the SA National Defence Force,General Siphiwe Nyanda, and wish himall the best for the future. By the sametoken everyone at SA SOLDIER welcomesour new Chief, General GodfreyNgwenya, to the helm. Please read moreabout the change of command parade on

pages 10 to 13.

In this edition please read more about the visits of MrMosiuoa Lekota, our Minister of Defence, to theDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on pages 16 and17.

Not only in this country, but also worldwide, the 60thanniversary of the ending of World War II in Europe(VE Day) was recently commemorated. World War IIwas the most extensive and costly armed conflict in his-tory and involved most of the world's nations. It wasfought simultaneously in several major theatres andcost approximately 55.5 million lives. In total WorldWar II caused the deaths of about two percent of thepopulation of the world. Please read more about theVictory in Europe (VE) Day celebrations sixty yearslater on pages 18 to 22.

Read all about the naming ceremony of the secondSouth African submarine. SA SOLDIER's photogra-pher, F Sgt David Nomtshongwana, was present inGermany to capture the moment for us. Please readmore about the unveiling ceremony on pages 28 to 32.

Recently former members of the SANDF joined theranks of the SAPS. This unique career opportunity formembers of the SANDF has arisen from an agreementreached between the DOD and the SAPS. Please readmore about the SANDF and the SAPS service benefitson pages 42 and 43, where they are compared.

We shall continue to test various approaches toimprove the look, feel and content of the magazine.One major issue, which will be re-examined, is to pub-lish various articles in our eleven official languages ona rotational basis in future editions of SA SOLDIER.The services of Directorate Language Services of theDOD are utilised to provide the necessary translationsas published in SA SOLDIER. Our readers are welcometo contact Directorate Language Services of the DODfor translations of any article published in SA SOL-DIER in any one of our official languages. For assis-tance please contact Col Daan Vorster, DirectorLanguage Services, at tel no: (012) 392 3176.

Our next edition - the August edition - will once againbe a special edition on our women in defence, as wasthe case last year. SA SOLDIER greetings.

Nelda PienaarEditor

WEzivela kwidesikayoMhleli

hina be-SA SOLDIER sibulisa iChief yethu ehambayoyoMkhosi woKhuselo woMzantsi Afrika, uNjengele SiphiweNyanda, simnqwenelela konke okuhle kwikamva lakhe.Ngomqondiso ofanayo, sisonke abe-SA SOLDIER samkelaiChief yethu entsha uNjengele Godfrey Ngwenya kulawulo.Nceda ufunde ngokubanzi malunga notshintsho lolawulokwiphepha le-10 ukuya kwele-13.

Kolu hlelo, nceda ufunde ngokubanzi ngotyelelo loMphathiswawethu uMnu. Mosiuoa Lekota, kwiDemocratic Republic of Congo(DRC) kwiphepha le-16 nele-17.

Asikuko kwilizwe jikelele, koko kwihlabathi lilonke, bekubanjweisikhumbuzo sama-60 sokuphela kweMfazwe yeSibini yeHlabathi(World War II) eYurophu (VE Day). IMfazwe yeSibini yeHlabathiyeyona mfazwe eyayibanzi nenexabiso eliphezulu emlweni wokux-hoba ufohlele kwiimbali kwaye ikwabandakanya uninzi lwezizwengezizwe kwihlabathi. Yaliwa ngaxeshanye kwiindawoezohlukeneyo ezininzi yaze yathatha ubomi babantu abamalunganama-55.5 ezigidi. Inani lilonke labantu abasweleka ngexeshaleMfazwe yeSibini yeHlabathi limalunga nesibini ekhulwini (2%)yabemi behlabathi lilonke jikelele. Nceda ufunde ngokubanzi malun-ga nokubhiyozela uSuku olwaziwa njenge-Victory in Europe Day(VE) kwiminyaka engamashumi amathandathu, ukusuka kwiphephale-18 ukuya kuma-22.

Funda konke malunga netheko lokuthiywa kwenkwili (submarine)yesibini yoMzantsi Afrika. Umfoti we-SA SOLDIER, u-F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana ukuzimasile oku eJamani eyokuthatha yonke ingxe-lo. Nceda ufunde ngokubanzi malunga netheko lotyhilo loku ukusu-ka kwiphepha lama-28 ukuya kuma-32.

Kutshanje, amalungu angaphambili e-SANDF ajoyine iirenki ze-SAPS. Eli thuba lilodwa kwimisebenzi yamalungu e-SANDF liveliswesisivumelwano ekufikelelwe kuso phakathi kwe-DOD ne-SAPS.Nceda ufunde ngokubanzi malunga nokuthelekiswa kweenzuzoemsebenzini ezifumaneka kwi-SANDF ne-SAPS kwiphepha lama-42nama-43.

Siza kuqhubekeka ukuvavanya ubuchule obohlukeneyo ekuphucu-leni inkangeleko, uluvo kunye nesiqulatho sale magazini. Owona mbamkhulu, noza kuvavanywa, kukupapasha amanqaku awohlukeneyokwiilwimi zethu ezilishumi elinanye ngokumane sizitshintsha-tshintsha kumahlelo azayo e-SA SOLDIER. Iinkonzo zeCandeloloMlawuli weeNkonzo zoLwimi kwi-DOD ziyasetyenziswa eku-nikezeleni iinguqulelo ezifanelekileyo zeelwimi njengoko zipapashwakwi-SA SOLDIER. Abafundi bethu bamkelekile ukuqhagamshelananeCandelo loMlawuli weeNkonzo zoLwimi kwi-DOD kwiinguqulelozawo nawaphi na amanqaku apapashwe kwi-SA SOLDIER kulonaluphi na kwiilwimi zethu eziseburhulumenteni. Xa ufuna uncedo,nceda uqhagamshelane no-Col Daan Vorster, uMlawuli weeNkonzozoLwimi, kule nombolo yefowuni: (012) 392-3176.

Uhlelo lwethu olulandelayo - olwenyanga ka-Agasti - luya kuthikwakhona lube luhlelo olulodwa malunga namakhosikazi ethuemkhosini njengakulo nyaka uphelileyo.Ngemibuliso ye-SA SOLDIER.

Nelda PienaaruMhleli

T

Compiled by Lebohang LetaoanaPhotos: F Sgt Amelda Strydom

one-day seminar on post-traumatic stress disordermanagement and its roll-outin the SANDF was held at theSAMHS Officers' Mess inThaba Tshwane on 12 May2005.

Addressing the guests at the open-ing of the seminar the then Chief of theSANDF, Gen Siphiwe Nyanda, saidstress management training hasbecome an increasingly important fac-tor in the adequate preparation andtraining of soldiers. "Knowing whatcan be expected, ie the nature of themission, length of deployment, livingand working conditions, and channelsopen for communication with lovedones can greatly reduce the physicaland emotional demands that con-tribute to combat stress," said GenNyanda.

The main objectives of the seminarwere:

To give top management andsenior commanders in the SANDFthe opportunity to familiarise

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themselves with the concept ofmanaging post-traumatic stressdisorder in the SANDF.To give top management andsenior commanders in the SANDFthe opportunity to interact and dis-cuss the concept of managing post-traumatic stress disorder in theSANDF.To give top management andsenior commanders in the SANDFthe opportunity to buy into theroll-out process of post-traumaticstress disorder management in theSANDF.To establish and recommend bestpractice for the roll-out of post-traumatic stress disorder manage-ment in the SANDF.

What is post-traumatic stressdisorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is apsychiatric condition that can occurfollowing experience or witnessing oflife-threatening events, such as mili-tary combat, natural disasters, terroristincidents, serious accidents or violentpersonal assault like rape.

Defining stressThe physical and psychological

processes within the individual as aresult of reacting to and coping withan event or situation that places pres-sure upon the person.

Current reality for the SANDFPost-traumatic stress disorder is acomplex disorder that is often mis-understood. Not everyone whoexperiences a traumatic event willdevelop post-traumatic stress dis-order, but many people do.Myth: Post-traumatic stress disor-der only affects war veterans.Fact: Post-traumatic stress disor-der can affect anyone.Victims of trauma related to phys-ical and sexual assault face thegreatest risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. Womenare about twice as likely to developit as men.

Estimated risk for post-traumatic stress disorder

Rape (49%)Severe beating or physical assault(31.9%)Other sexual assault (23.7%)Serious accident or injury, forexample car or train accident(16.8%)Shooting or stabbing (15.4%)Sudden, unexpected death offamily member or friend (14.3%)Child's life-threatening illness(10.4%)Witness to killing or serious injury(7.3%)Natural disaster (3.8%)

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Prevention is better than cure

Gen Siphiwe Nyanda, the thenChief of the SANDF, addresses thedelegates at the seminar, while LtGen Rinus Jansen van Rensburg,the Surgeon General, looks on.

Fltr: Lt Gen Sipho Binda, the Chief of Joint Operations, Lt Gen CarloGagiano, the Chief of the SA Air Force, Lt Gen Niel Knobel (Ret), a formerSurgeon General, Gen Siphiwe Nyanda, the then Chief of the SANDF, Lt GenRinus Jansen van Rensburg, the Surgeon General, and V Adm Johannes(Refiloe) Mudimu, the Chief of the SA Navy, attended the seminar.

Winning letter

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feedback

Change your approach and results

R200-00 prize for the best letterSA SOLDIER welcomes letters to the Editor. Short letters are more likely to be pub-lished, and all letters may be edited for reasons of style, accuracy or space limita-tions. Letters should preferably be typewritten and double-spaced. All letters mustinclude the writer's full name, address and home telephone number. The volume ofletters we receive makes individual acknowledgement impossible. Please sendyour letters to: The Editor, SA SOLDIER Letters, Private Bag X158, Pretoria, 0001.Letters may also be faxed to (012) 355-6399 or sent via email to sasoldier@mil.za.We would like to hear your comments or ideas, particularly about matters affectingmembers of the Department of Defence. Regrettably, anonymous letters cannot beanswered officially or published - Editor.

Firstly let me remind the readersabout the letter I wrote while I was aCorporal, which was published in theSA SOLDIER of May 2003 titled: "Iwill staff myself". This letter met withvarious reactions. Which was of causeexpected. Senior members I met reallyappreciated the message, while mostof my colleagues said it was impossi-ble to staff oneself.

Despite some criticism the majori-ty of members registered and will bein their second year this year. To themeducation is addictive, as it is to peo-ple with vision: they always wantmore.

I am part of youI know it is a late entry, but hopefullyit will still bring the point home. Letme express my pride in your DefenceForce. Your force is vast and dynamic.I take a keen interest in your magazinebecause that is the only way I can learnmore about your Defence Force. As Iam from an SADC country I feel proudto be associated with your force. In 10

I am very happy and proud to be oneof the ambassadors of my family,ambassadors of my unit - 4 SAI Bn -and ambassador of my country - SouthAfrica, and to be the champion ofpeacemakers and peacekeepers. Yes,we are the masters of peace.

I am blessed by God to be a SouthAfrican citizen - the country of peace,love and harmony. What South Africais doing for the people of Africa iswhat is supposed to be done by the

The champions of peace

Nevertheless I did understandtheir pessimistic approach to the letterbecause just the word "staffing" wasreally a "red flag" to members whohad been waiting for promotion as farback as ten years ago. I just felt that Iwould be letting down some membersif I do not give feedback on the above-mentioned letter, because we hadbecome doubting "Thomases" whowanted to see before we believed,because of the hardship we encoun-tered in our military careers.

One chaplain once said during hisscripture reading: "One cannot changehis or her origin, but can change his or

her future destiny". Of concern now isthis DOD HR 2010, which couplesrank with age: it gives a person some-thing to think about, and of coursethere are questions. Some questionscan be asked, eg will six years fromnow find one still with no Grade 12, nodiploma or degree while the DOD istrying to provide funds for membersto achieve this? The answer should bea definite big "No". Think how it willbe to celebrate your individualachievement while the country cele-brates the Soccer World Cup. Stand upand be counted - Lt N. Ngcobo,Adjutant Northern MP Region.

years the SANDF has demonstrated tome a commendable military profes-sionalism with an excellent calibre ofcommand both at national and inter-national level, which other Africandefence forces have to emulate. Keep itup! - Lt Kondwani K. Chipanda,Orthopaedic Clinical Officer, MilitaryHealth Services (Malawi).

whole world and I believe that thewhole of Africa will have peace.Through the South Africans there willbe peace on the continent. My wish isthat God will help everyone of us to betolerant of one another and to be patri-otic so that we can help those patheticvictims and give them love and peace.

South African soldiers, our mottois love and peace - Thulani JosephSigalelana, 4 SAI Bn (deployed inBurundi).

The late Bashin Sejake's life may havebeen cut short when he was in hisprime, but Bashin Sejake's military,social and religious life, sportsman thathe was, was excellently lived. He wasknown to most soldiers, civilians andhis fans as an energetic young soccerplayer who did whatever it took to gethis way. He will be remembered as amost humble God-fearing soul whonever minced his words when it cameto his love of God. He lived his lifefully, and upheld and lived accordingto military principles and those of God,and he was a blessing not only to hisfamily and the relatives, but to all thosewho had the opportunity to know him.He related to ordinary soldiers in anamazing way and took a very personalinterest in everyone he worked andplayed with. Bashin was a very sweet,ever smiling, tall and darkish colouredguy and everybody's friend. He taughtus that one does not have to be aggres-sive to get one's points across. It was ablessing for us and wonderful to know,work and play with a hero like him,and he will be missed a lot by 2 SAI Bnin Middelburg, the RSA contingent inBurundi, Lawley residence in Johannes-burg and as a ember of the UN and for-mer AU and by the Burundians at large.We grieve, sympathise and pay ourcondolences to the family and friends ofthe late fallen warrior - Sgt T.D. Makiti,RSA Contingent HQ, Burundi.

Bashin Sejake died in a recent shooting inci-dent at the Palace Base, Burundi - Ed

Moment of silence

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Adieu GeneralThe first decade of our democracy,1994 to 2004, coincides with the tenthyear celebrations of both our freedomand the founding of the SANDF. Theseimportant milestones in the countryare indicative of some of the successesachieved thus far. The challenges fac-ing our democracy in general and ourDefence Force in particular are inter-linked. The DOD shall, at all times, beguided by the strategic frameworkdefined by the Government's impera-tives and priorities.

The most important resources thatany State department must deploy torealise its objectives are its employees,funds, leadership, organisational cul-ture and technology. To appreciate theextent to which the SANDF has man-aged to implement both the Govern-ment's priorities and its own program-me in this decade the author willbriefly comment on the achievements,challenges and leadership qualities ofGeneral Siphiwe Nyanda. It is a truismthat people make history, but individ-uals can make a difference. That iswhy it is appropriate to take stock ofthe accomplishment of one who wascharged with the task of steering theSANDF through thick and thin.

Achievements: National Peace-keeping Force - The first salvos wereunleashed by the formation in 1993 ofthe National Peacekeeping Force(NPKF), the creation of theTransitional Executive Council (TEC).This actually started the General'sjourney through the maze of integra-tion and transformation processes inthe yet to be established SANDF. TheNPKF's mission was to stabilise theunstable security situation obtainingin some parts of South Africa, especial-ly Gauteng.

The achievements of the NPKF atoperational and tactical level are notworth writing home about. However,the significance of the NPKF lay in thespace it created for the seven disparateArmed Forces to engaged one anotherat all levels, ie intellectually, emotion-ally and physically. The roles of theUmkhonto we Sizwe Military Head-quaters (MKMHQ), as lead by the thenMK Commander, the late HonourableJoe Modise, and the then Chief of Staff,General Nyanda, were decisive inchannelling the energies of MK

soldiers towards the stabilisation ofthe RSA. It is unfortunate that to datethe strategic gains made by the NPKFhave not been honoured by a com-memorative medal or award.

Formation of the SANDF - Thecrucible within which the SANDF wasformed was tempered by the sweat,tears and blood of all Armed Forcesthat created the SANDF. From therumpus of Wallmannsthal and DeBrug - the two Integration Centres -the unfortunate bloody Tempe inci-dent, to the operations in support ofthe SAPS and borderline control, thepeace support and humanitarian oper-ations in Africa, the SANDF, underGeneral Nyanda, perfomed extremelywell. Our presence today in Africa isindicative of the fact that the SANDFhas really come of age. At this stagethe SANDF is in the process of renew-al in terms of its macro-organisationalstructure, human re-sources, equip-ment and culture, among others.

Challenges - The SANDF has gonethrough difficult times in the past tenyears. The expected problems thatconfronted it did not, fortunately, tearit apart. The centre continued to holdthanks to the men and women whopersevered in the midst of immensechallenges, such as impatience, genderand race imbalances, unequal treat-ment, lack of resources and civil-military relations.

Leaders are judged not by thegood times in which they find them-sel-ves, but by how they respond todifficult and stressful times. No doubtthe General's eyes were always fixedon the DOD's vision, which isEffective Defence for a DemocraticSouth Africa.

Leadership - The General'sleadership qualities may be explainedlargely in terms of his experiencesduring the liberation struggle. As afront-line Commander during the lib-eration struggle his perception of com-mand in battle was influenced by bothgeographic distance and the nature ofguerrilla warfare. The long lines ofcommand and control, eg fromLusaka to Swaziland and South Africademanded initiative, creative and anindependent mind of a Commander.The flow of orders and their imple-mentation happened within the

context of a mission-oriented com-mand based on mutual trust andrespect. The emphasis was on theresults, the "what", within set parame-ters and control rather than the "how".

This is what the General broughtwith him from exile and he continuedto apply this during his tenure as theChief of the SANDF. When presidingover meetings he would allow partici-pants to air their views freely. Ofcourse, at the end the General wouldhave the final word and that wordwas our compass.

He was patient and decisive. Heled by example. For instance he volun-teered to go through the mill by com-pleting all the military and academiccourses necessary for his work. A uni-fier and stickler for conscious and firmdiscipline, he always put the interestsof the collective first. He put a highpremium on self-development, fitnessand good health. He was an Atkin'sdiet fanatic. Well, he worked hard andsometimes played hard too.

Conclusion - At some time duringhis tenure the General straddled theshifting sands of the integration pro-cesses and at another time skatedthe thin ice of transformation. Allthese he did with fortitude and level-headedness. The success of our 10years of freedom and the transforma-tion of the SANDF and its achieve-ments are the shining examples of amission accomplished. He leavesbehind a Defence Force that is combat-ready to support our people, Govern-ment and indeed the rest of Africa. Toquote the General: "A Defence Forcethat is second to none". Adieu General- Lt Gen S.Z. Binda, Pretoria.

Errata June 2005 edition of SA SoldierPlease take note - The photo caption atthe top of page 18 should read: OurMinister of Defence (left) pays acourtesy call on the President ofMali, His Excellency AmadouToumani Toure. The photo caption atthe top of page 19 should read: OurMinister of Defence (left) and theMalian Minister of Defence and WarVeterans, His Excellency MinisterMamadou Clazié Cissouma.

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Could I ask you to publish this friendlyadvice in SA SOLDIER. I am concernedabout the criminal activities of uniformedmembers of all ranks in the organisation.

My own case could be an eye-open-er, and serve as a warning to thoseinvolved. I am referred to as a trueexample of what crime can do to anindividual.

I salute you all, officers, non-com-missioned officers, all the men andwomen of the different corps in theSANDF, especially the SA ArmyFormation - the Infantry Corps.

Let me introduce myself. I am MrBoitumelo Sylvester Boihang, whoserved as a Platoon Commander withthe rank of Lieutenant with 10 SAI Bnbased in Mafikeng. Prior to that Iserved with the then BophuthatswanaDefence Force at 1 Infantry Battalionand Military School. After the integra-tion of former Statutory and Non-statu-tory Forces into the present formidableforce and national asset, I offered myservices as an officer instructor at CS3in Potchefstroom, North WesternCommand Headquarters until I wastransferred to 10 SAI Bn in 1997. Iserved in other parts of the Republic aswell, especially in the then strife-tornKwaZulu-Natal (KZN) for a shortwhile. This was because of an unfore-seen and unintentional crime commit-ted in 1998, which was due to negli-gence.

The reason I wrote this was tospread the message to fellow men andwomen in the Defence Force to urgeand advise them to stay away fromcrime and to serve as they are sup-posed to. The main aim is to depict theimpact of crime, because ultimatelycrime leads to incarceration, whichmeans doing time behind bars. What aterrible state to find oneself in!

Letter of friendly advice

feedback

I have come to the shocking conclu-sion that there are many ex-DefenceForce members and other security agen-cies serving time in correctional centresaround the country, for criminaloffences. To me this is not right andtheir conduct needs to be condemned.

Many will wonder why I am writingthis. I am well placed to do this as I amin fact now "an inmate", "a prisoner"serving time in a correctional centrebecause of a criminal offence committedduring one of my deployments in KZN.This is unfortunate, but true.

What is crime? Men and womenregard crime as an everyday occurrence,forgetting that it is an illegal action forwhich a person can be punished by law,and that is exactly what happened in mycase. If you are committing crime, youwill be punished, which means time inprison. You will be incarcerated.

Another fact is that there areunscrupulous people in uniform. Theyhave ulterior motives and indulge incriminal activities of all sorts, eg bribes,aiding criminals, selling drugs, takingdrugs, stealing State info, sellingGovernment equipment, smugglingweapons and committing other seriousand violent crimes, such as rape andmurder. So I saw a need for brotherlyadvice to those involved in such awfulactivities that would serve as an earlywarning and a humble plea to them tostop. Crime has catastrophic results,which I do not want you to experience.

It is my belief that it is important toremember and understand that becauseyou are a uniformed member you haveundergone training to acquire skills andknowledge in your field of expertise. Soconduct yourself in a responsible way,and not as a menace to society. Youmust use such acquired skills andknowledge to protect society at all costs.

Yet another point to consider is thatof "abuse of power". Those in authorityhave certain powers vested in them toenable us to perform our duties withease and in a proper manner. Instead ofthis happening, however, many end upabusing their power. They use it insteadfor personal gain, lust and pleasure.Consider this saying, "Power corrupts,and absolute power corrupts absolute-ly". This is absolutely true.

"No one is above the law". Manyuniformed members have a tendency toself-interest, manipulation and decep-tion, which in turn is used to furthertheir criminal aims by their manipulat-ing of the system to deceive others.They do this thinking they are untouch-able. No! They are wrong. Everyonewho commits crime will be punished.

This kind of behaviour leads civil-ians to point fingers at the entire organ-isation, because they have tarnished itsimage. Drastic disciplinary measuresshould be taken against the perpetra-tors irrespective of rank or standing.

My fellow brothers and sisters, end-ing up behind bars is not what I wantyou to experience. It is not child's play.The "heat" is unbearable. So, a choice ispresented to you while you are stillemployed. Do the right thing or learnthe hard way. Change your ways, thinkof who you are, where you come fromand what you want in life. Look also ataspects of the training you have under-gone and the skills you have acquired. Are you using it to the advantage ofyour fellow citizens or only of yourself?Is it worthwhile? Do you abuse youpower? Remember again that no one isabove the law.

I have pointed out that criminalactivities are in existence in the forceand are carried out by some uniformedmembers. It should not be forgotten

I am writing this poem for the lateOfficer Commanding of Sasol Com-mando, Lt Col Frikkie Burger.

I thank those who have passedaway; they are still remembered by uswho honour their strength and abilityto work accordingly.

"Simunye"Simunye - We are oneNickname - Simunye

SimunyeWork with one - SimunyeWe do it with one - SimunyeSasol Commando unit - SimunyeSA Army - SimunyeLt Col Frikkie Burger - SimunyeWe are one - SimunyeGroup 24 - SimunyeInfantry Corps - SimunyeMan of his word - SimunyeWe are one - SimunyeWe remember you - Simunye

We are still Simunye - SibanyeWe love you- SimunyeWe still love you - Simunye - We are oneAs we used to call you - SimunyeRest in peace - SimunyeSimunye - SibanyeSibanye - SimunyeSimunye! - Cpl D.A. Zwane, Sasol Commando member.

that crime goes hand in hand withincarceration, and incarceration hasresults that are not good. You will belabelled and be a disgrace to your fel-low workers, your family, friends andto yourself, because what you did wasunacceptable and very wrong. Yourdignity and even personality will beinjured by the fact that you no longerenjoy your status as a good person.Your career will be destroyed. It comesto an abrupt end, and your chances ofemployment are very slim because younow have a criminal record.

To improve or develop oneself aca-demically in these circumstances is adaunting task. You learn the hard way,because the situation is unfavourable,not to mention the overcrowding andthe prison subculture, which are themain hurdles hindering rehabilitation.

Valuable time and opportunities arelost. We all know that life goes on, andthe saying goes: "Time wasted shallnever be regained" and "time waits forno man". Opportunities go by whileyou are still in prison. You become anoutcast and your community, family,friends and society want nothing to dowith offenders like you. No one wants

to be associated with a criminal. This is astigma you have to live with.

The most painful aspect is that fami-lies disintegrate. Family life becomesunstable: those left behind, eg the wives,girlfriends, husbands and boyfriendswill find solace elsewhere. You onlyexist where you are. What a situation tofind yourself in! I am quite sure youwould not like it to happen to you.Everyone disassociates himself fromyou. Families are brought into disrepute.Your actions will cause quite an unbear-able situation. Family members, yourchildren, and everyone in the householdwill be scorned and have to put up withnasty stories and name-calling. Thecause - their father, mother, brother orsister, son or daughter.

Parenthood, the years of youth andthe productive years are greatly affect-ed. As a parent, you no longer provideas usual and your responsibilities arelimited because you cannot attend tofamily matters or run errands as a fatheror a mother. As a youth, your yearsspent behind bars are wasted. To thosein the productive years things come to ahalt and it will take time to recover,depending on your sentence and other

factors, eg illness.Your freedom is limited. You are

controlled and have no free will.Communication has no privacy; it islimited by the time allowed for visits,which in turn are also limited. Manybecome psychos, meaning that theydevelop serious mental problems. Thisis real. The situation here can frustrateyou and disorientate you.

In concluding this advice I want topoint out that it is not only directed atSANDF members, but at all men andwomen in uniform. Let us all rid our-selves of unseemly and unacceptablebehaviour, because crime does not pay.Instead it ruins life, causes misery anddestroys careers. Stop such behaviour,stop committing crime and let us servethe society with diligence as we areexpected to do. It is your duty to pro-tect your fellow citizens and to upholdthe image of your organisation. Actionsspeak louder than words. I hope thatthis advice will provide you with someuseful information and issues to thinkabout. There is a need for those on thewrong path to change - BoitumeloSylvester Boihang, Rooigrond Correc-tional Centre, Mmabatho.

As Paraguayan Head of the Diplomaticand Consular Mission in the Republicof South Africa, I have great pleasure inwriting to you to express my sincereand cordial thankfulness for havingreceived a copy (May 2005 edition) ofthe prestigious military magazine,namely SA SOLDIER, the officialmonthly publication of the SA Depart-ment of Defence. In this regard I should

like to avail myself of this opportunityto extend to you know my warmest con-gratulations on this very relevant andinteresting editorial initiative, which isaimed at providing very useful andmeaningful information to the nationaland international community, both pub-lic and private, in general. Furthermore,I also want to encourage you stronglyto continue with this really valuable

Cordial thankfulnesspublication, to the undoubted benefit ofthe entire South African citizenry andas a source of information for thenumerous members of foreign commu-nities residing in this very beautiful andlovely country. Kindly accept therenewed assurances of my highest anddistinguished consideration - ArnaldoRicardo Salazar, Chargé d' Affaires,Embajada Del Paraguay.

SANDF Cricket tourThe SANDF Cricket Association(SANDFCA) engaged in a highly suc-cessful inland cricket tour to the FreeState and Northern Cape Provincesfrom 20 to 25 February 2005. Two teamsof the SANDFCA, which were selectedafter the 2004 SANDF Championshipsheld in Bloemfontein, viz the SANDF XIand the SANDF President's Team,played in three representative matcheson the tour to Kimberley and Bloem-fontein respectively. The teams wereaccompanied by the Patron of theSANDFCA, Brig Gen M.M. Moadira, thePresident of the SANDFCA, Col N.J.Majola, and the executive committee.

All the members stayed in the ASBBloemfontein Combined Club and expe-rienced hospitality of the highest degree.Results of the tour matches were as fol-lows: 22 February 2005: SANDF XI vsGriquas Invitation XI played inKimberley (match played over 45 overs).The Griquas Invitation XI, including sev-eral Griqua amateur players, won by 110runs. 23 February 2005: SANDF Presi-dent's XI vs Bloemfontein Cricket As-sociation Junior Board XI (BCA XI)played in Bloemfontein (match playedover 45 overs). The BCA XI won by 122runs. 24 February 2005: SANDF XI vsFree State Invitation XI played in

Bloemfontein (match played over 50overs). The SANDF XI won this mostimportant match of the tour by 141runs. This second inland cricket tour ofthe SANDFCA was a great success andthe executive committee is alreadybusy with plans for the 2006 tour. TheSANDFCA wishes to extend its thanksand appreciation to all parties involved- D PTSR (Col W. Steinbach and per-sonnel), players, officials, administra-tors and Officers Commanding for theirunselfish co-operation in ensuring thatthis year's tour will always be remem-bered - Maj Pierre Hamman, Media Liaison Officer SANDFCA.

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events

A final compliment to a General for lifeBy CPO Dennis NdabaPhotos: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

en Siphiwe Nyanda bowedout as the Chief of theSANDF in a parade befit-ting a true leader and oneof the country's finest offi-cers, while the Chief of theSANDF designated Gen

Godfrey Ngwenya was given thebaton to steer the SANDF to greaterheights.

On the morning of 30 May 2005the Thaba Tshwane Military SportsGround was under siege as a paradecharacterised by military profession-alism at its best and in a form of thebrigade in review took place, in addi-tion to a fly-past, and a 17-gun salute,spiced and serenaded by the sweetduet by the National Ceremo-nial Guards singers with the Italianversion of "Time to say goodbye",

G

Gen Siphiwe Nyanda (left) bequeaths the command of the SANDF to Gen Godfrey Ngwenya.

followed by a standing ovation forGen Nyanda on an illustrious careerand devotion to duty that spannedover 30 years.

The Commander in Chief of theSANDF, President Thabo Mbeki, MrsZanele Mbeki, our First Lady, MrMosiuoa Lekota, the Minister of Def-ence, Mr Ronnie Kasrils, the Ministerof Intelligence, parliamentarians, MrJanuary Masilela, the Secretary forDefence, Chiefs of Services and Div-isions, members of the diplomaticcorps and captains of industry wereamong the esteemed dignitaries whograced this prestigious and movingparade with their presence.

When Gen Nyanda took over com-mand of the SANDF in May 1998, hehad a dream: "That the Defence Forceof the future will reflect the demo-graphics of the country. All SouthAfricans should be welcomed in it. Allshould be able to rise to the highestposition of responsibility, irrespective

of race, religion, gender or creed". Hisappointment was made at a time ofgreat challenges and adversity for theSANDF. The unprecedented integra-tion of seven different forces was apainful affair; the defence budget wasplummeting downwards as thoughout of control and with no end in sight.There were serious concerns aboutblock obsolescence in the SANDF, par-ticularly in the SA Navy, which hadlargely been overlooked in the acquisi-tion of main equipment in the formerSADF.

We were not trusted by our region-al partners and the wider internationaldefence community because of thedestabilisation and conflicts which theapartheid regime's forces had spon-sored, promoted and unleashed. Wewere emerging from isolation andfrom being a pariah state. Pacifists anddetractors were enjoying our unilater-al disarmament and claimed that therewere no security threats faced by thecountry, and that we had no experi-ence of peacekeeping operations. Wewere not a cohesive force, there wasmutual suspicion and recriminationswere common, and the top structure ofthe SANDF, the Services and

Our SANDF is more

cohesive than ever.

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Divisions, was almost entirely whiteand male.

Gen Godfrey Ngwenya -new Chief of the SANDF

Gen Godfrey Ngwenya was bornin Johannesburg on 28 April 1950. Heattended Orlando High School, wherehe matriculated in 1970. He joined theANC and the ANC's Military Wing,Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), at theheight of the student uprisings inSouth Africa in 1976. While in exile heunderwent military training in Angolaand passed his further commanders'courses in the then GermanDemocratic Republic and the SovietUnion.

Within MK, Gen Ngwenya heldresponsibilities such as MilitaryInstructor, Camp Commissar at vari-ous camps in Angola (1979-1981), andthen he commanded all MK forces inAngola from 1983 to 1988. From 1988to 1991 he was a member of the MKArmy Headquarters. He was Chief ofPersonnel and Training at the formerMK Army HQ from 1991 to 1994,when MK was integrated with the for-mer SADF to form the SANDF. Afterthe integration process he wasappointed as Major General andserved as Deputy General OfficerCommanding of WitwatersrandCommand in Johannesburg from 1994to 1996.

From 1996 to 1998 he was GeneralOfficer Commanding of North West

President Thabo Mbeki, theCommander-in-Chief of the SANDF(right), and Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, theMinister of Defence, at the parade.

(Continued on page 12)

Gen Godfrey Ngwenya (left) in command of the SANDF, while Gen SiphiweNyanda looks on.

Command in Potchefstroom and from1998 to the end of September 1999Chief Director Force Preparation in theArmy Office. He served as DeputyChief of Joint Operations from 1October 1999 to 31 December 2000. Hewas promoted to the rank of Lt Gen on1 January 2001 and appointed as Chiefof Joint Operations. Since the estab-lishment of the SANDF in 1994 GenNgwenya has attended theOrientation Course for officers, theSenior Army Staff Course (1996) andthe Joint Staff Course (1998).

Final address In his final address, Gen Nyanda

said that today the SANDF was morecohesive than ever. We are able to planwith greater certainty because we aresure of the size of the budget alloca-tion and the SA Navy is no longer in

are rejuvenating the SANDF. Fineyoung men and women, both blackand white, with no ideological bag-gage, continue to swell the ranks of theSANDF through the Military SkillsDevelopment (MSD) programme.Consensus has grown that the SANDFis an indispensable instrument toassist Government in its foreign policyobjectives, that it has been and willremain an important element in thefight against crime on land, in the airand on the high seas. The stature of theSANDF is at an all-time high. I leave iton such a high. I leave knowing thatwhat I set out to do, I have done to thebest of my ability," declared GenNyanda.

He warned that we must notunderestimate the threats to our effec-tiveness and efficiency. Disciplinemust remain uppermost in our minds.

dire straits. Excellent vessels havebeen acquired for it, and 5th genera-tion fighters are in the pipeline for theSA Air Force, as are other aircraft. Weare now focusing on the re-equiping ofthe SA Army. More and more blackofficers and non-commissioned offi-cers have assumed important respon-sibilities, as well as command and staffpositions. Morale and discipline haveconsequently improved.

"Today the human resource com-ponent is gradually transforming. We

There can be no laxity or compromisewith regard to it. Deviations from dis-cipline must be dealt with firmly,promptly, fairly and impartially.Crime and the health of our soldiers,particularly regarding the scourge ofHIV/Aids continue to receive theattention of the SANDF and the DODin general, in order to limit theirimpact on the deployability of our sol-diers. The crime and well-being strate-gies need continuous monitoring and

events

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re-evaluation for them to remaineffective.

His parting shot to all the uni-formed members of the SANDF and tothe men and women on parade was:"You on parade today, you presenthere in your varied splendid uniforms:be sure to walk with your heads uphigh. You have every reason to beproud of your uniform, not only for itsmagnificent splendour, but for what itrepresents to the general public and tothe world at large. To the SouthAfrican public, you represent hopeand relief. Relief that at last there is adefence force that does not trample ontheir liberties; train their weapons onthem; cut short the lives of their lovedones and turn neighbours into ene-mies and spread fear and loathing".

The South African public has adependable defence force that pro-vides relief in case of calamity, and ithas a defence force that protects theircountry and ensures peaceful, unin-hibited, beneficial political, economicand social activity. "To the people ofAfrica, your uniform has come to sym-bolise hope: that at last they might

(Continued from page 11)

break away from the clutches of warand hunger; that they may be rid ofmilitary coups and rule by tyrantswho impose their will on them; thatthe vast economic potential locked inthe bowels of their soil may be freed toserve the peoples of the continent andgive rise to hope for the dawn of theAfrican Renaissance."

The function after the parade After the official parade, invited

guests attended a function at theThaba Tshwane City Hall, where awell relaxed Gen Nyanda emerged totell the audience that one of the perksthat he will be taking with him fromhis job, is his title of General that hewill keep for life and that he will

Military professionalism at its best as Gen Siphiwe Nyanda acknowledges a salute from the fly-past, 17-gun salute anda brigade under the command of R Adm (JG) Rusty Higgs. (Photo: F Sgt Amelda Strydom)

Front row, from left: Mr January Masilela, the Secretary for Defence, and hiswife, Mrs Mavis Masilela, attending the parade. Left, second row: Mr RonnieKasrils, the Minister of Intelligence, in conversation with Lt Gen Temba Ma-tanzima, the Chief of Corporate Staff, while Mrs Noxolo Matanzima looks on.

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spend the better part of his retirementtaking to task all of those who refer tohim as Mr Nyanda and, worst of all,comrade Ghebuza. His last advice tohis worthy successor was: "Take upgolf, enjoy the hard work that starts atsix in the morning, the thrills ofauthority, power and the loneliness ofcommand".

Paying tribute Paying tribute to his predecessor,

Gen Ngwenya said that the sevenyears that Gen Nyanda was in com-mand as the Chief of the SANDF weremost challenging, but he undertook toserve his country with loyalty,courage, dignity and honour. He per-formed his duties and carried out his

responsibilities with zeal and dili-gence. Gen Ngwenya added that theSANDF was faced with bigger nation-al issues to tackle, such as to raisereadiness to the required level, to beready to meet the demands of the situ-ation and to tackle the headacheimposed on us by the thorny healthproblem.

"I am certain we shall emerge vic-torious, because you are leavingbehind a capable administration con-sisting of committed and dedicat-ed men and women," Gen Ngwenyaconcluded.

Gen Godfrey Ngwenya, the new Chief of the SANDF.

Right: Gen Siphiwe Nyandainspecting the brigade.

(Photo: F Sgt Amelda Strydom)

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Our Army bids our Chief farewellBy Col B.J. van den Berg, COS ASB Bloemfontein

he SA Army held a farewellparade for the outgoing Chiefof the SANDF, Gen SiphiweNyanda, in Bloemfontein on19 May 2005.

This parade was hostedby the Army Support Base

Bloemfontein and all SA Army units inBloemfontein. The format of this pres-tigious event was a mechanisedparade with a battalion en masse.

The Army Support Base KroonstadBand performed during the parade.Bloemspruit Air Force Base (16Squadron and 87 Air School) providedthe helicopter fly-past with oneRooivalk, one Oryx and two Allouettehelicopters. A 17-shot gun salute wasfired by Artillery MobilisationRegiment with four G1 guns (25pounders).

44 Parachute Regiment gave a free-fall parachute display with eight free-fall jumpers, and presenting a scrollcontaining a farewell message to GenNyanda:

"There are three kinds op people:There are those who make things happen.There are those who watch things happen.There are those who wonder what happened".

In the SA Army we are proud tosay you are one of those who madethings happen.

To quote Christopher D. Kolenda"Leadership is about trust - trust in theleader's vision, trust in the leader'scompetence and character, trust in theleader's respect and care for thoseunder his charge. Successful leadersearn the trust of others, and in doing soinspire the voluntary spirit and act offollowing".

a formidable force since 1994. He alsosaid that he was satisfied to leave agood Army behind. Gen Nyandapraised the planners and executors ofthe parade.

The parade was followed by acocktail function at the ASB CombinedClub where the ASB choir and theNational Ceremonial GuardEntertainment Group performed. LtGen Shoke handed the SA Army'sfarewell gift (a computer) to GenNyanda. The GOC Artillery Formationhanded Gen Nyanda a shell that wasfired during the parade as a token totake home.

Gen Nyanda's farewell parade wasexecuted in style and will be remem-bered for years to come as an excellentevent. Thank you to all Services, for-mations, units and individualsinvolved.

TWe would like to thank you for

your visionary leadership. Gen Nyanda inspected the parade

mobile, riding in an old Elandarmoured car.

The battalion's defiladed marchpast was followed by the SA ArmourMuseum vehicles and the convention-al mechanised columns.

The Chief of the SA Army, Lt GenSolly Shoke, and members of the SAArmy Council also participated in theparade by saluting Gen Nyanda dur-ing the final general salute. This wasthe first time that this ceremony waspart of a Chief of the SANDF farewellparade.

The mechanised vehicles also tookpart in the reveille order march/move-ment, which was very special andspectacular. The Chief of the SANDFthanked the SA Army for growing into

Gen Siphiwe Nyanda, the outgoing Chief of the SANDF, and Lt Col Andrew Doyle, the Parade Commander, inspecting the parade.

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Gen Siphiwe Nyanda, the Chief of the SANDF, and Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, theChief of the SA Air Force, and guests looking at flying formations at thefarewell parade.

Air Force parting for our ChiefBy Lt Col Frans Schoombee,Acting SSO Corp Comm, DCSS

he SA Air Force's farewellfunction for the Chief of theSANDF, Gen SiphiweNyanda, was hosted atHoedspruit AFB on 18 May2005. Gen Nyanda had cometo the end of his career in the

SANDF. He has served the SANDF asthe Chief of the SANDF for the lastseven years with great pride, dedica-tion and dignity.

The historical event commenced at14:30 in the afternoon when GenNyanda arrived on a rugby field in theHoedspruit AFB residential area in anOryx helicopter flown by Capt TanyaLivingstone from 19 Squadron andher co-pilot, Lt Clarita Frylink.

The Chief of the SA Air Force, LtGen Carlo Gagiano, and the OfficerCommanding Hoedspruit AFB, ColTobie du Toit, marched out to the heli-copter to welcome him. Gen Nyandajoined the marching party whichaccompanied him to the front of anAir Force quarter guard that wasformed to present arms to symbolisethe Air Force's final salute to GenNyanda. After this ceremony themarching party withdrew and joinedthe rest of the Air Force's top structureat the side of the sports field for theafternoon's proceedings.

More compliments to the outgoingChief were to follow with a special fly-ing programme to salute Gen Nyandafor his commitment to the SA AirForce. The programme included twoOryx flag carriers with the Nationaland Defence Force Flags, followed bya formation of two Rooivalk andAllouette helicopters, four formationsof four Impalas and a formation offour Cheetahs symbolising the Chief'sfour stars. The programme then pro-ceeded with a solo Impala andCheetah air display, after which the

Tfinal salute for the day was given by anine-ship Cheetah formation tearingopen the peaceful skies of Hoedspruit.

The guests next went to theDrakensig Community Hall wherethey were entertained by choirs andtraditional dancers from the SA AirForce and the local community. TheAFB Makhado Choir, a school choirfrom the Independent School inHoedspruit, a quartet from the AirForce Mobile Deployment Wing andtraditional dancers from Acornhoekwere all part of the afternoon's enjoy-ment.

Lt Gen Gagiano addressed all theguests and paid a final tribute to GenNyanda, highlighting a few mile-stones of his career. Lt Gen Gagiano

also thanked him for all his support ofthe SA Air Force during his period ofleadership of the Defence Force andhanded over a computer notebook asa token of the SA Air Force's apprecia-tion for his contributions.

The Chief received the gift andresponded to Lt Gen Gagiano's mes-sage by thanking the SA Air Force forits commitment and successesachieved with every step of the trans-formation process and the migrationof the SANDF and the SA Air Forceduring the last eleven years.

Well done to the OfficerCommanding Hoedspruit AFB, hispersonnel and DCSS for a very memo-rable and successful SA Air Forcefarewell to Gen Siphiwe Nyanda.

events

A path to peace and stabilityBy Nomonde VuthelaPhotos: Sheena Adams

hen the first deploymentof the SANDF SpecialistContingent under theauspices of the UnitedNations Mission wasdeployed to the Demo-cratic Republic of Congo

(MONUC 1) in 2001, to help bringabout peace, no one would havethought that it was going to make asignificant contribution consideringthat South Africa had no experience inpeacekeeping operations.

"Today, less than four years later,the work of the Department ofDefence in supporting the Govern-ment's diplomatic initiatives to help

First row on the pavilion, fltr: Mr André Flahaut, the Belgian Minister ofDefence, Dr Adolphe Onusumba, the DRC Minister of Defence, and MrMosiuoa Lekota, the RSA Minister of Defence, attended a passing-out paradeheld in Kamina in the eastern DRC.

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Weradicate conflicts in the region andthe continent is beginning to bear fruitin that democratic processes arealready under way in Burundi, andthat similar processes are likewise inprogress in the Democratic Republic ofCongo (DRC).

Working through SADC and theAfrican Union (AU) the RSA Ministerof Defence, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, whois the current chair of the InterstateSecurity and Defence Committee, hasbeen hard at work to ensure that notonly Burundi and the DRC attain theirobjectives of achieving a lasting peace,but that such objectives are achievedelsewhere on the continent, includingCôte d' Ivoire. His recent visits to theDRC and Côte d' Ivoire bear testimonyto this.

In mid-May this year MinisterLekota visited Kamina in the easternDRC to witness the passing-outparade of an integrated brigade ofarmed forces, who had been at eachother's throats. The brigade had beentrained according to the TripartiteAlliance arrangement between SouthAfrica, Belgium and the DRC.

This brigade is part of a processwhich will eventually result in a singleunified Congolese National DefenceForce. This process is critical for ensur-ing stability in that country, andMinister Lekota says he is encouragedby the fact that other European coun-tries have also shown an interest insupporting the Demobilisation,Disarmament and Reintegration(DDR) process. Once completed, thevarious former armed forces, whichhave been fighting to protect their owninterests, will act in the interests of theConstitution of the DRC. This willinclude safeguarding the forthcomingelections.

While in Kamina Minister Lekota

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Former enemies, now comrades in arms, held their passing-out parade in Kamina.

and his DRC counterpart signeda letter of intent with the repre-sentative of the DutchGovernment, which has con-tributed R5 million Eurostowards the integration process.

Minister Lekota says this willgo a long way in speeding upprocesses leading to general elec-tions in that country, particularlyin view of the fact that theCongolese are anxious to go tothe polls. He cited an example inDecember last year when it wasannounced that the electionswould be postponed, and therewas a spontaneous reaction fromthe public protesting theannouncement. According toMinister Lekota this was a strongmessage to their leaders that likeany other citizens elsewhere ofthe international community,they also deserved to enjoy thebenefits of democracy.

He says the time has come forconflicts to be completely eradi-cated in the region and continentso that the youth can compete insport instead of slaughteringeach other.

Recent events in the DRC andBurundi are encouraging, asthere are indicators that thedream of peace and stability inthe region and the continent isabout to become a reality.

Memorial Service at Bay's HillCompiled by Maj James du Toit,Editor Ad Astra

On 8 May 2005 the SA Air Force held amemorial service at Bay's Hill inThaba Tshwane to commemorate VEDay, so called for Victory in Europe,the day the Allies celebrated the defeatof Nazi Germany - the end of WorldWar II. With it came the end of sixyears of misery, suffering, courage andendurance across the world.

During the war at least 50 million

people paid with their lives, of whom10 million were combatants. 40 millioncivilians bore the brunt of the destruc-tion. South Africa contributed to thedestruction of an evil ideological sys-tem by participating on the Allied sideof the war.

The SA Air Force took part in theservice by recalling to memory themore than 3 000 of its own memberswho gave their lives in the service oftheir country in times of both war andpeace. After playing the last post, a

two-minute silence and a fly-past ofthree Impalas commenced.

Wreaths were laid by the Chief ofthe SA Air Force, Lt Gen CarloGagiano, the National President of theSA Air Force Association, Mr Leon duPlessis, next of kin of members wholost their lives over the years in activeservice and Lt Col Lee, on behalf ofthe Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

Wreaths were also laid on behalfof other organisations as a sign ofremembrance.

The passing-out parade of an integrated brigade of armed forces trained accord-ing to the Tripartite Alliance arrangement between South Africa, Belgium and theDRC.

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VE Day celebrationsCompiled by Maj Joy Christie,Corp Comm Officer YsterplaatAFB, and Mr Chris Teale, SAAFMuseum: Ysterplaat AFB

8 May 2005 was at first rather chilly. Aparade was being held in Hangar 3 atYsterplaat Air Force Base to commem-orate that momentous event 60 yearsago, the unconditional surrender ofthe Axis Forces in Germany, whichsignalled the end of World War II inEurope, hence the day is called "VEDay" - Victory in Europe. Outside theSA Air Force Museum, flags repre-senting the majority of the nationsinvolved flew in a strong breeze,which brought a burst of colour to agrey sky.

After the parade the participantswere invited to the opening of an exhi-bition at the museum. The guestspeaker was Judge Dennis Davis.

Veterans representing the SA AirForce Association, the Royal Air ForceAssociation, the MOTH, the CapeCorps Regimental Association andmany other organisations arrivedresplendent in their uniforms withmedals that were testimony to theirwartime experiences. Suitable musicwas provided by the Riverboat JazzBand, which went down memory laneand played all the wartime tunes andsongs much to the delight of the audi-ence.

The exhibition was mounted utilis-ing artworks and installations pro-duced by two Cape Town schools,Abbott's College of Claremont and theCape German School. The works wereextremely evocative and revealed anunexpected understanding of theevent and the consequences of un-ending armed conflict in termsof human life and the impact on the

environment. Much of the work wasbased on the oral testimony of thepupils' grandparents who had beencontacted as far afield as Germanyand the UK. In his address JudgeDavis remarked that he was astound-ed by the quality and depth of under-standing of the issue by Grade 10 and11 students, and at the same time hepraised the SA Air Force for encourag-ing children to participate in themuseum process rather than view her-itage as remote spectators.

The exhibition has been experi-enced by over 500 people since theopening. It stays in place until the endof August when the artworks andinstallations will be returned to therespective schools for inclusion in thestudents' year end marks. The SA AirForce Museum has plans to approachthe schools again in relation to futureprojects.

Rfn Jan Shirelela of Bravo Company with some of the voters at the base during the elections.

Assistance in Burundi electionsBy Capt Felicia van Staden, 4 SAI Bn Comm Officer

The municipal elections were the firston the electoral calendar of Burundiand took place on 3 June 2005. Thevoter turnout across the 123 com-munes was 72%.

One of the areas of responsibilityof the RSA Battalion (4 SA InfantryBattalion) in Burundi is Kabezi, whereBravo Company is currentlydeployed.

In the Kabezi there have beenshooting incidents, the aim of whichwas to disrupt the election process.

The Company Commander, CaptDikgang Tabane, and his Second inCommand, Lt Sindane, handled thesituation in a very calm and profes-sional manner.

The soldiers of Bravo Companywere very active and professional andassisted the people where they could.The voters were very grateful to the

South African soldiers, who acceptedthem and treated them so well.

This is once again proof of the

hospitality and professionalism ofthe RSA Battalion (4 SA InfantryBattalion) in Burundi.

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Commemorate the endingof World War II in EuropeBy Lebohang LetaoanaPhotos: F Sgt Amelda Strydom

ore than 200 veterans at-tended the 60th anniver-sary of the commemora-tion of the ending of WorldWar II in Europe (VE Day)held at the Rand Regi-ment's Memorial in Johan-

nesburg on 8 May 2005.The ceremony, which attracted

many people, was also attended byMvelaphanda Chairperson, Mr TokyoSexwale, and Lt Gen Temba Matan-zima, the Chief of Corporate Staff, onbehalf of the Chief of the SANDF.

Veterans' associations and the SANDFmembers laid wreaths at the memorialsite to pay tribute those who lost theirlives. World War II was the most exten-sive and costly armed conflict in history,involved most of the world's nations,was fought simultaneously in severalmajor theatres, and cost approximately55.5 million lives. The war was signifi-cant in that it was the first war in whichair power was a significant factor. Thewar also saw the re-emergence of theUnited States from isolationism, thedestruction and rebuilding of Germanyand Japan into major industrial powers,the advent of the atomic bomb, and theemergence of the United States and the

M

The National Flag was lowered to half mast at thememorial service to commemorate the ending ofWorld War II in Europe. Some of the wreaths on display during the memorial service.

Leading the way: Representatives of the different veterans'associations and regiments.

Soviet Union as global superpowers.The war also led directly to the found-ing of the United Nations by the victo-rious Allies in order to prevent such alarge and destructive conflict fromever happening again. The war causedmore civilian casualties than any warin history. This was partly due to itsunprecedented scale, the first use ofmass aerial bombings against civilianpopulations, and the first applicationof industrial age technology for themass killing of unwanted civilians inextermination camps. In total WorldWar II caused the deaths of about twopercent of the population of theworld.

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Celebrating Victory inEurope (VE) DayBy Maj Gen Mohato Dan Mofokeng,Chief Defence CorporateCommunicationPhoto: F Sgt Amelda Strydom

orld War II was thelargest and most violentconflict in human historyand it not only exposedmillions of innocent peo-ple to unimaginable suf-fering, it ruined the

Wof East Asia and South-East Asia.During this global war the most shock-ing brutalities against humanityoccurred, with the Nazis alone impris-oning and exterminating an estimatedtwelve million people. Reports andphotographic images of German policeand the SS murdering terrified, hastilyrounded up aged men and childrenwill never be forgotten. The world,and Europe in particular, found them-selves in this catastrophe because of a

economies of the leadingnations of the world. On 8 May2005, South Africa joined therest of the world in celebratingthe 60th anniversary of the endof World War II in Europe. Onthis day in 1945 Germany'ssurrender ended the war inEurope, although hostilitiescontinued in Asia until Japanfinally surrendered.

The war, which started in1939 with Germany as theaggressor, eventually involvedthe majority of world states onevery continent exceptAntarctica. The Axis powersconsisted primarily ofGermany, Italy and Japan andaligned against them were the Alliedforces of which the Soviet Union, theUnited Kingdom and the UnitedStates were the Big Three. The BritishCommonwealth, Poland, France,Belgium, China and the Netherlandswere also members of the Allies. Manycountries remained neutral, but theyprovided military volunteers andother forms of support either to theAllies or the Axis.

From 1939 to 1945 fightingoccurred across the Atlantic Ocean, inWestern and Eastern Europe, in NorthAfrica, the Middle East, theMediterranean, the Pacific and much

loss of the moral strength required tooppose everything that was pushingthem into this war.

South Africa contributed to thesuccess of the Allied forces by hostingthe Joint Air Training Scheme, and bysending troops to restore thesovereignty of Ethiopia and counter-ing the Italian threat to East Africa. Inaddition, we safeguarded Madagascaragainst possible Japanese invasion andmobilised thousands of civilians toengage in war production in the facto-ries, the fields, the mines and in indus-try. At the peak of the war 335 000South African men and women were

in uniform, with 9 500 making the ulti-mate sacrifice. South Africa's supportof the Allied forces was costly, but ourcontribution definitely changed thecourse of world history. During WorldWar II approximately 57 million peo-ple died as a result of the war, includ-ing acts of genocide. Thousands ofpeople were displaced or missing,infrastructure and economies weredestroyed and for many the sufferingafter the nuclear explosions merelycontinued.

In 1945 a new international order,represented by the United Nations,was constructed in an attempt to pre-vent global war from ever happeningagain. Post-war Europe was parti-tioned into Western and Sovietspheres of influence, which eventuallyled to the division of Germany and theCold War. The end of World War IIwas not the beginning of global peace.For decades nations refused to recon-cile, forgive, or share resources.

Today many conflicts continue totear nations apart in different parts ofthe world. There are tragedies whichcontinue to affect countless innocentvictims, whose cries of terror and suf-fering are a challenge to the conscienceof all decent men and women.

The lesson learnt from World WarII is that we now understand thattotalitarianism destroys fundamentalhuman freedom and tramples uponbasic human rights. Also, that manip-ulation of public opinion with theincessant barrage of propagandamakes it easy to yield to the attractionof violence and weapons. This in theend overturns our very human senseof responsibility.

Now, sixty years after VE Day,there is reason to celebrate. Germa-ny has been united and Europe is

…sixty yearslater.

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Duvha la u Pembelela Gundo la Yuropa (VE)Nga Maj Gen Mohato DanMofokeng, Muhulwane waVhudavhidzani ho tanganelanahoha Vhupileli (Chief DefenceCorporate Communication)

ndwa ya Vhuvhili ya lifhasiyo vha yone khudano khul-wanesa kha divhazwakaleya vhuthu nahone a yo ngodisela vhathu vha si na

Nndwa, ye ya thoma nga 1939 ngeGermany la levha, yo mbo di katela navhunzhi ha mashango a lifhasi khamazhango othe nga nnda haAntarctica. Mashango ane a ima naGermany o vha a tshi katela Italy naJapan nahone mashango e a vha a tshikhou lwa nao ndi Mashango a Pfanoane a katela Soviet Union, UnitedKingdom na United States. O vha oneMahulwane Mararu. British

Commonwealth, Poland, France,Belgium, China na Netherlands na one

o vha e mirado ya Pfano.Mashango manzhi o vha asongo dzhia sia, fhedzi onetshedza maswole a udinekedzela na thuso yofhambanaho kha Mashangoa Pfano kana ane a ima naGermany.

U bva nga 1939 u swika1945 ho thoma u lwiwa ubuda Danzhe la Atlantic,Yuropa Vhubvaduvha naVhukovhela, Afurika De-vhula, Vhubvaduvha-Kati,Mediterranean, Pacific nahunzhi ha Asia Vhubva-duvha na Asia Vhukovhelana Asia Tshipembe-Devhula. Nga hei nndwa

mulandu tham-bulo ye ya vha i

songo lavhelelwa fhedzi,yo vhaisa ikonomi dzamashango mahulwane alifhasi. Nga la 8Shundunthule 2005,Afurika Tshipembe lo tan-gana na mashango othe alifhasi kha u pembelelaanivesari ya vhu 60 tshenndwa ya lifhasi ya vhu-vhili ya fhela Yuropa. Ngaheli duvha nga 1945 udinekedza ha Germany hoita uri nndwa i fheleYuropa, naho khudano dzodi bvela phanda Asia uswikela Japan li tshidinekedza.

enjoying peace. South Africa held itsfirst democratic elections and rejoinedthe world community and is no longera pariah state. The African Union (AU)was founded and became the princi-pal organisation to promote peace,security and stability on the Africancontinent. The importance of unityand solidarity among African nations,regional socio-economic integrationand the promotion of democracy areobjectives promoted by the AU.

After decades of inter and intra-state wars, many African leaders haveaccepted the responsibility of endingconflict in their regions. Human andpeople's rights became a sensitive andparamount issue as Africans could not

continue to allow atrocities such asgenocide or any form of ethnic cleans-ing, the abuse of innocent women andchildren or the exploitation of our con-tinent's natural resources.

Today, our country is contributingagain to the changing of history, butthis time it is the history of Africa.South Africans are once again volun-tarily contributing to the establish-ment of peace. By deploying ourtroops under the auspices of theUnited Nations and the AfricanUnion, the South African NationalDefence Force supports our Gover-nment's commitment to promotingpeace, security and stability in Africa.Africa's renewal is only possible in a

stable environment where sustainableeconomic growth and developmentcan eradicate poverty, unemploymentand hunger. Hopefully in anothersixty years' time, the world will cele-brate the victory of the AfricanRenaissance.

* The Tshivenda translation of thisarticle is available on pages 21 and 22. Toobtain a translation of this article or anyarticle published in SA SOLDIER in anyone of our official languages, please makeuse of the professional services renderedby Directorate Language Services of theDOD. For assistance contact Col DaanVorster, Director Language Services, attel no: (012) 392 3176 - Ed.

…nga murahuha minwaha ya furathi.

N

(Continued on page 22)

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(Continued from page 21)ya lifhasi lothe ho vha na tshituhu tshiofhisaho kha vhathu, MaNazi vhavhothe vha tshi valela na u vhulahavhathu vha linganaho milioni dzafumimbili. Mivhigo na zwifanyisozwa mapholisa a Germany na a SS vhatshi vhulaha vhakalaha na vhana vhevha vha vho tshuwa zwi nga si hang-wiwe. Lifhasi, na Yuropa, vho di wanavhe kha hetshi tshiwo nga mulanduwa uri vho vha vha si na maanda oteaho a u thivhela zwithu zwothe zwezwa vha zwi tshi khou vha kombet-shedza u dzhenelela kha hei nndwa.

Afurika Tshipembe lo dzhenelelakha u kunda ha Mashango a Pfanonga u thoma Tshikimu tsha Ngudodza Muyani dza Mutanganelano, nanga u rumela mmbi dza uvhuyedzedza mbofholowo yaEthiopia na u lwa na ndingedzo dzaItaly dza u govhela AfurikaVhubvaduvha. U dadzisa afho, rotsireledza Madagascar kha u govhel-wa nga Japan na u tutuwedza vhadzu-lapo vha zwigidi na zwigidi uri vhabveledze zwibveledzwa zwa nndwamamagani, masimuni, migodini nakha dziindasiteri. Musi nndwa yofhirutshela vhanna na vhafumakadzivha Afurika Tshipembe vha 335 000vho vha vhe kha yunifomo, ngeno vha9 500 vho vha zwithavhelo. Thikhedzoya Afurika Tshipembe kha Mashangoa Pfano yo dura nga maanda fhedzi ushela mulenzhe hashu ho shandukisatshiimo tsha divhazwakale ya lifhasi.Nga tshifhinga tsha Nndwa ya Lifhasiya Vhuvhili vhathu vha linganahoMilioni dza 57 vho lovha nga mulan-du wa nndwa, hu tshi katelwa na zwi-ito zwa mabulayo a zwigwada zwavhathu (genocide). Vhunzhi havhathu vho xela, tshomedzo na dzi-ikonomi zwo tshinyadzwa nahonekha vhanzhi u tambula nga mulanduwa mithuthubo ya dzinuclear ho dibvela phanda.

Nga 1945 ho vha na ndaela (order)ntswa ya dzitshaka, yo imelelwahonga Mbumbano ya Dzitshaka, yovhumbiwa hu ndingedzo ya u

thivhela uri hu songo tsha dovha havha na nndwa ya lifhasi. Nga Murahuha Nndwa Yuropa lo khethekanywa labva Sia la Vhubvaduvha na la Soviet,zwe zwa disa u khethekanywa haGermany na Nndwa ya Maipfi. U fhelaha Nndwa ya Lifhasi ya Vhuvhili a hongo vha mathomo a pfano ya lifhasi.Lwa minwaha na minwaha dzitshakadzo hana u pfumedzana, u farelanakana u kovhekana zwiko.

Namusi khudano nnzhi dzi kha dibvela phanda na u khethekanya dzit-shaka kha zwipida zwo fhambanahozwa lifhasi. Hu na makhaulambilu anea khou bvela phanda na u kwamavhapondwa vhanzhi zwi si na mulan-du, vhane zwililo zwavho zwa nyofhona thambulo zwa vha khaedu khavhanna na vhafumakadzi vho lugaho.

Pfunzo yo gudiwaho kha Nndwaya Lifhasi ya Vhuvhili ndi ya urizwino ri vho pfesesa uri muvhuso wavhukunzi u tshinyadza mbofholowoya vhuthu wa pwashekanya pfanelodza vhuthu dza ndeme. Na uri, utshinywa ha mihumbulo ya vhathunga mazwifhi a sa gumi zwi ita uri zwileluwe u kunga khakhathi na zwihali.Hezwi mafheleloni zwi fhedza zwoshandukisa muya washu wa vhud-ifhinduleli.

Zwino, minwaha ya furathi ngamurahu ha Duvha la VE, hu na ndivhoya u pembela. Germany lo tangana naYuropa li khou diphina nga mulalo.Afurika Tshipembe lo fara khethodzalo dza u thoma dza demokirasi nau dzhenela hafhu kha tshitshavha tshalifhasi nahone a li tsha vha shango langa nnda. Mbumbano ya Afurika(AU) lo thomiwa la vha dzanganolihulwane la u phuromotha mulalo,tsireledzo na vhudziki kha dzhango laAfurika. Ndeme ya vhuthihi navhudziki kha Tshaka dza Afurika, utanganelana ha matshilisano na ikono-mi ha dzingu na u phuromothademokirasi ndi dzone ndivhotiwa dzaAU.

Nga murahu ha minwaha-fumi yadzinndwa vhukati ha dzitshaka nadzitshaka, vharangaphanda vhanzhi

vha Afurika vho tanganedza vhud-ifhinduleli ha u fhelisa khudano khamadzingu avho. Pfanelo dza vhuthuna dza vhathu dzo mbo di vha fhungola ndeme lihulwane sa izwi vhadzu-lapo vha Afurika vho vha vha sa dokona u bvela phanda na u tendelamabulayo a fanaho na mabulayo azwigwada zwa vhathu kana u fhe-liswa hunwe na hunwe ha zwigwadazwa vhathu, u tambudzwa ha vhafu-makadzi na vhana vha si na mulandukana u tshinyadzwa hunwe na hunweha zwiko zwashu zwa mupo.

Namusi, shango lashu li khoudzhenelela hafhu kha tshanduko yadivhazwakale, fhedzi zwa zwino ndidivhazwakale ya Afurika. Vhadzu-lapo vha Afurika Tshipembe vha khoudovha hafhu vha dinekedzela kha udisa mulalo. Nga u rumela mmbi dza-shu u tikedza Mbumbano yaDzitshaka na Mbumbano ya Afurika,Mmbi ya Lushaka ya AfurikaTshipembe i khou tikedza u diimiselaha muvhuso ha u phuromotha mulalo,tsireledzo na vhudziki ha Afurika. Uvusuludzwa ha Afurika hu nga kon-adzea fhedzi kha vhupo ho dzikahohune nyaluwo ya ikonomi i bvelahophanda na mvelaphanda zwi nga fhe-lisa vhushai, vhushayamushumo nandala. Ri fulufhela uri nga murahu haminwe minwaha ya furathi, lifhasi lido pembelela gundo la Mbebuluwo yaAfurika.

Key to bold letters:

d = d

l = l

n = n

t = t

* The English version of this article isavailable on pages 20 and 21. To obtain atranslation of this article or any articlepublished in SA SOLDIER in any one ofour official languages, please make use ofthe professional services rendered byDirectorate Language Services of theDOD. For assistance contact Col DaanVorster, Director Language Services, attel no: (012) 392 3176 - Ed.

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Shaking hands with industryBy Nelda PienaarPhoto: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

The Chief of the SA Army, Lt GenSolly Shoke, hosted a breakfast withthe captains of industry and the man-agement of Armscor at the ParatusClub of the SA Army College in ThabaTshwane on 25 May 2005.

The aim of the breakfast was tointroduce the Chief of the SA Army tothe captains of industry and the man-agement of Armscor. It also served asa gesture of goodwill towards indus-try by acknowledging the vital role itplays in sustaining a sound defence-related industry.

The red carpet was rolled out forthe guests to the sound of drumming.The drummers were members of theNational Ceremonial Guard. Insidethe imposing Paratus Club the three-man military band from Kroonstad -Sweet & Gentle - played glorious

chamber music. A boom of four can-non shots announced the beginning ofthe proceedings in the true traditionalmilitary manner. During his speech LtGen Shoke urged his guests to committhemselves to their social responsibili-ties and to support the military com-munity by providing funds for a hos-pice for members and their depen-dants with HIV/Aids. The civilianguests left with more insight into ourArmy and with memorable gifts withcompliments from the Chief of the SAArmy.

* The IsiNdebele translation of thisarticle is available below. To obtain atranslation of this article or any articlepublished in SA SOLDIER in any one ofour official languages, please make use ofthe professional services rendered byDirectorate Language Services of theDOD. For assistance contact Col DaanVorster, Director Language Services, attel no: (012) 392 3176 - Ed.

Ukulalamela zamabubuloUmtloli nguNelda PienaarIsithombe: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

UMphathi wesiJoni seSewula Afrika,u-Lt Gen. Solly Shoke, ukhe wabanesidlo sekuseni nabalawuli bam-abubulo kanye nabaphathi be-Armscor e-Paratus Club yeKholijilesiJoni seSewula Afrika, eThabaTshwane ngomhlaka 25 Meyi 2005.

Umnqopho wesidlo sekuseni lesibekukwazisa uMphathi wesiJoniseSewula Afrika ebalawulini bam-abubulo kanye nebaphathini be-Armscor. Lomhlangano ubuye wasizaekwakheni ummoya omuhle kwezam-abubulo ngokuthabela indimaeqakathekileko edlalwa mabubuloekwakheni ibubulo eliqinilekolokurhelebha kwezokuvikela.

Iintatanyiswezi ziye zaqhiselwaumada obovu phasi bona zikhambephezu kwawo, begodu zangeniswangemithumbo, ukuveza ukuz-ihlonipha. Egade babetha imithumbobekumalunga waboGadi besiTjhababemiNyanya eKhethekileko. Ngapha-kathi kwe-Paratus Club ehle lokhuokurarako, kwanandisa isiqhema

ngokukhupha iimali zokusekela isib-hedlela sabagulela isiphelani (i-hos-pice), ezakusiza amalunga wesijonikanye nabondliwa ngiwo, emalwel-weni we-HIV/Aids.

Iimvakatjhi ezingasiwo amajonizikhambe sezinelwazi elinabilekongesiJoni sethu begodu zifumbetheizipho ezizakuhlala zisikhumbuzo,ezivela kuMphathi wesiJoni seSewulaAfrika.

sabathathu sebhendi yesiJoni evelaeKroonstad, i-Sweet & Gentle- ngomb-hino ongabangi tjhada.

Ubuqhuqhuqhu beenganono ezineezadumuza babikezela ukuthomakomnyanya lo, ngendlela ejayelek-ileko yesijoni. Ngesikhathi u-Lt GenShoke abeka ikulumakhe, ukhuthazeiimvakatjhi zakhe bona zizibopheleleemisebenzini yazo yemiphakathinibegodu zisekele umphakathi wesijoni

Lt Gen Solly Shoke, the Chief ofthe SA Army, addressing hisguests.

Ukusuka ngesincele ukuya ngesokudla: UKs. Khapametsi Maleke ovela kwa-BAE Systems, Nom Jonathan Walton oliSekela lakaMongameli oLawulakokwa-BAE Systems (Sewula Afrika), U-Maj. Gen Keith Mokoape, MnqophisiomKhulu we-Army Reserves kanye noKs. Minah Sindane-Bloem, uMphathiomKhulu: ZokuThintana eHlanganweni yabakwa-Armscor, egade bazi-inkhambeli zaka-Lt Gen Solly Shoke, uMphathi wesiJoni seSewula Afrika.

news from burundi

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Burundian learners voiced their gratitudeBy Capt Felicia van Staden, Comm Officer 4 SAI Bn in Burundi

As part of the peace support opera-tions in Burundi the RSA Battalion isresponsible for launching quickimpact projects in Burundi. This is inorder to upgrade facilities and buildthe nation for a better future. All thequick impact projects launched areaimed at rebuilding the strategic, edu-cational, health and social structuresthat have been damaged by the warsin Burundi.

On 22 April 2005 the first project ofthe RSA Battalion was launched in

Kabezi, which is one of the red areas inBurundi. This project took approxi-mately four weeks. It consisted of therenovation of a communal college andthe purchasing of equipment for theschool. The project was led by CaptFelicia van Staden, the Communi-cation Officer of the Battalion, andWO1 Kebogile Setlhako, the RSM ofthe Battalion in Burundi. The renovat-ed communal college was opened byMaj Gen Derrick Mgwebi, the UNForce Commander in Burundi, andhanded over to Ntahombaye Felicien,the Administrator of Kabezi. Onceagain South Africa has managed to

win the hearts of the Burundians andhas encouraged and promoted peacein their country. The day was a greatsuccess and the community of Kabeziwelcomed us with open arms. Thechoir of the RSA contingent, led byChaplain Sello Moseri and ChaplainMkhangeli Blom, was also present toassist in community building. Ittouched the hearts of the communityof Kabezi with the beautiful songs thatit sang. The response from the learn-ers touched us deeply as theyresponded saying: "We have no pre-sents with which to thank you, but wegive you our hearts".

Civic education does existThe DOD Joint Training Formationheld its Civic Education Rejuvenationseminar at the Naval Mess in Pretoriaon 14 April 2005. The aim of the semi-nar was to highlight the existence ofthe Civic Education Centre ofExcellence.

The Civic Education Centre ofExcellence was established to operateunder the auspices of Joint Training in1998 in order to provide civic educa-tion expert advisers, consultation doc-trine, as well as training of specificlearning interventions presented by

Leading our soldiers in BurundiMeet the Officer Commandingand the RSM of 4 SAI Bn inBurundi - Lt Col E. Ramabu(left) and WO1 K.S. Setlhako -at the Palace Base Bujum-bura. They are the new com-manders of the RSA Battaliondeployed in Burundi. Thesemembers, together with theBattalion, officially took overduty from 15 SAI Bn in theMission Area on 28 January2005. The RSA Battalion'sarea of responsibility is inKabezi, Mwaro andMuramvya. C-Company iscurrently deployed in Kabezi.

services and divisions. All personnelof the DOD will receive training incivic education as contained in theCivic Education Guidelines asapproved by Parliament.

In his speech Maj Gen AaronNtshinga, the Chief of Joint Training,said civic education was a tool tobridge the gap and harmonise the exis-tence of armed forces with theirrespective countries. Today we areserving the SANDF, which is expectedto support the role and importance ofcivil authority, in order to operate

within the legal framework and toabide by the expectations of civil soci-ety.

The Centre is currently in the pro-cess of developing manuals for differ-ent levels, viz the Military SkillsDevelopment Programme, Non-com-missioned Officers' Formative andOfficers' Formative. The CivicEducation Centre of Excellence alsosupports the Warrant OfficerAcademy with their learning material,as well as Project CENTURION.(Article by Lebohang Letaoana)

The area of responsibility of A-Company is in Mwaro andMuramvya, while B-Company isexecuting escort tasks aroundthe mission area. The RSABattalion will be very activeduring the elections in Burundi.According to Lt Col Ramabuthe Battalion will make maxi-mum effort to ensure the suc-cess of the mission. The com-mand group of the RSABattalion is positive that theelectoral process will go welland they are doing their utmostto support it. (Issued by CaptFelicia van Staden)

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Capt Felicia van Staden handing over blankets and milkto the mothers for their babies.

Ex-combatant womenin refugee campsOn 19 and 20 February 2005 the ex-combatant womenin refugee camps in Burundi were surprised to receivegifts from the International Gender Equity Forum pre-pared by the women in the RSA Battalion. They werehanded toiletries, baby milk, and some clothing andsoap. They were also addressed on matters relating tochildbirth and medical kits were handed to them.Some of them still hope to be reconciled with theirfamilies. They are very positive towards the UnitedNations operations in Burundi. (Issued by Capt Feliciavan Staden, Comm Officer 4 SAI Bn in Burundi)

Soldiers assist in BurundiBy Capt Felicia van Staden, Comm Officer 4 SAI Bn in Burundi

On 3 March 2005 the RSA Battalionwas once again tasked to escort a con-voy of (FAB) Burundi Defence Forcesoldiers from Bururi to the FAB train-ing area.

Just as in any other journey prob-lems cropped up here and there, butnothing that these competent officersof 4 SAI Bn could not handle. The taskwas completed within ten hours,including the travelling and minorincidents along the way.

The Recce Platoon of the RSABattalion was tasked to escort thesesoldiers from the area where they weredeployed in Bururi back to Tenga forthe referendum.

They have to date escorted almost

Capt Elisa Louisa Maraga, the Logistic Officer, was inthe convoy escort.

under the direct command of Lt LucasMore, the Recce Platoon Commander,and under the operational control ofCapt Webster Maseko, theOperational Officer.

500 FAB soldiers, ie a total of fifteenfull trucks.

The general feeling of the FAB sol-diers was very positive towards ourconvoy commanders. The convoy was

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The People's Navy well and afloatBy CPO Dennis NdabaPhoto: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

wish all members of the SANavy to be happy in what theyare doing and for all to worktogether towards a commongoal. To ensure a professionalNavy, new standards must beset in line with the technologicaladvancement in the hardware

we operate and the people within theNavy must be empowered withknowledge and expertise. The mainte-nance of discipline must be upheld atall times," the Chief of the SA Navy, VAdm Johannes (Refiloe) Mudimu, saidduring a media breakfast held at theNaval Mess in Pretoria on 10 May2005.

In order to enhance security on theAfrican continent, the SA Navy willincrease its contribution to peace sup-port operations. It will further becomeinvolved in operations within theregion to root out illegal activities atsea, including weapon and drug traf-ficking, piracy, smuggling and the ille-gal poaching of resources. The SANavy cannot do this in isolation and itis therefore imperative that it engagesother navies of the African continentmore vigorously to tackle these impor-tant issues together. To realise thisvision the balance between cutting-edge technology and the human com-ponent must be maintained. To ensurethat the competency and capability ofthe human resource component isachieved, strong emphasis is placed ondedicated mentoring and education,training and development that willfocus specifically on mission require-ments in Africa. The human elementwill be broadly reflective of the greaterSouth African population.

In line with the transformation ofthe DOD, an important process cur-rently under way in the SA Navy is theimplementation of the recommenda-tions of the Navy Review. The seven

I

Navy Reserve Force units around thecountry have been decommissioned(closed). The SA Navy has adoptedthe One Force Concept where theReserves work in an integrated man-ner with the Full-time Force. Each unitwithin the SA Navy has a 125% struc-ture with 25% allocated to theReserves. Reserve Force members willbe called up when required in order tofill a vacancy or to obtain the neces-sary training in their fields of exper-tise. V Adm Mudimu reported the fol-lowing progress with regard to thenew acquisitions in the SA Navy:

CorvettesSAS AMATOLA - Fully fitted out,

completed Sea Acceptance Trials 1(individual systems). Busy conductingSea Acceptance Trials 2 (integratedsystems). Conducted successful sur-face-to-surface missile firing on 22April 2005.

SAS ISANDLWANA - Fully fittedout, completed Sea Acceptance Trials1, will commence Sea AcceptanceTrials 2 in October 2005.

SAS SPIOENKOP - Combat

systems fitted, no weapons yet, con-ducting Harbour Acceptance Trials. 11Sea Acceptance Trials 1 scheduledduring June 2005.

SAS MENDI - commenced withfitting out in June 2005. SeaAcceptance Trials 1 scheduled forOctober 2005. Very good progress hasbeen made with regard to thecorvettes. SAS AMATOLA should behanded over to the SA Navy and com-missioned towards the latter part ofthe year.

SubmarinesS101 is in the process of conductingSea Acceptance Trials in the Balticand Norwegian seas. She has suc-cessfully completed her dive tomaximum depth. The core crew-men of S101 are currently inGermany at sea in the submarineduring her Sea Acceptance Trials,which affords them the chance togain experience on the new subma-rine. S101 is scheduled to be hand-ed over to the SA Navy and tobe commissioned in September2005. She will then be conducting

V Adm Johannes (Refiloe) Mudimu, the Chief of the SA Navy, and R Adm(JG) Rusty Higgs, the Director Maritime Warfare, addressing members of themedia.

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work-up training until the end ofthe year. Once the crew has reachedthe required levels of competenceand gained sufficient experience onthe submarine, she will be sailedback to SA under her own power. Asurface vessel will escort her on hermaiden voyage. This is expected tobe in the first quarter of 2006.S102 was named by Ms Sepereperein Emden, Germany, on 4 May 2005.This ceremony was attended bysenior members of the SANDF andsenior dignitaries, including a for-mer Minister of Defence, Mr RoelfMeyer, who played such a key rolein the transition to democracy. S103 is on schedule.The SA Navy has initiated interven-

tion measures to address the currentshortfall of submariners and the repre-sentivity of the crews. Currently thereare twenty officers (combat and engi-neering) undergoing training in Indiaand they should graduate in October2005 (C) and February 2006 (E).Frequent progress reports receivedfrom India indicate that these membersare proceeding extremely well. TheGerman Navy will train approximately24 artisans in the initial course for sub-marines. This is scheduled to com-mence in September 2005. I wish toreport that the quality of the relation-ship and co-operation between theGerman Navy and our own Navy isexcellent.

Our ships are continuing to conductoperations such as patrols, exercises,

and foreign visits. SAS DRAKENS-BERG will be deploying toPortsmouth, UK, to participate in the200-year celebrations of the Battle ofTrafalgar. As part of the SA Navy'svision to engage navies of the Africancontinent SAS DRAKENSBERG isplanned to call in at ports along theAfrican west coast on her return voy-age to South Africa. Numerous exer-cises are planned for the year, some ofwhich will involve ships from theFrench Navy and the USN. Visits byships from foreign countries to SA arealso scheduled. These will includeFrench, Indian and Australian ships.USN ships will visit in the latter part ofthe year. SAS PROTEA, the hydro-graphic ship of the SA Navy, is cur-rently busy with survey work as partof South Africa's continental shelfclaim. This will continue for the nextcouple of years to enable South Africato finalise its claim by 2009.

The SA Navy has been participat-ing in peace support operations inBurundi since 2003, first as part of theAfrican Union Mission in Burundi andnow as part of the UN mission. It hasbeen patrolling areas of LakeTanganyika off Burundi with threeharbour patrol boats (HPB). As part ofour vision to become more involved inpeace support operations the numberof boats operated by the Navy in theregion will be increased to five. Thepersonnel compliment will alsoincrease to forty. This will ensure thatmore patrols can be conducted in the

region, which will result in greatersecurity and will further improve onthe successes achieved thus far.

The women in the SA Navy arecoming to the fore and meeting thechallenges head on. Significantachievements in the recent pastinclude the appointment of the firstfemale Flag Officer, R Adm (JG)Khanysile Litchfield-Tshabalala, andthe qualification of the first Africanfemale diver, AB Thabs Goba. Theseachievements will hopefully spurother women within the organisationon to greater heights. The attendanceof women undergoing military train-ing as officers at Naval College,Gordon's Bay, has been increased sig-nificantly this year. Currently thefemale uniformed component in theSA Navy stands at 16%, which is anincrease of 3% from the year 2003.

People with disabilities working inthe Navy are prominent in the shoreestablishments. They form an impor-tant part of our Navy team and will bemade more visible.

"The SA Navy has made goodprogress, which has been achieveddespite budget limitations. With theway forward clearly spelt out andplanned the SA Navy will continue toachieve to the best of its ability. Ourefforts will be focused on providingSouth Africa with a 'People's Navy'that will be efficient, effective and eco-nomically sound. We are proud toserve the people of South Africa," VAdm Mudimu declared.

Marching with flaming torchesBy Capt Stefan Schoeman, Corp Comm Officer SA ArmyGymnasium

SA Army Gymnasium in Heidelbergheld a Half Rank Parade during whichsome of the Military SkillsDevelopment System (MSDS) learnerswere given the ranks of CandidateOfficer or Lance Corporal.

A group of almost 3 000 learnersstarted the MSDS in January 2005 andreceived Basic Military Training at 3SA Infantry Battalion in Kimberleyand the Infantry School inOudtshoorn. Some of these learnerswere selected to be future leaders inthe SA Army and received their ranksduring the parade held on 20 May

The learners marched onto the parade groundwith flaming torches.

2005. The learners marched onto theparade ground with flaming torches tothe tune of the song of the SA ArmyGymnasium.

WO1 Eddie Sykes, the Sergeant

Major of the SA Army,presented the learnerswith their ranks. Thisparade was also thesymbolic opportunityfor the learners to signthe Code of Conduct foruniformed members inthe SANDF.

On 27 May 2005 thenon-commissioned offi-cers left for their respec-tive corps schools in var-ious parts of the country,

while the candidate officers remainedbehind for the Officer's FormativeCourse. When they have completedthis they will leave for their corpsschools on 16 September 2005.

events

The day before the main event

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By F Sgt David Nomtshongwana

he arrival of the Chief of theSA Navy, V Adm Johannes(Refiloe) Mudimu, and thedelegation from South Africain Germany showed theimportance of arrangementsbefore the main day. On their

arrival on 2 May 2005, it became clearthat there was a lot of work ahead ofthem. The reason for their visit toGermany was to attend the namingceremony of the South African subma-rine that is being built in that country.The unveiling ceremony of the S102submarine came a year after the intro-duction of the S101, which was thefirst of the three ships being built inGermany. The S101 is said to be doingwell at sea, while the S103 is takingshape.

A dinner party was held at Emdenin Germany on 3 May 2005. Some ofthe people who attended the partywere the South African Ambassadorto Germany, the Honourable M.Chikane, our Deputy Minister ofDefence, Mr Mluleki George, DrWalter Kolbow, State Secretary forDefence, the Chief of the GermanNavy, V Adm Luzt Feldt, Ms MittahSeperepere, who was elected by theParliamentary Executive to unveil theS102 submarine, Dr Popo Molefe, theChairperson of the Armscor Board,the Executive Board of the SubmarineDivision of Thyssecrupp, Mr WalterFreitag, and Dr Christian Eckel, aswell as the Chief of Acquisition andProcurement in South Africa, MrBruce Ramfolo.

In his address to the delegates theChief of the SA Navy explained theimportance of having submarines inthe SA Navy. These ships do not onlylend us prestige, but they will enableus to defend ourselves in time of

hostilities. They are the only ones thatare flexible enough to manoeuvre, tomove stealthily without being noticedand to withstand unfavourable condi-tions; they also afford us the opportu-nity to defend our sovereignty any-where at sea. They give us an advan-tage over those who unlawfully useour seas - illegal hunters, slave traders,illegal importers and exporters.

V Adm Mudimu also told theaudience about the contribution of thesubmarines and corvettes to theGovernment's mission to help Africancountries and the world at large. TheSANDF will strengthen the navalforces of the African countries by forg-ing co-operation and assisting in train-ing interventions. V Adm Mudimuemphasised the capabilities of the SANavy that can only be realised by hav-ing facilities such as the submarines.

He added that the Government's planto bring peace was very important forthe sake of economic growth. Theships played an important role in thisby defending the state, its people andits borders. He thanked everybodywho had contributed to the success ofthe day. He concluded by thankingthe Government and the GermanNavy for the co-operation they hadgiven to the South Africans. The Chiefof the German Navy responded bysaying that they would continue co-operating with South Africa and lend-ing assistance wherever possible.

The unveiling ceremony The guests who attended the

unveiling ceremony of the second sub-marine, a class 209/1400mod, werewelcomed to music played by theGerman Navy. Not even the rain

T

Fltr: R Adm (JG) Rusty Higgs, Director Maritime Warfare, Dr Popo Molefe,Chairperson of the Armscor Board, R Adm (JG) Jonny Kamerman, ProjectDirector of Project FITRON, Mr Mluleki George, our Deputy Minister ofDefence, and V Adm Johannes (Refiloe) Mudimu, the Chief of the SA Navy,in the S102 submarine the day before her official naming.

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could disturb the guests. The fourthof May was a memorable day at theNoordseewerke at Emden inGermany, with representatives havingcome from all participants.

After the welcoming words of DrChristian Eckel, the Deputy Ministerof Defence in South Africa, MrMluleki George, said: "The unveilingceremony of a name of a ship is a veryimportant one because it is a one-offevent". He pointed out that it was agreat achievement and that there wasstill much to be done, as some facilitiesstill had to be fitted before the vesselcould set sail.

In his speech he expressed the con-cern of many about the ability of thepersonnel to navigate the ship, andalso mentioned that all submarineswould be steered home by our ownnaval personnel to South Africa. Hesaid the SAS DRAKENSBERG couldbe used to accompany the S101. Heexplained that it was important thatthese submarines should go to SouthAfrica by sea, thus affording the navi-gators an opportunity to gain experi-ence on their voyage back home.

An arrangement was made for thebuilding of the ships to coincide withthe training of their crews. Apart from

those who are inGermany, there areothers who are under-going their training inIndia, which is anadvantage because thetraining of the latter issimilar to that of thecrew of the 209Submarine. MrGeorge exhorted thedelegates to take theeconomic growth ofAfrica into considera-tion and added thatour coastline had to bedefended. He alludedto the fact that eco-nomic growth wenthand in hand withsafety and wealth. Inconclusion he thankedall the South Africanswho were in Germanyand exhorted them towork diligently.

In his sermon Capt

Navy, Armscor and the German ship-building company (Noordseewerke).He said that he was pleased to see thatArmscor had played a great part inhelping the SANDF to acquire theships. He thanked the Armscoremployees and members of the SANavy in Germany.

Talking to SA SOLDIER, a formerMinister of Defence, Mr Roelf Meyer,said that it was a great pleasure to usall as South Africans in Germany tosee this naval acquisition and that hehoped that those back home sharedthe excitement.

SA SOLDIER was on hand to findout how those who will be responsiblefor bringing the ship home felt, andabout the arrangements and safetyaspects thus far. Commander GaryKretschmer indicated that the voyagecould take forty days, which meantthat they could be expected backhome in April 2006. The S101 Captainsaid that they were undergoing inten-sive training, which would take sixmonths. He pointed out that the train-ing of the crew that was to bring theship home was going well. He addedthat the technology was of a very highstandard as compared with what wewere used to back home, but the sys-tem is the same.

"This is the only ship that we aretrained to handle; I therefore believethat we will master it. South Africansmust rest assured that without doubtit will come home. We should knowthat submarine navigators the worldover have distinguished themselves inmastering their vessels and there is noreason why we should not realise ourobjective. My experience in the SANavy as a former Commander of theASSEGAI is that the safety of individ-uals comes first. The loss of employ-ees and the ship would be catastroph-ic. Our trainers here in Germany arealso very careful about safety in every-thing we do." In conclusion he saidthat the safety of the ship, its crew andits arrival home were our priorities.

SA SOLDIER spoke to RolandShort, the captain awaiting the com-pletion of the S102, which was stillbeing built. He was looking on enthu-siastically at the ship that he wasgoing to command, as he visualised its

(SAN) Langa Msengana explainedhow important it was that the coercivepower of the State by means of mili-tary action against these lawless forcesshould be enforced with the aim ofcreating and atmosphere where God'speople live in harmony and where allwho live in God's world experiencethe foretaste of the Heavenly Kingdomhere and now.

During the past dispensation MsMittah Seperepere used to fight forwomen's rights. She served in differ-ent structures in the ANC andGovernment. At the moment she is inthe accommodation business. In herspeech she said that she felt honouredto have been chosen to unveil thename of the submarine. This showedthat she was not forgotten, and thather actions were still remembered.The Deputy Minister of Defence, MrMluleki George, stood next to her, andlooked on intently when she lifted theaxe and struck the rope to release thechampagne bottle, which action brokethe bottle against the submarine, thusrevealing the name S102. The guestsstood up to applause.

The Chairperson of the ArmscorBoard, Dr Popo Molefe, said that itwas a great achievement for the SA

Naming of the S102 submarine.

(Continued on page 30)

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Mokwadi le ditshwantsho ka F Sgt David Nomtshongwana

o goroga e sale gale gatlhogo ya sesole sa lesomola dikepe Vice AdmiralJohannes (Refiloe) Mudimua na le borongwa kwanageng ya Jeremane, gosupile botlhokwa jwa

dipaakanyo pele ga letlha la moletlomogolo le goroga. Kgorogong ya boneka kgwedi ya Motsheganong e tlholamalatsi a le mabedi ka ngwaga wa2005 go ne go bonala gore tiro entsi fapele ga bone. Maikaelelo a tlhogo yasesole sa lesomo la Dikepe ViceAdmiral Mudimu le borongwa goetela naga ya Jeremane e ne e le go nnateng mo moletlong wa pulo ya leina lasekepe sa ntwa sa Africa Borwa, seo seagiwang kwa nageng ya Jeremane.Moletlo wa pulo ya leina la sekepe santwa S102 o tlile morago ga ngwagago kgakotswe S101 e le sekepe sa ntlhasa tse tharo tseo di dirwang ko nagengya Jeremane. S101 e setse e tsweleditsediteko tsa mo metsing tseo go beg-wang di tsamaya ka thello go fitlha gajaana. Kago ya S103 e leng sekepe saboraro sa Afrika Borwa e tsweletsesentle.

E rile Motsheganong a tlholamalatsi a le mararo ka ngwaga 2005 gone go tshwerwe moletlo wa dijo tsamaitsiboa ko torotswaneng ya Emdenmo nageng ya Jeremane. Balalediwa e

Letsatsi pele ga moletlo mogolo

G

Mme Mittah Seperepere a bula S102 sekepe sa ntwa, Motlotlegi MlulekiGeorge, motlatsa tona wa lefapha la phemelo, a lebeletse seo se diragalang.

(Continued from page 29)unveiling and commented that every-thing was going well, although it wasnot as yet comparable to the S101. Partof his training in Germany was to bethe commander of ships. He said thatthe S102 crew had not met each otheryet, because they were still undergoing training in their various

responsibilities, but they would meeteach other during November/Dec-ember 2006. He also assured SouthAfricans that they should not be con-cerned about the safety of the ship andcrew. "We have capabilities as SouthAfricans, and it would be a disgrace ifwe were to fail in our duties," he said.

* The Setswana translation of this

article is available on pages 30 to 32. Toobtain a translation of this article or anyarticle published in SA SOLDIER in anyone of our official languages, please makeuse of the professional services rendered byDirectorate Language Services of theDOD. For assistance contact Col DaanVorster, Director Language Services, at telno: (012) 392 3176 - Ed.

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Lesomo la dikepe la mmino la Jeremane le etleeditse moletlo ka mmino.

ne e le moemedi wa Afrika Borwanageng ya Jeremane motlotlegi M.Chikane, motlatsa tona wa tsa pheme-lo mo Afrika Borwa motlotlegi MlulekiGeorge, mokwaledi wa puso molefapheng la phemelo Dr WalterKolbow, Tlhogo ya sesole sa naga yaJeremane lesomo la Dikepe ViceAdmiral Luzt Feldt, mme MittahSeperepere yo o neng a tlhophilwe kekhuduthamaga ya palamente go tla gobula leina la sekepe sa ntwa S102,Modulasetilo wa boto ya ArmscorNgaka Popo Molefe, maloko a boto yakarolo ya dikepe tsa ntwa yaThyssenKrupp (Executive Board of theSubmarine Division of ThysseKrupp)e leng motlotlegi Walter Freitag leNgaka Christian Eckel le tlhogo yatheko ya dithoto mo lefapheng latshireletso motlotlegi Bruce Ramfolo(Chief of Acquisition andProcurement).

Tlhogo ya sesole sa lesomo ladikepe Vice Admiral Mudimu fa a ne aeme ba tla moletlong ka lefoko otlhalositse botlhokwa jwa go nna ledikepe tsa ntwa mo Afrika Borwa.Dikepe tse tsa ntwa ga di re beye felamo maemong a a tlhopileng, di tla refale tshiamelo ya go itshereletsa le gosireletsa di tswa metsing tsa AfrikaBorwa. Ke tsona fela tseo di nang lemokgwa o o iphephileng wa go nnabonolo, go phunyella, go fitlha bonolokarolong tsotlhe tsa metsi, go kgonago kukuna ntle le go lemogiwa, goitshokela maemo a a boima le tshiame-lo go bao ba dirisang lewatle la rona katsela eo e sa siamang, go tsoma go seka fa molaong, go rekisa batho, go tlisadithoto mo nageng le go dintsha ka bokhukhuntshwane.

O ba tlhaloseditse ka seabe sadikepe tsa ntwa le dikepe tseo di satswang go rekwa (Corvettes) moleanong la puso go thusa dinaga tsaAfrika le lefatshe ka bophara. Sesolesa Afrika Borwa se tla kgona go nonot-sha sesole sa lesomo la dikepe sa dina-ga tsa Afrika ka go tiisa dikgolaganotsa tirisano mmogo le go thusa ka kati-so. Vice Admiral Mudimu o boile a sakgale mathe ganong ka ditiro tsasesole sa lesomo la dikepe tseo di kakgontshwang fela ke go nna ledidiriswa tsa go tshwana le tsonadikepe tsa ntwa. O tsweletse ka go buale balalediwa ka gore leano la puso la

go tlisa kagiso le botsetso le botlhokwathata gore ekonomi e tle e gole mokontinenteng ya Afrika. Mo go tseotsotlhe dikepe di na le seabe se segologo sireletsa puso, setshaba ka kakaret-so le melelwane. A leboga le baobabileng le seabe go fitlha ga jaanagore dithulaganyo tsotlhe di be ditsamaile sentle.

O feleleditse ka go leboga puso lesesole sa lesomo la dikepe la Jeremaneka tirisano mmogo eo ba e bontshit-seng mo ma Afrika Borweng. Tlhogoya sesole sa lesomo la Dikepe laJeremane Vice Admiral Luzt Feldt, fa aikarabela mo puong ya gagwe o builegore ba tla tswelela go dirisana leAfrika Borwa ka go thusa ka tsotlhemoo ba ka kgonang, a bua fa baitumelela go dirisana le naga etshwana le Afrika Borwa.

Moletlo wa pulo wa leina lasekepe

Ba tla moletlong wa pulo ya leinala Sekepe sa ntwa sa bobedi eleng class209/1400mod submarine ba amo-getswe ka mmino go tswa go navyband ya Jeremane. Pula e e neng esarasara ga ya ka ya kgoreletsa batlamoletlong ka gope.

Motsheganong a tlhola malatsi a lemane go ne go tswilwe ka makatlana-mane. Dikemedi go tswa maphatengotlhe di gorogile mo Nordseewerkemo torotswaneng ya Emdeni go laJeremane.

Morago ga gore Ngaka ChristianEckel a amogele balalediwa motlatsatona wa tsa phemelo mo Afrika Borwamotlotlegi Mluleki George mo puong

ya gagwe fa a ne a eme batla molet-long ka lefoko o rile: tiro ya pulo yaleina la sekepe ke moletlo o o botlhok-wa thata gonne o ka se tlhole o dira-gala gape. O dirwa gangwe fela mobotshelong jwa sona. O tlhalositse fa ele maiphitlhelelo a magolo thata, le fae le gore tiro e sa le e e ntsi. Setshwanetse go tsengwa di diriswatsotlhe mo go sona pele se ka tswelelago sesa mo metsing. Mo puong yagagwe o buile fa go na le bao ba belae-lang bokgone jwa badirimmogo gotsamaisa sekepe. A bua puo phaa goreDikepe tsotlhe di tla tsamaya mometsing di laolwa ke badirimmogo barona ba sesole sa mo metsing go ya koAfrika Borwa. Se sengwe sa dikepe setla be se dipatile. Ka gongwe e ka nnaSAS Drakensberg e e tlabeng e na leS101. A tlhalosa fa go le botlhokwagore dikepe tse tsa ntwa tseo di agi-wang ko nageng ya Jeremane ditshwanetse go tsamaya mo metsinggo tla gae. Go tla fa badiri ba sekepe santwa tshono gore ba kgone go fitl-helela maitemogelo mo leetong lelelele la go ya Afrika Borwa.

Go ile ga elwa tlhoko gore ka nakoeo go agiwang dikepe le katiso yabadiri ba dikepe e ya tswelela. Babangwe ba badiri ba dikepe ba ikatisako India seo se re fa tshiamelo gonneba dirisa mofuta o o tshwanang le 209Submarine. O tlhaloseditse batla moletlong ka botlhokwa jwa go elatlhoko kgolo ya ekonomi mo Afrikaka Bophara e seng rona fela, naga tsedingwe di swa ke tlala. Re tshwanetsego tlhaloganya gore lobopo lwa rona(e tsweletswa mo page 32)

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ke le lelele thata re tshwanetse go lesireletsa. Kgolo ya ekonomi letshireletsego di tsamayelana leboitekanelo, moruo wa naga, akonosetsa ka go leboga ma AfrikaBorwa ao a leng nageng ya Jeremanego dira tiro e e manontlhotlho.

Tirelo ya tshegofatso ya sekepeeleng mofuta wa class ya bobedi209/mod e ne e tshwerwe ke Capt(SAN) moruti langa Msengana. Motherong ya gagwe o tlhalositse fa e lemaikarabelo a sesole sa puso go elatlhoko batlhabani bao ba senangmolao kgotsa tsamaiso e e sa lola-mang. Ka go dira jaalo ba tla be ba rot-loetsa seemo se se edileng mme, bathoba Modimo ba tla tshela ka kagiso, bakgone go dira go ya ka bokgone jo bofeteletseng. Batho botlhe bao ba dirangmo lefatsheng la Modimo ba tla ite-mogela puso ya magodimo ba sa le molefatsheng.

Mme Mittah Seperepere e ne elemolwela ditshwanelo tsa basadi monageng ya rona ka nako ya tlhaolele. Odirile mo ma fapheng a a farologanenga ANC le mo pusong, ga jaana o nalekgwebo ya marobalo ko Kimberly. Mopuong ya gagwe o tlhalositse fa a lemotlotlo gore a be a tlhophilwe gobula leina la sekepe sa ntwa. A tsholet-sa seletswana a kgaola kgwele.Shampeine ya bitsagana le sekepe yathubega leina S102 la tlhagelela,le batla moletlong ba ema ka dinao ba ntseba bitsa legofi go itumelela tiragalo.

Ngaka Popo Molefe e leng modu-lasetilo mo botong ya Armscor mora-go ga pulo ya leina fa a ne a e me boe-mong jwa Armaments Corporation ofSouth Afrika o tlhalositse fa e le phitl-helelo e tona eseng fela magareng gasesole sa metsi sa Afrika Borwa leArmscor, le ba kago ya dikepe koJeremane, segolo jang ba Nordsee-werke. Ke itumeletse go itse goreArmscor e nnile le seabe se segolo mothekong ya dikepe. A tswelela ka goleboga badiri ba Armscor le ba sesolesa metsi sa Afrika Borwa bao ba lengko nageng ya Jeremane.

SA SOLDIER mo puisanong le yo eneng e le tona mo lefapheng la pheme-lo motlotlegi Roelf Meyer o tlhalositse

fa e le boitumelo jo bogolo mo go ronabotlhe re le ma Afrika Borwa gore rebe re le mo Jeremane go itemogelaphitlhelelo ya sesole sa mo metsing, leba ba leng ko gae ke solofela gore baitumetse.

SA SOLDIER morago ga go ite-mogela phitlhelelo ya moletlo, dibuitse di farologaneng di sa kgale matheganong ka tirisano mmogo momaphateng a otlhe go fitlha ga jaana.Ya lemoga fa go le botlhokwa goutlwa maikutlo a bao batla beng badi-ra tiro ya go tlisa dikepe mo gae. Goutlwa ka dipakanyo go fitlha ga jaanale tshireletsego. Mo puisanong le yo otlabeng a rwele maikarabelo a go tlisasekepe sa ntwa sa S101 mo AfrikaBorwa seo e tlabeng ele sa ntlha mo gotse tharo e leng Molaodi (Comman-der) Gary Kretschmer, se solofetswego tla gae mo ngwageng wa 2006 kakgwedi ya Mopitlwe. Go ya kadipaakanyo ba lekanyeditse go ka sesamalatsi a ka nna some amane go tlamo Afrika Borwa go tswa Jeremane.Mokapoteine wa S101 o tlhalositse faba sa ntse ba le ka fa tlase ga katiso e etseneletseng ga jaana e tla ba tsayakgwedi tse thataro. O tlhalositse fa gotsamaya ka thelelo mo katisong yabathusi ba gagwe mo sekepeng le momaphateng otlhe a taolo ya sekepe fase sesa. Setegenike ele sa maemo a akwa godimo fa re se bapisa le tseo renang le tsona ko gae mme felatsamaiso ya tshwana.

Ga ke na pelaelo ya gore ga re nago ithuta sekepe se fela, re tla se itsemo go feteletseng ebile ke solofetsama Afrika Borwa gore se tlatla gae. Retshwanetse go itse gore balaodi badikepe tsa ntwa lefatshe ka bopharaba ipeile mo seemong se se kwa godi-mo mo go tlhaloganyeng tsamaiso yatsona le go di itse ka botlalo mme, gake bone le baka la gore goreng re sa yego fitlhelela seo le fa tiro e sa le ntsi eoe re lebaganeng. Ka maitemogelo a kamo sesoleng sa metsi sa Afrika Borwake le molaudi wa sekepe sa ASSEGAI,ke tlhaloganya fa maemo a tshireletsoa tla pele ga sengwe le sengwe. Seo rese dirang re baya maemo a tshireletsoko pele, seo re se lemoga ka lemoragola rona mo dikepeng. Tatlhegelo ya

badire ba dikepe mo go rona e ka nnanamane e tona ya tshenyegelo kgotsasona sekepe. Bakatisi ba rona moJeremane ba lebeletse maemo atshireletso mo go sengwe le sengweseo re se dirang. Re ikaeletse gotswelelapele ka go kwala padi yatshireletso eo renang le yona go tswako gae ga jaana.

SA SOLDIER e buisane le Molaudi(Commander) Roland Short yo o tlabeng e le molaodi kgotsa mo kapo-teine wa S102 e e saleng ka fa tlase gakago ya go tsenya tse dingwe tsa didiriswa. O ne a lebeletse ka tlhoafalofa sekepe seo a tlabeng a se etse tlhokose bulwa semmuso. Le fa tiro ya bonae esi e fitlhelele maemo a S101, feladipaakanyo di tsamaya sentle. Tsedingwe tsa dikatiso tseo a di bonengke go nna molaudi wa dikepe bo a boithutetseng ko Jeremane. O boleletseSA SOLDIER gore le fa badiri ba S102ba ise ba kopane, ba ikatisa momafapheng a bone a a farologaneng abadirang mo go ona fa ba le mo seke-peng. Ba solofetse go kopana e le ba-diri ba mo metsing botlhe ka kgwediya Moranang kgotsa Motsheganongka ngwaga wa 2006. Ba tla simolola kaditiko tsa sekepe fa ngwaga o yabokhutlong, ba be ba tsweletsa ditekole ngwaga o o tlang. Ba solofetse goboela gae le sekepe ka ngwaga wa2006 o ya bokhutlong. Le ene otlhalositse fa ma-Afrika Borwa a satshwanela go belaela ka maemo atshireletso a badiri le sekepe sa ntwa.Mongwe le mongwe o katisitswe sen-tle mo lefapheng la gagwe ka jalo gake bone bothata bope. Bokgoni re na lebone re le ma Afrika Borwa ga ke bonere tlile go palelwa ke tiro e le ya rona eka nna matlhabisa ditlhong a feleletsajalo.

* The English version of this article isavailable on pages 28 and 30. To obtain atranslation of this article or any articlepublished in SA SOLDIER in any one ofour official languages, please make use ofthe professional services rendered byDirectorate Language Services of theDOD. For assistance contact Col DaanVorster, Director Language Services, attel no: (012) 392 3176 - Ed.

(e tsweletswa go tloga mo page 31)

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New Chief of JointOperations By CPO Dennis Ndaba Photo: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

he Chief of the SANDF desig-nate, Lt Gen Godfrey Ngwen-ya, relinquished his positionas Chief of Joint Operationswith much aplomb in aparade characterised by mili-tary precision and profession-

alism held at the SA Air ForceGymnasium in Thaba Tshwane on 25May 2005. This also applied to formerChief of Joint Support, Lt Gen SiphoBinda, who took over command as thenew Chief of Joint Operations. It washome sweet home for Lt Gen Binda,since he had a short stint with theDivision after its birth as Deputy Chiefof Joint Operations.

The birth of the SANDF on 27April 1994 necessitated a transforma-tion to establish a defence force thatwould fulfil its obligations to theSouth African nation, the region andAfrica as a whole as spelled out by the

Constitution, the Defence Act and theWhite Paper on Defence. One of themajor outcomes of this transformationwas the establishment of a singlestructure mandated to conduct allforce employment activities: hence theestablishment of the Joint OperationsDivision in August 1997.

According to General Ngwenya,moving from the comfort zone to theunknown is a difficult process; thismigration was met with resistance,suspicion and mistrust. "With my tak-ing up of office on 1 January 2001, Iwas privileged to become parent, par-ent of a toddler, while my predecessor,the late Lt Gen Deon Ferreira, had totake care of a new-born, which in factwas not allowed the normal develop-ment stages like that of learning to sit,crawl and walk before turning to run-ning," General Ngwenya added.

While the DOD was still grapplingwith transformation, the JointOperations Division had to experienceits first baptism of fire throughOperation BOLEAS in Lesotho. This

Operation was conducted in the faceof severe criticism from certain quar-ters. It is now history that despiteteething problems, we indeedemerged victorious and today wehave a peaceful and quiet neighbour.At the same time the Joint OperationsDivision had to respond to bothnational and international calls for theSANDF to be involved in peace sup-port operations. In preparation forthis we successfully conducted the fol-lowing exercises: Exercise BLUEHUNGWE, the first Southern AfricanDevelopment Community (SADC)exercise, hosted by Zimbabwe, andExercise BLUE CRANE, the secondSADC peacekeeping capacity build-ing exercise, hosted by South Africa.

The Joint Operations Division hadto go the extra mile to meet thedemands to conduct military andhumanitarian assistance operationssimultaneously in both the RSA andin the region. Operation MALUTI wasa follow-up to Operation BOLEAS,and was aimed at training the LesothoDefence Force. It succeeded inempowering the mountain kingdomthat it is now part of the peacekeepingcontingent on the continent.Operation LITCHI was a humanitari-an and disaster relief operationlaunched in Mozambique, whichbecame an internationally acclaimedSouth African endeavour to save life.

In the year 2001, the SANDF brokenew ground by establishingOperation FIBRE in Burundi. It was aquestion of breaking new ground inthe sense that no one had ventured togo to Burundi at that time. The UnitedNations (UN) had declared that apeace mission in that part of the worldwas impossible. It is history thatSouth Africa was able to deploy theSANDF over very long lines of com-munication within a short space oftime and to sustain the mission until itwas taken over by the African Union

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Lt Gen Sipho Binda (left) accepts command as Chief of Joint Operationsfrom Lt Gen Godfrey Ngwenya. (Continued on page 34)

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The worth of our National FlagBy CPO Pamela Arries, PA of WO SANDF, Photo: F Sgt David Nomtshongwana

The Sergeant Major of the SANDF,WO1 Jakes Jacobs, was invited by theEersterust Secondary School to ex-plainthe significance of the National Flag on26 April 2005. Owing to the fact thatthese learners are patriotic SouthAfricans and take a keen interest inhonouring our country's NationalSymbols on Freedom Day - 27 April -the Sergeant Major of the SANDFdonated three National Flags to theschool: a ceremonial flag, a storm flagand a normal size flag. WO1 Jacobs alsogave a presentation on the NationalSymbols of South Africa to the learners.The learners were very grateful to theSergeant Major of the SANDF for thetime he took from his busy schedule toaccede to the school's request.

The South African National Flag: Theventral design which begins as a 'V' atthe flagpole, then comes together at thecentre of the flag and extends as a sin-gle horizontal band to the outer edge ofthe fly, can be seen as representing theunion of the diverse elements in South

African society, which then take theroad in unity.

South Africa has four NationalSymbols: the SA National Flag, the Sealof the Republic of South Africa, theSouth African National Anthem andthe South African National Coat ofArms.

Symbolism attached to the colours anddesign of the National Flag: No universalsymbolism is reflected in the coloursof the National Flag, as individual

colours or combinations of colours canhave widely divergent meanings forvarious people.

Flag stations and times when theNational Flag should be flown: The nation-al flag should be flown daily from sun-rise to sunset at all flag stations.

Half-masting of the National Flag: InSouth Africa the National Flag shouldbe half-masted as a sign of mourningonly on instructions from thePresident's Office.

WO1 Jakes Jacobs, the Sergeant Major of the SANDF, demonstrates to thelearners of the Eersterust Secondary School how to fold our National Flag.

(AU) in 2003 and finally by the UN inJune 2004.

"Today, the talking point is aboutelections in Burundi. Suffice it to saythat we were indeed able to break newground and we paved the way for theinternationally renowned and power-ful AU and UN organisations. In thesame year we had to establish anothermajor deployment over long lines ofcommunication, viz our being in theDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC),a huge country ravaged by war anddisease and having virtually no infras-tructure. Let me pause and give acco-lades to the specialist element of theSANDF that we deployed to the DRCin addition to the South African TaskForce. We have in mind the sterlingjob of the air cargo handlers, fire-fight-ing teams, our medical teams, our mil-itary police, etc," proclaimed GeneralNgwenya.

(Continued from page 33) It is not possible for the senior mil-itary leadership to visit the DRC with-out being invited to the UN HQ,where senior UN officials express theirappreciation for the contributionsmade by members of the SANDF.Today the people of the DRC are againtalking of light at the end of the tunnel.Sadly, these milestones were notachieved without our paying thesupreme sacrifice of losing lives. Wehave to date lost a total of 28 soldiers.In this connection one can mention thedrowning incident in which we lostfour members in Burundi, and the sixSpecial Forces members who died in afire incident during mission readytraining with the police.

In addition there were the inci-dents in 2004, where we lost six sol-diers when one of our vehicles fell intoa river in the DRC, and the vehicleaccident where we lost two soldiersshortly after repulsing an ambush in

the DRC. The names of these fallensoldiers are inscribed on the wall ofremembrance for our fallen heroes atthe Mobilisation Centre inBloemfontein, thanks to the JointOperation Division Warrant Officer'sinitiative in establishing such a place.

"In retrospect, I realise that mymore than four years in commandwere most challenging. It was also aunique learning curve. I want to thankevery member of the Division for hisloyal commitment and dedication tome and to the SANDF as a whole. Theyears have provided valuable experi-ence for my staff and myself. Theachievements indeed attest to thewords of our emblem - 'fortunefavours the brave'," declared GeneralNgwenya. The Secretary for Defence,Mr January Masilela, Services andDivision Chiefs and other dignitariesgraced this auspicious occasion withtheir presence.

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Improving military relationships betweencountriesBy R Adm (JG) George Mphafi,Chief of Defence Foreign Relations

he Chief of Corporate Staff, LtGen Temba Matanzima, andthe Chief of Defence ForeignRelations, R Adm (JG) GeorgeMphafi, visited their counter-parts in the United States inFebruary 2005. This was a

working visit to benchmark the organ-isation within the United StatesDepartment of Defence, which istasked with similar functions to that ofthe offices of Chief of Corporate Staffand Chief of Defence ForeignRelations. In addition, the opportunitywas also used to visit the SANDFDefence Office in Washington DC.

The programme was co-ordinatedby Brig Gen T.R. Mandela, the SANDFDefence Attaché at the Defence Officein Washington.

The four-day programme of visitsand courtesy calls on several institu-tions, included the following:

General Peter Pace, the Vice-Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staffand Lt Gen Matanzima received abriefing on the joint staff roles, func-tions and missions, and additionalinformation was provided for bench-marking purposes.

Maj Gen (Sel) Mike Ennis, theDeputy Director for HumanIntelligence, made enquiries about theprocedure and processes used by theRSA DOD regarding the handling ofrequests and offers of assistance fromforeign attachés. Information regard-ing the organisation and managementof USA attachés was then provided sothat these could be benchmarked byDefence Foreign Relations.

The visit to the Pentagon includedbriefings on international securityaffairs affecting Africa, a briefing on

the National Defence University, abriefing by the Africa Centre forSecurity Studies, a briefing on theNational War College and a briefing onand visit to the Industrial College ofArmed Forces. SANDF students haveattended this college in the past.

Courtesy calls were made on theDeputy Assistant Secretary for Defencefor Public Affairs, Mr Bryan Whitman,the Executive Director of the ArmedForces Chaplain's Board, Cpln RichardHum, and the General Counsel, MrHeyens.

The Military Professional ResourcesInstitute was also visited. This is a com-pany made up of retired military per-sonnel who provide services to the USmilitary and other government depart-ments with funding provided from theUS DOD.

The delegation also visited the JointForce Command at Norfolk andreceived briefings on Joint ForceCommand and the Joint SystemsIntegration Command, including a tourat the Joint Warfare Fighting College.

Military relations between the

SANDF and the US Armed Forceshave strengthened since 1994 and astrong and long-term SA-US workingpartnership has been established andgoverned by defence agreementsbetween the two countries. One of themajor projects in terms of these agree-ments is the HIV/Aids PreventionProgramme (Masibambisane) and theHIV/Aids Treatment Programme(Phidisa).

Ongoing interactions with the UShave served to highlight the impor-tant role that the US can play in sup-porting key initiatives such asNEPAD. The US Government has anobserver representative on theNEPAD steering committee and it isimportant to note that the USAdministration has identified Africaas a foreign policy priority, particular-ly with regard to trade and industry.

The visit was successful and theexposure gained by the SANDF isconsidered invaluable as it highlightsthe importance of high-level contactsfor improving the military relation-ships between countries.

Lt Gen Temba Matanzima, the Chief of Corporate Staff (right), and GeneralPeter Pace, the Vice-Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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Peacekeeping InstructionBy Dr Kallie de Beer, DirectorDistance Education, Unit AcademicDevelopment, Central University ofTechnology Free State, and ProfHarvey Langholtz, Director UnitedNations Institute for Training andResearch PeacekeepingCorrespondence Instruction

ince apartheid fell in SouthAfrica in the early 1990s, thecountry has taken deliberatemeasures to serve its properrole in the international com-munity. South Africa has yetto take any role in the inter-national community as a

peacekeeper. Retraining peacekeepersvia distance instruction is an inexpen-sive but effective way for TFS, TSAand UFS to get involved. UNITARPOCI currently has eleven self-pacedcorrespondence course available onvarious aspects of UN peacekeepingoperations. Please read the remainder(Part II) on the above-mentionedtopic. (Part I was published in theMay 2005 edition of SA SOLDIER.)

ImplementationThroughout the years of the Cold

War, UN peacekeeping operationswere constrained by superpowerrivalry and UN peacekeeping opera-tions remained relatively small.Despite more than 80 wars (notincluding many of the smaller intra-state conflicts) that were foughtworld-wide during these years with atoll of 30 million deaths (James, 1990),only 13 UN peacekeeping and observ-er missions were established between1948 and 1988 (Roberts, 1996).

UN peacekeepers were trained bytheir own nations: Canada, Fiji,Ireland, Ghana, India, Nigeria and theNordic nations. There was no assump-tion that the UN or the internationalcommunity should be expected tointervene in "small-scale" conflicts,and violent ethno-political strugglespersisted throughout the Cold War(Gurr 1993, 1994, 1995; Harff & Gurr,1995; James, 1990). When the ColdWar ended and the ideological factors

that had constrained UN peacekeep-ing vanished, the superpowers and theinternational community were readyto see the UN take a more proactiverole in collective security. Instead ofsimply monitoring an establishedcease-fire, UN peacekeepers wouldundertake both military interventionsand humanitarian relief missions inthe face of natural disasters, man-made disasters or economic disasters.

Peacekeepers would need to beprepared to use force to impose peaceon behalf of a civilian population inthe face of war or anarchy and also tosupport post-war recovery throughrefugee operations, demining, disar-mament, civilian police, voting assis-tance, and the restoration of a civilsociety. The number of UN peacekeep-ing or observer forces quickly grew as20 new forces were created betweenMay 1988 and October 1993. At theirlargest near the end of 1994, these mis-sions were staffed by 77 783 civilianand military personnel from over 70different nations (Boutros-Ghali, 1996,p 4). But with this expansion in peace-keeping came the recognition thatpeacekeepers would need to be trainedto serve in a variety of demandingfunctions: both traditional militaryfunctions, and also humanitarian reliefoperations.

How would it be possible to trainthousands of peacekeeping personnelfrom so many different nations to per-form so many different functions on somany missions worldwide? Howcould military and civilian personnelfrom these nations be provided withstandard, common, and universaltraining that would facilitate unity offunction and interoperability? Howcould this training be provided to alarge population of geographically dis-tributed learners at short notice and ata low per learner cost? The solutionseemed to lie in the use of distanceeducation methodology, in conjunc-tion with national training pro-grammes.

A co-operative programme totrain African peacekeepers

Since the early 1990s and the fall of

apartheid, South Africa has taken itsproper place in the community ofnations and as of August 2002 SouthAfrica had over 1 400 SANDF person-nel serving on UN peacekeeping mis-sions. Training peacekeepers via dis-tance instruction is an inexpensive buteffective way for TFS, TSA and UFS toget involved. UNITAR POCI currentlyhas sixteen self-paced correspondencecourses available on various aspects ofUN peacekeeping, which will be usedby TFS.

All sixteen are available in English,with two available in French, one inGerman, one in Russian, five inSpanish and three in Swahili.Currently almost 10 000 enrolmentsfrom 105 nations have been processedby UNITAR POCI and many of thestudents taking these courses are eligi-ble for receiving college credits as rec-ommended by the American Councilon Education (ACE) for their UNITARPOCI courses.

These courses can be customisedby researchers of the SANDF and TFSfor urgent implementation in sub-Saharan Africa. As already explained,this is the overall educational philoso-phy of Technikon distance educationco-operative teaching and this conceptcould be applied in experiential train-ing for soldiers in the SANDF. Theimportance of the project lies in theneed to instruct South African soldiersthrough various distance educationdelivery modes, ie correspondencecourses, dual-contact sessions anddigital education. The TFS, TSA andUFS will evaluate academic results incollaboration with The College of

S

Part II

…of the UnitedNations

Institute forTraining and

Research.

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William & Mary in the United States,where UNITAR POCI personnel arebased.

Why distance education andra-gogy to train peacekeepers

Perhaps the greatest strength ofdistance education andragogy is thecapability of reaching a geographicallydistributed target population of mili-tary officers, non-commissioned offi-cers (NCOs), civilian employees, anddiplomats who need knowledge-bas-ed training. Correspondence coursesof UNITAR POCI are not designed forhands-on skills, or for field exercises.

It is recognised that there are manypeacekeeping skills that require thedevelopment of hands-on technicalskills that can only be taught underclose, direct supervision. There arealso peacekeeping skills that requiregroup co-ordination and organisation,and these can only be taught throughfield exercises, or other real-timegroup exercises. However, there aremany peacekeeping topics that arecognitive or knowledge-based and canbe acquired, using the self-pacedprinted courses offered by UNITARPOCI.

These courses offer universal train-ing in accepted practices of UN peace-keeping and cover established doc-trine, tactics, procedures, administra-tion, organisation, theory, history andother knowledge-based topics thatpeacekeepers need to understand inorder to serve effectively on UN mis-sions. Individual courses are deliveredto students in situ and with no need to

travel or wait for a training quota. Thecourses range in size from 100 to 500pages. Each course contains a series oflessons and each lesson includes les-son objectives, readings, and an end-of-lesson quiz. At the end of the courseis an end-of-course examination.

Distance education and andragogyare perhaps most effective when usedto reach a large population of geo-graphically distributed learners whoneed standard training in knowledge-based topics and when the traininghas to be delivered directly to learnerswithout delay and at a low per learnercost. It is for these reasons that theUnited Nations Institute for Trainingand Research Programme of Corres-pondence Instruction (UNITAR POCI)has developed a distance educationtraining programme in peacekeepingand is currently making plans withSouth Africa's TFS, TSA and UFS tooffer training in peacekeeping for per-sonnel of the SANDF and other peace-keepers from sub-Saharan Africa.

Unfortunately, recent years haveprovided too many examples of theneed for trained peacekeepers.Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Cambodia,Mozambique, Central America, Haiti,Sierra Leone, Liberia, Georgia, theDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC),Cyprus, the Middle East and otherlocations around the world have allrequired the interventions of outsidepeacekeepers. Nobody has predictedthat such needs will end in the comingyears. The only realistic question is"Where will trained peacekeepers nextbe needed?" rather than "Will there be

a need for trained peacekeepers?" During the decade of the 1990s

roughly half of the peacekeeping mis-sions established by the UnitedNations have been on the African con-tinent and the death toll stemmingfrom these conflicts - and otherAfrican conflicts that still persist - hasexceeded half a million. Althoughtrained peacekeepers have often beendrawn from non-African nations,many have argued that members ofthe African community, theOrganisation of African Unity (OAU),and some of the more developednations on the African continent,should take the lead in providing thecapability for African nations to pro-vide peacekeeping forces when need-ed on the African continent.

It is against this backdrop thatUNITAR POCI, TFS, TSA and UFShave joined in seeking a mutual pro-gramme to provide the needed train-ing using distance education method-ology.

The way forwardThe Council of the War Museum

in Bloemfontein recently decided toplace the War Museum in the interna-tional arena with the establishment ofa institute for peace and reconciliationfor the African continent, thus turningBloemfontein into a destination forpeace pilgrims from across the world(Jacobs, 2003).

The TFS, TSA and UFS researchersin peacekeeping instruction are veryeager to participate in this possiblejoint venture and have already sub-mitted previous research results to thedirector of the War Museum of theBoer Republics in this regard.

When President Thabo Mbekilaunched the commemoration of theAnglo-Boer War in Brandfort on 9October 1999 he emphasised the expe-rience of South African society duringthe twentieth century - a century ofwar and suffering. He also stressedthe fact that only after the warring fac-tions laid down their arms and startedtalking did peace start to dawn on ourcountry (Jacobs, 2003).

The suffering and uselessness ofwar, as stressed by Mr Mbeki, can bebrought home worldwide, thusenhancing the President's position as apromoter of peace and reconciliationthrough negotiations. After all, in the(Continued on page 38)

Proposed sketch of the Institute for Peace and Reconciliation.

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period 1990-1994, South Africa did notend decades of conflict with a bloodyrevolution, as many had predicted, butaround the negotiating table (Jacobs,2003).

In order to fulfil its mission, thecouncil of the museum has decidedthat it should utilise the examples ofthe horrors of war to propagate themessage that only if you know waryou are able to propagate peace effec-tively (Jacobs, 2003).

"The suffering and uselessness ofwar as stressed by our President, canbe brought home worldwide, thusenhancing his position and this coun-try as a promoter of peace and negoti-ations amongst the restless nations ofthe world," said the Premier of the FreeState Province, at the photographicexhibition on The Suffering of War(Direko, 2003).

Direko echoed what Helen Kelleronce observed: "I want that under-standing, which brings peace… Butwhat is that understanding she wasstriving for? It is easy to define peaceas the absence of war, but in fact theabsence of war is not the same aspeace. What then is peace if it is not theabsence of war? We first have tounderstand that peace starts withineach one of us. When we have innerpeace, we can be at peace with thosearound us. When our community is ina state of peace, it can share that peacewith neighbouring communities andnations.

We also have to understand thatlasting peace among communities andnations has to be created in order to bemaintained. It is the product of faith,strength, energy, will, sympathy, jus-tice, imagination, deep commitmentand the triumph of principle. It isnever achieved by passivity and thewithdrawal from all human effort.Peace is in fact not the absence of con-flict but the presence of creative alter-natives for responding to conflict -alternatives to passive or aggressiveresponses thus become alternatives toviolence."

As Omar N Bradley, that famousAmerican General of the World War II,so rightly observed: "We know moreabout war than about peace, moreabout killing than we know about liv-ing. We have grasped the mystery ofthe atom and rejected the Sermon onthe Mount" - (Direko, 2003).

(Continued from page 37) The visitor to any war museumalso learns the one vital message,namely that through telling the storyof a war a greater awareness of theimportance of peace is bred. Thusdeeply imbedded in the message ofsuch a museum is that it is also aninstrument of peace. For is it not truethat it is not the literal past, the so-called "facts" of history, that shape us,but the images of the past embodied inthe artefacts of mankind Direko asked.As Martin Luther King Jr so rightlyobserved "…One day we must come tosee that peace is not merely a distantgoal we seek, but it is a means bywhich we arrive at that goal. We mustpursue peaceful ends through peace-ful means" - (Direko, 2003).

"A final thought: While many of usare willing to die or sustain woundson the battlefield few are willing to goto the same extremes for peace!" -(Direko, 2003).

After all, the generals of the Anglo-Boer War extended their roles after thewar as political leaders and interna-tional statesmen. Gen J.B.M. Hertzogestablished the first portfolio ofForeign Affairs for South Africa andhe warned against the devastatingweapons which were to be used inWorld War II (especially his knowl-edge about the interest of America inuranium) - (De Beer, 1985).

Notoriously, one of the BoerGenerals, J.C. Smuts, who also becamethe Prime Minister and Minister ofForeign Affairs (1939-1948), was theco-founder of the United NationsOrganisation on the principles forworld peace! It thus seems fitting toextend his ideals for world peace tothe Anglo-Boer War Museum…

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New York: United Nations.Boutros-Ghali, B. (1996). In United Nations. The

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Butcher, N. (1996) "Considering the Use ofTechnology in Education and Training: A BriefSummary of the Technology-enhanced Learningin South Africa Report". Open Learning ThroughDistance Education. Newsletter of the SouthAfrican Institute for Distance Education, Vol 2, No4, Johannesburg, 4th Quarter.

Chopra, J. Eknes, Å. & Nordbø, T. (1995). Fightingfor Hope in Somalia. Oslo: Norwegian Institute ofInternational Affairs.

Crocker, C.A. (1992). High Noon in Southern Africa:Making Peace in a Rough Neighborhood. NewYork: W.W. Norton.

De Beer, KJ. (1985). Interviews for publications onGen J.B.M. Hertzog. Institute for Contemporary

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JECT FOR TECHNIKON DISTANCE TEACHINGIN SOUTHERN AFRICA". Conference Abstracts:The 18th International Council For DistanceEducation World Conference. Pennsylvania StateUniversity, June.

Direko, W. (2003). Keynote address at the openingof the photographic exhibition: The Suffering ofWar. Bloemfontein. October 29.

Durch, William J. (1993). The Evolution of UNPeacekeeping. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Doyle, M.W. (1995). UN Peacekeeping inCambodia: UNTAG's Civil Mandate. Boulder, CO:International Peace Academy and Lynne RiennerPublishers.

Forster, LM. (1997) "Training Standards For UnitedNations Military Observers: The Foundation ofExcellence". African Security Review, Vol 6, No 4.The Institute for Security Studies, Johannesburg.

Gurr, T. (1993). Minorities at Risk: A Global View ofEthnopolitical Conflicts. Washington, DC: UnitedStates Institute of Peace Press.

Gurr, T. (1994). T. Peoples Against States:Ethnopolitical Conflict and the Changing WorldSystem. International Studies Quarterly 38, No 3,347.

Gurr, T. (1995). Minorities, Nationalities, andConflict. In C. Crocker & F. Hampson (Eds),Managing Global Chaos: Sources and Responsesto International Conflict (p 53-77). Washington,DC: United States Institute of Peace Press.

Harff, B., & Gurr, T. (1995). Victims of the State:Genocides. Politicides, and Group Repressionfrom 1945 to 1995. In PIOOM Newsletter andProgress Report. Leiden University, TheNetherlands.

hjlang@facstaff.wm.eduhttp://www.wm.edu/unpeacek/index.htmlJacobs, F.J. (2003). Press Release. War Museum

of the Boer Republics. Bloemfontein, October 29.James, A. (1990). Peacekeeping in International

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Langholtz, H.J. (Editor) (1997). United NationsMilitary Observers' Methods and Techniques forServing on a UN Observer Mission. UNITARTraining Programme of CorrespondenceInstruction in Peacekeeping Operations. DagHammarsjöld Centre, New York.

Langholtz, H.J. and De Beer, K.J. (2000). "Co-oper-ative Education on Peacekeeping Training" CD-Rom, Technikon Natal, SASCE ConferenceDurban. April.

Malan, M., Nhara, W., Bergevin, P. (1997). "AfricanCapabilities For Training For Peace Operations".ISS Monograph Series, No 17. The Institute forSecurity Studies, November.

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A first for our Air ForceBy Lt Col Leon Strydom, 18 Deployment Support UnitPhoto: Ruline de Bruyn

Since the establishment of the SA AirForce some eighty odd years ago, theold traditional 16x16 and 16x32 tentshave been used. These tents areunique to the SANDF and to the SAAir Force during deployments andexercises, such as Exercise GOLDENEAGLE.

Since the SANDF's involvementwith the United Nations (UN) and theAfrican Union (AU) in Burundi andthe Democratic Republic of the Congo(DRC), the SANDF has realised andexperienced that the 16x16 tents werenot suitable for the extreme weatherconditions, nor were they designed forlong-term deployments.

In the DRC the UN makes use ofthe so-called Weather Haven for accom-modation. This dome type of campingsystem, made of PVC with a woodenfloor, is manufactured in Canada.Canvas and Tent, a locally establishedcompany in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, did benchmarking in Canada

and developed and manufactured ourown unique camping system calledthe Warrior Shelter. The Warrior Shelteris also dome shaped, and is locallymanufactured with material that iswell suited to African weather condi-tions. It is a semi-permanent structure,not suitable for short deployments.The SA Air Force produced its own

Warrior Shelter and it must still bedetermined where exactly the shelterwill be utilised in the future. Althoughthe Warrior Shelter is a first for the SAAir Force, the standard 16x16 tents,which have been in use for manyyears, will still be required for the fore-seeable future for rapid and shortdeployments.

New Government Information Technology OfficerBy Lt Col Fundile Siyongwana,Acting SSO CommunicationInformationPhoto: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

Meet the newly appointed Govern-ment Information Technology Officerof the Department of Defence, MajGen Matie du Toit. He took up thisposition on 1 January 2005.

The main objective of theGovernment Information TechnologyOfficer (GITO) is to ensure the effec-tive and efficient management ofinformation technology (IT) of theDepartment and reports directly tothe Secretary for Defence, Mr JanuaryMasilela. His mission is to set up afully-fledged GITO structure that willwork towards building the capacityto face the challenge of properlyhandling the DOD requirements asfar as information technology (IT) is

Maj Gen Matie du Toit, our newGovernment InformationTechnology Officer.

concerned. The structure will be runby twelve competent incumbents, whowill be identified as suitable for theGITO environment. Maj Gen DuToit's career began as an SA Air Force

logistics officer who specialised in thefields of procurement, general logisticsand staff functions. Since 1993 he hasbeen involved in the IT environmentand has gained experience in the plan-ning and acquisition of IT systems forthe SA Air Force. Currently he isresponsible for strategic informationsystems planning for the Departmentof Defence, as well as related policy.

He is a member of the DefenceStaff Council and the DefenceSecretary Board. He is the Chairpersonof the Command and ManagementInformation Systems (CMIS) StaffCouncil and the DOD/SITA Board. Herepresents the DOD on the interde-partmental GITO Council and servesas a full member of the DefenceProgramme and Budget EvaluationCommittee. Maj Gen Du Toit hasplayed an active role in the transfor-mation of the DOD, specifically in thatof the CMIS Division.

The Warrior Shelter.

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S A S O L D I E R J U L Y 2 0 0 5

40

A step in a healthy direction

WO1 Eugene van der Merwe, RSM 17 Squadron, testingthe state-of-the-art equipment in the gymnasium of 17Squadron. (Photo: Capt Martin Visser)

As members of the SANDF, healthand fitness should always remain oneof our core concerns. On the militarycalendar the month of April is healthmonth. 17 Squadron really got into theswing of things with the completion ofour latest project, our very own gym-nasium.

17 Squadron finds itself in aunique situation in that administra-tively it falls under Waterkloof AirForce Base, but is geographicallyremoved from the base itself. As aresult it was impractical for the mem-bers to make regular use of the gym-nasium facilities of Waterkloof AirForce Base.

On the initiative of Lt Col GerhardCrafford, Officer Commanding 17Squadron, a project was initiated forthe creation of a gymnasium facility atthe unit.

The first obstacle was findingpremises for the facility. Under thesuperb leadership of Capt Martin

Visser, a pilot of17 Squadron, theentire squadroncame together ina disused roomin the mainhanger, whichwas refurbished.After some wallswere torn downand holes filled,the room beganto take on a newshape with thelaying of carpetsand a splash ofpaint. After thor-ough research

Computer course donation

Fltr: Mr Kobus Swart, Deputy Director Disability Equity DOD,Ms Charmaine Lardner, the Principal of Pretoria StanfordComputer and Business College, Pte Tshepo Aphane and BrigGen Amos Somdaka, the Director Equal Opportunities Policyand Plans.

By Lebohang LetaoanaPhoto: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

December is a "happy" month formany people, perhaps because it is thelast month of the year or time to gettogether with family members. But forsome other people like Pte TshepoAphane it is a month they will neverforget as long as they live.

Pte Aphane (22), a Military SkillsDevelopment (MSD) member, wasinvolved in a motor-car accident,which left him paralysed at Lohatlhain December 2004. At that time he wasbusy with his Driving and Mainte-nance Course. Two passengers diedand two had minor injuries and werelater discharged. Pte Aphane wasparalysed in that accident.

It was when he was transferred to1 Military Hospital that he met hisoccupational therapist, Ms CharmaineMasebe. She was concered about hiswell-being and requested the involve-ment of the Disability Equity Section.

mitment to the plight of people withdisabilities in such a worthy manner.Pte Aphane resumed his computercourse in June; this gives hope to peo-ple with disabilities that there is lifeafter disability.

Somdaka, the Director EqualOpportunities Policy and Plans, saidhe wished to thank Ms CharmaineLardner, the Principal of PretoriaStanford Computer and BusinessCollege, for demonstrating her com-

and much deliberation, equipmentwas chosen to furbish the facility. Theend result of all this hard work was astate-of-the-art gymnasium that wecan proudly call our own.

4 April marked the beginning of 17Squadron's journey to healthier living

with the opening of our new gymnasi-um. With freshly made health drinksand biokineticists at hand to assist themembers, Lt Col Crafford opened thefacility when he took to the treadmill.(Compiled by Lt Kyle Jonker andLt Stefan King from 17 Squadron)

Talks wereheld be-tween theSection andS t a n f o r dComputerand Busi-ness Col-lege. It wasd e c i d e dthat anE n d - u s e rComputingCourse tothe value ofR4 350would bedonated toPte Apha-ne. BrigGen Amos

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School of Catering awarded judging status

Fltr: WO1 Theo Redelinghuys, Celebrity Chef Ready SteadyCook from Britain Ainsley Harriet, Julie Richter andWO1 Gordon Crosthwaite.

By S Sgt Mornè Stroh,Instructor DOD School of CateringPhoto: Maj Marina van der Merwe

On 25 February 2005 two staff mem-bers, WO1 Gordon Crosthwaite andWO1 Theo Redelinghuys, completedthe SA Chef Association's judgingassessment.

This assessment consisted of botha theoretical examination and a practi-cal evaluation in which both membersreceived a distinction. It is not only apersonal achievement for the two war-rant officers, as this qualification ishighly regarded and sought after inthe hospitality industry in SouthAfrica, but it is also an achievementfor the DOD School of Catering.

The school frequently assists vari-

Taking over the reigns

Brig Gen Andrew Kobedi (left) handing over the Symbolof Office to Col Reuben Mpilo Mbangatha, the new Officerin Charge of Legsato Polokwane.

By Lize Ferns, Legsato Polokwane

Col Reuben Mpilo Mbangatha wasappointed as Officer in Charge of theLegal Satellite Office (Legsato)Polokwane from 1 January 2005. On11 February 2005 Brig Gen AndrewKobedi, the previous Officer in Chargeof Legsato Polokwane, handed overthe reigns to Col Mbangatha during achange-of-office ceremony at theTactical Headquarters Limpopo. Afterthree years in charge of LegsatoPolokwane, the then Col Kobedi waspromoted to Brigadier General andappointed as Director SANDF LegalSupport at the Head Office of MilitaryLegal Services.

During Brig Gen Kobedi’s farewellspeech he indicated that it had been ahuge challenge, but a tremendous hon-our to serve as the Officer in Charge atLegsato Polokwane. He lauded thepersonnel of Legsato Polokwane forperforming their duties with zeal anddiligence, despite many challenges. Heexpressed his appreciation of the dedi-cation and originality of his personnel.He also stressed the importance of thevaluable contribution of the ReserveForce members.

Operational Law Officer in Pretoria.In 2001 he returned to Umtata as amember of Legsato Durban, where heserved until his appointment as OiCLegsato Polokwane.

During his time as Military LawPractitioner in the SANDF he alsoserved as Prosecutor and DefenceCounsel and attended several mili-tary legal courses in the SANDFand abroad, to wit a Law of Arm-ed Conflict course in Italy and aUnited Nations Staff Course inSweden.

many infantry courses and wasappointed as instructor at the TranskeiSchool of Infantry. While serving inthe TDF he studied part-time towardshis B Iuris, which he obtained in 1991.He was then appointed as LegalOfficer. In 1994 he obtained his LLBdegree.

After integration in 1995, ColMbangatha served as Military LawOfficer in Umtata under the thenEastern Province Command.

In 1999 he was transferred to ChiefJoint Operations and served as

and its learners will surely have adirect influence on the unit's training

and assessment procedures, skills andstandards.

New officerin charge

Col ReubenMbangatha wasborn in the vil-lage of Libodein the EasternCape on 12 July1958. He matric-ulated in 1978and joined theformer TranskeiDefence Force(TDF) in 1980.He served in theInfantry wherehe attended

ous tertiaryinstitutionsand otherh o s p i t a l i t ytraining cen-tres in theirjudging pro-cesses - apartfrom theschools' ownmoderators -and thek n o w l e d g ewith whichthe warrantofficers cannow empow-er the unit

insight

S A S O L D I E R J U L Y 2 0 0 5

42

Redeployment of SANDFmembers to the SAPS

Comparison ofour and the

SAPS servicebenefits.

Compiled by Col G.S. van Eeden,SSO Corp Comm Joint Support

unique career opportunityfor members of the SANDFhas arisen from an agreementreached between the DODand the SAPS. SANDF mem-bers can now be transferredto the SAPS on a voluntary

basis. The passing-out parade of thesecond group of SANDF memberswho volunteered to be transferred tothe SAPS took place on 18 February2005.

It is once again stressed that theoption for SANDF members to beredeployed to the SAPS is a purelyvoluntary option.

ARank

Pte (salary level 2)

Pte (salary level 3)

L Cpl (salary level 4)

Cpl (salary level 5)

Sgt (salary level 6)

S Sgt (salary level 7)

Contributions to MedicalContinuation FundR75 (average per salary level)

R70 (average per salary level)

R71 (average per salary level)

R69 (average per salary level)

R65 (average per salary level)

R64 (average per salary level)

Salary scale

R36 522 to R40 749

R41 946 to R48 699

R49 227 to R57 150

R58 236 to R68 289

R72 096 to R83 703

R89 805 toR105 456

Rank

Const (level 3)

Const (level 4)

Const (level 5)

Sgt (level 6)

Inspect(level 7)

Contributions to PolmedMedical Scheme

L: R52H R276

L: R52 to R60H: R276 to R314

L: R56 to R64H: R314 to R354

L: R64 to R72H: R354 to R392

L: R72 to R79H: R392 to R431

Salary scale

R42 459 to R49 290

R49 827 to R57 852

R58 944 to R69 123

R71 958 to R83 544

R89 214 toR104 769

SANDF: Benefits and conditions SAPS: Benefits and Conditions

Medical treatment

Medical, den-tal and opto-metric treat-ment is provid-ed at Statecost.

Specific condi-tions apply.

Vacation leave

22 working days in case of less than 10 years' con-tinuous service.

26 working days in case of more than, 10 yearscontinuous service.

Leave accumulated before 1 April 2002 is consideredas capped leave and maybe taken by members.

Leave gratuity payable at retirement.

From 1 April 2002 leave must be taken within eachcycle.

Pension

Employer con-tributes 15%.

Member con-tributes 7,5% ofgross monthlysalary.

Medical treatment

Polmed MedicalScheme.

Vacation leave

22 working days in case of less than 10 years' con-tinuous service.

26 working days in case of more than, 10 yearscontinuous service.

Leave accumulated before 1 April 2002 is consideredas capped leave and maybe taken by members.

Leave gratuity payable at retirement.

From 1 April 2002 leave must be taken within eachcycle.

Pension

Employercontributes15%.

Member con-tributes 7,5% ofmonthly basicsalary.

SANDF: Benefits and conditions SAPS: Benefits and Conditions

J U L Y 2 0 0 5 S A S O L D I E R

43Members who are interested in thisoption should note the following:

According to the agreementbetween the SANDF and the SAPSall transfers will be done on a later-al basis as far as salaries are con-cerned.The SAPS has a different rankstructure to that of the SANDF.This means that a member will notnecessarily be appointed in his orher current rank.

Each selected member will bemade an individual offer, based oncurrent service benefits, as well asexperience and qualifications. Thecomparison of service conditionsand benefits is therefore for infor-mation purposes only.

ConclusionIt is most important to remember

to be truthful when applying to beredeployed to the SAPS. Bear in mind

that the SAPS thoroughly screens eachapplication and will not select mem-bers who supply false information, egwith regard to pending or recordeddepartmental or criminal cases.Members who are interested in beingredeployed should contact their unitHR office to obtain application forms.Enquires:Maj Mzilikazi Tel: (012) 392 3134Maj Kotsoe Tel: (012) 392 3133

Fax: (012) 392 3111

Service bonus

Equal to 100% of one month'ssalary.

Payable in the month of themember'sbirthday.

Housing

Restricted availability of state housing. Membershave to apply whenvacancies arise.

Members qualify for a home-owner's allowanceand State guarantee.

Deployment allowance

Payable for internal andexternal deploy-ment

Service bonus

Equal to 100% of one month'ssalary.

Payable in the month ofthe member'sbirthday

Housing

Restricted availability of State housing. Membershave to apply whenvacancies arise.

Members qualify for a home-owner's allowanceand State guarantee.

Service allowance

R400 per month payableto membersperformingoperational linefunction duties.

SANDF: Benefits and conditions SAPS: Benefits and Conditions

Sick leave36 working days.

Normal sick leave can beutilised inter-mittently with30 workingdays incapaci-ty leave.

Temporary and perma-nent incapaci-ty leave maybe extended in3 year sickleave cycle.

Group life insuranceMember with dependant pays R100,37 (15% issubsidised)

Qualifies for R90 000 death benefit and lumpsum of R100 000 in caseof permanent disability.

Member without depen-dant pays R69,91 (15%is subsidised)

Qualifies for R60 000 death benefit and lumpsum of R100 000 in caseof permanent disability.

Medically unfit members qualify for R50 000 pay-ment with or withoutdependants.

Study leaveStudy leave available forexamination pur-poses.

Sick leave36 working days.

Normal sick leave can beutilised inter-mittently with30 workingdays' incapaci-ty leave.

Temporary and perma-nent incapaci-ty leave maybe extended in3 year sickleave cycle.

Group life insuranceNo group life scheme is available.

Members to arrange on their own.

Death grant of R200 000 payable to dependantswhen member dies in theexecution of duties.

Study leaveStudy leave available forexaminationpurposes.

SANDF: Benefits and conditions SAPS: Benefits and Conditions

UniformFree uniform issued on appointment.

Maintenance allowance available every 12 months.

FuneralAt State expense for mem-bers who are killed duringthe execution of their duties.

UniformOne set of uniform issued on appointment.

Clothing credit of R1 200 available annually.

FuneralAt State expense for members who are killed during the execu-tion of their duties to a maximumof R5 000.

SANDF: Benefits and conditions SAPS: Benefits and Conditions

S A S O L D I E R J U L Y 2 0 0 5

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Air Force assists in Overberg floodsArticle courtesy 22 Squadron,Photo: Andrew Ingram

The Overberg region, cut off from theoutside world by the worst floodssince 1941, was handed a lifeline on 11April 2005 when the weather clearedenough to allow helicopters to dis-tribute aid in the area.

While the flood water recededaround Napier, Bredasdorp and areascloser to the mountains, it rose steadi-ly as it moved seawards onto the vastcoastal plain.

As a helicopter carrying WesternCape Premier Ebrahim Rasool andhousing MEC Marius Fransmanskimmed over the mountains andheaded down to Kleinmond andHermanus, the swollen Bot Riverspread a huge muddy expanse offlood water into the sea, turning theblue water brown.

In Bredasdorp piles of silt lay onroads and, in low coastal areas such asKleinbegin, concrete fences and many

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was needed most.Boxes of fruit, vegetables, rice,

bread and bottled water were loadedinto the Oryx helicopters that stoodwaiting in the road outside the firedepartment where they had landedpreviously.

Flying low over the coastal plainone could see roads disappearing intorivers, sheep stranded on islands,huge blue-gum trees toppled over andvast sheets of muddy water every-where.

A helicopter circled a smallholdingand the pilot, Lt Col J.C. Kriegler,headed towards it and landed on thegrass outside the homestead. Therewas no time to shut down the engines.The crew on board the helicopteropened the doors and hauled outboxes of food. The group of people onthe smallholding appreciated the helpand rations, as was evident from theway they carried it away.

During the operation at least 74people, including a pregnant woman,as well as four dogs, were evacuatedfrom the flooded area and taken to aplace of safety. Some British visitorswere heard to remark: "We were sofrightened, but these people have beenso wonderful and we are definitelycoming back to South Africa". Thisserved as confirmation that 22Squadron had contributed immenselyto the rescue effort.

The Overberg region was swamped by the flood.

of the RDP houses were cracked.Double beds, kitchen dressers, TVs,toiletries, etc stood in the mud. Manyoccupants had slept at friends' houses,as the water was a metre deep in theirown homes.

Host the senior citizensThe Air Force Mobile DeploymentWing hosted a luncheon for the pen-sioners from the Rusoord old age homein Centurion on 20 May 2005.

This occasion was one of the AirForce Mobile Deployment Wing'ssocial responsibilities. The purpose ofthe visit was to maintain the SA AirForce's good relationship with the

public. The pensioners were treated toa tour of the unit, and they were alsobriefed on its objectives. CaptBusisiwe Nobanda, the CorporateCommunication Officer of the AirForce Mobile Deployment Wing, saidtheir next mission was to visit thekindergartens in the townships.(Article by Lebohang Letaoana)

Lt Col Anneline Nolan, Acting Officer Commanding, briefing the pensionerson the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing. (Photo: F Sgt David Nomtshongwana)

Two SA AirForce Oryx heli-copters from 22Squadron at Ys-terplaat AFB flewto Bredasdorp tojoin another Oryxfrom OverbergBase.

A joint opera-tions centre wasestablished up-stairs at the localfire department.Its purpose wasto co-ordinateand plan the res-cue effort inorder to channelaid to where it

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Two OceansMarathon

On 26 March 2005 many roadrun-ners of the SANDF took part in theOld Mutual Two Oceans Marathon2005 (56 km), one of the qualifyingraces for the Comrades Marathon.In the picture are: S Sgt RocksRorwana from ASB Youngsfield,running for Defence WesternProvince Athletics Club, who wasleading the roadrunners crossingthe line on top of Chapman's Peak(Chappies) going downhill toHoutbay to take the last challengeuphill, which was the ConstantiaNeck, where most of the profes-sional runners collapsed or suf-fered from dehydration. S SgtRorwana's advice is that one mustthink about anything other than thepain when it sets in. "The pain willlast for a week, but the achieve-ment will last for a lifetime. Thevalue of running is not in the speedor the distance, but the act itself."(Issued by Anderson Rorwana,Mitchells Plain)

Tennis development triumph

Col J.M. Nonco, DesignatedMilitary Attaché Zimbabwe, startedcoaching clinics for previouslydisadvantaged children in ThabaTshwane on his arrival in Pretoriain 2002.

Col J.M. Nonco, Designated MilitaryAttaché Zimbabwe (Defence ForeignRelations), started coaching clinics forpreviously disadvantaged children inThaba Tshwane on his arrival inPretoria in 2002. He started with a rel-atively small group of children, but hisapproach and negotiation skills saw

him winning a sponsorship from theSAFI SPAR and Mega Sport Shop, bothof Thaba Tshwane.

SAFI SPAR became the main spon-sor of the Pretoria Military TennisDevelopment Club for juniors. On 19March 2005 Col Nonco staged one ofthe most successful tournaments tomark his fourth anniversary of coach-ing the Pretoria Military TennisDevelopment Club, with Real PeopleSports as a co-sponsor of the event.

Sport is a powerful nation-build-ing tool that brings people of differentcultures together for a common goal.

"I call upon people with knowl-edge and love of tennis to come for-ward and help develop tennis amongfellow soldiers in our organisation,"said Col Nonco.

Col Nonco believes that the mostselfish people in life are those who goto their graves with knowledge, skillsand expertise without sharing themwith their fellow men.

"I want to make an appeal to par-ents, teachers and unit commanders toencourage their children and subordi-nates to get involved in sport at everylevel to ensure a healthy lifestyle;remember that 'A child in sport is achild out of court'."

During the SANDF TennisChampionships held in Oudtshoorn in2004, Col Nonco became the first blackperson to reach the men's doublesfinals, for which he won a gold medal.

He has previously also won goldmedals in tennis, ie at the club cham-pionships of the Pretoria MilitaryClub, for three years consecutivelyand has represented Gauteng North inthe 55+ category for veterans for morethan three years running.

"I want to reiterate the fact that onedoes not stop exercising because onegrows old, but one grows old becauseone stops exercising," said Col Nonco."May I take this opportunity toexpress my sincere gratitude to SollyNgwenze for his assistance duringhard times in tennis coaching, as wellas my sponsors SAFI SPAR and RealPeople Sports."

Col Nonco staged one of the most successful tournaments to mark thefourth anniversary of coaching the Pretoria Military Tennis DevelopmentClub for juniors.

S A S O L D I E R J U L Y 2 0 0 5

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KolskootTydens die Nasionale Combat Rifle Kampioenskappe wat gehou isop die Goeie Hoop-skietbaan in Kaapstad oor die tydperk 27 tot 29Mei 2005, het die viermanspan van Regiment President Steyn dieeenheidspankampioenskap voor sestig ander spanne se neuse weg-geraap. Die span was ook tweede in die Close Quarter Combat en dieCounter-terrorist kompetisies. Lt Piet Bekker het die individuelekompetisie gewen en sy Nasionale Kleure verdien. Hy het ook inMaart vanjaar die individuele oopvisier-kompetisie vir die ReserweMag gewen. (Artikel deur kapt Peet Hugo, lid van RegimentPresident Steyn)

* The English translation of this article is available alongside. Toobtain a translation of this article or any article published in SA SOL-DIER in any one of our official languages, please make use of the profes-sional services rendered by Directorate Language Services of the DOD.For assistance contact Col Daan Vorster, Director Language Services, attel no: (012) 392 3176 - Ed.

By WO1 Susan Lee, SAAF Research & Development

In the first of a series of helpful hintson law, I have decided to address theissue of "Advice on the MarriageSystems" available in South Africa.

It is of the utmost importance thatindividuals be informed of the varia-tions and the pros and cons associatedwith matrimonial property law.

In principle marriage must be con-cluded between a man and a woman,and it must be solemnised by a personwho has been legally appointed orauthorised to act as a marriage officer.

In the case of minors under the ageof 18 years the consent of the Ministerof Home Affairs is required, and overthe age of 18 years but under the ageof 21 the consent of only the parents isrequired. Should the Minister or par-ents refuse consent, the High Courtmust be approached.

Governing the recognition of cus-tomary marriages is the Recognitionof Customary Marriages Act 120 of1998, which came into operation on 15November 2000. To be recognised as avalid customary marriage, theprospective parties must be over 18years old, and have entered into andcelebrated marriage in accordancewith customary law.

Know the Matrimonial Property Lawconsideration that a successful mar-riage is based on equality and is man-aged as a partnership, this model mustsurely be the most appropriate andideal system. That which the partiesowned prior to the marriage can beincluded in the accrual. Assets that areinherited, or damages for personalinjury, as well as donations are exclud-ed from accrual, unless the spousesagree otherwise in their antenuptialcontract or in so far as the testator ordonor may stipulate otherwise. Thatwhich the spouses jointly acquired isconsidered to be part of the accrual.Upon the dissolution of the marriage,whether it be by death or divorce, thenet estate values are determined sepa-rately, and the larger estate must thentransfer half of the difference to thesmaller estate. The advice of a legalrepresentative must be sought for theexecution of an antenuptial contract.

Readers are invited to forward theirquestions regarding bread-and-butterissues to the author via email at:Susan.Lee.@Metroweb.co.za Please re-member to provide your name, addressand daytime phone number so that SusanLee may contact and discuss the mat-ter with you if required, before the topicis published in future editions of SASOLDIER - Ed.

Since the commencement of theMatrimonial Property Act 88 of 1984on 1 November 1984, there have beenthree forms of matrimonial propertysystems available, namely:

"In Community of Property" - Thisremains the most popular form of mat-rimonial dispensation. Two estates arejoined and each party has the right ofdisposal of the assets of the joint estate.Consent is required from the otherparty to alienate or encumber estateassets. Written consent is onlyrequired in certain cases. Certainassets may be excluded from the jointestate, for example testamentary, butthis category is limited.

"Out of Community of Property.Accrual expressly excluded" - This isthe form of marriage where, by meansof a notarial antenuptial contract, com-munity of property and profit and lossare excluded. The accrual system mustbe expressly excluded, otherwise itapplies. In this case there is, however,juristic equality in that each party hasfull right of disposal of his or her ownassets, but there is no financial equali-ty in respect of any contribution thespouses have made in regard to neces-saries for the joint household in theabsence of an agreement.

"Out of Community of Propertywith Accrual" - With due

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During the National Combat RifleChampionships held at the GoodHope Shooting Range in Cape Townover the period 27 to 29 May 2005 thefour-man team of the RegimentPresident Steyn snatched the unitteam championship trophy ahead ofsixty other teams, and was second inthe Close Quarter Combat and Counter-terrorist Competitions. Lt Piet Bekkerwon the individual competition andwas awarded his National Colours. InMarch this year he also won the indi-vidual open sight competition for theReserve Force. (Article by Capt PeetHugo, member of RegimentPresident Steyn)

Bull's-eye

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