Part-time Volunteers: Making a difference Heading 2013.pdf · Volunteer. I am hon-oured to be part...

Heading

Sub heading

2 RESERVE FORCE, THE SANDF’S EXPANSION CAPABILITY

Welcome to the Sum-mer 2013 edition of The Reserve Force Volunteer. I am hon-oured to be part of this issue as the act-ing editor and I must say, it was quite a journey. Meet-ing all the people involved in com-piling a magazine of this importance

has been an expe-rience of a lifetime. It feels good to

be part of such a prestigious publication.

This edition looks at a variety of issues such as the Cape Town Military Tattoo, the Fort Notting-ham Highland and Traditional Games in KZN, a

list of Military Veterans’ Organisations, 11 Field Post Office leaving their stamp in history and the SAAF Museum. We look back in time at the history of UMR. The University Reserve Training Programme (URTP) for 2013 is published, and in the foreword, Major General Roy Andersen, Chief of the Defence Reserves, confirms the role of the Reserves as set out in the second draft of the Defence Review Committee report.

Please remember to look at www.rfdiv.mil.za to obtain a regular update on Reserve matters.

From Defence Reserves we wish all the Christian readers a Blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Capt J.C. Grundlingh Acting Editor

From the Editor’s Desk

Editorial Staff

Chief Co-ordinator: Col S.A. Motswadira

Acting Editor: Capt J.C. Grundlingh

Layout and Design: Formeset Digital Tshwane (Pty) Ltd

Printing: Formeset Digital (Pty) Ltd

Language Verification: Mr Deon Smith

The Editor does not take responsibil-ity for historically incorrect facts.

The Editor reserves the right to edit or shorten articles for space and layout purposes.

© Copyright: no article or picture may be reproduced without the written consent of the Editor.

Although great care is taken with articles, the Editor cannot be held responsible for lost articles or photographs.

Part-time Volunteers: Making a difference

3RESERVE FORCE, THE SANDF’S EXPANSION CAPABILITY

IndexChristmas Message from the Honourable Minister of Defence and Military Veterans 4 Ms Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula

Foreword: Chief of Defence Reserves 5 Maj Gen Roy Andersen

DEF RESJoint Senior Command and Staff Course 2012 6 Col Ray van Zanten

Battle of the Reserve Units 8 Col Wim Alberts

The University Reserve Training Programme – 2013 11 Col Monica Müller

Symbolic handing over of Goodwill Parcels 12 Maj Gen Roy Andersen

The 2012 Exceptional Zulu Kingdom Fort Nottingham Highland & Traditional Games 13 R.D. Khashane

The Cape Town Military Tattoo 2012 16 Mrs Regine Lord

Defence Force Imbizo and Static Display at Nomzamo 22 Mrs Regine Lord

The 2012 KZN Military Tattoo 28 R.D. Khashane

South Africa’s War Memorials and Services 30 Maj Gen Roy Andersen

New York National Guard meets face to face to strengthen South Africa relationships 35 Master Sgt Corine Lombardo

Defence Reserves Participated in the Africa Aerospace & Defence Exhibition 2012 36 Capt Corne Grundlingh

Johannesburg Freedom of Entry Parade 37 Lt Col (Ret) Godfrey Giles

2013 Reserve Force Events Calendar 38 Capt J.C. Grundlingh

Johannesburg Civic Rememberance Service 39 Mrs R. Potgieter

South African Military Veterans’ Associations 44 Maj Gen Roy Andersen

The Proper use of Post-Nominal Letters 45 By Lt Col P. F. Joubert

The Western Cape Schools’ Marching Drill Festival 2012 48 Mrs Regine Lord

SA ARMYA First-Class Change-of-Command Parade at Fort Ikapa 52 Mrs Regine Lord

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012 56 P/Sgt H.C. Veitch

SA Army Specialist Infantry Capability 57 Lt Col J.J.M. Mlotswa

World Post Day – The importance of mail 59 Lt Col (Ret) Rudi van Heerden

11 Field Postal Unit 62 Maj Lizette Lombard

Netherlands International Reserve Shooting Competition October 2012 (NISC 2012) 63 Lt Col L. Botha

Commemoration in Egypt of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein 64 Capt B.S. Nene

The History of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles 66 Lt Col (Ret) Laurence Palmer

Regiment Oranjerivier celebrates its 60th Birthday 68 Mrs Regine Lord

Kimberley Regiment: External Deployment – DRC – Ops Mistral XIX – 2012 70 Maj R. Greyling

Sidi Rezegh Parade 71 Maj A.D. Pestana

Establishment of a Post Conflict Reconstruction & Development Planning Capability 72 Col Clyde B. Hepburn

SAAFA Safe Landing for the SAAF’s “Maiden Flight” of the University Reserve Training Programme 74 Col Monica Müller

South African Air Force Museum Port Elizabeth 75 FSgt E. Sharp

SAN SA Navy University Reserve Training Students start practical phase at False Bay College 76 Capt (SAN) M.J. Grobbelaar

SAMHS Abridged Biography of 78 Brig Gen (Dr) A.N.C. Maminze

In Memorium 79


I extend my best wishes and season’s greetings to you and your families.

Since becoming Defence Minister in June, I have

had the pleasure of meeting a range of Defence

personnel, both who serve in the country and ex-

ternally. During my trips I learnt of great patriot-ism that resides in the hearts of each member of the DOD/SANDF. I am impressed by the level of commitment, focus and professionalism of the men and women in Defence, both military and civilian.

Your hard work propels us in the leadership to work even harder to improve your service condi-tions.

On behalf of the leadership of the DOD, I would like to honour the brave South Africans who lost their lives in the service of our country during 2012, our eternal gratitude continues and the na-tion’s thoughts are with their families and friends at this time.

I wish all members of the DOD and their families a peaceful, safe and happy new year. I look for-ward to a productive 2013 and to working with you in meeting the challenges of the year ahead.

Ms N.N. Mapisa-Nqakula

Christmas Message from the Honourable Minister of Defence

and Military Veterans

Ms Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula, MP


This, the nineteenth edition of the Reserve Force Volunteer, once again covers a wide range of topics from the future develop-

ment of the Reserves to reports on the numer-ous deployments and activities over the past six months. The Christmas message from the hon-ourable Minister of Defence and Military Veter-ans, Ms Nosiviwe Notuthando Mapisa-Nqakula, is particularly welcome.

The role of the Reserves as set out in the second draft of the Defence Review Committee report is anticipated as follows:

• Augment the Regulars (in peace support operations, border safeguarding, support to the people including the developmental agenda and possible key point protection)

• Form part of the standing and surge capa-bility

• Provide the expansion capability for major combat operations and crisis response

• Provide certain specialist and scarce skills• Provide the main capabilities for recon-

struction and development• Enhance the relationship between the DOD

and the public and private sectors.

This expectation, which has to be confirmed, places a heavy burden on the Reserves to en-sure that we are up to the task. The external and internal deployments in 2012, which are for the first time up to full battalion strength, provide confidence in the ability of the Reserves.

Also included in this edition is the 2013 Events Calendar. This will be updated regularly on the website www. rfdiv.mil.za.

It only remains for me to wish all Reserves a suc-cessful 2013. May we make significant progress with the plan to transform and revitalise the Re-serves.

Foreword: Chief of Defence Reserves

Major General Roy Andersen


Two Reserve members were chosen to at-tend the Joint Senior Command and Staff Progamme (JSCSP) in 2012. They were to

be the first reserve members selected since 2004 when Col Clyde Hepburn attended the course. The selected officers were Col Ray Van Zanten and Lt Col Jabu Tshabalala. Col Van Zanten is the Senior Staff Officer (SSO) Infantry Reserves at the Infantry Formation and Lt Col Tshabalala at the time, was the Officer Commanding Johan-nesburg Regiment.

The programme normally takes place over a two year period. Year one comprises the completion of the Senior Management Progamme (SMP) at one of the local universities, at state expense. Year two is a residential phase over ten months that is presented at the South African National War Col-lege (SANWC) in Pretoria. This programme cul-minates with the member receiving a National Di-ploma in Joint and Multi-National Operations as well as the SANWC Certificate on graduation from the Joint Senior Command and Staff Programme and the post nominal title of psc(j).

The course comprises four modules. These are: Security Studies, Joint and Multi-National Op-erations (JMNO), Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) and Corporate Management. An added requirement is to complete a Portfolio of Learning (POL) and a Research Paper. Also in-cluded in the programme this year was a military history trip to the Free State and Eastern Cape covering all the significant battle sites, a capabili-ties visit to all important SA Defence bases and

systems and an International Study Tour. This year the countries visited on the study

tour were Kenya, Namibia, Tanza-nia and Zambia.

The residential ten month programme compris-es both individual as well as syndicate assign-ments. From day one the students are placed under pressure with regard to completing given tasks within the time constraints ensuring that time management was properly implemented. Even so many nights found the students working right through the night and only breaking for a quick shower and breakfast before lectures com-menced again in the morning. This year there were eighty members selected for the programme. The group included 73 mem-bers from the SA Army, SA Navy, SA Air Force, SA Military Health Service and seven Internation-al Fellows. The International students were from Angola, Gabon, Germany, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania. The two reserve mem-bers played prominent roles during the course with Lt Col Tshabalala being elected the course President and Col Van Zanten appointed as the course Finance Chairperson. During the course nearly R400 000 was raised by the students to cover extra curricular activities.

Joint Senior Command and Staff Course 2012

By: Col Ray van Zanten, SA Army Infantry Formation

Schematic diagram indicating some of the subjects covered during the four modules.


Lt Gen T.M. Nkabinde addresses the students.

Students had the opportunity to visit the Navy at Simonstown. Seen here aboard one of the Frigates, the SAS Amatola.

Students during syndicate presentations.

A tough course but well worth the time and effort that thoroughly prepares senior officers for their role as Senior Staff Officers and Commanders.

Senior SANDF members attended presentations by the student group.

From Left to Right Maj Gen R.C. Andersen Chief Defence Reserves, Maj Gen M. Mabuza GOC Training Command, Lt Gen T.M. Nkabinde

Chief Human Resources and R Adm (JG) P.T. Duze Commandant of

the SANWC.


Battle of the Reserve Units

By: Col Wim Alberts, Defence Reserves

The Military Skills Competition South Af-rica is becomming more popular every year. Twenty two Reserve Force Units and

3 invitational teams took part in the 2012 Com-petition hosted by the SA Army, Reserve Force Council and Defence Reserves.

Soldiers from Netherlands, Norway and Denmark also took part in this rather demanding event that was held from 22 to 27 October 2012 in Potch-efstroom at 1 Intelligence Regiment. The events included:

Shooting

Shooting with the R4 rifle in three different posi-tions (prone, kneeling and standing) and the Z88/Vector pistol (deliberate, rapid and snap). You must be well trained to achieve top scores. Lt Murray from Cape Town Highlanders was the top shottist in this discipline. The competition took place in rather windy conditions and was a real test of skill.

Water Obstacle

The water obstacle course might only be 50 me-ters long but the 5 obstacles you encounter must be approached with speed and momentum to ensure you obtain good points. With the water rather cold this year, some good times were re-corded and CO Kidgell from Regiment President Steyn won in a very good time of 28 seconds.

Hand Grenade Throwing

Hand grenade throwing might sound easy enough, but to throw 4 grenades at four targets at 15, 20,

25 and 30 meters is not that easy and there-after you get 3 opportunities to see how

far you can throw the grenade as well. The results of

these are then added together to determine the winner. LCpl Myeko of Cape Town Highlanders was the top performer this year, obtaining 1039 points.

Land Obstacle

Land obstacle is of course the elite event of the competition. The 500 meter long course with 20 obstacles might look easy enough to conquer, but to do it in 2 minutes 58 seconds like Tpr Nta-mane from Umvoti Mounted Rifles, takes great fitness. The standard of competitors in this event was exeptionally high this year.

There was also a relay event in the land obstacle where a team of 4 soldiers each have to cross 5 obstacles. The exitement was at a peak and the expectations high, the team from the Neth-erlands was the favourite but then Tpr Ntamane, Tpr Hlophe, Cpl Seoe and Tpr Nduma of the Ar-mour team won in 2 minutes 27.4 seconds with the Netherlands only obtaining third position after the second team Gauteng 1.

Cross Country Run

The final day was the cross country race, 8km for men and 4km for ladies. A lady competitor from Norway, Lt Hane Sandes, won the invitational section with a remarkable time of 15 minutes 41 sec in the 4km race. The South African winner was Rfn Nkosi from Durban Light Infantry with a lightening time of 28 min 8 seconds and Pte Ntuli close behind him in 29 minutes 3 seconds. Both these Reserves are regular comrades runners.

Team Competition

The team competition is made up by adding the scores of the 4 top performers of each unit to-gether and the team with the highest score, is the winner. If a unit did not have 4 competitors then the points of those that did take part are added, even if it was only one. Cape Town Highland-


ers was again the team winner from the South African Reserve units. In our guest category, the team from the Netherlands was the winner. The ladies section was won by Tpr Seleho of Regi-ment President Steyn.

International Participation

The Reserve Force Council will select 20 members to be part of an intensive training program during the next 6 months. Selected members will get to-

gether for at least 4 days per month to train on the techniques required to excel in the different disci-plines. During May 2013 a team of 12 soldiers will be selected to compete in the CIOR competition that will take place in Brno, Czeck Republic. It is the intention of the Reserve Force Council to include a team of ladies for the first time. A special ladies se-lection will take place at the end of January 2013; if any ladies believe thay are up to the high standard required for competing they can contact Colonel Wim Alberts ([email protected])

ShootingPosition Rank Surname Unit PointsRSA1st Lt Murray CTH 9482nd SGT Daniëls TS 6923rd Maj Labuschagne 3 Para Bn 676Guest1st T Int Kouwenhoven Netherlands 7722nd Cpl De Jager Netherlands 7082nd Lt Willekes Netherlands 7083rd SLD 1 Botterenbrood Netherlands 676

Hand GrenadePosition Rank Surname Unit PointsRSA1st LCpl Myeko CTH 10392nd Capt Ditshego SA Air Force 9743rd Lt Murray CTH 837Guest1st Lt Sandes Norway 10322nd Cpl De Jager Netherlands 9653rd Maj Birkhold Denmark 925

Water ObstaclePosition Rank Surname Unit PointsRSA1st CO Kidgell RPS 10842nd Lt Murray CTH 9643rd LCpl Myeko CTH 916Guest1st T int Kouwenhoven Netherlands 10482nd CO Tlhakuli CISM 10123rd Lt Sandes Norway 988

Results

SLD 1 Botterenbrood, from the Netherlands


Land Obstacle

Position Rank Surname Unit PointsRSA1st TPR Ntamane UMR 9462nd LCpl Myeko CTH 9223rd Capt Ditshego SA Air Force 842Guest1st Lt Sandes Norway 9542nd CO Tlhakuli CISM 9463rd Lt Willekes Netherlands 810

Cross Country

Position Rank Surname Unit PointsRSA1st RFN Nkosi DLI 10822nd PTE Ntuli NC 10273rd Maj Labuschagne 3 Para Bn 951Guest1st Lt Sandes Norway 11092nd LCpl Moaneno CISM 10223rd Sgt Charles 1 TIR 1002

Over All

Position Rank Surname Unit PointsRSA Ladies 1st Trp Seleho RPS Guest1st Lt Sandes (Lady) Norway 43432nd Cpl de Jager Netherlands 40033rd Lt Willekes Netherlands 3819RSA1st LCpl Myeko CTH 40162nd Maj Labuschagne 3 Para Bn 39343rd Lt Murray CTH 3651Best Team Cape Town Highlanders

Maj Gen R.C. Andersen handing over RFC

Honours Certificates to participants.

Dr Job, RFC, overall winner LCpl Myeko CTH, Capt Ditshego 2nd Airforce.

Col Wim Alberts handing the trophy to the winner in the Cross Country guest section, Lt H. Sandes of Norway.


The SA Army and the SA Military Health Service have an-nounced the roll-out of the URTP to the following Universi-ties in 2013:

• The North West University (Potchefstroom Campus)• The University of Johannesburg (Auckland Park Campus)• The University of the Witwatersrand (Main and Parktown

Campuses)• The University of Pretoria (Hatfield and Prinshof Campus)• The Tshwane University of Technology (Pretoria Campus)• The University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus))

Students studying through UNISA who are able to at-tend the recruitment campaign at any of the above Uni-versities and who will be able to attend the training in Gauteng, are invited to apply.

The University Reserve Training Programme (URTP) 2013

By: Col Monica Müller

Further enquiries can also be directed to Colonel Monica Müller at [email protected]

When will the recruitment take place? During March 2013.

When will the training commence? During June/July University vacation.

Who may apply?Registered students studying at the above Universities who have successfully completed their first year of study.

How to apply?Application forms will be made available on the cam-puses during the March recruitment period.

Can application forms be submitted electronically or by post?

No.

When and how will the detail of the recruitment campaign be made available?

Early in 2013, on the website www.rfdiv.mil.za /cam-pus bill boards/campus notice boards and campus radio.

Is there information available on the URTP and where can it be found?

Yes. The Charter on the URTP is available on the web-site www.rfdiv.mil.za

What can prospective applicants do in the mean time that will expedite the outcome of their eventual ap-plications?

Obtain an Income Tax number from SARS. Visit a den-tist and ophthalmologist in order to identify and rectify shortcomings in their general health condition.

RESERVE TRAINING

UNIVERSITY

Part-time Soldier Full-time Leader

www.rfdiv.mil.za

PROGRAMME


Each year during the year end holiday period, and thanks to the generous sponsorship received from the private sector, troops on deployment, both internally and externally receive goodwill gifts and their families receive goodwill parcels containing food hampers.

At a ceremony overseen by the Patron, Lt Gen Nkabinde and Mrs Madimu, representing Mrs Shoke, Master Chief Warrant Officer M.V. Kgaladi ensured that the sponsors were thanked. The Service and Division Chiefs and their Warrant Officers symbolically received the gifts on behalf of their deployed troops. This included the approximately 1100 Reserves serving on the borders, in peace missions as well as those deployed at sea and in the air.

Symbolic handing over of Goodwill Parcels for Reserves on Deployment

By: Major General Roy Andersen, Chief of Defence Reserves

Right: Maj Gen Roy Andersen receives the symbolic gift for

the Reserves on deployment.

Left: SCWO Jan Viljoen receives a symbolic food parcel for the families of the deployed Reserves.


The 2012 Exceptional Zulu Kingdom Fort Nottingham Highland & Traditional Games

By: R.D. Khashane – Defence ReservesPhotographs by: Sgt N. Malatji

The community of Fort Notting-ham came head-to-head with the KZN Reserve Force Units

members at the 6th staging of the “Ex-ceptional Zulu Kingdom Fort Notting-ham Highland & Traditional Games”. This lively event took place on Saturday, 11 August 2012 in sunny weather after some heavy snow showers a few days earlier. The Drakensberg mountain peaks were still snow-capped on the day but that did not stop participants from giving their best performances and over 5000 people in the audience from cheering on their heroes.

These games are designed to enhance the espirit de corps of the regiments and local civil-ian teams, many of whom consider their par-ticipation as a reflection of their sporting and an-cestral heritage. They aim to set a high standard of entertainment for the crowd with, among other things, a display of a fleet of vintage MG road-sters, pipe bands, Highland dancing, a

The Maclaine of Lochbuie, 26th Chief of the Gillean Clan of Lochbuie, Baron Maclaine of MOY addressing the audience during the opening ceremony.

Celtic band, as well as traditional sports, such as Tossing the Caber, Tug of War, and Carry-ing the Weight (a 72kg rock!). This year saw the advent of a fully-fledged Highlander Strongman competi-tion – with the winner

going off to compete in the Highlander World Championships in Scotland (August 2012).

“I should like to thank Major General Roy Anders-en, Chief Defence Reserves for his attendance and military contribution” said the Maclaine of Lochbuie, 26th Chief of the Gillean Clan of Loch-buie during the opening ceremony.

Military athletes from the KZN Reserve Force Units.


Some of the attractions of the 2012 gathering in-cluded a Scottish food fare, beer wagons, craft stalls, tea tents, traditional Highland fields events such as Tossing the Caber, Kilted Mile, Walking the Weight, Tug of War, the Highlander Strong-man Competition, the KZN Solo Piping Com-petition, Highland dancing, historical talks, en-tertainers on the big stage as well as pipe band displays.

Chief Defence Reserves Maj General Roy An-dersen, Brig General John Gibbs (Deputy Chief Director Defence Reserves), Brig General Abel Maminze (Director SAMHS Reserves) and Colo-nel Patrick Acutt, (SSO Provincial Office KZN) were spotted amongst the delegates who at-tended the official ceremonial opening.

Above: Haggis Presentation.

The famous Scottish dish called “haggis” was also presented. Haggis is a very old Scottish dish, which combines meats, spices and oat-meal to create a very rich, unusual, but nonethe-less delicious feast. The factual and historical description of Haggis is sometimes off-putting to people who have not tried it. Fortunately, modern techniques in the preparation and presentation of haggis make it an acceptable delicacy to almost everyone’s palate. In fact, it’s simply delicious. If you haven’t tried haggis – authentic Scottish hag-gis – you must! Whilst in Scotland it is not con-

sumed on a daily basis, it does however fea-ture regularly on many people’s home

menus throughout the year. It makes “guest” ap-

pearances on a more formal basis throughout the year, whenever Scottish culture is celebrated. If you have ever been to a Highland Games festi-val, you will know that food is as important as the caber toss!

Above: Left to Right: Brig General Abel Maminze (Director SAMHS Reserves), Colonel Patrick Acutt, (SSO Provincial

Office KZN), Brig General John Gibbs (Deputy Chief Director Defence Reserves), Maj General Roy Andersen (Chief

Defence Reserves) and The Maclaine of Lochbuie, 26th Chief of the Gillean Clan of Lochbuie, Baron Maclaine of

MOY having a chat during the games.

Above: Army Band Durban, Combined Northwood & Ferrum Cadets Brass Bands, KZN Pipe Bands and Natal Scottish

during their performances.

Army Band Durban, 1st Medical Battalion and KZN Pipe Bands, Natal Scottish and the com-bined Northwood & Ferrum Cadets Brass Bands gave exceptional performances during the event.


Winners of the Strongman.

Overall results of the 2012 Fort Nottingham Highland & Traditional Games.

Above: The Maclaine of Lochbuie, 26th Chief of the Gillean Clan of Lochbuie, Baron Maclaine of MOY

awarding prizes to the military athletes.

Above: The Maclaine of Lochbuie, 26th Chief of the Gillean Clan of Lochbuie, Baron Maclaine of MOY with

the leader of the Freestate Brothers, a civilian team which scooped an award for high-

spirited participation.

Above: Games activities included Putting the Stone (Shot Put), Walk the Weight, Kilted Mile,

Tossing the Caber, Colours Race and Tug of War.

As the pipers and drummers, attired in their distinctive tartan kilts, sporrans and glen-garries, exited the main arena through the

Kat archway with its wooden block cobbles, the echoes of the wailing bagpipes, the thumping bass drums and the rattling tenor drums gradu-ally died away.

For one brief moment, silence fell.

It marked the end of the Cape Town Military Tat-too of 2012, which had run at the Castle of Good Hope from Wednesday, 31 October until Saturday, 3 November 2012. The crowd of over a thousand spectators who attended the spectacular final night’s performance in perfect weather conditions reluctantly filed out through the spike-studded doors of the Van der Stel Gate. Some cast one last look back at the arena, which was still bathed in bright light. No doubt, the memories of this daz-zling finale would linger for a long time.

The theme for this year’s tattoo was “A Tribute to the Military Musicians”, with homage being paid to the men and women of the military who support the services with their music.

Bandsmen – particularly drummers and trumpet-ers – have always been part of the military. In the history of the Cape garrison, they were responsi-ble for transmitting and relaying calls in the field, acting as a communication system, warning the garrison of danger, and notifying the soldiers of parades. The nightly drummer on the Leerdam bastion of the Castle was tasked with recalling off-duty soldiers to their barracks at sunset, by ordering tavern-keepers to “Doe den tap toe”


Article and Photographs by: Mrs Regine Lord

“THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC”:THE CAPE TOWN MILITARY TATTOO 2012

Insert: The Pipe Bands of Cape Field

Artillery, the SA Military Health Service, 1 Medical Battalion

Group, and the Cape Town Highlanders.

Background: The final muster of all the

participants in the Cape Town Military

Tattoo 2012.


(Close the taps on your beer-barrels). This ritual had originated in the Low Countries during the 80 Years’ War in the 16th and 17th centuries. As the Dutch settlers were the first occupants of the Castle subsequent to 1652, it was adopted at the Cape too. Over the years, this nightly ritual evolved into an elaborate military musical spec-tacle known as a “tattoo”.

At the start of each Cape Town Military Tattoo, the locking of the massive Van der Stel Gate by the Castle Ceremonial Guard recalls the early military history of the Castle, when it was first constructed between 1666 and 1679. At that time, the Cape was a replenishment station for ships travelling to and from the Far East, falling under the control of the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC). This makes it the oldest surviving colonial building in the country and the only building to have had a continuous military presence for almost 350 years.

At nightfall, the night-guard commander (the role played by Master Warrant Officer Alfie Wort of the Cape Town Highlanders) would receive permis-sion from the Castle adjutant (Captain Francois Morkel) to lock and secure the Castle. Once the night-guards, with their tall halberds gleaming in the light, had locked the gates, their commander would bring the large key to the adjutant for safe-keeping until daybreak.

The Castle commander would on occasion call up local burghers to augment the standing garrison.

The musketeers of the Cape Town Muzzle Load-ers Association, dressed in the period costume of early Dutch militiamen, thus appeared on the or-nate Kat balcony. Their weapons are smoothbore long-arms dating back to the 17th and 18th centu-ries. The gunpowder is poured into the barrel from the front, before being wadded in tightly, and then discharged. The men of the Cannon Association of South Africa fired two 2-pounder ship’s can-nons that are more than 200 years old.

Later during the show, Tchaikovsky’s famous 1812 Overture demonstrated how skilfully and dramatically the sound of gunfire can be incor-porated into the musical score. As the music built to a climax, the thunderous firing of the four 25-pounder guns by the Saluting Troop of Cape Field Artillery echoed from the massive Castle walls, with the sound reverberating all around the arena. The 1812 Overture demands the precise synchronisation of the music and the saluting guns, a challenging task that has been assigned to fire control officer Staff Sergeant Andrew Imrie and Battery Sergeant Major Master Warrant Of-ficer Bennie Havenga. It is no wonder that this musical piece has become the signature act of the Cape Town Military Tattoo!

International participants from the Netherlands – Het Historisch Tamboerkorps der Koninklijke Marechaussee (the Historical Drum Corps of the Royal Dutch Military Police) – gave au-diences a brief glimpse into Dutch military history.

Insert: A trumpeter and a drummer of the Historisch Tamboerkorps der Koninklijke Marechaussee give the audience a glimpse of Dutch military history.

Background: The massed military bands of the SA Army Bands Cape Town and Kroonstad, the SA Military Health Service Band and the combined Botswana Army Band form up to spell out the word

“MUSIC” – the theme of the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2012.


The conductor and drum major of this volunteer band is Warrant Officer Class 1 (Retired) Jan van Lienden. The chairman of the band is Cap-tain (Retired) Coos Pieters who commanded the Trompetterkorps of the Koninklijke Marechaus-see, which participated in the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2009. The two-tone blue uniforms of the Historical Drum Corps, with their high collars and elaborate white shoulder knots, closely resem-bled those worn in 1954. Their band consisted of drummers – playing the side drum used by infantry regiments – and trumpeters – blowing the traditional cavalry trumpet or bugle, which is used to signal the charge of Regiments of Horse into battle.

Initially, there were two categories of military musi-cians: infantry drummers and cavalry trumpeters were enlisted soldiers, whereas various other musi-cians were hired privately by regiments to perform at balls, dances and concerts. Nowadays, how-ever, military musicians are expected to perform all types of music and at a large range of events.

The fact that bandsmen are often trained sol-diers, who serve alongside their comrades both in peacetime and in war, was illustrated by an exciting new act in the Cape Town Military Tat-too 2012: a Mortar Run. Two teams were drawn from the Cape Town Highlanders, and one team from Cape Field Artillery, all wearing battle dress and their staaldakke or protective helmets. They were assisted by three band members from the SA Army Band Cape Town, resplendent in their chilli-red tunics.

Under the control of Corporal Cox, the three teams were required to execute deployment and firing drills for the 81 mm mortar, a patrol and base weapon that is capable of firing high ex-plosive, smoke screen and illumination bombs. It can be handled by a team of four persons. It

consists of a base plate assembly, a barrel assembly and a mount assembly. The

full mortar, incidentally, weighs just on 15 kg – and

each bomb around 1.8 kg – and due to its short range, it is usually deployed fairly close to the ob-jective and thus under enemy fire. Strength – and speed – are clearly essential.

The use of the drums to issue commands to the soldiers was vividly illustrated by the SA Navy’s Silent Drill Squad, which had starred in the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2009. Their precision drill movements were all controlled entirely by the beat of the drum, with no word of command be-ing spoken. Trained by Warrant Officer Class 2 Carl Daniels and Warrant Officer Class 2 Nolan Herne, the members of the Squad rehearse after hours and between their daily duties at the naval base and aboard ship. Smartly clad in black and white uniforms, they marched, swung their arms and twirled their rifles in perfect sync with each other. Their sterling performance was deservedly greeted with enthusiastic cheers and applause.It is not only drums and trumpets that are com-monly played in military bands: Bagpipers too have a long and glorious history of leading sol-diers into battle.

A most memorable example of this was Piper Bill Millin who played the pipes whilst his commando brigade was under fire during the D-Day landing in Normandy. He continued playing, as they ad-vanced from Sword Beach to Pegasus Bridge, and – miraculously – survived, while his com-rades fell around him. When Millin later talked to German snipers about the event, they claimed they did not shoot him because they thought he was crazy, calling him “Der verrückte Dudel-sackpfeifer” (or “the mad piper”).

Anyone who has experienced the arrival of a pipe band can attest to the mighty power this music carries: the stirring sound of the pipes can inspire troops to charge into battle, while striking terror into the hearts of the enemy.

The following pipe bands participated in the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2012: the Drums and Pipes of the Cape Town Highlanders, wear-


ing their Gordon tartan and green jackets, un-der Pipe Major Charles Canning; the Pipes and Drums of Cape Field Artillery, dressed in the red Stuart tartan, under Pipe Major Andrew Imrie; the Pipes and Drums of 1 Medical Battalion Group from Durban, attired in the McKenzie tartan and maroon glengarries, under Pipe Major Bradley Boxall; and the Pipes and Drums of the South African Medical Health Services from Pretoria, in plain red kilts, under Pipe Major Liam O’Flaherty. The bagpipes are not only effective in inspiring soldiers to charge into battle, but also in lament-ing the loss of those who have given their lives and passed on to higher service. The mournful solitary wail of the lone piper on the roof above the arena at the end of the evening is an unfor-gettably moving sound.

“Military musicians often marched into battle with the regimental colours as a visible and audible rallying point amid the noise and confusion of war,” explained Captain John Manning, a serving Officer at the Cape Town Rifles (Dukes), the well-spoken announcer of the Tattoo, as the massed military bands of the Cape Town Military Tattoo

2012 marched into the main arena: The SA Army Band Cape Town, wearing their chilli-red tunics, under the command of Drum Major Warrant Of-ficer Class 2 André van Schalkwyk; the SA Army Band Kroonstad in their khaki uniforms, under Drum Major Staff Sergeant Johan Labuschagne; the SA Military Health Services Band from Preto-ria, led by Drum Major Staff Sergeant Mashiya. They were accompanied by visiting bandsmen from the Botswana Army Band and from Braz-zaville (Congo) in their dark-green camouflage uniforms, who were joined by musicians from the SA Army Band Cape Town, the SA Air Force and the SA Army’s MSDS programme during their act.

In addition to the above experienced military and pipe bands, the Cape Town Military Tattoo also engages in developing the younger generation of musicians, by offering them a unique opportu-nity to be part of this exciting event.

Thus, spectators who arrived at the Castle be-fore 20h00 were entertained by two groups of talented young musicians: The first were the 10 to 13 year-old girls

Insert: Drummers and trumpeters of the Historisch Tamboerkorps der Koninklijke Marechaussee.

Background: Silhouetted against the cityscape, the Lone Piper (Pipe Major Bradley Boxall of 1

Med Bn Gp) plays his mournful tune.


and boys from the Westcott Primary School In-strumental Group from Diep River.

They wove their gentle spells with soprano and treble recorders, Orff xylophones, glockenspiels and Djembe drums, under conductor Maya Maile, who is herself an accomplished cellist of the re-spected Beau Soleil Music Centre. Jill Scheep-ers, who founded the band some five years ago, has written several arrangements especially for the band: some traditional African songs, a se-lection of popular ballads and hits from musicals, and a Cape medley. The youngsters also formed the silent guard for the arrival of the functionary just before the 20h00 start of the show.

The second, slightly older group was the Sen-ior Steel Band from Wynberg Boys’ High School, who had performed at last year’s Military Sunset

Concert at the Castle. The steel band was introduced at the school in 2001 under

the management and direction of Peter Catzave-

los. Since then, it has become so popular with the boys at the school, that there are now three groups – senior, intermediate and junior levels.

Their current teacher is ex-pupil Keenan Oliphant, who learnt to play the drums whilst at school; he is currently completing a degree in music and drama. He does all the arrangements himself, adding contemporary music to the old favourites, and writing new pieces for the bands too. They performed on provincial tours from 2004 to 2007, and at the Grahamstown Arts Festival in 2009.

Another popular program item was the lovely long-legged lasses of the Celtic Dance Tapestry and the Claddagh Studio, who are trained by Tar-yn Harkness. They displayed exceptionally nim-ble footwork with their hard shoe and soft shoe dancing sequences on the stage in front of the illuminated Kat balcony. The tapping of their hard dancing shoes was amplified dramatically by the microphones set up all around the stage by the technicians of 3 Electronic Work Shop.

Insert: One of the teams in the Mortar Run efficiently sets up the 81mm mortar..

Background: The final salvo of Cape Field Artillery’s four GV1 25-pounder guns during the 1812 Overture, the

signature piece of the Cape Town Military Tattoo.


The feedback from the spectators and the invited guests after the show was extremely positive. They expressed their delight at the quality of the production: “Very elegant and graceful. Music wonderful” (Prof A. Slabbert, Cape Peninsula University of Technology). “Honoured to share a wonderful evening of music by soldiers!!” (Frank-lin and Joan Sonn, guests of Brigadier General B.C. Gildenhuys, GOC of the SA Army Armour Formation). “A wonderful evening most profes-sionally conducted” (Rear Admiral R.W. Higgs, Chief of Naval Staff). “Excellent military tattoo. Ac-tually the only military tattoo. Thoroughly enjoyed it” (Major General L.C. Ford, SAMHS). “Very nice evening and an excellent show. Thanks for the ‘Cape’ hospitality” (Brigadier General A. Freder-icks, SA Army Training Formation).

The theme of the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2012, viz. a tribute to the military musicians, was per-fectly encapsulated in the well-known ABBA song, “Thank you for the Music”. As the so-loist, Corporal Godfrey Rahube of the SA Army Band Cape Town, began to sing, the massed military bands changed formation, until they had shaped the letters of the word MUSIC.

“So I say Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing;Who can live without it, I ask in all honestyWhat would life be?Without a song or a dance, what are we?So I say thank you for the musicFor giving it to me...”

Indeed, thank you for the music!

The audience’s departure at the end of the fi-nal performance of the Cape Town Military Tat-too 2012 marked the culmination of months of hard work, dedication and sacrifice by hundreds of performers, musicians, technicians, artisans and organisers. Without excellent coordination

and teamwork, this magical musical spectacle would not have taken place. Many of the per-formers had travelled long distances – from the Netherlands, from Congo-Brazzaville and from Botswana, as well as from Pretoria, Durban and Kroonstad, to participate.

But let us not forget to thank all the people work-ing behind the scenes to coordinate the multi-faceted aspects of staging a successful Tattoo: erecting the seating stands, setting up the light-ing and the audio-visual equipment, supplying communications equipment, providing catering and hospitality services, welcoming spectators and ushering them to their seats, ensuring the safety and security of everyone at the Castle, maintaining the premises and keeping the fa-cilities clean, coordinating rehearsals, ensuring logistic support, promoting and advertising the event… The list is endless.

Many of the individuals and groups – not only the part-time soldiers of the SANDF Reserve Force, but also those employed full-time, whether as soldiers or civilians – freely and voluntarily con-tributed their time, resources, skills and experi-ence. They did so after hours or on leave from their civilian employ, sacrificing time that could otherwise have been spent with their families or friends. Their generosity, dedication and pas-sion are what make the Cape Town Military Tat-too such an exciting and unforgettable event for everyone involved.

Until we all meet again in the first week of No-vember at the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2013!

DVDs of the Cape Town Military Tattoo of 2009 and 2010 are available at R80.00 each; a double pack of the 2009 and 2010 DVDs costs R140.00 each. The 2012 DVD can be pre-or-dered at R100.00 each; enquiries for pre-orders – tel: (021) 787 1162/1167/1198 or email: [email protected] or [email protected].


On Saturday, 15 September 2012, the De-fence Review Committee (DRC) held the final imbizo of their public participation

process at Nomzamo community hall near The Strand outside Cape Town. An important role in this event was played by various Regular and Re-serve Force units of the SANDF in the Western Cape, which set up a static display outside the hall to give the community an opportunity to in-teract with the soldiers.

Early Saturday morning, in the pre-dawn dark-ness before sunrise, the soldiers who would be participating in the event were preparing to depart in a convoy from Fort iKapa in Goodwood. Con-voy commander Lieutenant Bothman from Cape Field Artillery (CFA) ensured that all the military vehicles had lined up in the correct sequence, and Lieutenant-Colonel Johan Conradie of the Defence Reserve Provincial Office of the West-ern Cape (DRPOWC), which was responsible for coordinating the display, among other things, gave a final briefing to the men. Escorted by the Military Police, under the command of WO2 Andy Keet, with their blue lights and sirens, the convoy made its way to the community of Nomzamo in The Strand. Their arrival was observed with much excitement by the local residents. A large group of spectators of all ages soon assembled all along the perimeter of the open area adjoining

the community hall.

Regiment Oranje Rivier led the way with their powerful Rooikat

armoured vehicle, crewed by MWO Karel Minnie, Captain Pierre de Villiers and Lieutenant Dlakadla. Next to them parked the heavy SAMIL 100 gun tractor of Cape Garrison Artillery (CGA), which was towing their Oerlikon 35 mm twin-barrel quick-firing anti-aircraft gun. The troops quickly disembarked and immediately began to set up the mighty can-non with impressive efficiency and speed.

Soldiers from the Regiment Westelike Provincie (RWP) and the Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) parked alongside and unfurled their camouflage nets, draping these over a Mamba (an armoured per-sonnel carrier that is used by the Dukes) and a Casspir (a landmine-protected personnel carri-er). The Casspir was provided by 9 SAI Bn based at Eersterivier, and the 15 KVA generator by Western Cape Signal Unit based at Youngsfield. The impressive static display was completed by the SAMIL 20 gun tractor from Cape Field Artil-lery, towing one of their GV1 25-pounder guns. These guns are traditionally used to fire salutes at ceremonial and annual occasions, such as the Opening of Parliament, Remembrance Day and the Gunners’ Memorial Service. They also regu-larly participate in the performance of Tchaikovs-ky’s 1812 Overture, which is one of the highlights of the Cape Town Military Tattoo that is held at the Castle of Good Hope.

While the Military Police secured the perimeter of the open area, the soldiers from the various regi-ments finished setting up their various displays in record time – evidence of good teamwork.

Defence Force Imbizo and Static Display at Nomzamo in The Strand:

Defence Review Committee engages with Western Cape communities



As soon as the static displays had been in-spected and approved by Lt Col Conradie, the spectators who had been curiously watching all the preparations from a distance, were invited to take a closer look.

A huge crowd immediately gathered around the Rooikat, clambering all over the powerful vehicle under the watchful supervision of Lt Dlakadla. Ini-tially, the children were jostling for position in their eagerness to climb ontop of the Rooikat, but Lt Dlakadla quickly got them to line up in neat and orderly rows, and to wait patiently for their turn. His friendly but firm manner of dealing with them immediately instilled respect and admiration.

Another popular display was the GV1 25-pound-er gun of the CFA, with both children and adults queuing up in eager anticipation for a chance to look through the sights. The spectators also en-joyed climbing aboard the Mamba and the Cas-spir, taking turns to sit inside these vehicles.

Hundreds of copies of magazines, including the latest Reserve Force Volunteer of Winter 2012, were handed out that day. The younger children particularly enjoyed looking at the colourful pic-tures, and proudly showed off their copies of these magazines.

An event of this nature requires the support, co-operation and coordination of a whole range of groups and individuals. They included: the South African Police Service, the Public Order Police, the Police from the local community of Lwandle, the Dog Unit, the Traffic Department, and the Mili-tary Police (responsible for marking the route, es-corting the convoy and crime prevention). They assisted with access control, registration, crowd control and handing out the food parcels at the end of the meeting. Lt Col Conradie from the DR-POWC was responsible for the coordination of all the military support that was required to ensure the successful presentation of this imbizo.

Lt Col Johan Conradie of the Defence Reserve Provincial Office Western Cape briefs the soldiers and Military Police who

will be driving in the convoy.

The Community Hall in Nomzamo outside the Strand hosts the Defence Review Committee’s final public imbizo.

The children form an orderly queue, eagerly waiting for a chance to peer through the sights of the Cape Field Artillery’s GV1

25-pounder gun.


In addition, Inferno, a private security company based in Goodwood, controlled access to the perimeter of the hall. The Army Support Base Western Cape (ASBWC) supported the vehicle movement with a recovery service. Medical as-sistance to the military personnel was given by the Area Military Health Unit Western Cape (AM-HUWC), while Metro provided medical support to the civilians attending the event. Signallers from 3 Electronic Workshop prepared the sound and audio equipment, and recorded the event to create an accurate reference of the discussions of the day. The South African Navy Public Rela-tions section, under the command of Command-er Greyling van den Berg, oversaw the collection of community members by bus from the various pick-up points in District 6, Langa, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Nomzamo, Lwandle, Helderberg, Gordons Bay and The Strand. Up to 960 people had been invited, and close on 800 ultimately at-tended this event.

The members of the DRC who attended the meeting were Mr Roelf Meyer (chairman), Dr Mo-ses Khanyile (member of the Resource Group), Brigadier General John Gibbs (Deputy Chief Director Defence Reserves), Rear Admiral Alan Green (of the SA Navy, Director of Strategy in the SANDF) and Mr Tefo Keketsi (programme direc-tor for the day). The secretariat that supported the committee at Nomzamo consisted of Mr Sa-garen Naidoo, Mr Evert Jordaan, Ms Clemmy Makaepea, Mr Lucas Mutheiwana and Ms Hes-sie Botman. Other VIPs included members of the Defence Provincial Liaison Council Western Cape and councillors from various areas.

Before the day’s formal programme began, the members of the DRC were shown around the static displays of the various participating regi-ments. The members of the committee were

pleasantly surprised, as they had not expected such a large and impressive display. The

personnel on duty at the various dis-plays were praised by all of

the committee members for their high standards and professional behaviour. The committee mem-bers remarked that their reception, the quality of the displays and the number of people from the community who participated in this event made this final imbizo the best they had attended. This certainly is a feather in the cap of the Reserves and an indication of the cohesion and coopera-tion of the Reserves in the Western Cape.

All the visitors and spectators were given an un-expected treat in the form of a thrilling perfor-mance by the sixteen men and women of the Cape Field Artillery Pipes and Drums. Looking very smart in their scarlet Royal Stewart tartans, brilliantly white shirts and black vests, they were led out by Pipe Major Staff Sergeant Andrew Im-rie. Forming into a circle, the group was quickly surrounded by inquisitive children and teenag-ers, many of whom had not heard the sound of skirling bagpipes before. The more fearless little ones pushed themselves to the front for a better view. Everyone was listening with rapt attention to the thumping beats of the drums, and gazing in fascination at the drummers who twirled their sticks with impressive dexterity and in perfect coordination with each other. Judging from the cheering and the applause, this was definitely an appreciative audience!

At 10am, to mark the formal start of the imbizo, the CFA Pipes and Drums played inside the large community hall, much to the delight of the ap-proximately 800 people who had already taken their seats inside. The programme director, Mr Tefo Keketsi, welcomed all the attendees to the imbizo, and directed the singing of the South Af-rican National Anthem.

Mr Roelf Meyer briefly summarised the back-ground to the Defence Review of 2012. On 13 July 2011, during the first meeting of the DRC, which was held at the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu (the previous Min-ister of Defence and Military Veterans), provided


the committee with their mandate and terms of reference and appointed the members of the committee.

In the succeeding months, the DRC looked closely at the current state of the SANDF and its role in South Africa and beyond, in preparation for defining the thematic areas and drafting an initial Defence Review 2012. On 12 April 2012, Minister Sisulu made public this draft document. Since then, the DRC has conducted a thorough consultation process with stakeholders and the public in all the provinces of South Africa; their final public imbizo was the one held at Nomzamo on 15 September 2012. In the coming months, the DRC will prepare the final document and pre-sent it to the Minister for approval.

The previous Defence Review of 1998 focused on the integration of both the statutory and non-statutory armed forces after the negotiated tran-sition to a democracy in 1994. It thus addressed matters of transformation and the normalisation of security relations in the Southern African re-gion. It also provided the first policy foundations for a Defence Force in a democratic state. Ini-tially, there had been little emphasis on deploy-ing the SANDF on peacekeeping operations to ensure regional security, but this situation has changed significantly in recent years, with South Africa taking on a much greater responsibility for ensuring peace and stability in the region and on the African continent.

The purpose of conducting the public participa-tion process – and of this imbizo at Nomzamo – was to ask the public what they expected from the SANDF in the future.

Mr Meyer explained: “The Defence Force doesn’t belong to one person or a committee or even the general staff of the Defence Force. It belongs to all of us as South Africans, because we expect a Defence Force that can pro-tect us and keep us safe.

The soldiers of Cape Garrison Artillery skilfully set up their Oerlikon 35 mm anti-aircraft gun with precision and teamwork.

Lt Col Conradie greets the members of Inferno private security company who have been tasked with controlling access to

the venue.

Members of the public clamber excitedly all over the Rooikat armoured vehicle of Regiment Oranje Rivier – this is clearly

one of the most popular displays.


And that is why it is so important for us to hear your voices and to hear your opinions, but also to give you an opportunity to ask questions.”

Thereafter, Mr Moses Khanyile presented a stra-tegic overview of the draft Defence Review 2012 that had been made public by the Minister. He explained that they had identified five strategic defence goals and fifteen high-level defence tasks. The five goals included: defending and protecting South Africa, its people and important national interests; safeguarding the country and its people through border safeguarding, support-ing the police service and fulfilling the country’s treaty obligations; promoting regional and con-tinental peace and stability and contributing to South Africa’s international agenda; supporting civil authorities in terms of crisis, need or turmoil, and contributing to the developmental priorities of South Africa; and assuring civil control over the SANDF and the accountable utilisation of de-fence resources.

Many of the attendees expressed gratitude to the committee for taking the time to consult with the community and to listen to their questions. However, the overall sense was one of disap-pointment and frustration that the SANDF could not help them to tackle the problems of violent crime and gangsterism by working more closely together with the police.

During the question and answer sessions, the most frequent topics raised dealt with the press-ing social issues of crime, drug abuse and gang-sterism, which are so prevalent in the Western Cape, particularly among the poorer communi-ties. Highly emotional pleas were made for the Army to be deployed on the streets to assist the police in combating these problems, as they felt that the police were unable to deal with the situ-ation effectively. They added that drug abuse

was out of control and that the drugs lords were quite literally getting away with mur-

der. They appealed to the SANDF to help them.

Mr Meyer firmly summarised the position of the Defence Force in this regard, insisting that sol-diers would not be deployed in the communities: “I understand and fully appreciate the point being made about crime in South Africa, but we cannot deploy soldiers to patrol our streets – that will take us back to the time of the military state. I want to emphasise that this is a matter of principle.”

He reiterated that the police were responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the civilian population inside the country, whereas the De-fence Force was “the last line of protection of the safety, security and independence of the Repub-lic of South Africa.”

When attendees continued to ask what commu-nities needed to do to ensure that the Defence Force would be deployed internally too, or to work together with community policing forums to tackle gangsterism and violent crime, Mr Meyer replied that, “the Defence Force can only be de-ployed for support of the police service under a special presidential minute or mandate.”

He emphasised that, “the commander of a spe-cific military unit can’t just order the soldiers to patrol the streets, because that will lead to a situ-ation where it is free for all and a commander can decide. But if there are special circumstances, then the President of the country can order the Defence Force to support the police.” He cited the Soccer World Cup 2010 as an example, where the police and the military worked together to en-sure the safety of people attending the matches, but reiterated that this had been a special case.

Other questions revolved around the integra-tion of the statutory and non-statutory forces, the criteria for joining the SANDF and the train-ing given to recruits. Another problem raised was that of illegal immigrants entering South Africa, even though the Defence Force is responsible for protecting the borders. Mr Meyer reminded at-tendees that South Africa has extensive borders


– 4,400km on land and about 4,000km of coast-line – and that the SANDF simply does not have the resources to patrol along all the borders. The situation is complicated by the fact that other agencies are involved too, namely, the South African Police Service and the Department of Home Affairs, which must verify that immigrants are indeed legitimate asylum seekers.

Attendees also wanted the Defence Force to be-come more involved with youth and leadership development, perhaps by a short-term compul-sory period of military service. They expressed the hope that this would instil in the youth greater discipline and national pride, and that it would teach them to channel their energies into more positive areas.

Brig Gen John Gibbs replied that conscription was unconstitutional, and that the SANDF further-more lacked the resources to accommodate the 600,000 youngsters who matriculate every year. However, one of their recommendations was that the SANDF should become more involved in youth development and leadership training.

He said: “We see the Defence Force as playing a very big role in creating leadership in the coun-try, by training people to become leaders. But the Defence Force will not have those people in ser-vice full time. We foresee that those surplus mem-

bers will be part of the Reserve Force system, and that they will be integrated into society as normal citizens of South Africa. It is our intention that, if we instil the right values and ethics in them, they will stand up and help communities with the challenges that these communities face.”

According to Dr Khanyile, the Review was indeed going to highlight the importance of youth de-velopment: “The future of our country lies in the investment in the development of our youth. … There are specific programmes for Grade 10 and Grade 11. Then we have programmes for the kids who leave matric to join the Defence Force either directly as soldiers or to go and study. We are proposing that there should be a cadet sys-tem as well. In other words, we are saying that the Defence Force has to play a big role in the communities, especially for the youth.”

However, he emphasised that the Defence Force did not necessarily offer full-time permanent em-ployment or a lifetime career option. Instead, the youth would be recruited and trained, and serve the country for several years. Thereafter, that they would return to their communities with new and positive skill sets, which would help them to be-come good and responsible leaders. The formal programme concluded around 13h30, and by 14h00, the static displays had been dis-mantled and the convoy of military vehicles was on its way back to Fort iKapa.

The professionalism, discipline and friendliness of the soldiers who attended the event had defi-nitely made a positive impact on the community, and especially on the younger generation, with whom they engaged that day. The community expressed a strong urge to see more of the De-fence Force in the communities, and specifically to become involved with the youth, by contrib-uting to youth development, establishing high morals, ethics and discipline among the new generation, and thus fostering nation-building.

WO2 Andy Keet instructs the Military Police to secure the perimeter of the field while the displays are being set up.


KZN Reserve Units host-ed the KZN Military Tat-too at the Natal Mount-

ed Rifle’s parade ground from 11 to 13 July 2012.

Brigadier General Susan Deb-bie Molefe was one of the general’s who took the salute designated to give permission for the show to commence.

121 SAI Zulu Dancers, SA Army Band; Kroonstad, SA Air Force Choir, SA Army Band Polokwane, Umvoti Mount-ed Rifles Equestrian Team, SAMHS Combined Pipes and Drums, Air Defence Artillery Gun Run, SA Military Health Service Band, SA Navy Preci-sion Drill Squad, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Demonstration, Royal Hospital School Band (United Kingdom), Massed Bands and the Lone Piper kept the spectators entertained during the three-day event.

About 5000 guests made their way to the Tattoo which proved to be a hit among Durbanites of all ages. The performers did not disappoint as they gave brilliant performances, day-in day-out, ranging from musical to military demonstrations.

As the Tattoo was hosted in the Zulu Kingdom, the Tattoo opened with outstanding 121

Battalion Zulu Impi performances, then was followed by

the SA Army Band Kroonstad with their vibrant performance which included some exciting Silly ballet, twist and patha, phata dance moves.

The SAAF choir belted out few numbers of their own and it must be said that they are not lacking in fine quality vo-cal talents.

The SA Army Band Polok-wane performed for the first time as a solo act and also performed their own version of Phata Phata which they call “Phata Phata Africa”.

Umvoti Mounted Rifles Equestrian team appeared on horses which took us back

to when armies used to have mounted soldiers or cavalry on horseback and they too did not dis-appoint.

What would a Tattoo be without pipes and drums? KZN Reserve Force units: 1 Medical Bat-tallion, the Natal Carbineers, the Natal Mounted Rifles, the Umvoti Mounted Rifles and Durban Regiment gave a traditional pipes and drums performance.

The SA Military Health Service pipes and drums played together with the SAMHS Band under the baton of Lt Col Seekola who presented an excel-lent act.

The 2012 KZN Military TattooBy: R.D. Khashane – Defence Reserves

Photographs by: SA Soldier

Brigadier General Susan Debbie Molefe, Director Defence Reserves,

on her way to acknowledge the general salute on the Thursday show of the

2012 KZN Military Tattoo.


121 Battalion Zulu Impi in action.

The SA Army Band Polokwane.

In honour of those gunners and horses who physically dragged big guns to the front over hills and valleys, the Air Defence Artillery teams from Kimberley did their best at competitive gun run-ning which has become a norm at military tattoos all over the world.

The SA Navy Precision Drill Squad from Salisbury Island also appeared for the first time at the KZN Military Tattoo and they gave an excellent perfor-mance towards the end of the proceedings.

An eye-catching improvised explosive device demonstration by 2 Field Engineer Regiment also took place, showing creative ways of de-fusing a bomb, something which many ordinary South Africans only see in movies.

The Royal Hospital School Band from the Unit-ed Kingdom gave an excellent performance on Thursday night.

To wrap up each day’s show, Massed Bands with a total of 120 musicians, supplemented by the SAPS Band, played together in good harmony. Thereafter there were various loud bangs of guns firing and shooting of fireworks to the magnificent background of the famous Moses Mabida sta-dium which was a great a marvel to watch for the audience.

All in all, it was a great show and all the credit must go to the 12 KZN Defence Reserves units: Natal Field Artillery, Natal Mounted Rifles, Um-voti Mounted Rifles, Durban Light Infantry, Natal Carbineers, Durban Regiment, 3 Parachute Bat-talion, 15 Maintenance Unit, 19 Field Engineer Regiment, 84 Signal Unit, 1 Medical Battalion Group, 105 Squadron and different sponsors for hosting such great three-day event. A tattoo ex-poses military culture and music at their best and this year’s edition of annual KZN Military Tattoo did just that and was exceptionally well done. We just cannot wait for another hit-show next year.

Massed Bands played together in good harmony.


The SANDF is called upon from time to time to support South Africa’s War Memorials and to either organise or support related

memorial services on an international or regional basis. These events are expected to increase as we approach the centenary of the start of World War I, in 2014.

These memorials were generally erected prior to 1994. Many have been updated to cater for the Struggle for Freedom and for the role of the SANDF subsequent to 1994.

A memorial in Africa (i.e. outside South Africa) for those who made the supreme sacri-

fice in the Struggle for Freedom is a noticeable omission.

Background

South Africa’s Memorial Services and the linked Memorials can be divided into two categories:

Category 1 - Direct SANDF Involvement.

Examples include:

• The National War Memorial Delville Wood, France.

• Arques-la-Bataille Cemetery, Dieppe, France.

• El Alamein Cemetery, Egypt.• Service or Corp Memorials such as the SA

Air Force Memorial at Bay’s Hill in Pretoria and the National Gunner’s Memorial in Potchefstroom.

• Unit Memorials. Typically the SANDF assumes full responsibility for the memo-rial services at these memorials. These services often relate to a specific battle such as Sidi Rezegh or are held on a par-ticular anniversary such as the Regiment’s birthday.

Category 2 - SANDF Support

• The Cenotaphs and memorials in cities such as Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein and Pietermar-itzburg.

• Freedom Park (Tshwane).• Fort Klapperkop (owned by the Tshwane

City Council).• Union Buildings, Pretoria.• SS Mendi Memorial, UCT, Cape Town.• Square Hill Memorial, Cape Town.

Typically the SANDF provides support in the form of dignatories, troops on parade, bands, buglers, pipers and on occasion limited logistic support

South Africa’s War Memorials and Services

By: Major General Roy Andersen, Chief of Defence Reserves

SS Mendi memorial.


such as tents, red carpets, etc. The SANDF does not control the protocol at these Services.

All memorials in category 1 are believed to have been updated where appropriate to reflect loss-es during the Struggle for Freedom and for the relevant SANDF casualties subsequent to 1994. The memorials included in category 2 fall in most cases outside of the control of the SANDF and may therefore not be fully up to date.

This article focuses on the following:

• The National War Memorial, Delville Wood, France.

• Arques-la-Bataille Cemetery, Dieppe, France.

• Square Hill Memorials, Cape Town and Kimberley.

• SS Mendi Memorials, Johannesburg, Preto-ria, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

• El Alamein Memorial, Egypt• A potential memorial in Africa.

The Battle of Delville Wood on the Somme in France occurred between 14 and 20 July 1916. The 1st SA Infantry Brigade was ordered to attack and hold the Wood at all costs. The South Afri-cans held the Wood for six days and five nights until they were relieved. Of the 121 officers and 3 032 other ranks which entered the Wood, only 2 officers and 140 other ranks walked out.

South Africa’s National Memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker, was opened in 1926, in Del-ville Wood. This is a memorial to all South Afri-cans who died in armed conflict and in support of Freedom and thus is not limited to World War I.

South Africa, with the full support of the SANDF, organises Memorial Services in Delville Wood each year in July in accordance with the follow-ing categories:

• Full Key – on each tenth anniversary of the Battle – e.g. the 90th anniversary.

• Medium Key – on each 5th anniversary of the Battle – e.g. 95th anniversary.

• Low Key – in between years.

The centenary of the battle will occur in July 2016.These services are well supported by the French Government, Army and Veterans as well as by Commonwealth Military Attachés.

The Memorial in Delville Wood is supported by a Museum and an Information Centre.

The Delville Wood Commemorative Museum was opened in 1986. The new South African Coat-of-Arms was installed and unveiled by the then Deputy Minister of Defence. It contains exhibits in respect of

• World War I;• World War II;• The Berlin Airlift;• The Korean War; and• The Struggle for Freedom.

In addition, the roles of honour of the following are on display:

• The Struggle for Freedom.• The sinking of the SS Mendi.

National War MemorialDelville Wood, France


• The soldiers buried at Arques-la-Bataille, France.

The Information Centre contains information on South Africa, the Battle of Delville Wood as well as banners of the following associations:

• MK MVA.• APLA MVA.• CMVO (and its member organisations).

Regimental plaques of those units which provided troops for the Battle in 1916, are also on display.

The Memorial, Museum and Information Centre are managed in terms of a draft MOU.

The following are the Parties to the proposed MOU:

• DOD, (including SANDF and Defence Mili-tary Veterans (DMV)).

• National Department of Public Works (NDPW).

• Delville Wood Commemorative Museum Trust (Trust).

• Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO).

Attached to the memorial is the Delville Wood Cemetery. The majority of the deceased of the Bat-tle remain buried in the Wood. The cemetery thus only contains the graves of 151 South Africans.

Arques-la-Bataille, near Dieppe, France, is the resting place of 333 Black South Africans who died in 1917 - 1918.

Each year in July, a Memorial Service of equal stature to that in Delville Wood, is held. This ser-vice receives strong support from the Prefect of the Region, the Mayor of Dieppe and French vet-erans. This has occurred for approximately the

past ten to fifteen years. This Cemetery is also maintained in impecable condition by the Com-monwealth War Graves Commission. Some ten years ago the spelling of the names on the grave-stones was corrected with the assistance of the late Lt Gen Masondo. It should be noted that there are other graves of South African deceased in cem-eteries in France, Holland and Belgium. Those are visited on an intermitant basis.

Arques-La-Bataille Cemetery

This Battle occurred on 20 September 1918 at Megiddo, in Palestine. In July 1918, 1st Bn Cape Corp was assigned to the British Egyptian Expe-

ditionary Force. This force drove the Turkish ar-mies out of Palestine. In this victory, 1st Bn

Cape Corp played a major role, specifi-cally at the Battle of Square Hill.

The deceased of the Battle are buried in Gaza but there is no memorial. This is seen by many as a major oversight. There is a plaque in Cape Town, at UCT. An annual memorial service is held, often in the Castle, and is generally supported by 9 SA Infantry Bn. Other memorial services are held an-nually in Kimberley and Johannesburg.

Square Hill Memorial


On the 16th January 1917, the SS Mendi troopship sailed from Cape Town en route to Europe carry-ing a contingent of the SANLC, comprising 802 Black soldiers, 5 white officers and 17 NCOs as well as 89 crew members and 56 military passen-gers. They sailed at noon forming up in convoy with four ships carrying South African and Austral-ian troops and gold. The SS Mendi came safely into Plymouth, UK, 34 days out from Cape Town.

On the afternoon of 20th February 1917, the Men-di sailed from Plymouth and steamed toward Le Havre in France, escorted by the destroyer HMS Brisk. The weather was overcast, threatening mist, with light winds and smooth sea. With the night, the weather had become foggy and the whistle was sounded at one-minute intervals, as required by regulations. Thereafter the fog be-came thicker and the speed was reduced.

On the 21st February 1917, at 4.57 am, the look-outs of the Mendi heard a vessel coming through the water and sounded the whistle. As the SS Darro was traveling at full speed and making no sound signals, the second officer and the look-outs heard the signal and saw a green light. Or-ders were given at once to stop the engines and put them full speed astern and the Darro’s siren sounded. It was too late. They were about elev-en miles south to south west of St Catherine’s Point on the Isle of Wight.

The SS Darro struck and sank the SS Mendi. Only 267 soldiers survived.

Somewhere about this time must have occurred the best known legend in the story of the Mendi. It is not confirmed by any survivor or official account,

but oral tradition has preserved it. The Reverend Wauchope Dyobha cried out to the men:

“Be quiet and calm, my countrymen, for what is taking place is exactly what you came to do. You are going to die…. but that is what you came to do… Brothers, we are drilling the death drill. I, a Xhosa, say you are my brothers, Swazis, Pondos, Basuthos, we die like brothers. We are the sons of Africa. Raise your war cries, brother, for though they made us leave our assegais in the kraal, our voices are left with our bodies”. And they took off their boots and stamped the death dance on the deck of the sinking ship.

There are the following memorials to the de-ceased:

• Avalon Cemetery, Johannesburg. This is well maintained by the City Council.

• Attridgeville, Game Thago Resort, Tshwane. The annual memorial service is organized by the Pretoria Branch of the SA Legion and the SANDF provides sentries, flag orderlies, tents and seats.

• Portsmouth Harbour – The role of honour appears on the Memorial. Wreaths were laid by the SANDF in 2007.

• New Brighton, Port Elizabeth.• Recently, another memorial to the Mendi

was unveiled in Cape Town. Located on an embankment on the Mowbray campus of the University of Cape Town, the site has significance to the Mendi, as it is here that troops of the SANLC had billeted before embarking on the ill-fated SS Mendi

SS Mendi


for France. An annual memorial service is supported by the Cape Garrison Artillery.

• The Hollybrook Memorial in Southampton bears the names of the men of the Mendi who have no known graves. Thirteen men rest in cemeteries in England, one in France and five are commemorated by special memorials in Holland. The SANDF laid wreaths in Southampton in 2007.

• The Mendi is also commemorated at Del-ville Wood Commorative Museum by fresco element and one panel bearing the names of the men lost.

The centenary of the sinking of the SS Mendi will occur in February 2017.

For only the second time in recent history, South Africa sent a delegation to El Alamein in Egypt in October 2012. This battle, in October 1942, is said by some, to have turned the tide in favour of the Allies in WWII. South Africa’s most illustrious infantry units, including Natal Carbineers, Cape Town Rifles (Dukes),

Transvaal Scottish, Natal Mounted Rifles, Cape Town Highlanders, Light Horse Regiment, Durban Light Infantry and Rand Light Infantry participated in the battle. They were supported by elements of 4 Artillery Regiment, Cape Field Artillery and Transvaal Horse Artillery as well as by 2 and 12 Squadrons of the SAAF.

El Alamein

A Potential Memorial in Africa

An obvious omission is a memorial in Africa, outside of South Africa.

South Africans are buried in Egypt (WW I and WW II), Libya (WW II), Tan-zania, Kenya, Madagascar, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and many other countries.

The WW I and WW II graves are maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, at the expense of the South African Government.

An African memorial, equivalent to the National War Memorial in France but focusing on the Struggle for Freedom, should be given serious con-sideration.

Sources

1. Delville Wood website www.delvillewood.com2. Col (Ret) L. Crook3. Brig Gen (Ret) J. del Monte


PRETORIA, South Africa – Senior military lead-ers from New York and South Africa met to share perspectives and build relationships

during an international trade and air show during September 2012. Representatives from the New York National Guard took advantage of being at the Africa Aerospace and Defence Air Show and Exhibition to meet with their counterparts from the South African National Defence Force.

“New York’s partnership has been strengthening over the past nine years, and meeting face to face is an important aspect to continue building these relationships,” said Col Franz Michel, who over-sees the State Partnership Program. Maj Gen Roy Andersen, Chief of the South African Defence Re-serves, echoed these sentiments.

“We have built a strong relationship with New York and having these personal meetings allows us to plan for future opportunities.”

“This interaction is very important. Meeting in per-son and establishing a level of trust and respect allows us to be effective,” Andersen added.

The State Partnership Program is a National Guard initiative that encourages relationships, enhances international security and builds ca-pacity across all levels of society with develop-ing nations. Each state and territorial National Guard is partnered with the military of a develop-ing friendly nation. Participation in this air show is part of the New York National Guard’s ongoing relationship with South Africa.

The air show is hosted every two years and com-prises nearly 60 civilian and military aircraft and vehicle demonstrations from some of the biggest names in aviation and the defence industry. In addition to sharing aircraft and equipment ca-pabilities, the meeting participants discussed several areas of interest, including the New York National Guard’s emergency management ca-pabilities and reintegration programs. “We have found the National Guard’s resiliency and Yellow Ribbon programs to be exceptional and we wish to model these initiatives,” Andersen said.

Identifying the interest and recognizing the mutual benefit, New York has invited representatives to meet with program experts in the future. “Based on these meetings, our plan is to get our folks to-gether to advise and help them develop a program that meets their specific needs,” Michel said.

“Our primary focus is identifying future training opportunities that will benefit both our services,” said Maj Gen Verle Johnston, commander of the New York Air National Guard. “I’m pleased that we were able to accom-plish this.”

New York National Guard meets face to face to strengthen South Africa relationships

By: Master Sgt. Corine LombardoNew York Army National Guard

Maj Gen Roy Andersen, Chief of the South African Defence Reserves, Brig General Debbie Molefe, Director Defence

Reserves, Brig Gen Andrew Jamangile, Chaplain General, Maj Gen Verle Johnston, the commander of the New York

Air National Guard and Col Ray Shields, the Director of Joint Staff for the New York National Guard, meet to discuss state partnership program initiatives. (Photo by Master Sgt Corine

Lombardo, New York Army National Guard).


The South African Air Force (SAAF) hosted the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhi-bition (AAD) at the Air Force Base Water-

kloof over the period 19 to 23 September 2012.

Defence Reserves Participated in the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition 2012

By: Capt Corne Grundlingh Photographs by: Sgt Nico Malatji

The exhibition was scheduled for 3 trade days, 19 to 21 September 2012 and 2 public days, 22 and 23 September 2012.

The trade days were patronized by invited foreign and local trade and industry delegations that con-stituted the main thrust of the exhibition, primarily national trade and defence related objectives.

The objectives of the public days included the promotion of the Department of Defence through the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and its alliances, showcasing the SANDF, promoting the Military Skills De-velopment System (MSDS) awareness prog-

ramme and the AAD youth programme and making visible the support that the

SANDF enjoys from various South African industries.

The Chief of Defence Reserves utilised AAD 2012 as a platform to promote the concept of the Re-serve System, and briefed the Defence Provincial Liaison Councils and Captains of Industry regard-ing the development of and other strategic issues regarding the SANDF Reserves. This was done during a breakfast that was held at the Armscor Lapa on Friday 21 September 2012.

The visiting group was then transported to the AAD show where they could spend some time visiting the exhibitions. The event was concluded with a luncheon.

The Defence Reserves indoor exhibition stand which was a very popular stop for members of the public.

An Oryx Helicopter in action.


On Saturday 10 November 2012, 11 units exercised their Freedom of Entry into City of Johannesburg. The parade com-

menced with the inspection of the ceremonial company provided by Transvaal Horse Artillery, Witwatersrand Rifles and Regiment President Kruger by Councillor Conny Bapela, Speaker of the Council, who was supported by the SANDF functionary, Maj Gen L. Yam, GOC of the SA Army Infantry Formation.

After the parade, Councillor Bapela granted the colour parties and the platoons of the SA Army Regiments and 2 Squadron of the South African Air Force permission to march from the Civic Centre in Braamfontein, across the Nelson Man-dela Bridge to Newtown. The route was lined by cheering crowds delighted to see their Defence Force visiting the City of Johannesburg on this the city’s 125th Anniversary as well as the 100th Anniversary of Alexander Township, affectionate-ly known as Alex, and Sophiatown.

The parade was organised with the assistance of the Freedom Regiments’ Association of Johan-nesburg. The Association was started in 1986 by R Adm (JG) L. Bakkes of SAS Rand and a few regiments namely, Transvaal Scottish, Witwa-tersrand Rifles, Rand Light Infantry, Light Horse

Regiment, SAS Rand, Transvaal Horse Artillery, South African Irish Regiment, Johannesburg Regiment, 2 Squadron South African Air Force and 21 SAI Battalion.

These Regiments had already had the Freedom of Entry to the City of Johannesburg bestowed on them and they felt that they should form an Asso-ciation in order to maintain the “espirt de corps” that they had developed and keep in touch with the elected representatives of the City.

In 1986 as part of the Centenary celebrations of Johannesburg, the Freedom Regiments present-ed the City with a 2m sword, which hangs in the ante room of the Council Chamber in the Civic Centre. The sword has the City’s Crest and all the Regiments’ names and badges on it.

Since 1986 the Freedom has also been granted to the Witwatersrand Medical Command and 6 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment. The now closed Sandton, Randburg and Roodepoort Comman-dos received their Freedom of Entry in October 1999. Regiment President Kruger had the Free-dom of Entry ratified in November 2003.

There is a true association between the City of Johannesburg and the Freedom Regiments.

Johannesburg Freedom of Entry Parade

By: Lt Col (Ret) Godfrey Giles, Chairman of the Freedom Regiments’ Association of Johannesburg

Councillor Bapela with Maj Gen L. Yam.

The colour party.

2013 Reserve Force Events CalendarBy: Capt J.C. Grundlingh, Defence Reserves

JANUARY 2013

23 Jan 2013 09:00 – 12:00 URTP STEERCOM, Defence HQ Col M. Muller (012) 355 5107

23 – 24 Jan 2013 Air Reserve Force Council Work session Brig Gen Mtimkulu (012) 312-2033

27 Jan 2013 – 02 Feb 2013 CIOR /CIOMR/ NRFC Mid Winter Meeting: Seminar, Wesseling F Duminy – RFC (011) 444 2843

FEBRUARY 2013

12 Feb 2013 09:00 – 12:00 Defence Reserve Workshop, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

17 Feb 2013 SS Mendi Memorial Service, Attridgeville Col Motswadira (012)355 6397

19 Feb 2013 12:00 – 13:00SHIELD Meeting, Defence HQ Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

19 Feb 2013 13:00 – 16:00Defence Reserve Board, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

22 – 24 Feb 2013 SA Navy Reserve Indaba, Simon’s Town Capt (SAN) P. Barnard 021 787 4323

27 Feb 2013 09:00 – 12:00 URTP STEERCOM, Defence HQ Col M. Muller (012) 355 5107

MARCH 2013

10 March 2013 10:30 Gunners’ Memorial Service, The Gardens, Cape Town Lt Col Conradie (021) 781 1167

12 March 2013 09:00 – 12:00 Defence Reserve Workshop, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

11 – 16 March 2013 SA Army Combat Rifle Shooting Competition, Bloemfontein Col R. van Zanten, SA Army Reserves

14 – 15 March 2013 Combat Rifle Shooting, Reserves and Cold Cup competition, Bloemfontein Col R. van Zanten, SA Army Reserves

16 March 2013 Combat Rifle Shooting, International Shoot, Bloemfontein Col R. van Zanten, SA Army Reserves

19 March 2013 10:30 – 12:00 SHIELD Meeting, Defence HQ Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

19 March 2013 13:00 – 16:00 Defence Reserve Board, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

27 March 2013 09:00 – 12:00 URTP STEERCOM, Defence HQ Col M. Muller (012) 355 5107

APRIL 2013

6 – 15 April 2013 10:00 Rand Show Defence Exhibition Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

14 April 2013 10:00 Gunners’ National Memorial Service, Potchefstroom Maj Gen R.C. Andersen (012) 355 6300

16 April 2013 09:00 – 12:00 Defence Reserve Workshop, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

23 April 2013 10:30 – 12:00 SHIELD Meeting, Defence HQ Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

23 April 2013 13:00 – 16:00 Defence Reserve Board, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

24 April 2013 09:00 – 12:00 URTP STEERCOM, Defence HQ Col M. Muller (012) 355 5107

25 April – 4 May 2013Bloemfontein Show, PO FS Lt Col F. Neethling (051) 402 1065

MAY 20138 – 9 May 2013 Date to be confirmed. Air Power Capability Cdr J.T. Magonono (015) 299 3379

14 May 2013 09:00 – 12:00 Defence Reserve Workshop, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

19 May 2013 10:30 SAAF Memorial Service, Bayshill Pretoria Col Motswadira(012) 355 6397

21 May 2013 10:30 – 12:00 SHIELD Meeting, Defence HQ Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

21 May 2013 13:00 – 16:00 Defence Reserve Board, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

22 May 2013 09:00 – 12:00 URTP STEERCOM, Defence HQ Col M. Muller (012) 355 5107

24 May 2013 10:00 Jan Smuts Remembrance Day, Cape Town Lt Col Conradie (021) 781 1167

24 May – 2 June 2013 Royal Show Pietermaritzburg, Pietermaritzburg Show Grounds Lt Col Craig-Mackie (031) 451 1704/1722

JUNE 2013

13 June 2013 PO North West Formal Guest Evening, Shamrock Mess, Potchefstroom Lt Col Z. Mbombo (018) 289 3400

18 June 2013 09:00 – 12:00 Defence Reserve Workshop, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

19 June 2013 PO North West, Youth Month Shield Event, Potchefstroom Lt Col Z. Mbombo (018) 289 3400

25 June 2013 10:30 – 12:00 SHIELD Meeting, Defence HQ Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

25 June 2013 13:00 – 16:00 Defence Reserve Board, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

24 June – 2 July 2013 UK Operational Shooting Competition Col R. van Zanten, SA Army Reserves

26 June 2013 09:00 – 12:00 URTP STEERCOM, Defence HQ Col M. Muller (012) 355 5107


(Continues on page 43)

JULY 2013

5 July 2013 10:00 Arques-la- Bataille Memorial Service, Dieppe, France Maj Gen R.C. Andersen (012)-355 6300

7 July 2013 10:00 Delville Wood Memorial Service, Longueval, France Maj Gen R.C. Andersen (012)-355 6300

7 July 2013 Pretoria Regiment 100th Birthday Activities Col A. Retief, SA Army Armour Formation (012)-355 2551

9 to 13 July 2013 KZN Mil Tattoo. Where: TBA Lt Col C.I. Craig-Mackie (031 451 1704/1722

12 July 2013 Delville Wood Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony, Kimberly Regiment Lt Col M. vd Merwe (053) 830 3025

14 July 2013 11:00 Delville Wood Parades, Johannesburg and Pretoria Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

14 July 2013 11:00 Delville Wood Parade, Durban Lt Col C.I. Craig-Mackie (031 451 1722

16 July 2013 10:00 Delville Wood Parade , Cape Town Lt Col Conradie(021) 781 1167

20 – 24 July 2013 CIOR Military Skills Competition Training Camp either Netherlands or England Col Alberts 082 893 9582

23 July 2013 09:00 – 12:00 Defence Reserve Workshop, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

24 July 2013 09:00 – 12:00 URTP STEERCOM, Defence HQ Col M. Muller (012) 355 5107

25 July – 5 Aug 2013 CIOR Military Skills Competition, Bryno, Czeck Republic. Col Alberts 082 893 9582

29 July – 3 Aug 2013 CIOR /CIOMR/ NRFC Summer Congress, Bryno, Czeck Republic F Duminy – RFC (011) 444 2843

30 July 2013 10:30 – 12:00 SHIELD Meeting, Defence HQ Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

30 July 2013 13:00 – 16:00 Defence Reserve Board, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

AUGUST 20139 – 10 Aug 2013 Fort Nottingham Highland and Traditional games (KZN) Lt Col C.I. Craig-Mackie (031) 451 1704/1722

20 Aug 2013 09:00 – 12:00 Defence Reserve Workshop, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

21 Aug 2013 09:00 – 12:00 URTP STEERCOM, Defence HQ Col M. Muller (012) 355 5107

22 Aug 2013 – 02 Sep 2013 Tshwane Spring Show Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

27 Aug 2013 10:30 – 12:00 SHIELD Meeting, Defence HQ Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

27 Aug 2013 13:00 – 16:00 Defence Reserve Board, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

SEPTEMBER 2013

8 Sep 2013 (Date to be confirmed)11:15 – 12:15 Gunners’ KZN Memorial Service, Durban Lt Col Craig-Mackie (031) 451 1704

10 Sep 2013 09:00 – 12:00 Defence Reserve Workshop, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

12 Sep 2013SAAF Air Power Capability Demonstration Cdr J.T. Magonono (015) 299 3379

15 Sep 2013 11:00 – 13:00 CMVO Annual Veterans’ Service, Fort Klapperkop, Pretoria Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

15 Sep 2013 Square Hill Wreath Laying Ceremony, Kimberly Regiment Lt Col M. vd Merwe (053) 830 3025

17 Sep 2013 10:30 – 12:00 SHIELD Meeting , Defence HQ Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

17 Sep 2013 13:00 – 16:00 Defence Reserve Board, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

20 Sep 2013 19:00 – 21:00 RFC Annual Dinner, Johannesburg F. Duminy – RFC (011) 444 2843

22 Sep 2013 11:00 Battle of Square Hill Service, Johannesburg Col Motswadira (012) 355 6300

25 Sep 2013 09:00 – 12:00 URTP STEERCOM, Defence HQ Col M. Muller (012) 355 5107

28 Sep 2013 PO North West Heritage Month Shield Event, Taung Lt Col Z. Mbombo (018) 289 3400

OCTOBER 2013

18 – 21 Oct 2013 Dutch Defence Force Reserve Shooting Competition Col R. van Zanten, SA Army Reserves

18 Oct 2013 18:30 for 19:00 Formal Dinner PO KZNWhere: TBA Lt Col C.I. Craig-Mackie (031 451 1722)

20 Oct 2013 11:00 El Alamein Memorial Service, TSA Pretoria Willie Nel, 083 305 3700

20 Oct 2013 El Alamein Memorial Service, Egypt CHR

22 Oct 2013 09:00 – 12:00 Defence Reserve Workshop, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

23 Oct 2013 09:00 – 12:00 URTP STEERCOM, Defence HQ Col M. Muller (012) 355 5107

21 – 26 Oct 2013 Military Skills Competition, Light Artillery Regiment Potchefstroom Col W. Alberts 082 893 9582

29 Oct 2013 10:30 – 12:00 SHIELD Meeting, Defence HQ Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

29 Oct 2013 13:00 – 16:00 Defence Reserve Board, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

29 Oct – 02 Nov 2013 Cape Town Military Tattoo, Castle of Good Hope Lt Col Conradie (021) 781 1167

NOVEMBER 2013

10 Nov 2013 11:00 – 12:30 Civic Memorial Service, Union Buildings Pretoria Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

10 Nov 2013 14:30 – 16:30 Civic Memorial Service, Cenotaph, Johannesburg Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

10 Nov 2013 10:00 Remembrance Parade KZN Lt Col Craig-Mackie (031) 451 1722

10 Nov 2013 Remembrance Day Wreath Laying Ceremony, Kimberley Regiment Lt Col M. vd Merwe (053) 830 3025

10 Nov 2013 10:00 Remembrance Parade, Cape Town Lt Col Conradie (021) 781 1167

19 Nov 2013 09:00 – 12:00 Defence Reserve Workshop, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

24 Nov 201311:00 – 13:00 National Sidi Rezegh Memorial Service, Johannesburg Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

26 Nov 2013 10:30 – 12:00 SHIELD Meeting, Defence HQ Col Motswadira (012) 355 6397

26 Nov 2013 13:00 – 16:00 Defence Reserve Board, Defence HQ Lt Col Rademeyer (012) 355 5117

27 Nov 2013 09:00 – 12:00 URTP STEERCOM, Defence HQ Col M. Muller (012) 355 5107



11 November 2012

Johannesburg Civic Rememberance Service


Johannesburg Civic Rememberance Service


South African National Military Veterans’ Asso-ciation (SANMVA) and its constituent bodies:

Azanian People’s Libera-tion Army Military Veter-ans’ Association (AZAN-LA MVA)

Azanian National Libera-tion Army Military Veter-ans’ Association (APLA MVA)

Bophuthatswana Defence Force Military Veterans’ Association (BDF MVA)

Ciskei Defence Force Military Veterans’ Asso-ciation (CDF MVA)

Council of Military Veter-ans’ Organisations of the Republic of South Africa (CMVO)

uMkhonto We Sizwe Mili-tary Veterans’ Association (MK MVA)

Transkei Defence Force Military Veterans’ Asso-ciation (TDF MVA) and

Venda Defence Force Military Veterans’ Asso-ciation (VDF MVA)

The following military veterans’ associations will be of interest to those Reserves reaching the end of their service:

Organisations Affiliated to the CMVO:

South African Legion of Military Veterans (Legion)

Memorable Order of Tin Hats (M.O.T.H.)

Memorable Order of Tin Hats, Women’s Auxiliary (M.O.T.H.W.A.)

Gunners’ Association of South Africa (Gunners)

Sappers Foundation (Sappers)

South African Air Force Association (SAAFA)

Naval Officers’ Association of Southern Africa (NOASA)

South African Cape Corp Regimental Association (SACCRA)

South African Railways and Harbours War Services Union (SAR&HWSU)

South African Jewish Ex-Service League (Jewish League)

St Dunstan’s Association for South African War Blinded Veterans (St Dunstans)

Ex Servicewomens’ League (Women’s League)

South African Paratroop Association (SA Para Assn)

South African Infantry Association (SA Inf Assn)

South African Medical Health Service Veterans’ Association (SAMHS VA)

Curamus Association (Curamus)

South African Naval Gunners Association (SANGA)

South African Scottish Regiments’ Association (SASRA)

South African Armour Association (Armour)

South African Special Forces League (Spes Forces League)

South African Veterans’ Continuation Committee (Continuation Com)

Savannah Veterans’ Association (Savannah)

South African Korean War Veterans’ Association (Korean Vets)

South African Military Veterans Organization of Australasia (SAMVOA)

32 Battalion Veterans’ Association (32BnVA)

61 Mechanised Battalion Group Veterans’ Association (61MechVA)

South African Defence Force Association (SADFA)

31/201Bn Veterans’ Association (31BnVA)

Naval Association of South Africa (NASA)

Signals Association (Western Cape) (Sigs Assn WC)

Ebo Trust

More details can be found on www.sanmva.org , www.cmvo.org or www.militaryveterans.co.zaAll veterans are encouraged to register with the Department of Military Veterans.

South African Military Veterans’ AssociationsBy: Maj Gen Roy Andersen, Chief Defence Reserves


Introduction

All the decorations and medals for bravery and merit reserved for the SANDF enable the holders to use appropriate post-nominal letters, includ-ing those instituted for the former APLA and MK. These awards are not titles. There are no South African awards which make it possible for titles such as lord, lady, baroness, sir, duke, duch-ess etc to be conferred on deserving individu-als. In Britain, knighthoods are bestowed by the admittance to a National Order for example Sir Winston Churchill, KG. (Knight of the Garter) or Sir Richard Branson, CBE (Knight Commander of the British Empire). This tradition is not fol-lowed in South Africa and no peerage exists in this country.

Tradition

It is regarded as appropriate that the proper use of post-nominals is again brought to the attention of all members. The good intentions of the Presi-dent, who instituted all official awards and the higher hierarchy of awards with post-nominal let-ters, must be borne in mind. This article is intend-ed to revive this very old tradition, which seems to have fallen into abeyance. It is alarming that no post-nominals are found after the names of dignitaries published in the South African Soldier (which is the official monthly magazine of the SA Department of Defence) (Quoted from the cover of the magazine).

Historical Origin

It seems that military post-nominal letters com-menced with an indication of the Victoria Cross (1857) before the holder’s name, like Captain VC Albert Smith. I do not know when exactly we switched over to post-nominals.

Customary Uses

Military post-nominal letters are always used in the following circumstances:

• Direct Addresses. It is appropriate to use rank, initials, surname and post-nominal letters on envelopes when addressing a let-ter directly to a member in his/her personal or official capacity.

• Visitor Cards. Visitor cards are to indicate the person’s full particulars and must there-fore include post-nominal letters.

• Documents about Members. Docu-ment headings referring to a member must include rank, initials, surname and military post-nominal letters. These need not be repeated later on in the document.

• Place Cards. Boards denoting a person’s office and place cards indicating reserved seating are correct if the person’s rank, initials, surname and post-nominal letters are stated.

• Orders. Because full particulars are pub-lished in all orders (General Orders, Unit Parts 1 and 2 Orders), post-nominal letters are to be used as well.

• Ceremonial Roll-call. It is appropri-ate, when announcing a member’s rank, full names (or initials) to use post-nominal letters, to identify recipients or dignitaries at medal or other parades. The recipient is entitled to the use of post-nominal letters as soon as the authorising order for the award thereof is published.

The Proper use of Post-Nominal Letters

By: Lt Col P.F. Joubert, SD, SM, MMMDefence Works Formation Reserve Force Element


• Public Introduction. It is appropriate to include dignitaries’ full particulars when intro-ducing them in public. The same applies to the writer of an article in a book or magazine, especially a military one.

• Certificates. The recipient is definitely en-titled to post-nominals when his /her name is stated as the recipient.

• National Orders and Foreign Awards. Appropriate post-nominal letters are used as determined by the award. Foreign awards are always worn junior to the Republic of South Africa awards and post-nominal letters are used accordingly.

• Official Photos. Names identifying mem-bers on photos are complete when post-nominal letters form part of the members’ ranks, initials and surnames.

• Epitaphs. In the past, one was at pains to ensure that the correct post-nominal letters were engraved onto tombstones as a solemn indication to the passing reader which prestigious awards the deceased had received.

The Non–usage of Post-nominals

These are circumstances where post-nominal letters are not used owing to unnecessary ad-ministration or other practical considerations:

• Signature Blocks. Signature blocks con-tain only the signatory’s rank, initials, and surname.

• Inquiries Block. Inquiries blocks on official correspondence contain only the person’s rank, initials and surname.

• Incomplete References. Where a refer-ence is made to a person by using only

the surname, post-nominal letters are not appended.

• Repetitions. If a person’s name and post-nominals have already been mentioned in the heading or the introduction, it is not customary to repeat these further on in the document..

• For Attention Addressee. Where a person is addressed for attention or for information on official correspondence, post-nominal letters are not used.

• Verbal Address. Post-nominal letters are not used when a person is verbally ad-dressed or personally introduced to others.

• Minutes of Meetings. The presence and absence name lists on minutes of meetings usually do not allow sufficient space and post-nominals are therefore omitted.

• Bars and Clasps. Holders of bars and clasps to awards are not entitled to add these as post-nominal letters.

• Academic Qualifications. It was never military custom to append tertiary qualifi-cations (BSc,etc) to the names of serving members. Nowadays, even courses are used as military post-nominal letters. I personally do not agree with this and it is also not taken up in the Awards Policy on the Intranet. For the same reason, there are no ranks like colonel- doctor, or other such combinations.

Examples of Correct Uses

• Announcing a dignitary at a parade: “Lt Gen D. L. Nguni. SD, DMG, MMM, Chief of Joint Operations”.

• Addressing a letter to a retired officer who also has a foreign award: “Col S. J. Nel, SM, MMM, OStJ (SA Military Health Service, Ret)”.


• A visiting card of a retired chaplain: “Col (Rev) L. Basson, MMM, VDM, (SA Air Force, Ret)”.

• Names on an invitation: Col D. M. Smit, SM, MMM, and Mrs Smith

• Calling a recipient at a medal parade: “Major T. J. Bosiki, MMB, Major Bosiki”. He waits for the cue Major Bosiki before marching off to accept his medal. For-tunately, force numbers are not read at parades anymore.

• Board outside an office: “Lt Col D. Marais, MMM, SO1 B Vehicles”

• Heading of a letter: “DETACHED DUTY: 92651832PE SGT S.NEL, MMM”.

Examples of Incorrect Uses

• Introducing a member to another: “This is Chief Petty Officer John Smith, CN”.

• Incomplete reference: “The member who was transferred is WO1 Ndlovu, MMM”.

• Names on an invitation: “Brig Gen and Mrs J. E. Anderson, SM, MMM”. This indicates that the officer is not decorated but his wife is.

• Addressee on a service letter: “For Action: Chief of Human Resources Support: Attention: WO1 C. van Wyk, PMM, MMM”.

• Maj S. Nolan, MMM and Bar, JCD and Clasp. (The British equivalent will be Maj S. Nolan, MMM*,JCD*)

Conclusion

Owing to the non-existence of any proper, inde-pendent South African document on this matter, I researched the topic as far as I could, studied Honours and Titles in Britain (Spinx), and submit-ted my final findings to a former British military attaché, who agreed in full with what is sug-gested above. I would highly appreciate com-ments from especially the JCDs and DWDs while comments from the HCs, SMs and MMMs will be equally welcome. Fortunately, my sugges-tions on this matter have been included in the Honours and Awards Policy on the Intranet, but I doubt whether anyone has read these, because examples of the proper use of post-nominals are few and far between. My Email address is [email protected].


On Saturday, 20 October 2012, Florida Park Sports Ground in Ravensmead hosted the Western Cape Schools

Marching Drill Festival of 2012. It was an even bigger event, than the previous year’s festival at Vygieskraal stadium in Athlone.

It had been organised by Mr Saeed Ruiters, the President of the Western Province Marching As-sociation (WPMA), working closely together with the South African Army Band Cape Town and various Regular and Reserve regiments of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

The regiments had set up an impressive static display on the slightly elevated ground on the far side of the field, directly opposite the grand-stand. The display proved very popular amongst the inquisitive and excited boys and girls, who enjoyed climbing all over the vehicles, picking up the various weapons on display, peering through the sights, and firing a barrage of questions at the soldiers on duty.

Cape Garrison Artillery had used their heavy SAMIL 100 gun tractor to tow an Oerlikon 35mm twin-barrel quick-firing anti-aircraft gun to the site. The Cape Town Highlanders had arrived in a Ra-tel infantry fighting vehicle, and Regiment Oranje-rivier were well-represented with their Rooikat ar-moured reconnaissance vehicle, driven by MWO Karel Minnie, the Regimental Sergeant-Major: as

always, this was an immediate hit among the youngsters, who swarmed all over it as

soon as their teachers had given them permission to ‘climb aboard’!

The SAMIL 20 gun tractor of Cape Field Artillery stood alongside one of their GV1 25-pounder guns. These guns are traditionally used to fire sa-lutes at ceremonial and annual occasions, such as the Opening of Parliament, Remembrance Day and the Gunners’ Memorial Service. They also regularly participate in the performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, which is one of the highlights of the Cape Town Military Tattoo at the Castle of Good Hope.

Troops from 9 South African Infantry (9 SAI) Battal-ion had brought along two Casspirs from their base in Eersterivier and set up a comprehensive weap-ons display in a camouflage tent. 9 SAI is a Regu-lar unit, with a long history, after several changes in name and format, it was known as the Cape Corps, until it was redesignated as 9 SAI in 1990.

The Drill and Marching Festival has its roots in a cadet marching programme that was initiated in 2007 by Mr Ruiters, a teacher at Portlands High School in Mitchell’s Plain, and Ms Lyrice Trussell, the senior curriculum adviseor for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). This programme, targeting Grade 12 Life Orien-tation learners, was incorporated into the weekly school timetable as a physical education class, and proved hugely popular. The children on the Cape Flats are exposed to many social prob-lems, including poverty, drug abuse, alcoholism, crime and gangsterism. This has led to a lack of discipline and respect for educators and fellow pupils, truancy and absenteeism, and violence in the classroom and on the playground.

The Western Cape Schools’ Marching Drill Festival 2012 at Florida Park in Ravensmead



Mr Ruiters’s marching programme has had a sig-nificantly, positive impact on the learners at the school, instilling qualities such as discipline, self-confidence, teamwork and leadership. Exhibition marching displays have also become a regular feature at school assemblies, which has incul-cated a sense of pride in the school, the school uniform and the school team.

From its humble beginnings at Portlands High School, the programme was rolled out to all the schools in Mitchell’s Plain, and beyond, to schools in the WCED education districts. This has led to the establishment of the Western Province School Marching Drill and Exhibition Association (WPSMDEA). The Western Cape is currently the only province, where Marching Drill competitions are held. Their goal is to promote and train schools in other provinces too, with the aim of holding a National Inter-schools Marching Competition in the future.

Thus far, accolades and recognitions have been-were received from the SA Army, the SA Navy, the SA Air Force, the London Metropolitan Police, the MEC for Education (Alderman Donald Grant), the MEC for Safety and Security (Alderman JP Smith), the Cape Town Metro Police, Traffic Services and Law Enforcement. These organisations have de-veloped a close relationship with the WPMA.

Mr Ruiters was recently interviewed for the eTV se-ries “South African Heroes: Teachers”.

In 2010, the SA Army Band Cape Town launched a Schools Outreach Programme, conducting workshops to train a selected group of learners in drilling and the basics of music, and introduc-ing them to career paths in the SANDF. All the learners who participate in the programme are eager to be selected for the WP Schools March-ing Team or Drill Squad.

The best learnersstudents from various schools on the Cape Flats were thus selected to be part of this Squad, which performed at the Castle during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 2010 Cape Town Military Tattoo and the 2011 Sunset Concert. They also performed at major events, including the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon and festi-vals in the City, in Oudtshoorn and in Hermanus. These public performances have a motivated the youngsters to train hard, to improve their skills, and to work together as a team with learners from other schools.

The inter-schools competition held at Flor-ida Park in October 2012 afforded them an opportunity to show

More than a dozen school marching teams arrive at Florida Park sports ground in Ravensmead to participate in the Western Cape Schools Marching Drill Festival 2012 on

Saturday, 20 October 2012.

The SANDF static displays are always very popular with the youngsters – here they are admiring one of the GV1

25-pounder guns of Cape Field Artillery.


off their drill and marching skills to their class-mates, their parents, their teachers – as well as to impress a group of knowledgeable adjudicators.

They did so with commendable enthusiasm: Lined up in columns of three abreast, all dressed in matching uniforms of different colours, each of the participating school teams marched onto the sports ground. As they marched, swinging their arms to shoulder-height, they shouted in unison, “Left, left, left-right-left, left, left, left-right-left.” Each group was led by a baton-twirling drum major, with an entourage of drummers and school-flag carri-ers bringing up the rear.

The relentless pounding of the drums ensured a fast marching pace, and their energy was con-tagious. The announcement of each school’s name was accompanied by a roar of excite-ment from the spectators and supporters on the grandstand. They had all leapt to their feet, cheering loudly and applauding, as the teams – holding their banners aloft and their heads up high – marched proudly past the stands: it was an impressive, colourful sight.

The festival included a mini-tattoo. The first act was the ever-popular SA Army Band Cape Town,

led by Drum Major Warrant Officer 2 André van Schalkwyk. As they played during

the singing of the South African National Anthem,

under the baton of Captain Vernon Michels, the SA national flag was ceremonially hoistedraised to mark the start of the event.

Marching past the stands in different formations, they performed several pieces on their own, be-fore they were joined by the Pipes and Drums of Cape Field Artillery in their scarlet Royal Stuart tartan kilts, brilliantly white shirts and black vests, who were led by Pipe Major Staff Sergeant An-drew Imrie. After performing ‘Scotland the Brave’, the beautiful ‘Amazing Grace’ and a rousing ‘Highland Cathedral’, they marched off the field to much applause. These two bands always work so well together – all the band members are ded-icated musicians, passionate about their work, and willing to give their time and energy to reach out to the community.

Next were the St Joseph Worker Church Lads and Girls Brigade from Bishop Lavis, who impressed the spectators with their musical skills on fifes, drums and bugles. A non-profit organisation es-tablished in 1952, this bBrigade has become one of the leading organisations to raise awareness ofon all social issues and to train potential lead-ers within the community it serves.

The Dog Unit of 505 Squadron from Air Force Base Ysterplaat had the youngsters on the edge of their seats with a thrilling demonstration. 505 Squadron is tasked with protecting and safe-

MWO Karel Minnie, the Regimental Sergeant Major of Regiment Oranje Rivier, keeps a watchful eye on the Rooikat

armoured reconnaissance vehicle of ROR, as the curious youngsters explore it. Mr Saeed Ruiters and Marlon Johnson, a learner at Portlands

High School and a drummer in the school’s Drill Squad.


guarding all personnel, buildings and equipment of AFB Ysterplaat. The handlers showed how well-trained and obedient the dogs are in tack-ling and bringing down attackers. As the roar of the crowd increased to fever pitch, one of the sol-diers in a thickly padded protective suit and hel-met was chased and brought down by two dogs.

They also gave an excellent fire and movement demonstration, with much pyrotechnics from thun-derflashes and blank-firing R4 rifles. Partially hid-den by red smoke that billowed across the field, the soldiers advanced on a ‘thief’ who had stolen a mini-bus. The principle of the ‘fire and movement’ technique is that one military unit (in this case, made up of about three soldiers) starts firing at the target (suppressive fire), while another unit (an-other three soldiers) advances towards the target. The second unit then halts and begins suppres-sive fire, while the first unit advances once more. In this way, they alternated firing and advancing, until they have reached their target. A final, thunderous single salute from the Cape Field Artillery’s GV1 25-pounder gun concluded the exciting show!

Thereafter, the schools competed in the following categories: Best Dress; Grand March Past; Best Drum Major; Best Exhibition and Highest Points.

The adjudicators were all experts in the field of drill-ing; eager to plough their expertise back into the community, they willingly shared their wealth of knowledge with the schools and the WPMA. They included SA Army war veterans, formerly from the SA Coloured Corps and based at 9 SAI, namely, Major E Esterhuize, Warrant Officer A Bengell and Warrant Officer J van Zyl. Still active members of the SA Navy were Warrant Officer 2 J Bright, Warrant Officer K Swartz and Chief Petty Officer JJ Prins.

Elsies River High School won the overall highest points in their division, followed by Oval North, who came second, and Florida High School, who ran a close third. Harvester Primary School scored the highest points overall in the Primary School division, beating Merrydale Primary by only two points, followed by Meadowridge Pri-

mary in third place. Schools were divided into groups, with each school competing for itself, as well as gaining points for their respective groups.During the schools’ individual performances, the WP selectors chose the best marchers to form the WP Schools Marching Team. Learners will receive their WP caps (colours) after a successful WP trial.

It had been an exciting and uplifting event. It was very clear from their smiling faces and their en-thusiastic participation, that the youngsters had a great time on the field, and that they enjoyed the opportunity to proudly show off their march-ing skills as well as their teamwork to their peers and supporters. Congratulations to the winners!

Praise and acknowledgement must also go to the organisers of this festival and all the peo-ple who worked so tirelessly behind the scenes, generously giving of their time and resources: the WPMA, the teachers, the instructors, the ad-judicators, the security guards, the soldiers from the SANDF, both Regular and Reserve Forces, and the musicians from the various bands.

Their willingness to reach out to the community and to inspire the younger generation by supporting this event had undoubtedly made a very posi-tive impression on everyone who attended the Western Cape Schools Marching Drill Festival of 2012.

The airmen of 505 Squadron, which is tasked with protecting and safeguarding all personnel, buildings and equipment

of AFB Ysterplaat, give a thrilling fire and movement demonstration.


On Saturday, 10 November 2012, Colo-nel Bernie Ashlin formally handed over command of Fort Ikapa Military Base to

Lieutenant Colonel Stephan Pierce. The change of command parade took place in perfect Cape Town summer weather, with the heat shimmer-ing off the parade ground outside the Base Headquarters, and a very light breeze fluttering through the South African flags that lined the ap-proach road.

Fort Ikapa is the first fully functional SA Army Re-serve Force Base in the SANDF, and the first such base that is managed and operated by Reserves, supported by a very small Regular contingent. It

provides training and log facilities for up to 300 troops at a time. It also houses a Dis-

tance Learning Centre for the SA Army Infantry Formation,

which was completed in December 2007, and the first system indoor shooting range.

Covering an area of 54 hectares, and surround-ed by a 2.7km long electrified perimeter fence, the property belongs to the Graaff Trust. During World War II, however, it was ceded to the SA Army for life, or until the Army closes the base. In addition, it is a national fynbos heritage site, with several designated areas being home to very rare plants that are protected species.

The early beginnings of this base go back to 1999, when the Department of Defence was sell-ing off certain SANDF properties, one of which was the area of the old 6 Base Ordinance Depot for the Wingfield Aerodrome, which was utilised by the English Royal Navy in 1941, during World War II, and thereafter became the home of 71 Motorised Brigade.

In February 2000, the Reserve Force Regimen-tal Officers Commanding in the Western Cape, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Gerstner, held a meeting with the then General Officer Command-ing SA Army Infantry Formation, Major General Derek Mgwebe. At that time, the Reserve Force regiments were scattered all over the Cape Pen-insula. It was decided that they all be moved to Acacia Park, which was to be the new home of the Reserves in the Western Province. The GOC instructed Colonel Alan Nelson to plan and im-plement the project, which became known as Project Fort Ikapa: its aim was to provide head-quarter facilities, as well as shared accommo-dation and messing facilities, for all the Reserve Force regiments of the Western Province.

A First-Class Change–of–Command Parade at Fort Ikapa



An impressive amount of work has been done at Fort Ikapa since 2000. Once the perimeter fence was repaired and secured, the hangars – originally used as stores – were converted into regimental HQs. Roads, electricity, sewage and water reticu-lation systems were installed. Overgrown vegeta-tion and shrubs were cleared – an ongoing project. Accommodation and messing facilities for troops and Non-Commissioned Officers were construct-ed, and suitable accommodation for Officers and Warrant Officers is now available too. A new pa-rade ground and obstacle course have also been constructed, as has a new hospitality facility.

Since its early beginnings, an increasing num-ber of Reserve Force regiments have made this base their home. There are currently 12 regiments represented: Cape Field Artillery, Cape Garrison Artillery, Cape Town Rifles (Dukes), Cape Town Highlanders, Regiment Westelike Provincie, 3 Parachute Battalion C-Coy, Regiment Oranjerivier, 3 Field Engineers, 71 Signal Unit, 4 Maintenance Unit, 30 Field Workshop and 3 Medical Battalion.

Lieutenant Colonel J.C.A. Gerstner was Base Commander during its early years, from 2000 to 2003, with Colonel B.M. Ashlin taking over as Base Commander in 2004, a post that he held until October 2012, when Lieutenant Colonel S.E. Pierce was appointed.

Colonel Bernie Ashlin, born on 16 February 1948 in Cape Town, attended the Salesian Institute of Cape Town and obtained a BSc in Mechani-cal Engineering at the University of Cape Town in 1973. He worked at Metal Box in Epping from 1974 until 1992; between 1992 and 2006, he was Managing Director of Cape Manufacturing Engi-neers (Pty) Ltd, one of the Western Cape’s larg-est and most established and most diversified manufacturing and engineering companies.

Colonel Ashlin completed his national service in the State President’s Guard (1967-1968), before being posted to the Cape Town Highlanders in July 1969. He advanced through the ranks from

Colonel Ashlin and Lieutenant Colonel Pierce inspecting the parade with Major Boshoff of

the Dukes.

Colonel Ashlin thanks Lieutenant Colonel Herman Morkel for delivering his speech so

spectacularly by parachute.

Guests attending the change of command parade at Fort Ikapa on 10 November 2012.


The troops welcome their new Officer

Commanding of Fort Ikapa, Lieutenant Colonel Stephan

Pierce.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephan Pierce, the new Officer Commanding of Fort Ikapa, is congratulated by Lieutenant Colonel Johan Conradie (SO1 of the

Defence Reserves Provincial Office Western Cape), as Colonel Bernie Ashlin looks on.

Corporal to Battalion Commander, which posi-tion he held from July 1989 until his retirement in April 2000.

During his military career, he was deployed to the border between SWA/Namibia and Angola for Operation Savannah in 1976 and Operation Prone in 1988. He attended numerous brigade and di-visional exercises at the then Lohatla Army Bat-tle School and at De Brug Training Area between 1975 and 1995. He was part of Operation Thunder Chariot at Lohatla in 1984, and was deployed in-ternally throughout the country from 1980 to 1994. In 2003, he came out of retirement to accept an appointment as Fort Ikapa Base E.T.D. (Educa-tion, Training and Development), before becom-ing Base Commander in March 2004.

Colonel Ashlin has received several medals and decorations, namely, the John Chard Medal and Decoration (12 years and 20 years), the John Chard Bar (30 years), the Unitas Medal, the Gen-eral Service Medal, the Pro Patria Medal, the Cu-nene Clasp, a Chief Army Commendation Certifi-cate and the Military Merit Medal.

On 10 November 2012, Colonel Ashlin officially handed over command of the base to Lieutenant Colonel S.E. Pierce, during a first-class parade that evidenced excellent collaboration between the various Reserve Force regiments. Military of-ficers praised the professionalism and discipline of the participants, and remarked on the very high standards set by this parade.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephan Edward Pierce, born on 29 May 1962 in Bellville, Cape Town, matricu-lated from the J.G. Meiring Secondary School in Goodwood in 1979. Thereafter, he completed two years of national service at 5 South African Infantry Battalion, during which he qualified as a platoon commander and spent time on the SWA border. He was transferred to the Western Province Command Training Wing as a course leader, until he reported at Regiment Boland, the then sister unit of Regiment Westelike Provin-cie (RWP), in July 1982. He obtained a National Higher Diploma in Construction Technology at the then Cape Technikon in 1987, and received a prize as the best student in the final year of study.

During his service in Regiment Boland, he ad-vanced through the ranks, until the unit was taken up by RWP. In 2000, he was appointed the Bat-talion second in command of RWP. After he had completed his Battalion Commanders Battle Handling Course at Infantry School in 2005, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appoint-ed as Officer Commanding of RWP. He is cred-ited with building RWP into one of the best trans-formed infantry units in the SANDF Reserves.

Lieutenant Colonel Pierce has received several medals, namely, the Pro Patria Medal, the Uni-tas Medal, the General Service Medal, the John Chard Medal, the 20 Years and 30 Years Good Service Medals, and the Tshumelo Ikatelaho (General Service Medal for participation in inter-nal/external military operations).


The parade was attended by Commanding Offic-ers, Regimental Sergeants Major, Warrant Offic-ers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and soldiers of various military regiments, as well as veterans and friends. Special guests included Brigadier General M.J. de Goede (Director Area Defence at SA Army Infantry Formation), Colonel Siseko Nombewu (Officer Commanding of the School of Infantry in Oudtshoorn), Colonel Alan Nelson (Director of Project Fort Ikapa) and Captain (SAN) Trunell Mo-rom (SSO Defence Reserves Western Cape).

Captain John Manning of the Cape Town Rifles (Dukes), in his role as announcer, welcomed the assembled guests, who took their seats by 09h45. The SA Army Band Cape Town under Drum Major WO2 André van Schalkwyk, wearing their chilli-red tunics, and the Cape Town Highlanders Drums and Pipes in their dark-green Gordon tartan kilts, provided a fitting musical backdrop to the parade. Colonel Ashlin and Lieutenant Colonel Pierce were escorted to the podium by Captain John Dorrington of the Dukes and Captain Will Carter of the Cape Town Highlanders. Chaplain Koegelen-berg led the scripture reading.

A special surprise was the dramatic arrival – by parachute! – of Lieutenant Colonel Herman Mor-kel 101 Air Supply Unit, who leapt out of a high-flying Oryx helicopter. All eyes were focused on him, as he circled lower and lower, obeying the signals of the red, orange and green smoke gre-nades, until he landed safely on a small grassy area adjacent to the parade ground. His flawless and skilful landing was acknowledged with much appreciative applause.

Everyone had come to pay their respects to Colonel Ashlin, whose resourcefulness and dedi-cation to the long-term vision for Fort Ikapa had cemented the foundations of what has devel-oped into a well-established military base. The fact that it is to be used as a model for other Reserve Force bases throughout the country is testimony to the high esteem in which it is held.

Colonel Ashlin explained that he had come out of retirement because he valued the strong sense of camaraderie he experienced in the military, and because he wanted to devote his energies to an important project: “By serving your country, the greatest gift you will receive is not money, but friendship of a special kind.”

He emphasised his view that the regiment is like family, and that a strong regiment is essential to ensure a strong Reserve Force. Unlike their counterparts in the Regular Force, however, re-servists – and especially those in full-time civil-ian employment – sometimes find it challenging to balance the three different areas of their lives: their work, their families, and their commitment to their regiment. Often, he commented wryly, it is the family – the spouse and the children – who do not receive enough quality time, and thus he was looking forward to spending more time with his family after his retirement.

He added that it was essential for the Reserve Force regiments to provide training for their own troops on the base, and underlined that many of these troops were in fact being deployed both in-ternationally and nationally along South Africa’s borders, even more so than in the past.

Colonel Ashlin spoke eloquently and from the heart, thanking all the guests who had come to say goodbye: “I would like to say a special thank you to all the people here today who have influenced my life and become my friends and helped me grow.”

In closing, he stated: “Fort Ikapa is a model of friendship – here, units from all the formations cooperate, help communicate, assist one anoth-er – today is proof of this. You are unique and this model is being rolled out to other provinces. You are role models to your country and the SANDF and must be thanked for your spirit to serve.”

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

By: P/Sgt H.C. Veitch

Having been invited to the 2012 Tattoo in 2011, preparations were under way when we discovered that the majority of our

band members would not be able to attend. Unfortunately, our pipe major, Charles Canning, would be available only for the last week of the Edingburgh tattoo.

Happily, strings were pulled and a com-posite band was put together con-sisting of pipers and drummers from the C.T.H., Knysna, Port Elizabeth and East London bands. An ex-pipe major of the C.T.H., Steve Collins was re-enlisted and ably led the band at the Tattoo. After a hectic redistribution of C.T.H. greens, travel ar-rangements etc., we were off.

Prior to 2012, we were housed and fed at Redford Barracks – a cavalry and infantry school about thirty minutes from Edinburgh Castle. We were in for a surprise this year – our quarters had moved to Pollock Halls, a residential establish-ment of Edinburgh University. What a pleasure! - instead of spartan barracks, we each had single, en-suite rooms. The restaurant was excellent as well, with a variety of dishes to suit all tastes.

We came down to earth with a bump on the first Monday. Buses collected us and we were depos-ited at Redford Barracks, where we rehearsed all day under the steely eye of Major Small, Director of Massed Pipe Bands. Back to Pollock Halls for

supper, then off again by bus to the Castle Es-planade for further practice. So it went on

for four days of endless square bash-ing, piping and drumming.

Incidentally, unlike stormy Cape Town, the weath-er was wonderful: blue skies, sunny to hot. We all got Glengarry burns!

The dress rehearsal was on Thursday, 2 August. There was an audience of over eight thousand and the fact that Major Small was clapping along madly with the spectators as we marched off at

the finale says it all – we were not only good, we were the best!

The theme for the tattoo this year was the Diamond Jubi-

lee in honour of Her Majes-ty, Queen Elizabeth II. The formation by the massed Pipes and Drums dur-ing the medley was in the shape of a diamond, the pipers forming an outer dia-

mond, with the drummers making a smaller one inside.

Quite effective but very difficult to execute perfectly.

Australia was the largest overseas con-tingent with four pipe bands, a brass band and OzScot Highland Dancers. Other performers were the Top Secret Drum Corps from Swit-zerland, the Norwegian Brass Band and Kings Guard, the U.S. Marines and Highland Dancers.

The finale was based on the Queen’s Corona-tion in 1953, and extracts of the coronation music were played by the massed bands, which made for a memorable ending.

When the cannons go off above us on the Half Moon Battery and the smoke machines do their stuff as we march through the castle entrance, rubbing shoulders with our fellow bands – it is a grand feeling indeed!


Breathes there a man, with soul so dead,

Who never to himself hath said,This is my own, my native land!

Land of brown heath and shaggy wood,

Land of the mountain and the flood,Land of my sires! What mortal hand

Can e’er untie the filial band,That knits me to this rugged strand!

SCOTLAND, SCOTLAND THE BRAVE!

Sir Walter Scott

SA Army Specialist Infantry CapabilityBy: Lt Col J.J.M. Mlotswa, Officer Commanding SAASIC


As a result of the SANDF being request-ed to safeguard the SA borders, both C SANDF and C SA Army in their 2008/2009

and 2009/2010 Command Briefs directed that the Specialist Infantry Capability must be estab-lished.

Chief of the SA Army through Chief Director Force Preparation instructed GOC SA Infantry Forma-tion to investigate the viability of re-establishing a Specialized Infantry Capability. The GOC Infantry Formation then tasked the OC Infantry School to assemble a team to conduct the investigation.

Site visits were conducted at Protea Base: Mili-tary Veterinary Institute (MVI), 102 Workshop, 1 Tactical Intelligence Regt, 17 Maintenance Unit, Mob Art Regt, ASB Potch and SAPS Mounted School.

The intention of the site visits was to gather infor-mation so as to make sound conclusions.

The team presented finalized decision briefs to the following forums: • GOC Infantry Formation – 28 June 2010. • SA Army Force Preparation – 29 June 2010. • Joint Landward Defence Capability Board -

22 July 2010. • Army Council – 02 November 2010. • Joint Operations Board (JOB) – 23 Novem-

ber 2010. • SAMHS Force Preparation Forum – 24

November 2010. • Military Command Council – 07 March 2011.

Implementation Instructions were issued by C SANDF on 20 Apr 2011, C Army on 15 Apr 2011 and the GOC Infantry Formation on 18 April 2011.

The Advance Party moved to Potchefstroom on the 20 April 2011 consisting of 11 members from Infantry School and 9 members from ASB Pot-chefstroom.

The Main Body arrived on the 06 June 2011 con-sisting of members from various Infantry Units and other Corps.

Combat Readiness Training was conducted over the period June to August 2011 and Alpha Company was declared Combat Ready and has been deployed in Musina since 1 September 2011.

Rfn Sithole jumping an obstacle.


A team comprising 16 members from SAASIC, Infantry Fmn Research and Development and the CSIR are busy researching the motorcycle that will replace the XT 350 in future. The whole process should be finalized by latest February 2013.

14 Members are currently on the learning prog-ramme presented by MECHEM wrt Military Ex-plosive, Drugs and Detection System (MEDDS) as well as canine. This will ensure that the unit will be acquainted with the latest developments on certain aspects of Specialist Infantry Capa-bility.

Progress made by SAASIC during 2011/ 2012

The unit was mobilized, trained, evaluated and declared Combat Ready to provide Forces to CJ Ops for Op CORONA in Musina on the 28 August 2011.

A Coy that consists of the following elements has deployed:

1 X Motorcycle Platoon 1 X Horse Platoon 1 X Dog Platoon 1 X Composite of Reserve element

(SAASIC Reserves)

Dog Platoon of A Coy busy with retraining for Ops Corona.

Motorcycle Platoon from A Coy busy with retraining for Ops Corona in Musina.

VISION The SA Army Spec Infantry Ca-

pability functions effectively and

is the irreplaceable link to Op-

erations and Specialist Infantry

Capabilities in the SANDF.

MISSION SAASIC as a force multiplier is

to prepare and provide combat

ready Specialist Infantry Capabil-

ity on behalf of the C Army, as

part of the Area Defence Opera-

tions Capability of the SANDF,

focusing on the SANDF missions.

Crux of the Mission To provide Specialist Infantry

Capabilities.


Background

From the earliest times in history, “postal services” existed in the form of mes-sengers who travelled large distances on foot or horseback. On 9 October, 1874 the General Postal Union was established in the Swiss capital, Bern.

The union’s name was changed to the Univer-sal Postal Union (UPU) in 1878. In 1948, the UPU became a specialised agency of the United Na-tions. 9 October was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969.

Awareness

The purpose of World Post Day is to create aware-ness of the role of the postal sector in people’s and businesses’ everyday lives and its contribution to the social and economic development of countries.

On 9 October 2012, the South African Post Office celebrated World Post Day by issuing a set of 10 commemorative postage stamps and two spe-cial first-day covers in recognition of the excel-lent services rendered by 11 Field Postal Unit (11 FPU) to the SANDF and its personnel wherever they may be deployed during operations and large-scale exercises.

The self-adhesive stamp sheet is die-cut to the shape of Africa which is symbolic of the services rendered by 11 FPU to the members of the SANDF deployed in the mission areas in Central Africa.

The stamps depict a vari-ety of activities relating to the Unit. These include parcels being accepted at Field Post Office 3, Air Force Base, Waterkloof;

parcels being scanned before being dispatched; mail loaded into a Hercules C130 aircraft at Air Force Base, Waterkloof from where it is trans-ported to the various mission areas in Africa; soldiers awaiting the arrival of mail from home in front of a typical Field Post Office in the mission areas; FPO personnel checking mail as well as soldiers receiving parcels and mailing letters.

These stamps and first-day covers are prised by stamp collectors and philatelists (people who study stamps) all over the world.

11 Field Postal Unit. A specialist unit with a special mission

“We deliver whatever it takes” has a completely different meaning when it comes to the dedi-cated members of 11 FPU. This unit is dedicated to providing an efficient

World Post Day – The importance of mail

By: Lt Col (Ret) Rudi van Heerden, former Officer Commanding 11 FPU

Left to Right: Col C. Hepburn, SA Army Reserves, the Deputy Minister of Communications, Mrs Stella Tembisa

Ndabeni, and Maj Gen K. Mokoape, Chief SA Army Reserves during the celebration of World Post Day

on 9 October 2012.


field postal service to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and its members.

The founding of 11 FPU, established on 1 Octo-ber 1964, resulted from negotiations between the South African Post Office (SAPO) and the South African Defence Force when the need for an ef-ficient field postal service for troops in uniform was identified.

The then Under-Secretary: Posts and later Depu-ty Postmaster General: Telecommunications, Mr Chris Gouws, was the first officer commanding of the unit. Initially, 25 employees from SAPO volun-teered to do military service in the interest of SA troops that had been mobilised and deployed.

11 FPU is fully operational in Africa to this day. It is the only Reserve unit that has been deployed continuously since the first South African troops were deployed in Central Africa in 2001. Mem-bers of 11 FPU are reserves who sacrifice their time to serve their fellow combatants. All reserves called up for service at field post offices (FPO’s) are full-time employees of the SAPO.

In 2002, the SAPO Board of Directors approved that post office employees henceforth be paid in full and without forfeiting any emoluments whilst doing military service as members of 11 FPU.

This support is the sort of initiative that can be expected from a socially responsible and pro-gressive company. It is an important message to other organisations that the Post Office is a car-ing organisation that is committed to the wellbe-ing of the African subcontinent.

To this day the SAPO is, as far as can be ascer-tained, the only parastatal that has embarked on this initiative since the first South African soldiers were deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo more than a decade ago.

With the foregoing in mind, the SAPO released 27 of its employees from all over the country for a

Ms Mthethwa, a board member of the SA Post Office, handing over a framed set of 10 stamps and two first-day covers to Maj

Gen K. Mokoape, Chief SA Army Reserves.

Maj Gen K. Mokoape and the Deputy Minister of Communications, Mrs Stella Tembisa Ndabeni.


period of two months, with full salary, to do Basic Military Training at 3 South African Infantry Bat-talion in Kimberley. The SAPO once again took a bold first step and is an example to all other corporates.

These new soldiers were posted to 11 FPU where they will assist in fulfilling the critical requirement of rendering an efficient field postal service to and from soldiers deployed in Central Africa and their loved ones at home.

11 FPU plays a major role in supporting the SANDF. It is a specialist unit, not an extension or duplication of any service rendered by any other unit within the SANDF. As a leader in ensuring that communica-tion channels between deployed soldiers abroad and their families are maintained, its activities are regulated and supported by the SAPO.

Field Post Office 3 at Air Force Base Waterkloof is the heartbeat of the unit’s operations and its main dispatching hub. FPO 3 renders a valuable ser-vice to the troops deployed in the mission areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR).

The history of the unit is a story of constant change and adaptation to new circumstances.

During the Republic Festival in 1966, the unit rendered a fully-fledged field postal service to participating troops for the first time. Since then, the unit had deployed more than 50 FPO’s dur-ing various military exercises and operations in South Africa and abroad.

In December 1975, owing to circumstances on the then South West African (now Namibian)/An-golan border, an extensive investigation with re-gard to the distribution of mail in the operational area was undertaken. Grootfontein was identified as the main receiving and distribution centre. Following this, 14 members from 11 FPU were deployed at Grootfontein to establish an efficient mail distribution system in the operational area.

FPO 2 became operational on 2 January 1976. Fully-fledged financial counter facilities were also provided at a later stage.

With the deployment of FPO 1 Air Force Base, Waterkloof on July 1, 1982, the main mail distribu-tion centre, FPO 2, at Grootfontein, was moved to Pretoria. By doing so, the field postal system was improved, as mail was now transported by air.

When the conflict on the Namibian border came to an end in 1989, FPO 2 was de-commissioned.

Subsequent to the South African government de-ciding that South Africa is to support the peace initiatives of the United Nations in Central Africa, Field Post Office 3 was deployed at Air Force Base, Waterkloof

At the time of going to press, there were eight different FPOs in operation in Africa. They are the following:

Field Post Office 3: Air Force Base, Waterkloof

FPO 31: Munigi Base, Goma (DRC)

FPO 312: Goma (DRC)

FPO 313: Likasi, Lumbumbashi (DRC)

FPO 33: Kinshasa (DRC)

FPO 34: El Fasher (the Sudan)

FPO 341: Mellit (the Sudan)

FPO 35: Bangui (CAR)

The unit has made great progress over the past years; it has increased customer confidence and ensured overall customer satisfaction. The unit has extended its range of services at FPO 3 to include electronic money transfers, PostBank transactions, municipal accounts, prepaid phone cards, prepaid Internet services, the purchas-ing of stationery and various other value-adding services.


9 October 2012, celebrated worldwide as World Post Day, has new significance for 11 Field Postal Unit, a Reserve Force unit

under the command of the SA Army Signal For-mation, as it saw the launch of a set of 10 stamps and two first-day covers by the South African Post Office, honouring the services rendered by the unit. The launch took place during a pres-tigious ceremony held at Waterkloof Air Force Base, with many VIP guests in attendance, such as the Deputy Minister of Communications, Mrs Stella Tembisa Ndabeni.

In her address, Ms Mthethwa, board member of the South African Post Office, said that the theme for World Post Day is “The Post, an invaluable pub-lic service worldwide”, an appropriate theme in paying tribute to 11 Field Postal Unit. The stamps illustrate various activities relating to 11 Field Post-al Unit. These include parcels being accepted at Field Post Office 3, Air Force Base, Waterkloof; parcels being scanned before being dispatched; mail loaded into a Hercules C130 aircraft at AFB Waterkloof from where it is transported to mission areas in Africa; soldiers awaiting mail from home at a field post office; field post office personnel checking mail, and soldiers receiving parcels and posting letters. The artist responsible for the art-work on the stamps is Mr Jerry Lion.

Maj Gen Keith M. Mokoape, Chief SA Army Re-serves, said “11 Field Postal Unit is a specialist unit with the mission of ensuring that wherever soldiers are deployed, they are in communica-tion with their loved ones, can manage their lives, and thus concentrate on their core tasks”.

11 Field Postal Unit was established on 1 Oc-tober 1964 after negotiations between

the South African Defence Force and the South African

Post Office. The unit and Field Post Office 3 are situated just outside the main entrance to Waterk-loof Air Force Base, Pretoria. The unit has two post offices in Goma, Eastern DRC, one in Lubum-bashi, Katanga Region, two in Darfur, the Sudan, and one in Bangui, Central African Republic.

Field Post Office 3 offers a range of value- add-ing services, such as electronic money transfers, Post Bank transactions, municipality accounts, prepaid phone cards and Internet services, and various types of purchases. The FPO3 distrib-uted 246 000 tons of post and handled 31 900 parcels in 2011. This year alone, 14 922 parcels have been handled.

11 Field Postal Unit have not only left their “stamp” on history but also, through the launch of the stamp set and first-day covers, on the lives of deployed soldiers and their loved ones every day, ensuring that all-important letters or parcels from home are “delivered whatever it takes”.

The history of 11 FPU can be found under “Regi-mental Histories” on www.rfdiv.mil.za

11 Field Postal Unit – leaving their “Stamp” on History

Article and Photographs by: Major Lizette Lombard, SO2 Corporate Communication, SA Army Signal Formation

Above:10 Stamps

and Two First-Day Covers.

Mr Jerry Lion – Artist of the 10 Stamps and Two First-Day Covers.


The SANDF Reserves were once again for-tunate to be able to send members to par-ticipate in the Netherlands Reserve Armed

Forces International Shooting Competition in Hol-land at Haarskamp military base in October 2012. When it comes to Combat Shooting, specifically with rifles, the South African soldier has on more than one occasion shown that he or she can com-pete and beat the best the world can offer. We have in no uncertain terms boosted the image of the SANDF through our presence, competence and conduct. The SANDF Reserve Teams finished a very credible 2nd place overall, taking into account 15 countries were represented by 48 teams.

The team consisted of the following members:

a. Lt Col L. Botha, Delegation Leader, SA Army Artillery Formation.

b. CWO D.J. Tshabalala, team manager, SA Army Infantry Formation.

c. WO2 C. Coetsee, ladies team manager, Regt Piet Retief (Female).

d. Lt H.B. Motsile, Vrystaat Artillerie Regt.e. Bdr D.M. Rossouw, Vrystaat Artillerie Regt

(Female).

f. Bdr H.J. v/d Merwe, Vrystaat Artillerie Regt.g. Cpl S. Mienie, Cape Town Rifles (Dukes).h. Cpl V. Troskie, Transvaal Scottish.i. Cpl T. Viti, Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) (Fe-

male).j. Rfn H. Mokgheti, Regt De La Rey.k. Rfn Japhta, Cape Town Rifles (Dukes).l. Gnr A. Wink, Vrystaat Artillerie Regt (Female).

The competition is divided into four categories:

a. Pistol (Glock 9mm).b. Rifle (FAL 7.62 mm) which is the equivalent

of our R1.c. Rifle (Diemaco C7 5.56) which is a copy

of the M16 made under licence in Canada and similar to our R4.

d. Indoor rifle simulator range.

Although shooting with unfamiliar weapons, the teams did exceptionally well. The A team came second overall. First in the Rifle FAL category, and fifth in the Rifle Diemaco C7 category . The lady’s team came third in the Rifle Diemarco category.

Individually Cpl V.H. Troskie came second in the Rifle FAL category and Bdr D.M. Rossouw came third in the indoor rifle simulator. The re-sults speak for themselves and the South African team certainly made themselves known and flew the flag high and proud.

The team would like to express their gratitude to the Chief of the SA Army and the Reserve Force Council for making this tour the suc-cess that it was.

Netherlands International Reserve Shooting Competition October 2012 (NISC 2012)

By: Lt Col L. Botha, SA Army Artillery Formation

Members firing on the indoor rifle simulator range.


Commemoration in Egypt of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein

By: Capt B.S. Nene, Transvaal Horse Artillery

The Battle of El Alamein which was fought in the Western Desert in October 1942, is regarded by many as having turned the

tide in favour of the Western Alies in World War II. I was fortunate to have been selected as a Re-serve Force Officer, to attend the 70th Commem-oration of the Battle in Egypt.

In the Battle of El Alamein War Cemetery lies about 7240 of Allied forces with the proud hearts of victory over the Nazi forces. El Alamein re-vived the morale of the Allied side, being the first major offensive against the Germans since the start of the European War in 1939 in which the Western Allies achieved a decisive victory.

Many South African soldiers took part in the oper-ation, which started at 9:30pm. The South Afri-

can artillery alone fired 62 000 25-pounder shells. The battle lasted from 23 Oc-

tober to 4 November 1942.

Success in the battle turned the tide in the North African Campaign and marked the end of Axis expansion in Africa. 734 South African soldiers were killed at El Alamein.

From the moment I set foot on Egyptian soil I started imagining the sound of the guns and the sounds of the small calibre weapons, not to men-tion the aircraft with their rockets and bombs. Yes, I was in the sacred place that carries the history of the world from the history of Moses and the children of Israel to WWII and soldiers of all races – from Private Sheba to Private Nyathi, Gunner Smith to Major Venter. This bears testimony to the fact that uniform and war know no race but only soldiers who are united. On our arrival at the Cairo airport we had a very warm welcome by Colonel Mokoena (Military attaché to Egypt) who only had one request from all of us; to pray un-ceasingly as we were in the birth land of religions.

Above: SA Memorial at El Alamein.


Soon after we were into the busses, we em-barked on the journey to El Alamein about three hours from Cairo. On arrival at our destination we checked in to our arranged accommodation and made ready for our first rehearsal for the Memo-rial Service that took place on the 18th of October followed by the final rehearsal on Friday the 19th

October 2012. It was the most extraordinary ex-perience of my career. To walk in that memorial, viewing the names of our beloved soldiers of the SA Armed Forces was a privilege. I also had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of the entire South African Artillery Corps.

We went to Alexandria town on Thursday after-noon after the parade rehearsal to explore Egypt and learn about the local lifestyle and habits of the Egyptian people. We also visited Giza Pyra-mids on Sunday the 21st of October 2012 before heading to the airport to catch the flight back home. It was a wonderful experience being able to explore one of the Eight Wonders of the World. The Memorial Service was perfectly executed by all members who were tasked (Army, Navy, Air Force etc.) We were also blessed by the pres-

ence of the South African Ambassador to Egypt Mrs Mayende-Sibiya and the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Thabang Mak-wetla. There was a large number of civilians who attended our memorial parade, drawn by the Piper W01 Herwill of the SA Irish, who blessed us with that marvellous sound that ignited memories of the past. The Navy band also did not fall back and relax but provided us with state of the art mu-sic and gave lavish support to Chaplain Bosiki who graced the parade with a service. The band did not end there; they also gave a special perfor-mance at the cocktail function where all the mem-bers were invited to relax with the Deputy Minister and the Ambassador.

I would like to thank the South African National Defence Force, SA Army Artillery Formation, Chief of Defence Reserves and my unit Transvaal Horse Artillery and its Regimental Council for giving me such an unforgettable opportunity to represent my country and the Gunners in com-memorating the Battle of EL Alamein in Egypt. There are so many things I can talk about but the most important is that the parade was executed with dignity and respect to our fallen heroes.

Capt Nene, THA, on a camel in Cairo.


The Umvoti Mounted Rifles Comrades’ As-sociation is proud to announce the com-pletion of the New History of the Umvoti

Mounted Rifles.

The New History cov-ers the period 1864 to 2004 and took 20 years of hard work and effort, long nights and weekends to complete. Dr Mark Coghlan put it all to-gether and wrote the text.

The History was launched on the 20th

October 2012 at the UMR Head Quarters in Pine-town. A Unit Medal Parade also took place dur-ing the event.

Senior guests of honour that were present during the launch were:• Major General Roy Andersen – Chief of

Defence Reserves. • Brigadier General Chris Gildenhuys – Gen-

eral Officer Commanding, South African Army Armour Formation;

• Doctor Mark Coghlan – Historian and Author • Mr. T. Zondi – Chairperson Bhambatha

Centenary Committee and honorary mem-ber of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles.

• Mrs. P Swan – representing the late Major George Swan.

A short summary of the new history of

the Umvoti Mounted Rifles

1864 – 2004

It is May 1983. The UMR is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its Headquarters, the UMR Hall, in Greytown. A medal parade, civic dinner and a number of other events are on the programme. The members of the Unit are upbeat and enthu-siastic and look forward to the activities.

There is an officers’ meeting in the old UMR Hall. On the agenda, the Unit’s history from 1975 when the last edition was published.

A decision is taken to appoint a senior officer (Major L. Palmer) to commence working on the History project. The idea is to begin collecting material, articles and photographs, interview-ing the older ex-members and Comrades of the Unit, collecting anecdotes and any other related information. The years passed and the work load increased as time went on. The one man project became a 4 member committee and members came and went. Major Palmer was transferred to Oribi Commando and had to pass the task on.

In 1994, Lt. Col. Lloyd Wilson and the late Major George Swan perused the historical information that had been collected in the form of newspaper cuttings and numerous historical documents at the Redhill Headquarters, and decided to continue the process of the history re-write. At a subsequent Regimental Council and Comrades meeting in May of 1994, the Chair of the Council, Lt. Col. Wilson asked Lt. Col John Allchin to head a committee

The History of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles

By: Lt Col (Ret) Laurence Palmer


tasked to continue the project and bring it to finality.Lt Col. John Allchin took over the project. Under his direction the work continued until in, 2004, there was enough progress to appoint a profes-sional scribe to put it all together.

Lt. Col. Allchin, resident in Umtentwini on the KZN South coast, was ably assisted by Lt. John du Preez, a Pietermaritzburg resident, with the direction of the task.

Dr. Mark Coghlan of the Pietermar-itzburg Museum, a person of great experience and insight into military history in KwaZulu-Natal, was ap-proached and accepted the assign-ment: To draft, collate and produce the History of the UMR 1864 to 2004.

The rest is history, the culmination of over 20-odd years of hard but ful-filling work. As the reader turns the pages of this work, the history of the illustrious UMR will unfold before his/her very eyes, and the reader will be taken for the ride of a lifetime.

The ride starts with a small band of 45 cavalry volunteers in Greytown and ends with a modern Armoured Car Regiment, a compliment of 254 trained men and women, equipped with Rooicat armoured vehicles and a modern and functional headquar-ters at Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal.

The Umvoti Mounted Rifles is one of the oldest Regiments in the South Africa National Defence Force. It will be 150 years old on 16 May 2014.

The regiment fought gallantly and with honour in the South African (Zulu) War of 1879; The South Africa (Anglo

Boer) War of 1899 -1902; Natal (Bambata) Re-bellion of 1906; South West Africa (First World War) 1914-1915 and Gibbon, Western Desert (Second World War) 1941-1943.

The Regiment stands proud as the only active Armoured Car Regiment in KwaZulu-Natal, and is ready to serve the South African National De-fence Force, the Country and its People, where and whenever called upon to do so.

Col Wilson presents the copy of the History and certificate to Maj Gen Roy Andersen.


The weekend of the 1st of July 2012 was a special one for the Regiment Oranjerivier (ROR): the regiment was celebrating its

60th birthday.

ROR is an armoured regiment whose mission is to performexecute armour and reconnaissance tasks for the South African Army’s Armour For-mation. It is a reserve unit, which means that its members are not full-time soldiers, though they can be called up for active duty if the need arises. Their regimental motto is “oculi et aures” (eyes and ears), and the badge, which is worn on the traditional black beret of the Armoured Corps, depicts an eagle with outspread wings.

The regiment was founded at Upington in the Northwest Cape Province on 12 September 1952., Iinitially known as Regiment Noordwes-Kaap, though its name was changed later that year to Regiment Hertzog. JBM Hertzog was a Boer general during the second Anglo-Boer War

who later became the Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa (1924 to 1939).

On 1 January 1960, as part of the reorganisation of the Citi-

zen Force, the

name of the regiment was changed to Regiment Oranjerivier. In 1966, the Regiment was awarded the Freedom of Access to Upington, and two years later, to the town of Keimoes. On 15 No-vember 1974, it became the armoured car regi-ment of 71 Infantry Brigade, which was part of 7 South African Division, and in 1975, the ROR headquarters was re-located to Cape Town. ROR was mobilised, together with other units of the 71 Infantry Brigade, to serve in Southern Angola during Operation Savannah (1975-76).

Around that time, the Marmon-Herrington ar-moured cars they had used previously were re-placed withby the highly mobile Eland Mk7 light- armoured car (also fondly referred to as Noddy cars). These were well suited to the terrain at the border between northern Namibia and southern Angola, where the regiment was deployed dur-ing the South African Border War and the Ango-lan Civil War. On 2 November 1990, ROR was honoured with the Rooikat Floating Trophy (the first time this trophy had been awarded) as the best unit in the SA Armoured Corps.

Nowadays, ROR uses the Rooikat- armoured vehicle. The Rooikat was custom-designed and

Regiment Oranjerivier celebrates its 60th Birthday with the opening of the new ROR Laager at Fort Ikapa


The Castle of Good Hope hosts the Regiment Oranjerivier on their 60th Birthday.

The medal parade takes place at the ROR headquarters in Fort iKapa – the Rooikat and the Eland armoured vehicles stand guard.

The birthday dinner is held in the

beautifully decorated Dolphin Room.


built in South Africa for combat reconnaissance and for search-and-destroy missions, as well as to give combat support. It accommodates a driver in the hull, and a commander, gunner and loader in the turret. Capable of travelling at up to 120 kph on the open road and 30 to 60 kph across rough terrain, it can climb gradients of 70 degrees, traverse gradients of 30 degrees, cross 2- metre wide trenches at a crawl and ford water up to 1.5 m deep.

ROR’s 60th birthday celebrations began on Friday evening, 29 June 2012, with a sumptuous dinner in the magnificently decorated Dolphin Room of Het Bakhuys at the Castle of Good Hope. This is one of the loveliest function venues in the cCastle. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceil-ing, and silver candelabras had been placed at intervals on the long table. The team of servers in their distinctive leopard-skin patterned vests, worn over white shirts, attended quietly and ef-ficiently to the invited guests.

After Capt Reinhardt Kruger had read the code of conduct, MWO Karel Minnie, the RSM of ROR, lit the Armour Flame. Capt Philip Wessels ex-plained the symbolism of this flame, which sym-bolises the inextinguishable spirit and energy of the South African Armoured Corps.

It is a visual reminder of the fire that burns within each Armour soldier, inspiring him or her to ex-cel, and to advance fearlessly in the face of the enemy. It also symbolisesembodies the destruc-tive firepower of the Armour, when attacking the enemy in defence of the country.

And it resonates with the National Torch of Toler-ance, which itself symbolises that, even though we are outwardly people of many colours, races, cultures, languages, religions and origins, we are all tied to one another, sharing a common destiny.

Maj JP Wessels (2IC) delivered the toast, with the company drinking the traditional Diesel and Dust, a very special drink unique to the Armour Corps. Col André Retief from the SA Army Ar-mour Formation and Lt Col Jaco Olivier (OC of ROR) addressed the gathering, and Lt Col Wil-

lem Rall delivered a toast on fallen comrades. As per the regimental tradition, two songs were per-formed: the very moving Tanker’s Prayer, which asks for protection when going into combat, and the stirringly powerful Pantserlied or Song of the Armoured Corps.

On Saturday morning, a medal parade was held at the regiment’s headquarters atin Fort Ikapa mili-tary base, when the new ROR Laager was formally opened. Col André Retief handed over the med-als and certificates to the recipients, who stood proudly to attention. The regiment’s 60th birthday celebrations concluded with a church parade at the base on Sunday morning, during which the ROR’s very unusual birthday cake, in the form of the regiment’s distinctive Rooikat armoured vehi-cle, was cut.

The opening of the new ROR Laager was a spe-cial occasion. A laager is a mobile fortification made of wagons arranged into a rectangle, a cir-cle or other shape: an improvised military camp. In Second World War armoured warfare, a laager is a formation of tanks or other armoured vehi-cles, used for quick resupply or refuelling. It is rather vulnerable to attack, especially from the air, so it is only maintained for a short period, in a relatively safe location.

The new ROR laager was created in the fynbos area just next to the ROR hangar, and surround-ed by tall blue gum trees, which were retained for shade and protection, although they are alien. trees. Various fynbos plants, including proteas, silver trees, blushing brides and pincushions, had been planted in the area, and care was tak-en to disturb the national biodiversity as little as possible. Logs were arranged around the edges of the laager and along the pathway leading to the central area, as well as serving as seating places inside the laager itself. Forming a circle, they surrounded the central fireplace, which represents the Armour Flame. This new laager will, no doubt, become a wonderful gathering place for the soldiers of this regiment.

May the Flame of the Armour burn forever!


Daily Roll Call Parade.

Kimberley Regiment: External Deployment DRC – Ops Mistral XIX – 2012

By: Maj R. Greyling, Company Commander, Delta Company

During 2011 Kimber-ley Regiment was tasked to provide a

Company to assist 2 SAI Battalion with the external deployment to the DRC for the period April 2012 until November 2012.

Planning and preparations started during 2011, which included the CHA (Current Health Assessment), Continuous Training which took place at the Schmidtsdrift Train-ing Area during November and December 2011, the acquisition of passports, inocu-lations and the required administration for the deployment.

Members then moved to 2 SAI Battalion at Zeerust in January 2012 to undergo the pre-deployment training. This was completed at 2 SAI Battalion and at the training area in Potch-efstroom. All members were then confirmed as combat ready after being evaluated, and they all received a very good pass rate.

At the beginning of April 2012 the Contingent ar-rived at the Mobilisation Centre in Bloemfontein for the final preparations. The training, medical assessments and administration were completed and with the flight lists in place, a farewell parade was arranged to complete the preparations. The leader group left at the end of April for the handing and taking over from 8 SAI Battalion in the DRC.

Once 8 SAI Battalion had been relieved, Ops Mistral XIX was in place. The main aim of this

Peace Keeping Mission was to: protect civil-ians, UN personnel and UN equipment.

Operations took place in the east-ern part of the DRC

which borders with Rwanda. The AoR (Area of Responsibil-ity) was divided into the Com-

panies. Kimberley Regiment as Delta Company was sta-tioned at the Lo-gistical Base with 2 platoons and 1 platoon at a TOB (Temporary Operating Base) north west of the main base.

The patrols conducted in the area focused on confidence building amongst the local civilians, security, protection and the gathering of infor-mation. These activities form part and parcel of the numerous tasks included in the daily routine. Due to poor road conditions and in some cases the absence of roads, air recce patrols were con-ducted. This mission was completed with the co-operation of many different countries from around the world.

Base protection, maintenance and guard duty all formed part of the daily tasks. The last 2 weeks of the six month mission consisted of preparations for the handing and taking over process, which involved the relief of 2 SAI Battalion by 121 Battal-ion. A medal parade during which members were awarded the UN Medal concluded the mission. The last of the leader group returned to South Af-rica on 7 November 2012 after concluding a very successful operational mission. All the members returned without any serious injuries or losses.

The numerous challenges that were encountered were successfully accomplished due to the dedi-cation and loyalty of the members.

Typical Road Conditions.


The 71st Drumhead Service Remembrance and Dedication was held at Mount Col-lins Military base in Sandton on Sunday,

25 November 2012, to commemorate the Battle of Sidi Rezegh.

The parade and service were hosted by the Transvaal Horse Artillery (THA) with the support of the Transvaal Scottish (TS). The chief function-ary was Brig Gen H.G. Holtzhausen, GOC of the SA Army Artillery Formation and the parade com-mander was Major Johan Agenbag of the THA.

The sound of the Transvaal Scottish Pipes and Drums and the firing of a salvo by a troop of the THA’s GV1 guns to mark the beginning and end of the two minutes silence, added greatly to the occasion.

The programme for the parade and service con-tained the following brief summary of the Battle of Sidi Rezegh.

Sidi Rezegh: 19 to 23 November 1941The Western Desert Force was reorganised and renamed the 8th Army under the command of Lt Gen Alan Cunningham, the 1st SA Division com-prised only two brigades, 1st and 5th Brigades. The plan for Operation Crusader was to engage the Afrika Korps with the 7th Armoured Div while the 1st SA Div covered the left.

The advance started on 18 November 1941. 1st SA Div was advised on 20 November to ‘mask’ Bir el Gubi and to prevent interference from the Ariete Div into the flank of 7 Armoured Div. El Gubi had now become a lesser objective after the capture of Sidi Rezegh.

On the 22nd of November 1941, German armour launched an attack on Sidi Rezegh which de-stroyed the 4th Armoured Bde HQ. The 5th Bde was tasked to support 7 Armoured Div at Sidi Rezegh.

TotensonntagBy the 23rd of November 2012, 5th Bde had joined up with 7 Armoured Div, deploying into the centre. Rommel’s plan was to attack the centre and rear of 7 Armoured Div. The 5th SA Bde was caught in the middle of the armoured attack.

The 15th Panzer had launched their attack with 150 tanks cutting through the rear of 7 Armoured Div into the support echelons. 5th Bde had most of their transport and supplies destroyed, but did destroy a number of German tanks. The 15th Panzer withdrew to link-up with the Ariette Divi-sion and then prepared for an attack on Allied armour. Advance elements of 1st Bde had now met elements of 5th Bde, but never linked up. At 15H55 on 23 November 1941, 1st SA Div were passing a signal to 5th Bde when the brigade in-terjected “wait…” Those were the last words re-ceived from 5th Bde. Against the German tanks, the South African infantry had no means of de-fence, they were compelled to use 25-pounders in a direct fire role. By the time the panzers had broken into the rear of the brigade, the artillery had been subdued and all anti-tank capabili-ties had been destroyed. On 24 November 1941, General Brink reported that 5th Bde had “ceased to exist as a fighting formation.”

Sidi Rezegh ParadeBy: Major A.D. Pestana, Officer Commanding, Transvaal Horse Artillery

Transvaal Horse Artillery (THA) and Transvaal Scottish (TS) on parade.


South Africa is expected to play a much larger role in ensuring safety, security and stability, not only in the SADC region, but also in Af-

rica as a whole. These expectations have to be met notwithstanding a challenging budget and resource allocations. Great emphasis is there-fore placed on the effectiveness and efficiency of the SA Army and harnessing its substantial col-lateral capabilities in order to successfully fulfil all its obligations. The new emphasis on peace-building as a means to address the underlying causes of conflict in Africa has been embraced by the African Union (AU) and formalised in the policy on post-conflict reconstruction and de-velopment (PCRD), adopted by the Executive Council at the AU Summit in Banjul, Gambia in June 2006. This policy, of necessity, has served to galvanise the SANDF into reviewing its current strategy on peace missions leading to a funda-mental shift away from traditional peacekeeping to that of peacebuilding. As a result, the SA Army has been mandated to investigate, design and, after approval, develop and employ an Army post-conflict reconstruction (PCRD) planning ca-pability to support regional peacebuilding mis-sions in Africa.

The question was, however, what kind of capabil-ity the SA Army should consider developing to meet this objective. To determine a solution, the Director Army Strategic Direction was tasked to appoint a project team to research PCRD and for concept development in support of the SA Army Strategy. Initial research included engaging with

the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, in June 2011, in order to better understand the

core thinking behind the African Strategy on PCRD. One clear message that came across was that member states must re-orientate mili-taries towards a more developmental capability if the AU is to be successful in rolling out PCRD in Africa. Member states need to determine how best they can use the military for collective se-curity and peacebuilding operations. This will require an innovative approach to force design and training. South Africa and the SA Army were complimented on taking the initiative in actively committing to develop a joint, inter-departmen-tal, inter-agency, multinational (JI²M) PCRD ca-pability, aligned to the AU policy on PCRD, for employment in support of regional peacebuild-ing missions in Africa. However, the strong rec-ommendation was that SA could achieve much more by first focusing on developing a PCRD ca-pability within the SADC Standby Force – running trials and perfecting operations on a regional ba-sis as part of the African Standby Force (ASF) and then taking the lead in expanding the exper-tise to the broader AU.

Leading on from this recommendation, a follow-up research visit to the SADC Standby Force (SADC SF) Headquarters in Gaborone was executed in July 2012. The security study was embarked upon in order to study the headquarters’ current ap-proach to reconstruction and development, and to evaluate what progress has been made with the roll out of the AU policy on PCRD. SADC SF has not as yet conducted an exhaustive apprecia-tion of the PCRD policy and they were therefore not in a position to offer explicit advice. The visit was, however,

Establishment of a Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development

Planning CapabilityBy: Colonel Clyde B. Hepburn, Project Officer SA Army Strategy

(PCRD Planning Cell Project Leader)


Capt (Dr) Snail and the young member, Lt David Pfotenhauer – both are appointed as pool of specialists under the administrative

control of the SA Army Reserve Office.

a great success in terms preparing the ground-work for the planning and execution of further col-laboration between the SA Army and SADC SF.

The SA Army next turned to the question of where it would find the skilled personnel to staff the PCRD Planning capability. It was clear from the onset that major reliance would have to be placed on the SA Army Reserves to provide the core of the specialised skills sets not normally found within the Regular army – skilled personnel such as civil engineers, city planners, water re-ticulation and thermal electrical power specialist, agricultural advisers and veterinarians to name a few. It was also clear that the planning team would have to be supported by competent Regu-lar and Reserve military staff officers to lead and coordinate the planning function. This cannot be left to Reserve specialists alone who are selected for their scarce civilian qualifications and knowl-edge and who may have little understanding of the military planning cycle.

It was further determined that the PCRD planning team would have to be mobilized early on dur-ing the planning phase and not held back until the later deployment phase, as originally thought. The inputs from the PCRD Planning Team are like-ly to influence the Commander’s Concept of Op-erations and cannot be submitted once the plan is already completed. The planning team would have to begin participating at least from the com-mencement of the presentation of broad options.

It is equally clear from the results of the current investigation that the PCRD Planning Team must be a deployable capability (mission-ready to be projected into the theatre of operations), if they are to be useful. Although reporting to the operational commander for command and control they will, however, have to be substantially equipped and sup-

ported for autonomous operations that fall out-side of the traditional ‘core military’ role. This does not mean, however, that all the participants on the planning cell need necessarily deploy. There are many successful examples from other large armies, that demonstrate the benefit of re-taining a large team of specialist at the rear HQ, (SA Army headquarters for instance), and who are able to provide real-time focused advice, uti-lising the range of modern communications de-vices. The senior specialists, who may be over aged or otherwise unsuitable for military deploy-ment, are not excluded from fully participating on the planning team. The secret is to ensure that the right balance is maintained.

The PCRD planning cell is still nascent, however great strides are being made with the develop-ment of Tactics, Techniques, Procedures (TTPs) and supporting policies. Remarkable progress is also being made with the appointment of pool of specialist members into the SA Army Reserve, to staff the posts, given the fact that this is very much a new concept. Lt David Pfotenhauer and Capt (Dr) Snail are two such members, and are also a good example of the generation gap that such a specialised capability is able to accom-modate. Efforts are currently focusing on en-suring that the capability grows from strength to strength and that the first PCRD planning team will be in place to participate in a Command Post Exercise (CPX) as part of Ex SOBOKA 2013.


9 to 13 July 2012 marked a special event in the history of the SA Air Force when 25 engineering students selected from appli-

cants from the Universities of Pretoria, Johannes-burg, South Africa and the Tshwane University of Technology reported to the SA Air Force College for commencement of their Basic Military Training (BMT).

This was the first phase of the BMT, the objec-tive being to orientate the recruits with the SAAF. The next phases of the BMT will be presented at weekends and during certain university vaca-tions.

The training will be presented by the Regular Force training personnel of the SAAF College. In addition to receiving BMT, students will also be afforded the opportunity to undergo techni-

cal training under the supervision of experienced SAAF engineers.

The staff of the SAAF College and the SAAF (Re-serves) URTP Project Team were not only im-pressed with the standard of the recruits but also with the initiative they displayed.. The recruits spontaneously composed a “course song” and designed a course emblem.

At its monthly meeting in July 2012, the URTP Steering Committee took note of the positive ap-proach adopted by the SAAF leadership to the programme, the enthusiasm of the Officer Com-manding and staff of the SAAF College and the dedication of the students who have now volun-tarily enrolled in the SAAF Reserves. On success-ful completion of the BMT, selected members will continue with their Officer Formative Training.

A Safe Landing for the SAAF’s “Maiden Flight” of the University Reserve Training Programme (URTP)

Article by: Col Monica Müller, SSO Res F ProjectsPhotographs by: Sgt Nico Malatji

Members of the SAAF URTP BMT with the Command and Training staff of the SAAF College and the Dir SAAF Reserves and staff.

Above: The URTP in the SAAF is presented in close collaboration

with inter alia the University of Pretoria (UP). Mr R. Kgomanyane (Chairperson EBIT Faculty House,

Engineering Department of UP) with members of the

URTP Project Team.


The museum was established in 1992. It all started with an Airspeed Oxford aero-plane, a Second World War aircraft that

was once based at 42 Air School which was given to the Friends of the SAAF Museum for restoration. This aircraft, which was in need of much work, was initially housed in one of the hangars at AFB Port Elizabeth and was moved during that same year to the present premises at Southdene. As time progressed, more aircraft and historical items were delivered for display to the public from the parent unit based at Swartkop in Pretoria.

The current museum has 3 staff members: FSgt Z Ingram, FSgt E Sharp and Sgt A van der Watt.Our main purpose is to inform and to display to the public the history of the Air Force as well as some of the aircraft which were used by the SAAF in the course of its duties over the years. Our current inventory includes one of the origi-nal Vampire jets dating from 1945 through to a Mirage F1 which was the very first of its type in service with 2 Squadron, SAAF and also the last one to be taken out of service in the late ‘90’s and is the only aircraft of its type on display in the country.

At the moment, we have two main building pro-jects: a mock-up of a wooden bomber type aero-plane is being built for children between the ages of 2 to 12 years in front of the Museum main hall. The other project is a full-scale wooden Spitfire, the same as was used during WW2 and specifi-cally the Battle of Britain, which is being built for eventual public display and is housed in the Bell-man hanger.

We offer the following to the public: an art gallery, a library (air force aviation history), aircraft and engine exhibits. We also cater for group visits, school visits, birthday parties and functions.

South African Air Force Museum Port Elizabeth

By: FSgt E. Sharp, SAAF Museum Port Elizabeth

The Spitfire under construction. The static Harvard.The Vampire WWII Trainer.

FSgt Z. Ingram, Sgt A. Van der Watt and FSgt E. Sharp.


Fourteen Engineering students of the SA Navy University Reserve Training Prog-ramme reported at the False Bay College

(Westlake Campus) for their first practical en-gineering phase from 2 – 20 July 2012. There were 12 Mechanical and 2 Chemical engineers. Thirteen students are under graduates and one is busy with his Masters degree in Engineering. The course stretched over three weeks. The three weeks consisted of one week of Electrical, Auto Motive and Fitting and Turning respectively.

During the electrical phase, the students had to do the following: electrical safety in the work-shop, project planning – full cycle of project man-agement, design and construct a single phase circuit, motor relay and fault finding and one stu-dent excelled in doing advanced fault finding on an auto transformer panel.

The mechanical instructor allocated three engines that the students

had to completely

strip and re-assemble. They also focused on me-chanical maintenance, normal repair, fault finding and demonstrated the testing of the repaired en-gines.

The third week of the practical training was spent on fitting and turning. The following aspects were covered: use of basic hand tools and workshop skills, manufacturing a tack hamer on a lathe and milling machine.

SA Navy University Reserve Training Students start practical

phase at False Bay College (Westlake Campus)

Article and Photographs by: Capt (SAN) M.J. GrobbelaarNaval Reserve Officer

Students in the Electrical Workshop.

Seaman Truter did an assignment on an auto transformer panel which forms part of the normal trade test.

Seaman Bezuidenhout working on the lathe making the handle for the tack hammer.


The following additional activities were in-cluded:

• Visit to the SMST Dockyard and Fleet Of-ficer Fleet facilities.

• SA Naval College – the unit where the mili-tary phase will take place.

• On Wednesday afternoons, they had drill instruction.

• The URTP students also had a chance to shoot at the “simulated shooting range” at Maritime Warfare School.

In the September 2012 vacation, the students had one more module on welding during which they will manufactured a bread oven made from steel.

The SAN designed the URTP BMT course for engineering students to accommodate both mili-tary and practical phases. The practical phases form part of their academic requirement in order to graduate as engineers.

The final phase commences from 27 Novem-ber – 14 December where after the Basic Military Training course will be completed. The Military Training for Officers Part 1 commences in Janu-ary 2013. Enquiries can be forwarded to Captain (SA Navy) M.J. Grobbelaar at [email protected].

SAN – URTP group with their projects.

Seaman Kock doing some electrical fault finding.

Students commencing stripping an engine.

Electrical assignment – a single phase circuit.

Students re-assembling an engine that was overhauled.


Abridged Biography of

Brig Gen Maminze, Director SAMHS Re-serves, actively participated in debating society, student Christian movement and

sports committees at high school. He then be-came involved in politics and lead student marches against inferior Bantu education. He was detained during the riots of 1976 and went into exile in early 1977.

He joined the ANC & Mkhonto we Sizwe in ex-ile. He was then sent to Moscow in mid 1977 to study medicine. While in Moscow he also worked at the Radio Moscow as an announcer, com-mentator and political analyst (Radio Freedom).He also served on the executive committee of the South African Student Union in the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). After qualifying as a medical doctor in 1984, he went back to An-gola for military training. In 1985 he started work-ing at Harare Central & Parirenyatwa Hospitals in Zimbabwe. He rotated through almost all major Medical and Surgical disciplines.

He served in the underground structures of Um-khonto we Sizwe (MK) from 1985 till the unban-ning of the ANC. He returned permanently to the country in 1991. He then worked at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital in the department of Obstetrics and Gy-naecology. He started his own practice in Ma-melodi in 1992 and also continued as a Session-al Doctor at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital (Dr George Mukhari Hospital).

In 1994 he integrated into the South African Nation-al Defence Force (SANDF) as a member of South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) Reserves and he was appointed with the rank of Lt Col.

From 1996-1999 he was the District Sur-geon for Mamelodi Township. He

was responsible for examining raped and abused

women and children. This included test-ifying in court once suspects have been apprehended. From 2001 to 2004 he was the regional com-mander of Mkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKVA) in Tshwane. He was appointed as the Officer Commanding of 6 Medical Battalion Group, a semi conventional unit of the South African Military Health Services from 2005 until 2009 and promoted to the rank of Colonel.

He was also a member of the Reserve Force Council (RFC), a statutory body that represents the affairs of the Reserves in the SANDF from 1996 until 2010. He is the Honorary Life Vice President of the RFC. He was appointed as the Director SAMHS Reserves in November 2010 and promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and has held this position up to date.

He was part of the Reserve Force Council del-egation that attended the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) congresses in the follow-ing countries:

• 2004: Vienna – Austria• 2005: Gent – Belgium• 2006: Viterbo – Italy• 2007: Riga – Latvia• 2008: Istanbul – Turkey• 2009: Sofia – Bulgaria

In 2010 he was part of the Reserve Division del-egation that visited the New York National Guard.

He serves in the Medical Parole Advisory Board of the Department of Correctional Service.

Brig Gen (Dr) A.N.C. Maminze


It is with sadness that we record the name of Pte Vincent Mthuthuzeli van der Walt who

died in action on 17 October 2012 during peace support operations in Sudan

Our condolences to Pte van der Walt’s family.

We also wish to express our condolences to the families of the deceased members of the South African Air Force who were on board the aircraft that crashed in the

area of Giant’s Castle in the Drakensberg Mountain Range on 5 December 2012.

The members lost in this tragic accident were:

Crew Major K. Misrole

Captain Z.M. SmithSergeant B.K. Baloyi

Sergeant E. BoesSergeant J.M. Mamabolo

Corporal L. Mofokeng

PassengersSergeant L. Sobantu

Corporal N.W. KhomoCorporal A. Matlaila

Corporal M.J. MthombeniLance Corporal N.K. Aphane

In Memorium

We wish to express our most sincere condolences to the family of

Reserve Force member, Rifleman A.B. Sithole of Regiment Botha, who passed away in

hospital in the Sudan on 27 December 2012 after a short illness.

He was deployed with 10 SAI Bn on OP CORDITE in Sudan.

RESERVE TRAINING

UNIVERSITY

Part-time Soldier Full-time Leader

www.rfdiv.mil.za

PROGRAMME

Part-time Volunteers: Making a difference Heading 2013.pdf · Volunteer. I am hon-oured to be part...

Documents

Transcript of Part-time Volunteers: Making a difference Heading 2013.pdf · Volunteer. I am hon-oured to be part...