Contact Details Editorial Staff - rfdiv.mil.za Volunteer Summer 201… · 4 RESERVE FORCE, THE...

2 RESERVE FORCE, THE SANDF’S EXPANSION CAPABILITY

It’s that time of the year again when we look back at the memories

and achievements 2017 brought in her 365 days of existence. New Year’s resolutions are the or-der of the day as we bid farewell to the year that was and open arms to embrace 2018 with en-thusiasm and hope.

This edition of the Defence Reserve Force Vol-unteer gives you, our beloved reader, a look into the journey of the men and women in uniform for the 2017 calendar year. We celebrate excellence, breakthroughs and milestones made by the Re-serve Force. We pay tribute to Colonel Shuping Motswadira, SSO Promotions Defence Reserves who passed on in July 2017.

SA Army Reserves inform us about the Role and Purpose of the pool of specialists. We celebrate with Regiment Mooiriver on their 75th Birthday, the 2017 Military Skills Competition and the achievements of

the South African team during the shooting compe-tition in Netherlands.

Please do not forget to read your message from Lt Gen B.M.N. Hlatshwayo, Chief of Joint Opera-tions and the foreword by Maj Gen Roy Andersen, Chief Defence Reserves.

Inserted in this edition is our 2018 Reserve Force Cal-endar. The 2018 Armed Forces Day Parade is sched-uled for 21 February 2018 in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province. In September 2018 we will be com-memorating the centenary of the Battle of Square Hill.

For more regular up-dates on Reserve matters please keep on checking our website: www.rfdiv.mil.za.

We certainly enjoyed putting this publication together and do hope you enjoy reading it. May all your goals for 2018 be met and all expectations exceeded!

Remember to pass this magazine on to a friend when you are done…

Ms Rendani Doizen KhashaneEditor

Editorial Staff

Chief Co-ordinator: Lt Col D.P. ShibamboEditor: Ms Rendani Doizen KhashaneLayout and Design: Formeset Digital Pretoria Printing: Formeset Print (Pty) LtdLanguage Verification: Mr Deon Smith and Silvana Kapelus

The Editor does not take responsibility 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.

From the Editor’s Desk

Contact Details

Street addressDefence HeadquartersCnr Nossob & Boeing StreetsErasmuskloofPretoria

Postal addressThe Reserve Force Volunteer MagazinePrivate Bag X161Pretoria 0001

Tel: (012) 355 5004/5958 Fax: (012) 355 5455 e-mail: [email protected] www.rfdiv.mil.za

Cover: The Centenary of the Battle of Square Hill in September 1918 will be commemorated in 2018.

It’s that time of the year again...

Sub heading

3RESERVE FORCE, THE SANDF’S EXPANSION CAPABILITY

IndexFrom the Editor’s desk 2 Ms R.D. Khashane, Defence Reserves Division

Message from Chief Joint Operations 4 Lt Gen B.M.N. Hlatshwayo

Foreword by Chief of Defence Reserves 5 Maj Gen Roy Andersen

DEFENCE RESERVESTribute to the late Colonel Shuping Andries “Cappy” Motswadira 6 Sgt A. Rakoma, Ms B. Pinga and Ms R.D. Khashane

Toyota Land Cruiser Mobility Package Deliveries Commence for Operation CORONA Troops 9 Capt J. de Vries (with recognition of the inputs from the CSIR and JOps)

City of Johannesburg Pauses on Remembrance Sunday to Commemorate the 99th Anniversary of Armistice Day 13 Capt J. de Vries

38 Years of Service Excellence – Farewell Function in Honour of Mr Peter Thapelo Mocuminyane, Chief Defence Reserves Division Budget Manager 16 Ms R.D. Khashane, Defence Reserves Division

Defence Reserves Provincial Office Limpopo Hard at Work in Support of Limpopo Provincial Government Initiatives and Programmes 17 Lt Col Z. Nombida, SO1 Reserve Force PO Limpopo

Chief of the South African National Defence Force Medal Parade 19 Mr C. Khobo, Intern Defence Reserves Division

2017 Military Skills Competition in Potchefstroom 21 Mr C. Khobo, Intern Defence Reserves Division

RFCThe Reserve Force Council Hosts its 2017 Formal Dinner 24 Capt J. de Vries, Reserve Force Council Junior Officers’ Association

The Reserve Force Council Represented at the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Civil Military Cooperation Activities 26 Capt J. de Vries, Reserve Force Council Junior Officers’ Association

South Africans Shine at the International Young Reserve Officers’ Workshop 29 Capt J. de Vries, Reserve Force Council Junior Officers’ Association

SA ARMYSA Army Reserves: Role and Purpose of the Pool of Specialists 33 Lt Col (Dr) P. Coetzer

SASSETA-accredited Skills Programmes: A Further Commitment to the Long-Term Well-being of the SA Army Reserves 36 Lt Col (Dr) P. Coetzer

South African Army Shooting Team Acquits Itself Well in the Netherlands 38 Capt J. de Vries and Col R. van Zanten, Reserve Force Council/SA Army Reserve Force

75th Birthday Celebration of Regiment Mooirivier 43 Lt Col J.D. Hartzenberg, SO1 Reserve Force PO NW

The 2017 Annual Gunners’ Memorial Service 46 Lt Col K. Hartzenberg, SO1 Defence Reserve PO NW

Centenary of the Battle of Square Hill - September 2018 48 Cmdr A.M. Carelse, SA Navy Reserve Force

Fort iKapa Heritage Day 51 Maj D. Coetzee and L/CpL L.Sohaba, Cape Field Artillery

Cape Field Artillery Celebrates its 160th Year of Existence 52 Maj D. Coetzee, Cape Field Artillery

Fort iKapa Military Base Do Their Bit for Mandela Day 55 Lt Col A. Izaks

Cape Town Rifles’ Top Guns 56 Capt J. Manning, Cape Town Rifles (Dukes)

Cape Field Artillery Fires at the Start and Finish of the 25th Outsurance KFM 94.5 Gun Run 2017 58 Maj D. Coetzee, Cape Field Artillery

Cape Field Artillery Fires a 21 Gun Salute for the Visit of the President of Senegal 59 Maj D. Coetzee, Cape Field Artillery

15 Maintenance Unit Put Their Best Boot Forward 60 Maj M. Levin, 15 Maintenance Unit

Cape Field Artillery Fired a 13 Gun Salute at the Funeral of Major General Mxolisi Petane MMS, MMB, ST C (Ret) 61 Maj D. Coetzee, Cape Field Artillery

In Memory of Lieutenant Colonel Lourens Christiaan Botha 63 SA Army Artillery Formation

Regiment Mooirivier URTP Members Excel at Defence Reserves Military Skills Competition 2017 in Potchefstroom 64 Maj S.J.B. Brooks, Acting Officer Commanding Regiment Mooiriver

Commemorating the Battle of El Alamein (1942): 75 Years On 67 Mrs R. Lord

The South African Irish Regiment’s Commemoration of the Battle of Sidi Rezegh 70 Maj I. Stins, The South African Irish Regiment

SA NAVYTS Tiberon – 100 Years on and Still Training - Sea Cadet Training Ship Tiberon in Durban Celebrates 100 Years 71 Lt Cdr G. von Zeil, SA Navy Reserve Force

Sea Cadets Attend Hout Bay Operation Salvage “Constantiaberg” 74 Lt Cdr G. von Zeil, SA Navy Reserve Force

In Memoriam


The ability to conduct warfighting is the ul-timate reason for the

existence of military forces and therefore warfighting places the greatest demand on such forces. The con-duct of military operations is demanding in the physical, psychological, mental and moral sense and that is why these forces are trained and equipped for this. Therefore it is imperative that the way the SANDF is organised, struc-tured, trained and equipped are taken into account.

What is needed is a cohesive joint military force that conducts a campaign against a potent, capable military adversary. Military operations are mostly expeditionary with crises occurring unex-pectedly. Where a military force is required, it must be rapid, appropriate and proportional to the situation. Ex-perience confirms that such military response must be joint and increasingly multi-national. This is informed by the present battle space regardless of where and under what circumstances the conflict is taking place. Peace Support Operations are a case in point.

The Joint Operations Division is responsible for the operational employment of the SANDF assets. The four Services, namely the Army, Air Force, Navy and Military Health Service are responsible to prepare forces. When there is an operation or an exercise the Joint Operations Division ensures the successful ex-ecution of that operation or exercise by utilising the necessary personnel and equipment from the Servic-es as well as support from the other Divisions, namely Intelligence, Human Resources and Logistics.

The Joint Operations Division has been involved in a number of operations both internally and externally since

its inception. Notably the big external ones, which are the Peace Support Operations in the DRC, and

until recently Sudan, as well as the maritime operation in the Mozambican Chan-

nel. The Division is

Message from Chief Joint Operations

Lt Gen B.M.N. Hlatshwayo, GDM

always ready to participate in various Humanitarian Support Operations in our neighboring states and other African coun-tries. These operations are conducted in line with our in-ternational agreements whose mandates emanate from our Constitution.

Ongoing operations on a daily basis are Operation CORONA which is the safeguarding of our country’s borders. The Division is also responsible for Safety and Security, Search and Rescue as well as Hu-manitarian Assistance Opera-tions internally. Last but defi-

nitely not the least is the planning and execution of Joint, Interagency, Inter-departmental and Multi-national as well as SANDF specific exercises on behalf of C SANDF.

Various assets are used to ensure that the above are done, and as we all know, our most important resource is our people. The Joint Operations Division utilizes many Reserve Force members not only in operations (internal and external) and exercises but also on a daily basis within the Division. We truly embrace the “one force concept” and are very satisfied and proud of the contributions made by our Reserve Force members.

Therefore we at Joint Operations budget to send our Reserve members to attend courses, military as well as functional courses. My staff officers constantly liaise with other Services to try and ensure that our Reserve Force members get opportunities not only for promotion but more importantly to empower them-selves for future appointments.

Therefore I want to thank the Defence Reserves Divi-sion for its loyal and professional support in order to ensure that the Joint Operations Division provides C SANDF with the service he requires and expects. I look forward to your continuous support and contri-bution in the execution of operations and exercises.

My best wishes to you for a prosperous 2018!


2017 was largely successful for the Reserves. Although the year began under a cloud

of a threatened reduction in mandays, by the end of 2017 the number of mandays was increased to the same as those available in the prior year. The recently announced further budget cuts will how-ever again put the man-days budget under threat in FY 2018/2019.

As can be seen from the message by the Chief of Joint Operations, Lt Gen Hlatshwayo, the Reserves continue to make an important contribution to both internal and external deployments. This should continue into 2018. It is projected that some 14 500 Reserves will be called up for various duties in the year to 31 March 2018.

Irregularities in call ups are being actively investi-gated and the perpetrators are being arrested and prosecuted. Reserves are encouraged to report any such illegal activities.

2018 should also see the introduction of a New Re-serve Force Service System which will generally be of advantage to the Reserves. The name changes of certain units in the SA Army, will also be imple-mented. This will ensure that the names are more representative of our rich military heritage.

Foreword by Chief of Defence Reserves

Maj Gen Roy Andersen

Included in this edition of The Reserve Force Vol-unteer magazine is an events calendar which con-firms that 2018 will again be eventful.

I trust that you the reader will find this, the Summer Edition of The Reserve Force Volunteer, informative and enjoyable.

The Memorial Service

The military community learnt with great shock and sadness of the untimely passing of Colonel (Col) Shuping Andries “Cappy” Motswadira, Senior Staff Officer Promotions Defence Reserves Division.

Family, relatives, friends and colleagues mourned the falling of a veteran soldier who passed away on Saturday, 29 July 2017, following a long illness.

The Department of Defence (DOD)/SA National Defence Force (SANDF), held a memorial service to bid farewell and pay homage to this son of the soil at the Thaba Tshwane City Hall on Wednesday 02 August 2017.

Speakers during the memorial service acknowl-edged his selflessness and maintained that he was a man of integrity and virtue, hard-working, humble

and giving. They described him as a man of many attributes who instilled a culture of togetherness.

The Chief Defence Reserves, Maj Gen Roy Andersen, who worked with the late Col Motswadira, told the mourners that his death was a devastating loss to the SANDF and Defence Reserves Division.

He said that Col Motswadira had a major impact on the Reserves and the youth of South Africa. He testi-fied that he was a person with strong religious con-viction. “Nothing was too much for “Cappy”. He was modest and down to earth”, said Maj Gen Andersen. May his perfect soul rest in peace.

Tributes also poured in from different associations that worked closely with Col Motswadira such as the Reserve Force Council (RFC), his church, friends and colleagues. His contagious smile will surely be missed by many.

By: Sgt A. Rakoma, Ms B. Pinga and Ms R.D. KhashanePhotographs by: Pte P. Mpangala, Mr K. Mabuza and Sgt N.D. Malatji

Tribute to the late Colonel Shuping Andries “Cappy” Motswadira


Chief of Defence Reserves, Maj Gen Roy Andersen,

delivering his tribute.

Lt Col Godfrey Giles (Ret), representing the Reserve

Force Council.

Mrs Matlhomola Motswadira, reading the obituary.

Chaplain Mantsha Ndukula, delivering a sermon.

The Funeral

Following the memorial service, a very befitting semi-military funeral service for Col Mot-

swadira was held at the Vryburg Show Ground, Vryburg, a town where

Col Motswadira

was born and bred on Saturday 05 August 2017. Hundreds of mourners came to pay their last re-spects to the people’s Colonel.

“Col Motswadira was a close friend of the Reserve Force Council and he played such a mayor role in successfully marketing the Reserves and promot-


ing the Reserve Force Service System. As a Council we owe him our respect and grati-tude for the excellent job he did in this re-gard over many years. As a Council we would also like to thank Mrs Motswadira and the family for the personal sacrifices they had to make because Reserve Force and marketing events mainly take place on public holidays and over weekends which, normally is “fam-ily time” but the Motswadira family did not always en-joy this luxury as Cappy so often had to leave them to fulfil his official obligations countrywide. Insomuch as the Reserve Force Council is appointed by the Minister of Defence, I can without hesitation say that our Minister also recognises with sincerity the good work Cappy did and thanks the family for the support they have given him throughout his career”, said Col Monica Muller (Ret) on behalf of the RFC and the colleages of the late Col Motswadira.

Former National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, described him as a God-fearing man who dedicated his life to the things of God’s kingdom and always had time to help at the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa – Tswane in Atteridgeville, Pretoria where they fellowshipped together until his untimely death. “In our everyday language we normally talk of

daylight robbery. The death of Cappy can be referred to as such be-cause indeed we have been robbed of a be-loved husband, father, son, brother, colleague and friend. However, we are not going to sob like people of little or no faith….”want dit

wat God gedoen het; is wel gedaan en dit is wel met ons siel”….re tla amogela jalo….The Department of Defence, the South African National Defence Force, and the Defence Reserves have lost a member who portrayed all qualities of an officer”, said Defence Reserves Director Brigadier General Debbie Molefe. “Cappy was a very disciplined soldier who stood true to the course of military service. He was a proud military officer who served the organisation with all his heart, soul and mind”, she continued.

Vryburg Cemetery is his final resting place. To bor-row the words from Jonn Donne’s sonnet “Death, be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful; for thou art not so”

Col Motswadira lived life to the fullest and was a man for every occasion – a handyman, the best cook, fine dresser, hardworking humble man, a staunch Orlando Pirates supporter and a man of integrity.

The Chaplain General of the SANDF, Brig Gen (Rev) Andrew Jamangile, conducting the benediction.

Mourners in attendance at the memorial service.

The Obituary

Colonel Shuping Andries “Cappy” Motswadira was born on the 17 April 1959, in Vryburg, North West Province, South Africa. He was the fifth born child of the late Mr Daniel Goitsemodimo and Mrs Kereng Dorah Motswadira.

He started his primary schooling at Moeti Primary School in 1967 and then went to Bopaganang Sec-ondary School until 1975. He then proceeded to Taung Teacher’s College where he completed his PTC (Primary Teacher’s Course) in 1979.

He started working as a teacher in 1980 at Brand-wag Primary school. He then joined the then Bo-phuthatswana Defence Force in 1981. In 1995 he integrated into the South African National Defence Force where he served with loyalty and dedication until 29th July 2017.

In 1983 he met his wife Kerileng Cynthia Motswadi-ra and got married in 1985 till she met her death in 2004. He re-married in 2006 to Molatela Motswadi-ra. He is survived by his wife, seven children, three grandchildren and four brothers.


Brig Gen D. Molefe handing over the SA national flag, beret and service medals to Mrs Motswadira, honouring

Col Motswadira for the services he rendered.

Guard of honour as the pallbearers proceed to the graveyard.

Former National Police Commissioner, Riah

Phiyega, paying tribute to Col Motswadira and

reminiscing about old times.

Col Monica Muller (Ret), sharing her memorable

moments of working with Col Motswadira.

Brig Gen Debbie Molefe, Director Defence Reserves, giving testimony of a life well

lived by Col Motswadira.

South African national flag draped over

Col Motswadira’s coffin.


On 15 November 2017 the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Bar-

ney Hlatshwayo, officiated at the handing over and demonstration of a consignment of new South Afri-can Army project ‘Mobility Pack’ vehicle systems to troops at the Pongola border in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. “And this ladies and gentlemen, if I have to tell you it’s long overdue, it took some time to get this vehicle produced, converted to the standards that were required so I am happy that finally the time has come that we can roll out these vehicles.”

These specialised military border protection assets are now being rolled out in KwaZulu-Natal in culmina-tion of a long process of research and development. This progression has involved close collaboration between diverse stakeholders. The Joint Operations Division has facilitated input by the SA Army’s Logis-tics and Signal’s Formations, as well as by the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS). The Coun-cil for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Armaments Corporation of South Africa (ARMSCOR) both contributed from the former’s unit for Defence, Peace, Safety and Security (DPSS) and the latter’s

Gerotek internationally accredited environmental ve-hicle test facility. Members of the media were invited to see the vehicles put through their paces during the official handing over process.

Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

Members of the media and the South African Na-tional Defence Force (SANDF) were carried in con-voy by Land Cruiser Troop Packages from Pongola and transported to the demonstration area adjacent to the Pongola border post on the South Africa/Swaziland frontier. They were welcomed there by the Chief Joint Operations (C J Ops), Lieutenant General Barney Hlatshwayo, who emphasised the numerous challenges they faced when describing the road travelled to date and lessons learned. He referred to the previous vehicle and mobility pack-age acquisitions, highlighting the modifications to Toyota Hilux 4x4 vehicles and unexpected con-sequences found along the way. Referring to the new Mobility Packages’ predecessors, he men-tioned that “we then adapted them; we installed roll cages and so on and that, those modifications

Toyota Land Cruiser Mobility Package Deliveries Commence for Operation CORONA Troops

Article and photographs by: Capt J. de Vries (with recognition of the inputs from the CSIR and JOps)

Chief Joint Operations, Lt Gen Barney Hlatshwayo, introduces the new Land Cruiser Mobility Packages.

took away the warranty.” The General said at that this time around “… we were assured that if this is done scientifically with the involvement of the equipment manufacturer and they will carry the necessary warran-ties.” To that end, thorough work had been done to ensure that the process of vehicle customisation main-tained the integrity of the vehicle fleet’s guarantees.

Optimal Mobility Conquers

Joint Operations Border Safeguarding Mobility Package Development - Mobility Packages Project Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Derick Moore provided a briefing focused on the development, roles and capabilities of the vehicles to be introduced. This underlined the process followed in coming to the roll out of the vehicles, from the needs based crite-ria identified by the SANDF to the go-no-go norms that saw the selection of the vehicle and associated Mobility Packages. The adoption of the new vehi-cles will according to Colonel Moore “… enhance our effectiveness on the border and they will just make everyone’s life so much easier”.

Desired vital statistics were laid down in the original go-no-go criteria for the packages to be used with the base-line vehicle. A diesel 4x4 platform was de-sired with a ground clearance of 220mm, differen-tial lock as standard, load carrying capacity of 1.05 tonnes and on board fuel supply range of 600km being essential. Purchase on the state tender sys-tem and maintainability by the vehicle manufacturer for at least three years from date of purchase in the various Operation CORONA mission areas was a must. Colonel Moore acknowledged that the Land Cruiser won on cost and technical performance, beating contenders in the form of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter Bus, Nissan Patrol, Ranger F250, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Colt, Nissan Navara and the Isuzu 3 Litre Diesel. The Land Cruiser proved to be the most cost effective, and beat the aforemen-tioned Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Isuzu con-tenders on load carrying capacity performance.

Day and night operational evaluation took the vehicles, their drivers and troop

passengers to the KwaZulu-

Natal/Mozambican border area where the Land Cruis-ers were put through their paces in demanding sandy terrain, and also in the mountainous frontier with Le-sotho. The vehicles were also tested in the muddy conditions of the Mpumalanga/Mozambican border. This programme produced daily inputs from users which allowed evaluators to reach ideal needs based conclusions for the respective troop, command-and-control, logistics and ambulance packages adopted. Throughout this process, consultation was retained with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) - Toyota. Mobility Packages as Capacity Boost

The Officer Commanding Joint Tactical Head-quarters KwaZulu-Natal, Colonel Lucky Sangweni, spoke at the roll out on the vital role played by the Regulars and Reserves of the SANDF in securing the borders of the Republic of South Africa. He em-phasised the role Operation CORONA personnel played in dominating the KZN international border areas with the intention to prevent illegal cross bor-der movement and activities. The Colonel spoke of the crucial role of joint interdepartmental and interagency operations that endeavours to main-tain South Africa’s socio-economic stability and territorial integrity. Considering the challenges as-sociated with achieving this goal, he intimated that “… we were not faced with an enemy, but with an adversarial situation. People are committing cross-border crimes. Soldiers are faced with criminal el-ements endeavouring to smuggle vehicles across


Ambulance (left) and Command-and-Control (right) in action.


the frontier that actively and overtly force their way at high speed through Army patrols. Colonel Sang-weni admits that these encounters often happen at short notice, and can involve the firing of shots and even the inadvertent engaging of own forces. Criminality in border areas creates a destabilising effect which the SANDF seeks to mitigate. Colonel Sangweni stressed the notion that if Operation CO-RONA troops are to neutralise their adversaries’ in-tentions, they must be superior to them.

Tactical Demonstration

The vehicles were put through their paces on the demonstration area under the watchful eye and com-mentary provided by Major Titus of B Company 1 SA Tank Regiment, the first operational commander to receive the new Mobility Packages.

The Toyota Land Cruiser family of Mobility Package packages being provided to Operation CORONA companies come in groups of twenty nine. Eighteen of these are Troop Packs which carry operational troops in the course of the border patrol duties. Companies receive four Command-and-Control vehicles of which one is allocated to each platoon and one for the Company commander. Companies each receive three Logistics vehicles allocated to platoon sergeants. Four Ambulance variants are al-lotted of which one is attached to each platoon with one in reserve to provide overlapping medical cov-erage when needed.

The scenario presented at the roll out involved the in-terception of suspected criminal elements attempt-ing to transport a stolen vehicle across the South Africa/Swaziland frontier. Demonstrations involved the initial contact between troops borne by Troop Packs and suspected vehicle smugglers, followed by Troop Pack, Logistics, Command-and-Control and Ambulance variants joining to provide reinforce-ments, recovery and medical support functions. Troop Pack The primary component of Operation CORONA border patrol companies is designed to carry five infanteers on patrols, with the five-person sticks on two vehicles making up a section. One member is seated in the front of the vehicle while four are seat-ed in the Troop Pack seats. It was designed with several key aspects in mind, namely an integral roll over protection capability as standard on all vari-ants, a low center of gravity, as well as adjustable roll up canvas covers which protect occupants from inclement weather while affording all round visibility. A fifth so called ‘jump seat’ is provided for members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), rangers from South African National Parks (SANParks) or customs and excise officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) accompanying Operation CORONA troops on Joint, Inter-departmental, Inter-agency, Multi-national (JI2M) operations. In terms of communications, the vehicle commander is able to rely on an on-board communications suite which includes a hand held radio and mobile phone. This suite allows for dismounted communications be-tween the stick and platoon commander and also the vehicle. An on-board 20 litre jerry can provides a supplement to the water members carry, espe-cially in hot and humid operational conditions.

Logistics Pack

The Platoon Sergeant’s Logistics vehicle fulfils an operational replenishment role, with the ability ofthe load carrying platform to supplement patrolling troops’ rations and water supply. The Logistics Package has 120 litres of water on board, and can provide thirty members

Side view of a Land Cruiser Troop Pack variant.


with an additional four litres of water per day. In addi-tion to the water replenishment role, the vehicle can top up Troop Packs or other Mobility Package vari-ants with thirty litres of additional emergency diesel so as to continue with patrols or follow up operations. It must be emphasised that the Logistics Pack does not fulfil a fuel bowser role. It fulfils a tactical recovery function and can bear disabled Land Cruisers out of harm’s way with tow straps or A-frames. Command-and-Control and Ambulance Packs The Platoon Commander’s Command-and-Control Land Cruiser is able to accommodate four mem-bers, comprising the driver, commander and two signallers in the rear communications space. Com-pany and platoon commanders are in turn able to execute operations on the move in an on-board in-dependent power management system equipped mini operations room. The commander is able to make use of the integral Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio communications suite, map tables and computer amenities, that do not keep command-ers bound exclusively to company headquarters. As with other versions in the Mobility Pack, communi-cations equipment installed in the vehicle cabin and the Communications Pack have been mounted in such a manner that meet the approval of the OEM.

Last but not least, the ambulance variant of the Mo-bility Pack sees to the immediate medical needs

of troops engaged in Operation CORONA ac-tivities. It is in terms of mobility able to

keep pace with its troop pack, command-and-con-

trol and logistics counterparts, wherever a casualty evacuation (casevac) might be required. Two Op-erational Emergency Care Practitioners (OECPs) are able to support a combination of one stretcher and two sitting patients, or two stretcher patients. Conclusion While the first Land Cruiser Mobility Package con-signment officially handed over to the SANDF was delivered to an area of operations currently staffed by a Regular Force unit at Pongola. The next 29- vehicle batch is destined for Reserve Force troops at Macadamia in Mpumalanga.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Piet Paxton, Staff Officer, Operational Communication, SANDF Joint Operations Division, the next consignment of Mo-bility Package vehicles will be Reserve Force Com-pany deployed. He added that “All 15 companies currently in operations for CORONA will eventually be issued with these vehicles.”

As per the sentiment shared by the Chief Joint Operations, his subordinate Officer Commander in KwaZulu-Natal and the Mobility Package Project Officer, the new additions will prove of immense val-ue to the troops on the ground who seek to fulfil the border safeguarding mandates. Colonel Sangeni thanked superiors in the SANDF and Department of Defence (DOD) for the new capacity at hand, stating that “… we are a little bit behind compared to the adversary and compared to the situation on the ground. Those are the major challenges but I can say that we are succeeding in overcoming the challenges”.

Troops deploy from a Troop Pack to apprehend suspected vehicle smugglers.


The City of Johannesburg once again contrib-uted to the commemoration of South African servicemen and women lost in two World Wars

and subsequent conflicts. The National Civic Remem-brance Sunday Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony took place at Johannesburg’s Beyers Naudé Square

based Cenotaph on 12 November 2017. The com-memorative event was hosted by the South African Legion in collaboration with the Office of the Ex-ecutive Mayor, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Ditsong Museums of South Africa,

City of Johannesburg Pauses on Remembrance Sunday to Commemorate

99th Anniversary of Armistice Day

Article and photograph by: Capt J. de Vries

The Johannesburg Cenotaph, with wreaths laid and 21 SAI Bn

sentries posted.


and the South African National Military Veterans’ Association (SANMVA). Members of the Reserve Force Council’s Junior Officers’ Association (RFC JOA) were on hand to assist the South African Legion in an organisational capacity with the processing of wreaths and the distribution of pop-pies and service programmes. 2016’s theme of remembrance centred on the centenary com-memoration of the Battle of Delville Wood, while Remembrance Sunday in 2017 honoured those lost in the troopship SS Mendi tragedy. Remembrance Sunday 2018 will remember the exploits of the Cape Corps at Square Hill in Palestine, and mark the 100 year anniversary of the end of the First World War.

March Past to Honour the Deceased

The opening of the remembrance service was preceded by the hoisting and unfurling of the National Flag as those attending assembled, before the Marching Column passed before the old Johannesburg City Hall, with participants saluting the Cenotaph as they went passed. The Cenotaph on Beyers Naudé Square, was unveiled on 10 October 1926, simultaneously with the Delville Wood South African National Memorial in France, to commemorate South Africa’s First World War dead. It bears a striking resemblance to the Cenotaph that was first erected in 1919 and then made a permanent structure on Whitehall in London, England.

The head of the marching column was led by the newly formed Johannesburg Metropoli-tan Police Department (JMPD) Band with JMPD personnel following behind. The column included personnel from St John’s Ambulance, City of Johannesburg Emergency Manage-ment Services fire fighting personnel led by a red Scania 6x4 truck carrying the Bronto Skylift F37 HDT ladder platform, the South African Police Service (SAPS), as well as the Girl and Boy Scouts respectively. The SANDF Reserve Force Contribution to the march past was the Pipes and Drums of the South African Irish Regiment (SAIR) which was followed closely by members of various veterans’ organisations, with the rear brought up by the JMPD Eques-trian Unit’s Mounted officers on their black Friesian horses.

The SANDF Regular Force contribution to commemorative proceedings came in the form of a military ceremonial company, sentries and flagman from 21 South African Infantry Battalion (21 SAI Bn) based in Doornkop.

City and Citizenry Unite in Remembering Sacrifice for Justice and Freedom

The Sunday 12 November observance was presided over by the Mayor, Councillor Herman Mashaba, along with attendance by senior civil and military officials, diplomats and military at-tachés paying their respects. The order of the service saw a prayer and a sermon invoked by the Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg’s Dean, the Very Reverend Xolani Dlwathi, and scripture read by the Speaker of the Council of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Vasco da Gama.

Cenotaph – The Empty Tomb

The theme of this Remembrance Day service focused on the tragic loss of the 616 men of the South African Native Labour Corps (SANLC) with the sinking of the troopship SS Mendi one hun-dred years ago. The etymology of the Greek word Cenotaph – Kenos, meaning “empty”, and

taphos, meaning “tomb” is most fitting for this Remembrance Day’s special focus on


the centenary of the sinking of the troopship SS Mendi, in that cenotaphs are erected to com-memorate those whose remains are interred elsewhere, lost or location unknown. Most of the 616 South Africans who perished when the SS Mendi went down have no known graves. The theme of prayer, scripture readings and benediction at the event centred not only on mourning the great loss to South Africa on 21 February 1917, but also revolved around what the sacrifice made by all South Africa’s fighting sons and daughters stood for.

Those present joined in song, singing the SANDF Unity Hymn to the accompaniment of notes provided by the National Ceremonial Guard’s Band, followed by observing the solemn sounding of the Last Post, observing Two Minutes’ Silence, and the sounding of the Reveille. The tradition of marking two minutes’ silence traces its origins to Cape Town during the First World War, with one minute dedicated to those who came home, and the other for those who did not. A South African, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick successfully petitioned King George V for this to be officially observed at all Armistice Day services.

South African Irish Regiment (SAIR) Pipe Major, WO2 Craig Herwill played the Lament, alternat-ing with the Ceremonial Guard Band while dignitaries and guests laid wreaths at the Cenotaph. The Chief of the South African Army Infantry Formation, Major General Rudzani Maphwanya laid a wreath on behalf of the Chief of the SANDF, while Brigadier Generals Debbie Molefe and Brigadier General Gerhard Kamffer did so with the former in her capacity as Director: Defence Reserves and the latter as Director: Army Reserves. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Reserve Force Council by Councillor, Brigadier General Kefilwe Mathibe (Ret).

Intervene and End all Conflicts, Protect Us and Protect our Nation

What started as a sunny afternoon turned towards the end of the service to peals of thunder and lightning. The storm broke with a considerable downpour over proceedings just as the National Anthem was played, with those assembled joining in for a most heartfelt rendition in response above the din. The first portion of the National Anthem’s second stanza in Sesotho, translated as ‘Intervene and end all conflicts, protect us, protect our nation’ is most fitting when taking remem-brance and commemoration into consideration.

Continuing to Remember

The City of Johannesburg and SANDF continue to honour those South Africans who paid the ultimate price in all wars, battles and armed struggles in pursuit of the values of freedom, democracy and peace which this country now holds so dear.

Great thanks must go to the collaboration between the City of Johannesburg, the SANDF, and the South African Legion’s Programme Director for the day, Legionnaire Godfrey Giles, for a respectful commemorative service, on the eve of the one hundred year anniversary of the ces-sation of hostilities in the First World War, to be marked on 11 November 2018.

The SANLC SS Mendi casualty Reverend Isaac Dyobha’s words bring the war home, “I, a Xhosa, say you are all my brothers, Zulus, Swazis, Pondos, Basutos, we die like brothers. We are the sons of Africa.”

‘Lest we forget.’ Quote by Rudyard Kipling


As the old adage says “all good things must come to an end”. That’s the story of Mr Peter Thapelo Mocuminyane who was persuaded

by age to close the curtain on a sterling 38-year old career with the South African National Defence Force.

A farewell in honour of this finance expert was held on Thursday 28 September 2017, at Swartkop Park, Pretoria.

He started his military career on 10 September 1979 as a troop with the then Bophuthatswana Defence Force. Mr Mocuminyane was appointed as Chief De-fence Reserves Division’s Budget Manager in 2007.

Paying tribute to “Peta” as she used to call him, Director Defence Reserves, Brig Gen S.D. Molefe, said, “Peter was one person who loved and did his job exceptionally well. He was a good advisor to the division and very committed to his job and would not allow any deviations from Financial Policies and Regulations”.

Farewell messages from colleagues, family, friends and members poured in for Mr Mocuminyane as he starts his life as a retired man. Mr T.R. Sidogi, Budg-et Manager at Chief Corporate Staff, reminisced on the time he worked with Peter and believes his good deeds will always follow him. In his speech Mr Mocuminyane said he has been praying for this day of his retirement not to come, but now that it has, it shows that all is in God’s hands.

‘It is sad to say goodbye but my commitment and achievements over the years make

me proud as I am carrying with me good memories.’

38 Years of Service Excellence – Farewell Function in Honour of Mr Peter Thapelo Mocuminyane,

Chief Defence Reserves Division Budget Manager

By: Ms R.D. Khashane, Defence Reserves DivisionPhotograph by: Sgt N.D. Malatji, Defence Reserves Division

Quick Facts About Mr Mocuminyane

1979 He joined the Defence Force in September1980 Completed Basic Military Training1994 Integrated into the SANDF 1995 Peter was transferred to Potchefstroom and

became a Warrant Officer1998 Demilitarised 1999 Mr Mocuminyana was transferred to Pretoria

and served at MOD Budget Department2007 He joined the Defence Reserves Division as

the Division’s Budget Manager2008 He was appointed as a Budget Manager for

the Defence Reserves Division2017 Retirement

Mr Mocuminyane, Chief Defence Reserves’ Division Budget Manager, responding with mixed emotions but

above all appreciating the SANDF for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation.


The Defence Reserves Provincial Office Lim-popo has over the past months been hard at work in support of Limpopo Provincial

Government initiatives and programmes through-out the province. The office participated in various activities such as the Makhado Show, Mokopane National Science Week, Tzaneen Show, Premier’s Imbizo, Thulamela Show in Thohoyandou and Heritage Day in Seshego. During these provincial government activities, the Reserve Force Provincial Office Limpopo interacted with provincial govern-ment stakeholders, traditional leaders, municipality mayors and managers, university students and the public in general, just to name but a few.

The first initiative worth mentioning was the Annual Makhado Show, which was held from 27 to 29 July 2017. It was organised and coordinated by the Makhado Municipality.

Apart from meaningful interactions with university stu-dents, educators and learners at the Makhado Show, the office utilised the excellent and golden opportunity it had to market and promote itself in the province. It was able to do so because the show attracted huge crowds, especially on the official opening day and the

last day where Air Force base Makhado embraced the occasion with a fly past by Gripen fighter jets.

While the general public was much more interested in the roles and functions of the Reserve Force, uni-versity students and high school learners were very interested in career opportunities in the Reserves.

It was then communicated to them that Defence Re-serve’s mandate is to market and promote the Re-serve Force by creating career awareness opportu-nities, as well as its roles and functions and giving information on recruitment processes and proce-dures. They were also made aware that the Reserve Force does not conduct recruitment and referred them to the exhibition stall of Chief Directorate Hu-man Resource Acquisition which is mandated to conduct recruitment and oversee its processes and procedures in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

The second initiative to which the Provincial Office Limpopo rendered its full support, was during the National Science week in Mokopane which was held from 07 to 11 August 2017. The office mainly interacted with high school learners and educators. Among the schools present there were learners that were eager to join the Defence Force after complet-

ing their studies. After each presentation, learn-ers were also referred to the Directorate

Human Resource Acquisition exhibi-tion stall were they were given

more information on recruit-ment and procedures on

how to join the Military Skills Development System.

Defence Reserves Provincial Office Limpopo Hard at Work in Support of Limpopo Provincial Government

Initiatives and Programmes

Article and photographs by: Lt Col Z. Nombida, SO1 Reserve Force PO Limpopo

Thulamela show in Thohoyandou.


Similarly, the Tzaneen Show was held from 09 to 12 August 2017 and received equivalent support to that rendered dur-ing the Makhado Show. The only dissimilarity was that during Tzaneen show, schools only came in the afternoons and more inter-action was with the public and pro-vincial government stakeholders. Ne-vertheless, the objective of promoting and marketing the Defence Reserves in the province in accordance with its mandate was achieved.

On the other hand, the attendance at the Premier’s Imbizo in Dlanganani (Khani) village in Giyani on 18 August 2017 in support of Provincial Government programmes was fruitful. At this event, Provincial Office was among other provincial government de-partments not only representing the Reserve Force but the entire Department of Defence.

The office’s interaction was more with the public, es-pecially the youth. There were also nearby schools that were invited. While the public was more inter-ested in development projects and infrastructure in the Greater Giyani Municipality, the youth were interested in career opportunities and bursaries of-fered by all provincial government departments, in-cluding the Department of Defence. Information on the Military Skills Development System and career awareness on the Reserve Force was shared with the enthusiastic youth. The support rendered to Thulamela show in Thohoy-andou on 31 August 2017 until 02 September 2017 to the Greater Vhembe Municipality is worth mentioning. For instance, the Provincial Office joined 15 SAI Bat-talion and Air Force Base Makhado in putting on a splendid exhibition.

The interaction at the show was similar to the one at the Makhado Show except

that during this show there was a SABC 2 drama

series; Muvhango actors embracing the event as programme directors with maximum attendance by local traditional leaders and nearby high schools. Defence Reserves Provincial Office Limpopo re-ceived a recognition and appreciation letter for the wonderful support rendered during the show.

Lastly the Provincial Office participated in heritage celebrations on 24 September 2017 in Seshego in Polokwane. This was in support of provincial gov-ernment programmes initiated by the Department of Arts and Culture. The office utilised the oppor-tunity to promote and market the Defence Reserve Force Service System in the province in accord-ance with its mandate. It was able to do so through the meaningful interaction it had with different cul-tural groups and provincial stakeholders that came to support the celebrations.

Through active participation in support of provincial government initiatives and programmes as indicat-ed, it is evident that the Defence Reserves Provin-cial Office Limpopo is hard at work in marketing and promoting the Defence Reserve Force Service System in the Limpopo Province.

The office is determined to continue building on wonderful achievements made by Capt (Navy) J.T. Magonono, the former SO1 Liaison Defence Re-serves Provincial Office Limpopo.

Interaction with learners during Thulamela Show in Thohoyandou.

Chief of the South African National Defence Force Medal Parade

By: Mr C. Khobo, Defence Reserves DivisionPhotographs by: Sgt N.D. Malatji, Defence Reserves Division


On Friday, 01 December 2017, during the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (C SANDF) Medal Parade, General S.Z.

Shoke, conferred forty and thirty year service med-als to the deserving members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who distinguished themselves in their quest of ensuring that the people of South Africa are and feel safe while executing the SANDF constitutional obligation’s to protect the sov-ereignty of RSA. The proceedings took place at the Armscor Sport Grounds (ASG) in Erasmuskloof.

The aim of this parade was to honour the heroes and heroines of the SANDF who dedicated their lives to the citizens of this wonderful country. For a member to serve for 30 or 40 years in the SANDF requires discipline, honour, commitment and loyalty. Without fault, these men and women are willing to lay down their lives for the sake of peace in the country.

The event started with the marching on to the parade by the National Ceremonial Guard (NCG) and Band and upon the arrival of the C SANDF Gen S.Z. Shoke, there was a salute flight by the South African Air Force consisting of an Augusta A109 Multipurpose helicopter and Oryx Medium Utility Helicopter from 17 Squadron, based at Air Force Base Swartkop. This was followed by the reading of the code of conduct for uniformed members. The Chaplain General of the SANDF, Brig Gen M.A. Jamangile, opened the event with a scripture reading and a prayer to bless the aus-picious occasion.

Long service medals were awarded to the recipients by Gen Shoke, first presenting the “Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar to the “Medalje vir Troue Diens” (40 Years), with two Reserve Force Service System members as recipients and the “Medalje vir Troue

Chief functionary, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (C SANDF), General S.Z. Shoke, and his entourage.


The trooping of the NCG Band.The National Ceremonial Guard and Band presented a magnificent parade. Seen here is the

NCG Ceremonial Company executing a March Past in columns of platoons.

During his closing remarks, General Shoke con-gratulated the recipients and thanked all members of the DOD/ SANDF for their hard work during 2017, and further wished everyone a joyous festive sea-son and urged them to enter 2018 in full steam ahead mode to tackle the task at hand.

Diens and Bar to “Medalje vir Troue Diens” (30 Years), with a total of 21 Reserve Force Service System mem-bers as recipients.

Senior Warrant Officer A.E. Geldenhuys, a Reserve Force Service System member receiving his Medalje vir Troue

Diens and Bar to “Medalje vir Troue Diens” (30 Years) from General Shoke.

During his speech General Shoke, expressed his deepest gratitude to all the recipients of the day saying “it is not easy to be a soldier, because the military is a place where you live by command and doing what seniors tell you to do, so receiving a medal for 30 and 40 years, shows the amount of discipline and loyalty there is in the SANDF. I am proud to stand in front of everyone here today and honour our heroes and heroines publicly so, be-cause being in service for 30 or 40 years is a re-markable achievement”.

General Shoke also stressed the issue of discipline among soldiers, urg-

ing them to maintain high

work ethics and to remember the pledge they made upon joining the SANDF. In his closing statement, he thanked each and every one who was present to witness and share in the joy of the occasion, espe-cially the family members of the recipients who have been the pillar of strength throughout their long years of service, and may they continue to provide them with the love and strength to keep them going as they continue to serve their country proudly.

Brigadier General M.A. Jamangile, The Chaplain General of the South African National Defence Force, opening the

parade with scripture reading and prayer.


The 2017 Military Skills Competition kicked off in full steam with a colourful

military parade hosted at 4 Artil-lery Regiment in Potchefstroom on 23 October 2017.

The competition was celebrating its 11th year anniversary, hence the great turnout of 175 participants and 200 support personnel. South African Army Specialised Infan-try Capability (SAASIC) Chaplain Kate, officially commenced the parade with a scripture reading and prayer to warm up everyone present. Brigadier General Basi Gqcoboka, the Chief of Staff SA Army Infantry Formation, was the guest of honour during the official opening of the competition. He was delighted with the turnout of both the national and internation-al teams. During his speech, Brig Gen Gqcoboka extended a word of gratitude and appreciation for the continued support by the Honourable Mayor of Tlokwe Mu-nicipality, Virgin Active, Defence Reserves Division, Reserve Force Council, participants and support personnel.

This annual competition aims at comparing and testing the basic military skills in a competitive en-vironment whilst being evaluated in a fair and equal manner. It is an appropriate method to

2017 Military Skills Competitionin Potchefstroom

By: Mr C. Khobo, Defence Reserves DivisionPhotographs by: Sgt N.D. Malatji, Defence Reserves Division

2017 Military Skills Competition opened with a colourful military parade which consisted of participants flanked by dogs, horses and motorcycle sections from

SAASIC Reserve based in Potchefstroom.

Chaplain Kate, of SASSIC Regular Force commencing the parade with a prayer and a scripture reading to warm up everyone present.


Brigadier General Gqcoboka (Right), Chief of Staff SA Army Infantry

Formation, welcoming everyone during the official opening of the 2017 Military

Skills Competition.

WO1 Nell (Left), briefing participants about the application of R4 Assault Rifle, which included

handling and safety precautions thereof.

2Lt Carl Smit (Right) and 2Lt Ramon Purchase (Left), both University Reserve Training Programme (URTP) members set two

new records of 30.6 seconds and 30.94 seconds respectively, in the Water Obstacle.

Bdr Andrico Leonard of 4 Artillery Regiment set a new Land Obstacle Record.

The 4 Artillery Regiment Team won the Land Obstacle relay.

The SA Navy team participated at full steam despite being absent from the competition for three

consecutive years. Seen here, Leading Seaman D. Mhlanga (Left) and Seaman M.Z. Dlamini (Right).

test the level of basic combat readiness. The participat-ing teams came from South African Development Com-munity (SADC) countries such as Botswana as South Af-rica was the official host. International countries included teams from Germany, Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom. The teams competed over a period of six days with the following challenges; Land Obstacles, Water Obstacles, Rifle Shooting, Pistol Shooting, Hand Grenade Throwing, Combat Run and Range Estimation.

Day two of the competition acquainted the teams with what they would be participating in, which included the Shooting Range and Range Estimation. This gave the

participants time to walk around, practise shooting and understanding how the range estimation chal-

lenge works. They then continued to the ob-stacle course to see what lay ahead.


WO1 Hannes Pool, a Musketry Coach ensured that the correct safety precautions were adhered to throughout the live firing

competitions.

Participants during the Range Estimation and Map Reading Competition.

Chief of the Defence Reserves, Major General Andersen, expressed his appreciation and gratitude towards the

participants and support staff for their enthusiasm, hard work and dedication displayed throughout the competition during

his official closing address.

The German Team presented Maj Gen Andersen with a token of appreciation.

Brig Gen John Delmonte (Ret), the Deputy Chairperson of the Reserve Force Council,

was delighted to present awards to the international

participants.

Brig Gen Gqcoboka presenting an award to the top Regular Force achievers from 4 Artillery Regiment.

The highlight of the competition programme was on day three, at the swimming pool where the participants were afforded the opportunity to be trained and offered swim-ming lessons in order to prepare them in the right frame of mind as well as being acquainted with the Water Obstacle course. On this day, 2Lt Ramon Purchase and 2Lt Carel Smit, both from the University Reserve Training Prog-ramme (URTP), set two new records of 30.6 seconds and 30.94 seconds respectively.

The 2017 competition saw the participation of eighteen Reserve Force and four Regular Force units as well as the SA Navy after three consecutive years of absence. The teams were enthusiastic and eager to feel, touch and negotiate the obstacles.

On Saturday, 28 October, the 2017 Military Skills Compe-tition concluded with a Combat Run in the morning fol-lowed by a prize giving ceremony at 4 Artillery Regiment in the afternoon. Chief Defence Reserves, Major General Roy Andersen was the main functionary during this pres-tigious event and presented trophies and certificates to the commendable men and women in uniform as tokens of appreciation for their hard work.


The Reserve Force Council (RFC) hosted its annual formal dinner on Wednesday 18 October 2017. This took place at the prestigious International

Convention Centre of the Council for Scientific and In-dustrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria. The occasion was used to bid a farewell to outgoing members of the Council. Most notably, thanks were ex-tended to Dr (Colonel) John Job for his immense contri-bution. Dr Job chaired the RFC from its inception in 1998 until 2016.

The dinner was also an opportunity to welcome the newly constituted Council. The RFC now comprises both mem-bers who have previously served as Councillors as well as new members. Councillors of the RFC are appointed directly by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans (MOD&MV) and serve for a fixed five-year term that can be renewed. The dinner is a highlight on the RFC’s calendar and was very well attended. The Secretary for Defence, Dr Sam Gulube, was one of the esteemed guests. Other guests included Regular and Reserve Force members of the SANDF, as well as members of the Defence Force Service Commission (DFSC) and Military Ombudsman’s office.

Those in attendance included Professor Edna van Harte, Chairwoman of the DFSC; Lieutenant General Themba Matanzima, Chairman of the Military Ombud Office; Lt Gen Jabulani Nkabinde (Ret), former Chief Human Re-sources; Maj Gen Roy Andersen, Chief Defence Re-serves; Maj Gen Lawrence Smith, Deputy Chief of the Army; Maj Gen Les Rudman (Ret), former Deputy Chief

of the SA Army; Brigadier General Gerhard Kamffer, Chief SA Army Reserves; and Rear Admiral Asiel

Kubu, Chief of Navy Staff.

The Reserve Force Council Hosts its 2017 Formal Dinner

Article and photographs by: Capt J. de Vries, Reserve Force Council Junior Officers’ Association

Additional photographs by: Candidate Officer J. Atkins

Former and current RFC Councillors together with Dinner Guests.

RFCJOA National Chairman 2Lt Damian Adsetts welcomes guests.

Maj Gen Mokoape (Ret) shares news of progress made by the RFC.


Members of the RFC’s Junior Officers’ Association (JOA) National and Gauteng regional bodies were on hand to support the administrative and organisational aspects of the dinner. However, the driving force behind the organ-ising that took place was RFC Councillor Maj Marianne Fryer (Ret). Her efforts ensured a splendid evening. The current Chairman of the RFC, Maj Gen Keith Mokoape (Ret), addressed dinner guests. He shared the Council’s vision and mission as it moves forward in its support of the Minister and the Department of Defence and Military Veterans (DOD&MV).

Gen Mokoape highlighted recent RFC-led or endorsed endeavours within and beyond South Africa’s borders. These included the Gold Cup and White Horse Trophy Shoot held in Bloemfontein in April 2017.

He also mentioned the attendance of the July/August 2017 Inter-Allied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) Sum-mer Congress in Prague. It was gratifying to hear how well the RFC, JOA and South African Military Skills Competition team had acquitted themselves during this congress.

Gifts and certificates of appreciation were handed over to deserving outgoing and incoming members of the RFC. The first was to Honorary Life President of the RFC, Dr Job, for his outstanding contributions and dedicated service to the Council. Gen Mokoape’s address was followed by that of Dr Sam Gulube, who as the guest speaker for the evening focused on the challenges faced by the DOD&MV and SANDF. As Secretary for Defence, he highlighted the indispensable role organisations such as the RFC play.

He saw the RFC as finding innovative solutions to some of the problems faced by the SANDF today. In particular, he envisaged the RFC assisting in arresting the decline identified in the Defence Review 2015. It is indeed fortunate that so many prominent contributors and vital role players could gather in such a convivial at-mosphere with a common purpose. That purpose be-ing to promote and maintain the Reserve Force as an integral part of the SANDF.

Maj Gen Mokoape (Ret) hands over tokens of appreciation to Dr Job.

Dr Sam Gulube explaining the role of the Secretary for Defence.


The Interallied Confederation of Reserve Offic-ers (Confédération Interalliée des Officiers de Réserve, CIOR) hosted its 7th annual Civil Mili-

tary Cooperation (CIMIC) Exercise (CIMEX) from 27th

July to 30th July, 2017 as a preamble to the CIOR’s Summer Congress from 31st July to 4th August in Prague, Czech Republic. South Africa’s Reserve Force Council (RFC) and its Junior Officers’ Associa-tion (JOA) participate in the CIOR’s activities as an Associate member as well as being an Associate member of the Inter-allied Confederation of Medi-cal Reserve Officers (Confédération Interalliée des Officers Médicaux de Réserve, CIOMR). The South

African delegation comprised members of the Re-serve Force Council for CIOR Council interac-

tions and Technical Duty duties, a Military Skills Competition (MilComp)

team, a Young Reserve Officers Workshop (YROW) group, and representation for the CIOR’s CIMEX and CIMIC Committee. The RFC was represented at CIMEX and the CIOR’s CIMIC Committee by South African Army Reserve Force and JOA member, Captain Jacques de Vries.

The RFC serves as a consultative advi-sory body representing the South African military’s Reserve Force so as to promote and advance the good stead of the force as an indispensable constituent of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Valuable representations have been made to date at CIOR CIMIC activi-ties by First Lieutenants Luvuyo Nowala-za and Schalk-Willem van der Merwe of 7 and 3 Medical Battalion Group, South African Medical Health Services (SAMHS) respectively.

CIMIC at a Glance

CIMIC as a peace support competency is a means by which representatives of a military peace sup-port mission commander connects and interacts with civilian communities and civilian governmental, non-governmental and international governmen-tal organisations in a theatre of operations. These representatives are trained in CIMIC Tactics, Tech-niques and Procedures (TTPs) and advise the com-mander on threats and concerns that may affect these groups. He or she is in turn better informed to assist to fulfil the mandate that civil military in-terfaces support the military mission of providing safety and security for all.

Article and photographs by: Capt J. de Vries, Reserve Force Council Junior Officers’ Association

The Reserve Force Council Represented at the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Civil

Military Cooperation Activities


Strong International Attendance and Diverse Thematic Lectures

The theme of CIMEX 2017 was “The Migration Cri-sis and the Changing Role of CIMIC, Resilience and Internal Defence”, which built upon the ‘Refugee Crisis’ theme of CIMEX 2016 as part of the CIOR Summer Congress held in Madrid, Spain. CIMEX 2017 consisted of a lecture series and a desktop simulation exercise, focusing closely on The Mili-tary’s Role in Resilience, National Perspectives on Internal Defence, Addressing Maritime Migration, Legal Implications for the Military in Mediterranean Ops, and Emerging CIMIC Topics.

Some 27 participants were involved, coming from Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, the Republic of South Africa, Sweden, Swit-zerland, United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA) and Canada. Lectures covered many topics, such as ‘Mass Migration – Definition & Challenges’, ‘The World Today’, ‘What is CIMIC – A Dialogue’, ‘The Military and Resilience’, ‘Inter-nal Defence and Challenges in Countering Violent Extremism’, ‘Migration Crisis – Legal Implications for the Military’, ‘Building a Refugee Reception Centre – A German Perspective’, and ‘Maritime Migration: Coast Guard Operations & The European Crisis’.

Cooperation and Coordination Scenario

Over two days attendees divided into three groups and took part in ‘Exercise Sea Crossing’, a scenar-io involving a large stream of displaced persons moving from one large landmass to another over the ocean, with causes and effects that CIMIC practitioners would have to respond to. The ob-jective was for military CIMIC practitioners to find a judicious balance in assisting diverse actors in a migrant refugee crisis while at the same time preserving national and international safety and security of the civil and military forces involved. This required syndicate groups to produce CIMIC assessments under two-hour long, governed by time constraints with recommended courses of action to be followed by the scenario’s multina-tional peacekeeping force. A second round of time governed scenario work and presentations responded to the dynamic nature of the unfolding scenario. The subsequent CIMIC decision making proposals made by groups to promote the safety and security of civilian entities in support of the overall mission intent were presented to the sce-nario commander, in the presence of members of the CIOR’s Council.

Exercise Sea Crossing CIMIC group work conducted by CIMEX participants Germany, Netherlands,

the Republic of South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA and Canada.

Major General Evan L. “Curly” Hultman, US (Ret), former President of CIOR (1992-1994) and Honorary President of CIOR for Life, with members of the CIOR Council, addresses a packed room of CIMEX participants at the end of the three day long event.


CIMEX 2016 a Resounding Success

The different South African elements taking part in the CIOR Summer Congress in Prague, have through their respective experiences gained much insight into the principle of Reservists as the em-bodiment of “twice the citizen” as espoused by famed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. In terms of CIMIC, the part-time citizen soldier is considered an ideal candidate for the kind of practitioners needed by contingent commanders in peace support and humanitarian response op-erations to bridge the civil-military divide. Through the successfully executed simulation, CIMEX 2017 has illustrated that reservist soldiers from diverse professional civilian backgrounds are resilient problem solvers when liaising with civilians, civilian agencies as well as own and other military entities mission in the theatre of operations.

Lessons Learned and Planning for CIMEX 2018

The CIOR CIMIC Committee at the CIOR Summer Congress 2017 processed the experience accu-mulated in conducting its seventh iteration, and facilitated a constructive environment for the devel-opment and unanimous acceptance at CIOR Coun-cil level of the Committee’s proposed CIMEX 2018 theme. This was entitled “The Intersection of CIMIC & Technology: Exploring Information Challenges in

Complex Emergency Environments”. The CIMIC Committee will reconvene in February 2018 at the CIOR’s Winter Meeting at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in preparation for the next CIMEX to be held as part of the 2018 CIOR Summer Con-gress in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

Reflections

Learning more about CIMIC through CIOR CIMEX and CIMIC committee work has built upon knowl-edge of how South Africa could integrate on refu-gee and migration issues as part of its border safe-guarding and peacekeeping responsibilities. It has also provided great insight into how African regional multi-national forces or organizations can assist and respond to complex emergencies. Primary and sec-ondary lessons learned by members of the SANDF at domestic and international best practice assem-blies such as the CIOR and its CIMEX should be seen as an opportunity for South Africa to continu-ally stock tailor-made tools to an ‘Africanized’ CIMIC ‘toolbox’, to be used on the continent in its endeav-our to deepen peace, security and democracy. The Reserve Force Council will continue to liaise with other relevant national and international organiza-tions on Reserve Force matters pertaining to CIMIC in particular. As one of the few African countries that has a reserve force, any knowledge the RFC can bring back to South Africa and share with other Afri-can countries, is of great value.

CIOR CIMIC Committee Chairperson Colonel Vanessa Dornhoefer leading CIMIC Committee discussions on the theme for CIMEX 2018 with members of the South African delegation RFC, Major General Keith Mokoape (Ret) and Colonel Johnny

Sexwale in attendance.


SANDF Reserve Force Officers did exception-ally well at the Young Reserve Officers Work-shop (YROW) in Prague, Czech Republic

from 30 July to 4 August 2017. It was held as a part of the Inter-Allied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) Summer Congress.

The Reserve Force Council (RFC), sends a team drawn from the RFC’s Junior Officers’ Association (JOA) to the Congress YROW on an annual basis to represent South Africa. Candidates were selected nationally through a process organised by the Na-tional Executive of the JOA. The process starts at unit level, where nominations are done by the Of-ficer Commanding. This then leads to regional and finally a national selection process at the RFC Head-quarters at Mount Collins in Johannesburg. Here the final candidates were put through their paces from

Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 May 2017, drawing upon a training programme that ensures they have sharpened presentation and public speaking skills. The CIOR’s Summer Congress YROW takes place over one week, entailing an intensive professional development programme. This exposes the jun-ior reserve officer to a multi-national environment to which over sixty international participants are drawn. Officers up to the rank of Captain (Army and Air Force) and Lieutenant (Navy) take part. They are afforded the opportunity to cooperate in and coordinate debates and briefings, as well as to contribute to and to learn from their newfound international partners. All participants are exposed to many new and exciting per-spectives from widely differing parts of the world.

South Africans Shine at the International Young Reserve Officers’ Workshop

Article and photographs by: Capt J. de Vries, Reserve Force CouncilAdditional photographs from CIOR Summer Congress official release

The SANDF contingent seen at centre participating in the CIOR Summer Congress Opening Ceremony.


In addition to participants in the YROW, South Af-rica’s RFC Delegation to the CIOR Summer Con-gress 2017 included a Military Skills Competition team with a coach, a representative to the Civil Military Exercise and Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Committee and a representative to the Inter-Allied Confederation of Medical Reserve Offic-ers (CIOMR) Committee. The opening ceremony was held at the National Monument in Vitkov, which is also the site of the Czech Republic’s tomb of the unknown soldier, com-memorating the country’s fallen soldiers. The Secre-tary General and the President of the CIOR opened the conference, followed by a wreath laying ceremo-ny to which 2Lt Ngema of the JOA was part of.

YROW attendees participated in syndicated work-shops on a daily basis, with focused Country Briefs by participating nations, talks on leadership, specific national military best practice, and presentations on areas of specialisation such as CIMIC. JOA mem-bers, and those participating in the CIOR’s YROW in particular, are ideal officers to practice CIMIC. Their experience as reservists to be ‘twice the citizen’

places them in an enhanced position to facilitate liaison between their military commander, ci-

vilians and civilian agencies in an area of operations.

The SANDF’s JOA members showed their firm grasp of International Humanitarian Law and the Law of Armed Conflict by all passing the YROW Law of Armed Conflict exam with distinction.

A symposium on 2nd August focused on “Utilisation of Reserve Forces for the Fight against Terrorism”. It enabled YROW participants to gain new insights and consider fresh approaches for answers to these challenges and threats. As reservists, JOA members who attended were able to learn more about how international partners provide a bridge between groups in challenging, complex scenarios and politically sensitive environments.

Themes presented during the first part of the sym-posium focused on: Sustainable Security and Asso-ciated Challenges; Intelligence and Counter-Terror-ism; Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Threats and their Evolution; and Cyber Se-curity Conflagrations and their Repercussions. After lunch, presentations continued with the themes Uti-lisation of Reserve Forces for the Fight against Terror and Ability of Paramilitary groups, such as ISIS, to Inflict Physical Damage on the Scale of a Terrorist Cyber-attack.

JOA members with YROW experience could imme-diately grasp the importance of effectively respond-ing to and recovering from crises. The symposium theme of ‘resilience’ will equip them well in assisting their commanders or communities in a multitude of complex emergency situations.

The CIOR Summer Congress 2017 concluded with a National Evening and Gala Dinner. At this auspi-cious event, once again, the Reserve Force Coun-cil’s Junior Officers’ Association YROW team was congratulated on their participation in all events during the Congress. They were praised for making a lasting impression on their international fellows and members of the CIOR Council.

This year Second Lieutenants Oscar Ngema of Transvaal Horse Artillery, Nqobile Khoza of 2 Signal Regiment,

David Osterloh of Cape Garrison Artillery and Moses Skosana of DOD Defence Works Formation

represented South Africa at the YROW.


2Lt Nqobile Khoza (looking at the camera) is seen here participating in group work sessions with other fellow YROW members.

Members of the RFC and JOA YROW participants listen to Dr Richard Reeve’s Symposium presentation on Sustainable

Security and Challenges for 2018.

(Photograph to the left) 2Lt Moses Skosana (pictured

left) converses with CIOR Symposium guest speaker.

(Photograph to the right)Dr Richard Reeve of the

Oxford Research Group, and 2Lt Oscar Ngema (pictured

right) with 1st Lt Alex Zhang of the United States Army.

Participants departed Prague with a heavy heart after parting farewells to new, lifelong friends. But they arrived home safely with many memories of and benefits from their ex-perience.

This RFC project of giving junior officers an opportunity of a lifetime has proved resound-ingly successful, with many past YROW at-tendees continuing to contribute for decades. Lt Col Uys van der Westhuijzen is a perfect example. He once attended a YROW, and his continued participation in the affairs of the CIOR eventually gained for him a role on the organisation’s Technical Jury, where he is able to give valuable inputs and play a leading role in the Military Skills Competition.

It is apparent that the JOA’s Regional and National Selections are very effective. The se-lection process of May 2017 and the training that went with it equipped members well for their brief sojourn in Prague. Their dedicated


2Lts Osterloh and Ngema attending the CIOR Summer Congress Closing Ceremony (CIOR photo credit).

2Lts Ngema (center) and Skosana (far right) with fellow YROW

participants at the Gala Dinner.

The YROW team is part of the South African Delegation, seen above with members of the CIOR Council that attended the Congress (CIOR photo credit)

participation and sacrifice of time show their commitment to their part-time careers as soldiers. At the same time, the experience gained and training received will stand them in good stead in their civilian careers. The citizen- soldier commitment brings mili-tary passion to the civilian day job and vice versa.

The JOA has proved that it gains strength from its members at-tending such international devel-opmental forums. The exposure hones their leadership skills which are so sought-after in young off-icers of the South African National Defence Force and its Reserves.

All the best to our YROW partici-pants in their future civilian and military endeavours.

SA Army Reserves Role and Purpose of the Pool of Specialists

By: Lt Col (Dr) P. Coetzer Photographs and graphics provided by: Director Army Reserves


Background

So often, one realises that he/she has been part of the military system for some time, but that one actually is uninformed about many aspects. One of these aspects is certainly the Pool of Specialists. This exceptional group of soldiers has a very impor-tant role and function.

The newly appointed members of the Pool of Spe-cialists recently underwent an intensive week-long induction programme. These members not only re-ceived high-level strategic military orientation, but also experienced the dust, grease, noise and living world of the Armoured Corps.

Apart from the further elucidation of the role and functions of the Pool of Specialists, we also should consider the following:

• What are the requirements of the SA Army?• What do the career development possibilities

and continued training of these members in-volve?

• Which evaluation processes are used for the respective categories?

Let us begin by considering the role and functions.

Role and Functions of the Pool of Specialists in a Nutshell

The roles and functions of the Pool of Specialists (PoS) are to enhance, develop and augment the research capacity of the SA Army. It also provides continued access to the institutional knowledge and experience of functional specialists who have left the organisation.

The SA Army has lost much of its professional research capabilities over the last decade; conse-quently, members of the Pool of Specialists are ap-pointed according to their functional skill sets and the needs of the SA Army. This is done to address current skill shortages cost-effectively. Generally, members of the PoS are called to perform certain specialist functions for a limited period only.

Members of the PoS are appointed in specialist research posts and are remunerated according to their academic qualifications and experience. The remuneration is coupled to their functional rank and the time spent on research.

Environments in which PoS members make a contribution include strategy, inter-nal audit control, legal

Newly appointed Pool of Specialists with Brigadier Generals Retief and Kamffer and SA Army Support Team.

Pool of Specialists experiencing Diesel & Dust.


and labour relations advice, providing the technical knowledge required for post-conflict reconstruction and development projects. Of particular importance is the continued ability of the SA Army to access scarce skills such as engineers, architects and psychologists. The Requirement of the SA Army

Figure 01 explains the requirements of the SA Army, according to which four basic aspects are impor-tant, namely:

- the enhancement and development of the re-search capacity of the SA Army;

- the augmentation of current capacity;- a cost effect approach; and- continuous access to institutional knowledge

and experience. Special Dispensation, Career and Training

The PoS has been admitted to the SA Army Re-serve under a special dispensation. Fig 02 pro-vides greater detail about a member’s career and training.

Evaluation process and appointment measures are important aspects that we need to touch on.

Evaluation Process and Appointment Measures

In the introductory paragraphs, we considered the evaluation process that is used. Figure 03 shows the various categories. The example of Prof ABC is used accordingly. The functional rank of this person is equal to that of a colonel (L12). The rank given to Prof XYZ is that of a captain. The remuneration scale is according to the functional rank group of a colonel.

The Pool of Specialists plays a particularly important role in the SA Army Reserves. This special group of experts can play an additional important role in the envisaged new Reserve Force Service System.

This addition of new members to this exceptional capability of the SA Army is a definite asset and every one of us should make these team members feel at home. To each of the existing as well as new members: “We lift our caps!”

Figure 01: The requirements of the SA Army


Figure 02: Special dispensation career, service & training of a member of the Pool of Specialists

Figure 03: Pool of Specialists Evaluation process & appointment measures

Lt Col Philip Coetzer is a Ph. D. graduate from Kovsies and assisted with the facilitation of the weeklong Pool of Specialists inductions programme.


Talent Management, Skills Development and Further Education in Practice as part of C SANDF Project Koba-Tlala!

Efficient protection of units, training of protection elements, and effective supervision will always be priorities in the military.

Several civilian security management and super-vision job opportunities are available for properly trained Reserve members. Based on this need and identified opportunities, a Director Army Res pilot project was initiated through short SASSETA-accredited skills programmes. SETA-funded skills development forms part of external education, training, and development in the SANDF. This spe-cific SASSETA security training focuses on asset protection; access control, and patrol protection elements.

The first fifty Reserve members from various Re-serve units in the North-West Province started with this re-skilling intervention early in October 2017. A further hundred and fifty Reserves will be trained before the end of March 2018.

With the co-operation and funding by the SASSETA, Reserve members (of whom a large percentage is unemployed) are afforded an opportunity to con-sider a new career path. The idea is not to utilise these members in junior and often lowly paid civilian posts, but indeed to have them trained for utilisation in more supervisory and managerial posts.

This SASSETA and D Army Reserves partner-ship is a good example of the utilisation of

re-skilling funding models. Further programmes must be

enhanced to allow for sector skills development to enable Reserves to make a meaningful contribution and inpact.

Meaningful Impact

Reserves should be further empowered in terms of specific skills, for example water purification, ani-mal health and project management planning skills and community development and liaison to make a further contribution to the approved national and rural development plan implemented at a provi-sional level. A link must also be set up with Reserve members who have obtained certain skills at the DOD Works Formation such as site supervisors, builders, and so on. to make a contribution in ru-ral communities as part of the SANDF National and Rural Development Plan. Reserve nodal parts can play a vital role in this regard.

We often speak about “the proof is in eating the pudding”. Therefor let us look at impact possibili-ties:• Meaningful impact on the individual’s life• Meaningful impact on SA Developmental

needs• Meaningful impact on Socio-Economic Trans-

formation• Meaningful impact on the SANDF

There must be a commitment. So what is this com-mitment?

Committed to the Long-Term Well-Being of the Reserves

Restoring rural dignity remains a priority. The chal-lenge of poverty is at its most severe in rural areas.

SASSETA-accredited Skills Programmes: A Further Commitment to the Long-Term Well-Being

of the SA Army Reserves

By: Lt Col (Dr) P. Coetzer Photographs provided by: Brig Gen G. Kamffer,

Director Army Reserves


Several of our SA Army members are from poverty-stricken communities. This training intervention is further proof of our intent to assist our Re-serves to succeed and improve their living conditions.

One of the priorities of the SANDF is to contribute to the developmen-tal agenda of SA. An initiative has been taken with the establishment of Project KOBA-TLALA, which focuses on this developmental agenda. The re-skilling and education of Reserve members is one of the priority focus areas.

Lt Col Philip Coetzer is a Ph. D. graduate and project officer re-sponsible for the successful ex-ecution of this SASSETA SA Army Reserves partnership.

SASSETA Security Training: Class of 2017.

Director Army Reserves, Brig Gen G. Kamffer, personally handing over certificates.


During October 2017, the SANDF Army Re-serves once again participated in the 25th annual Netherlands International Shooting

Competition for Reserves (NISC). The competition was hosted by the Reservists Shooting Commit-tee (Reservisten Schiet Commissie – RSC) of the Netherlands Armed Forces Federation of Reserves (Nederlandse Reservisten Federatie Krijgsmacht –NRFK). The event was held at the Harskamp Army infantry shooting ranges (Infanterie Schietkamp Harskamp) from 6 to 8 October.

NISC this year attracted over 150 participants from around the world, with countries contributing shot-tists that compete in teams of three. South Africa joined participants hailing from Albania, Belgium, Es-tonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the United

Kingdom. Teams enter three separate categories with different weapons. These are the pistol class, using the 9x19mm Parabellum chambered Glock-17 and Walther P99, and rifle classes with the 5.56mm chambered (M-16 based) Diemaco/Colt Canada C7 and (M-4 based) Diemaco/Colt Canada C8.

As in previous years, the South African team at-tending the NISC event was drawn from the top performing shottists who competed at the Chief of the SA Army Combat Shooting Competition, held in Bloemfontein from 20 to 22 April 2017. The three top-scoring shottists from each of the open, devel-opment and ladies’ categories were selected out of approximately four hundred participants.

The Reserve Force Council and SA Army collabo-rate in sending Reserve Force shottists to the an-nual NISC event, with the RFC making annual budgetary provision for the cost of airfares, over-seas allowances, entry fees, accommodation and meals. The SA Army makes wages, training equip-ment and ammunition available to members pre-paring in South Africa for the overseas competition. While some of South Africa’s participants had been to NISC events in the past, it was also a time of discovery for others, for whom it was their first long haul international flight and travel abroad.

South African Army Shooting Team Acquits Itself Well in the Netherlands

Article and photographs by: Capt J. de Vries and Col R. van ZantenReserve Force Council/SA Army Reserve Force

Second Lieutenant S.T. Podile Regiment MooirivierMaster Warrant Officer Pedro Dias Lobo Fort iKapaCorporal A. de Bruin Cape Town Rifles [female]Corporal T. Viti Cape Town Rifles [female]Trooper E.L. Verwey Regiment President Steyn [female]Trooper T.M. Ramatla Regiment President SteynBombardier D.M. Rossouw Vrystaatse Artillerie RegimentBombardier W.J. de Wet Vrystaatse Artillerie RegimentGunner M.V. Ntsoeu Vrystaatse Artillerie Regiment [female]Trooper H.S. Nophetjhe Regiment MooirivierPrivate R.E. Fortmann Natal Carbineers

Those selected were:

Individual Pistol Category: Glock 17

Ranking Initials and Surname Regiment

15 Tpr E.L. Verwey Regiment President Steyn

22 Bdr W.J. de Wet Vrystaatse Artillerie Regiment

29 Col R. van Zanten SA Army Infantry Formation

42 2Lt S.T. Podile Regiment Mooirivier

43 Pte R.E. Fortmann Natal Carbineers

62 Bdr D.M. Rossouw Vrystaatse Artillerie Regiment

83 Cpl T. Viti Cape Town Rifles

90 Tpr T.M. Ramatla Regiment President Steyn

93 MWO P.M. Dias Lobo Fort iKapa

94 Tpr H.S. Nophetjhe Regiment Mooirivier

95 Gnr M.V. Ntsoeu Vrystaatse Artillerie Regiment

142 Cpl A. de Bruin Cape Town Rifles


The Glock-17 and Walther P99 exercises com-menced with sighting practices of 5 rounds stand-ing in 60 seconds followed by Practice 1 with 10 rounds fired from the standing position in 30 sec-onds on an Olympic Target. Practice 2 entailed 10 rounds fired while kneeling in 40 seconds on an Olympic Target. Targets were set at a distance of 40 meters.

The Diemaco/Colt Canada rifle C-8 exercise starts with a sighting practice of 6 rounds in 30 seconds at distances of 100, 200 and 300 meters. Practice 1 sees 10 rounds fired in 35 seconds at one target at 100 meters while Practice 2 sees 2 x 4 rounds fired in 35 seconds from the sitting position at one tar-get 100 meters distant. In Practice 3, shottists fire 2 x 4 rounds in 8 sequential 3 second exposures at 1 target at 200 meters. Practice 4 is in the prone

position with 2 x 4 rounds fired in 8 sequential 3 seconds at 1 target 300 meters away.

The Diemaco/Colt Canada C-7 rifle exercise like-wise started with a sighting practice, this time of 10 rounds in 30 seconds at targets set at 100, 200 and 300 meters. This was followed by Practice 1 which entailed firing 2x5 rounds from the prone position in 30 seconds on 1 target at 300 meters. Practice 2 required firing 2x5 rounds from the kneeling posi-tion in ten 2 second exposures on 1 target at 200 meters. Finally, Practice 3 saw 2x5 round volleys sent down range in 25 seconds from the standing position at 1 target 100 meters distant.

Competition at the 2017 event was fierce, with South Africa acquitting itself well. The following re-sults mark the Reserve team’s overall performance out of the some 150 participants.

From left to right: 2Lt Podile, Tpr Verwey, Col Van Zanten, Bdr De Wet, Tpr Nophetjhe, Cpl Viti, Bdr Rossouw, Maj Gen Keith Mokoape (Ret), Pvt Fortmann, Gnr Ntsoeu,

Tpr Ramatla, Cpl De Bruin, MWO Dias Lobo.

Some of the South African team with an officer of the Netherlands Reservists Shooting Committee, Colonel G. Lettinga.


Individual Rifle Category: Diemaco/Colt Canada: C7














Individual Pistol Category: Walther P99














On the range wearing equipment issued by the hosts for the competition.

Members posing with a Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank of the Royal Netherlands Army on display at the National Military Museum.

Pistol Team Category: Walther P99

Ranking Team Name Team Number Hits Points

09 SA Army Reserve A 23 49 281

22 SA Army Reserve B 24 37 218

29 SA Army Reserve D 26 33 182

32 SA Army Reserve C 25 25 153


Individual Rifle Category: Diemaco/Colt Canada: C8














Individual Category: Weapons, Rifles and Pistol














Pistol Team Category: Glock 17







While the event has marksmanship and skill at arms as the order of the day, there was plenty of time for competitors to socialise with their fellows while transiting between the respective ranges. This camaraderie would culminate in the gala evening hosted on Saturday 7 October 2017 by the organisers to give credit to participants, range officers and facilitating staff. The Gala dinner and prize giving provided a platform upon which just re-ward could be placed upon the best that reserve forces from Europe and around the world had to put forward. SA Army Reserve Team A came first in the Rifle Team Category: Diemaco/Colt Canada C8, while MWO P.M. Dias Lobo placed in the top five in the Individual Rifle Category: Diemaco/Colt Canada: C8. Team members were afforded the opportunity to visit the National Military Museum situated at Am-ersfoort on the former air base at Soesterberg.

The museum’s holdings and displays are constituted from the combined collec-

tions of the former Military Aviation

Museum in Soesterberg and the Army Museum in Delft. Members were able to visit and appreciate the numerous armoured vehicles, rotary and fixed wing aircraft, weapons and military equipment. As was the case in previous years, the team paid a visit to South Africa’s diplomatic mission to the Netherlands in Amsterdam to have lunch with the Republic’s Ambassador, His Excellency, Mr Bruce Koloane. Members were most conscious of the notion that they are representatives of South Africa during their time abroad just as their diplomatic counterparts are. The visit marked the conclu-sion of the team’s time in the Netherlands before their return to South Africa. The experiences and insights gained on the journey will without a doubt be of great value to both the old hands and the newcomers.

The team expresses its sincere thanks for the sup-port rendered by the Reserve Force Council and the SA Army so as to make attendance at the 2017 NISC possible.

Combined Team Category: Weapons, Rifles, and Pistol

Ranking Team Name Team Number Glock P99 C7 C8 Total Glock P99 C7 C8 Total

5 SA Army Reserve A 23 49 49 52 58 208 0 261 281 339 392

16 SA Army Reserve B 24 46 37 48 38 169 0 281 218 302 257

17 SA Army Reserve A 26 37 33 49 48 167 0 283 182 310 196

16 SA Army Reserve A 25 42 32 35 34 143 0 239 153 254 245

Rifle Team Category: Diemaco/Colt Canada C7






Rifle Team Category: Diemaco/Colt Canada C8







On 31 August 2017, the Defence Reserves Provincial Office North West and Regiment Mooirivier combined to host a Formal Din-

ner in order to celebrate the 75th Birthday of Regi-ment Mooirivier.

Regiment Mooirivier is the successor to 2 Anti-Tank Regiment, captured at Matruh in June 1942, shortly after 2 SA Division, its parent, surrendered at Tobruk. 2 Anti-Tank Regiment was formally established on 25 January 1941, under command of Lt Col W.M.P. Johnstone.

From 1941 the Unit fought with distinction at Bar-dia, Halfaya Pass, and Sollum and supported the British 2nd Armoured Brigade at Msus and the 3rd SA Brigade in the Gazala battles. The unit was also withdrawn to El Alamein and again pushed forward to Matruh to assist the British 50th Divi-sion. Surrounded, the gallant Unit was forced to surrender, shortly after 2 SA Division, its parent, surrendered at Tobruk.

Never formally closed down, the Regiment was recon-stituted in 1954 by the first Vice Rector of the Potchef-stroom University (North West University), Cmdt (Prof) J.S. du Plessis. The Unit was converted in 1955 to an Armoured Car Regiment and officially renamed to Regiment Hendrik Potgieter on 1 January 1956 only to change name again on 1 January 1960 to Regiment Mooirivier.

In November 1969 the design of the current regimen-tal badge was accepted, in conjunction with the mot-to “SEMPER PRORSUM”, meaning “always forward”. The eagle with spread wings symbolizes Mobility, Strength, Alertness and Vigilance. The circle repre-sents the Mobility of the armoured car. The diagonal waving line refers to the Mooirivier, flowing through Potchefstroom. The eagle is also symbolically men-tioned in the Regimental Psalm (Psalm 91 verse 4).

In December 1970, the Official colour was ap-proved by the Chief of the Army. The background is “Union Jack” Blue with the regimental badge in the centre.

On 9 September 1972 Regiment Mooirivier re-ceived the Freedom of the City from the Potchef-stroom Town Council.

The Guest of Honour during this event was Maj Gen Roy Andersen, the Chief Defence Reserves. Brig Gen (Dr) G. Kamffer, Director Army Reserves, Brig Gen A. Retief, GOC SA Army Armour Formation as well as Capt (SAN) S Khumalo, acting Director De-fence Reserves also honoured us with their presence.

SCWO J. Viljoen, WO Defence Reserves, CWO T. Mabote, Formation WO of the SA Army Armour Formation, CWO E Twigg, WO of SA Intelligence Formation were also present.

75th Birthday Celebration of Regiment Mooirivier

By: Lt Col J.D. Hartzenberg, SO1 Reserve Force PO NWPhotographs by: Lt Col J.D. Hartzenberg, SO1 Reserves Force PO NW and Maj B. Brooks, RMR

Gen R. Andersen and Col R. Harris.


After the Code of Conduct was read by 2Lt M.A. Mosasi, the colours were marched in by WO2 A. Stapelberg, who also lit the Flame of the Armour after the Regimental Song had been played.

Cpln M. van Rooyen said grace whereafter the LOG Book Prayer was read. A well-prepared meal was served by Reserve Force members of Regiment Mooirivier.

Maj Gen Andersen addressed the attendees and congratulated the Members of Regiment Mooirivier on the Units’ birthday and all their achievements.

Maj Gen R. Andersen also explained the aim of the SANDF Education Trust which was formed by a task team under his leadership, implemented on 23 October 2013. The beneficiaries of this Trust are specifically dependants of members of the SANDF who made sacrifices and lost their lives or who were severely injured while on official duty and unable to support their dependants, by providing funds for education.

Brig Gen A. Retief addressed the attendees and pro-posed a toast to the Armour. He also handed a gift to the Officer Commanding of Regiment Mooirivier.

Lt Col H. Stark addressed the attendees, thanking each member of the Regiment for their uncondi-tional loyal service, support, commitment, endur-ance, pride, as well as striving to put the Regiment first. He proposed a toast to the next 75 years…..“Semper Prorsum”.

Symbolism of the Flame of the Armour

The flame reminds us of the following qualities:• Energy - because it radiates inner strength.• Light - because it changes insecurity into cer-

tainty and confidence.• Life - because it is constantly in motion.• Purity - because it separates, cleanses and re-

fines.• Unity - because it confirms our dependency,

for alone we can achieve nothing.

The Flame also reminds us of the fire within every armour soldier, inspiring him or her to deliver an extraordinary performance and achievements. Ir-respective the enemy, we will advance and go for-ward with the flame in our hearts.

The Flame also reminds us of a destructive firepow-er that the armour can concentrate on the enemy of our country in order to ensure peace and stability for all our people.

The Flame of the Armour also embraces the national torch of tolerance symbolising that outwards we are people of many colours, races, cultures, languag-es, religions and origins, yet we are all tied to one

Brig Gen (Dr) G. Kamffer arrives at the function.


another by a million visible and invisible threads sharing a common destiny from which no one can escape.

This is an inspiration to the Armour to always stand firm and proud, faithful to God, our country and our task. Faithful, true and ready – come what may, we are ready. Background of the Log Book Prayer

During 2004 with the renovations of the Headquarters at Regiment Mooirivier, an old 90mm armoured Car Log Book was discovered. In the back of the Log Book was an in-scription of an unknown author.

The inscription made such an impact on the reader as well as the other members of the Regiment, that a decision was made to read the inscription, referred to as the Log Book Prayer during every formal event.

Capt (SAN) S. Khumalo and Lt Col J.D. Hartzenberg.

From L to R:Lt Col H. Stark, Brig Gen A. Retief and Cpln van Rooyen propose an informal toast.

From L to R:Lt Col M. Thakamakgooa, Lt Col D. Koetaan Maj and

Lt Col M.E. Matimbe.

Eland 90 displayed at the Gate of Constand Viljoen Mess during the Formal Dinner.

THE LOG BOOK PRAYER

We are quick to ask but slow to thankHere in our armoured car or tank

We are still alive due to YouWhat more can You carry us through

Here I work on engine and sightJust little proof of our armour might

There they call for ammo and ratpackNo God …………… don’t go

I’ll be Back


Gratitude, pride, honour, cohesion, respect, are only a few of the emotions felt by mem-bers while entering the National Gunners’

Memorial Site in Potchefstroom to honour fallen Gunner Comrades as well as servicemen and wom-en who paid with their lives in service of our country.

The 65th National Gunners’ Memorial Service was held by the Gunners’ Association of South Africa and the Artillery and Air Defence Artillery Forma-tions on Sunday 23 April 2017 at 11:00 to honour and remember all gunners who passed on in the service of our country from the start of World War 1.

The chief functionary at the 65th annual memo-rial service was Major General R.C. Andersen,

Chief of Defence Reserves. The Gunners’ Memorial was unveiled on 10 May

1952 by Lt Gen “Matie” de Wet du Toit to honour 870 gunners who passed on in operations in the two World Wars.

On 19 April 1998 at the 47th Memorial Service, the Memorial was rededicated to honour all the gun-ners who passed on in service from World War 1.

During the memorial service, two gun salvos were fired by the Ceremonial Gun Troop of Transvaal Horse Artillery and the South African Army Artillery Formation with 88mm GV1 ceremonial guns.

Wreaths were laid by various dignitaries includ-ing the Executive Mayor of Tlokwe City Council, Mr Khumalo; Next of kin of the late Gunner K.A. Rantjanyana; the Defence Attaché of Japan, Lt Col K. Ebina as well as a representative of the Defence Attaché of United States of America, Lt Col M.H. Adorjan.

Representatives of the Reserve Force Council, Chief of South African Army, Chief of South African Air Force, Chief of South African Navy as well as the Surgeon General also took part in the wreath lay-ing ceremony while sacred music was played by the Army Band Kroonstad as well as a piper from Cape Field Artillery Drums and Pipes. The other wreath layers were members from various organisations, federations, associations as well as all the Regular Force and Reserve Force units from the South Afri-can Army Artillery Formation and the South African Army Air Defence Artillery Formation.

Lieutenant General (Ret) Phillip du Preez, National President of the Gunners’ Association, addressed the members present and said: “Like Joshua of the Old Testament did, we put stone upon stone to create this memorial and like Joshua we should tell our children and grandchildren about it and why we

The 2017 Annual Gunners’ Memorial Service

By: Lt Col Kotie Hartzenberg, SO1 Defence Reserve PO NWPhotographs by: Sgt Kevin Fenton

Lt Gen (Ret) P. du Preez addressing Members at the Memorial Service.


erected it. We should bring our young people here and tell them about the sacrifices these men and woman made so that we could have tomorrow”.

Today we honour the memory of all the gunners whose names are inscribed on the wall of remem-brance. He also honoured Gnr Katleho Rantjanyana who sadly passed on, on 19 March 2017 at the age of 32 in an operation protecting our country’s border.

Lieutenant General (Ret) Phillip du Preez also paid special tribute to our compatriots who were abroad on the troopship SS Mendi on 21 February 1917.

“The 824 South Africans on board volunteered to join the Allied Forces on the Western Front. The SS Mendi was accidentally rammed amid ships in dense misty conditions by another allied ship when crossing the English Channel. 616 succumbed in the icy waters. Only 208 survived, albeit with tre-mendous hardships.

The SS Mendi Disaster was one of South Africa’s worst tragedies of the First World War, second per-haps only to the Battle of Delville Wood where more South African Troops died or were wounded or in-jured. We commemorated its centenary last year. But surely no South African disaster of that war or any subsequent conflict could claim to have killed so many men so suddenly or so senselessly than could the sinking of SS Mendi”.

In closing, Lieutenant General (Ret) Phillip du Preez said that by coming here this morning, we are say-ing that we have not forgotten and that we will not forget the supreme sacrifice of those who gave their all for peace, we, their descendants, are enjoying.True to the Code of Conduct for Artillery Soldiers, the Gunners showed professional comradeship and once again maintained and upheld Artillery Traditions.

“TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE MEMORY OF ALL GUNNERS WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR SOUTH AFRICA”.

Maj Gen R.C. Andersen, himself a gunner, paying respect to Fallen Gunners.

Memorial Stone at the Gunners’Memorial Site in Potchefstroom.


The idea of a SA Cape Corps (SACC) Battal-ion was raised in 1914 when war broke out and the establishment was enacted during

1915. The Corps was the first of two battalions raised for service in German East Africa (now Tan-zania). As was the custom of the time, it was com-manded by white officers but the men could rise in the ranks, thus the WO/NCOs were members of the Coloured Community of Cape Town and sur-rounding areas, from as far away as Johannesburg and Kimberley. In command was Lt Colonel C.M.G. Morris, with Major D Hoy being appointed as sec-ond in command. On the first day of recruiting, in excess of 1000 men responded to the call to arms and after attestation departed for Simon’s Town for training. After the losses at the Battle of the Refugi Delta, a further 600 men attested in the Cape Corps in German East Africa.

The first action that the battalion saw was at the victory at the Battle of the Refugi Delta in German East Africa (1(XII)146-168), however Square Hill in

Palestine was always going to be a different kettle of fish with many more casualties expected.

The SACC with specific reference to 1st Bn Cape Corps (1CC), was under the

command of General Sir

Edmund Allenby, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Allied Egyptian Expeditionary Force (1(XIV):175-183). The nightmare that affronted the GOC came in the form of Genl Mustapha Kemal or Ataturk as he was later known (The Founder of modern Turkey) and Genl Liman von Sanders of the German High Command, seconded to the Turkish Allies of Germany. This Turkish/German Army was the same Army that had defeated the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian Forces (ANZACs) at Gallipoli, and thereafter marched tri-umphantly down Asia, conquered Damascus, and overran Syria until they reached the Holy Land. A formidable foe by any stretch of the imagination.

At Gallipoli, this Axis command inflicted enormous casualties on the Allied cause, in an ultimately he-roic but futile campaign. This message was not lost on the Allies as they prepared for battle. 1CC entered the line not far from the reputed site where Christ had met the Samaritan woman with the pitch-er (John 4) at Jacob’s well. Today, the battlefield is a nondescript and uninhabited piece of rocky ground where no traces of the battle remain. The area is covered by wild flowers, which surely must have reminded the members of 1CC of the flowers of the West Coast and the Northern Cape. Though reminded of home, few of the men had time to ob-serve the beauty of nature for the savagery of war was about to overwhelm them.

The unit entered the line on the night of August 19th to the right of the Jerusalem-Nablus road, about 10 miles north of “Rham Alla”, today known as “Ramal-lah”. A Coy took over Idè Hill whilst B Coy made Kh Abu Felah home, C Coy occupied Fusilier Ridge and D Coy was placed in tactical reserve at Tay Wady, also home to the Bn HQ (1(XV):194). The QM was at “Mary Cross” and the transport column at “Wady Dougal”, about seven miles from Rham Alla. “The country was very rough, stony, and hilly, even precip-

Centenary of the Battle of Square HillSeptember 2018

Articles and photographs by: Cmdr A.M. Carelse, SA Navy Reserve Force

1st Battalion Cape Corps (1CC).


itous in places”. Trenches could not be dug and the defences consisted of sangars, stone and sandbag parapets and barbed wire. 1CC had been assigned to the 160th Infantry Brigade (T/Brigadier Genl VNL Pearson) of the 53rd (Welsh) Division (T/Major Genl SF Mott). The division was assigned to 20 Corps (T/Lt Genl Sir Philip W Chetwode) (1(XIV):187). On the left or coastal flank was 21 Corps with the Desert Camel Corps behind it. 20 Corps was deployed across the Judean Hills that lay between the coastal Plain of Sharon and the stiflingly hot Jordan River valley, where a mounted ANZAC division lay. To the east was the irregular Arab Army, led by Prince Fei-sal, son of the Hashemite Emir Hussein, then Sheriff of Mecca and Medina(1(XV):191).

The battalion came under artillery fire from daylight on August 19th for the next month. Though disconcerting and annoying, it was ineffectual chiefly owing to strict attention to orders to keep out of sight during daylight hours. Orders for the September offensive came on the 4th of the month. Rehearsals and reconnaissance commenced immediately. On the 16th, the Brigade thinned out the front lines and concentrated in their attack positions. On the 17th final preparations were made, with D-Day being designated for the 18th and H-Hour 22h00 of the same day. The main offensive was scheduled for dawn on the 19th. The Operational Order read as follows: “The brigade will make a night march and break through the enemy works on Wye Hill and advance along the watershed east of the Wady Samieh to Dhib and Square Hills with the object of en-tering the enemy’s main line defences at Valley View

and El Mugheir from the rear of those works. 1CC was to follow the 1/17th, pass through them, and march along the watershed to take Dhib, Chevron, Crest, End and Square Hill. Pickets would be dropped “en route” to pro-tect the right of the advance. On arrival at Dhib and Square Hill, the battalion would ensure the protection the flanks of the brigade, in ad-dition make contact with the 1/17th, who were following and were meant to relieve them on Chevron and Crest Hills. When the 1/7th Royal Welsh Fusiliers (RWF) signalled the capture of Hill 2362, detachments were to be pushed for-ward to seize Kh Jibeit. The 1/7th RWF would follow in the trace of 1CC until they could push left via Tongue Hill. When the bombardment of Valley View lifted, they would push down the

El Mugheir track to take Sh-el-Azier, El Mugheir proper, Boulder Boil and the already mentioned Hill 2362 and seize and capture them” (1(XV):201).

At Zero Hour, Col Fagan called down an artillery bar-rage. The brigade had 30 18-pounders, 12 4.5 inch and four six-inch Howitzers in support. The battalion advanced and quickly took their objectives, at a cost of 80 or so casualties. The unit also took 40 to 50 prisoners and seven machine guns. Immediately fol-lowing the capture of Wye Hill, the Cape Corps went on, B Coy leading, towards Hill 2362 and Chevron Hill. After five minutes’ barrage, B Coy seized those objectives and after short bombardments Crest and End Hills also; thereupon A Coy took Dhib Hill without opposition. These operations had taken from 18h45 to 04h00. 1CC captured 181 prisoners (including 10 officers) that night. Forty-three of these, were taken by Sgt February and 20 men of C Coy. At 10h00 the Brigade Commander redistributed his forces, con-centrating A and B Coy’s at Dhib Hill. They handed over the hill to the 21st Punjabis in the afternoon and went into reserve. News had by then reached them that the breakthrough along the coast had begun. Then the second phase commenced.

The breakthrough and advance was to come from the coastal area. For some reason, of which the Bat-talion was unaware, it was ordered to storm and capture the isolated and strong position of Kh Jibeit. It was isolated because they could not possibly draw in

The Wady Fara, in which heavy bombing operations occurred on 21st September 1918.


support from the flanks, owing to the nature of the terrain on either side. Needless to say, the casual-ties on 1CC were expected to be high and were. All possible care was taken in the planning and Maj Hoy and the Company Commanders carefully studied the terrain. From this point it has sadly to be recorded that things went hopelessly pear-shaped. They were further forward than the artillery could support. Officers who fully realized the position shook hands with others standing by who were not going over the top.

Immediately the advance started, it was met with horrific machine gun fire and casualties at once became very heavy. Lt Stubbs (Pl5, B Coy) was the first Officer hit immediately he went ‘over the top.” By the time they reached a spur at Gallows Hill, the ranks were “considerably thinned,” and Lt White (Pl3, A Coy) was also down. Two machine guns and 20 Turks were taken. Hand-to-hand com-bat with fixed bayonets took place. The great sav-iour for 1CC was the effective use of grenades. The Turks were reinforced and fighting became fiercer. Lt Cowell, B Coy Commanding Officer (CO) and at-tack leader was mortally wounded. He called over A Coy CO Capt Harris to hand over and say good-bye. Harris was struck dead as they shook hands. About the same time Lt Difford (Pl2, A Coy) was wounded and Lt Vipan (Pl7, B Coy) was killed. Lt Col Morris, already twice wounded, handed com-mand back to Maj Hoy and was evacuated.

C Coy was now pushed out to attack the enemy’s left and take Outpost Hill in order to relieve the pressure over on the right. This they did, but at a heavy cost. Lt’s Dreyer and Antill were killed and Lt Rackstraw wound-ed three times in the rush. The attack on KH Debeit was now faltering. By now A and B Coy’s had lost seven out of eight officers. The Turks put in a counter attack and the surviving 1CC were ordered to retire onto Square Hill. Lt Cloke (Pl1, A Coy) was then hit, leaving both subunits entirely without officers. A Coy was commanded by Sgt Jansen and B Coy by Sgt JD. Capt Youart was now the only Officer in A, B and C Coy’s. “This retirement won great admiration on all

sides and Commanding and Senior Officers who were watching operations from neighbouring

heights were loud in their praise, both of the attack and the retire-

ment – more particularly the latter, the historian later recorded. It was during this retirement onto Square Hill that the NCO’s of 1CC were able to display the courage under fire and consequently this was the mo-ment of truth for the NCO’s of 1CC where they won the most medals for valour in such a short time.

The unit was keen to have another bash at the en-emy, but the death of officers caused the brigade to intervene. The 1/17th was sent in instead. Exactly 400 troops from A, B and C companies took part in the Kh Jibeit attack on September 20, and 152 be-came casualties. Forty-three lay dead on the field of battle, eight died of wounds later, 101 survived their wounds and one man was taken prisoner by the Turks. This was of course to be expected in day fighting at close quarter. But the Cape Corps had not been defeated in battle – it had withdrawn un-der orders, gallant to the last. The 160th brigade did not see action again after September 20. 1CC spent the next few days policing the battlefield and building roads, before withdrawing. “So when the victory of Square Hill is rightly celebrated, annually when September comes, the failure of Kh Jibeit must also never be forgotten, and the high valour of the men from the Cape who would, had it been required of them, have gone on attacking to the last man rather than admit defeat.

Reference:1. Difford I.N Captain,.”The story of the 1st Bn Cape Corps, 1915-1919”,.

https://archive.org/stream/.../storyof1stbattal00diffuoft_djvu.txt.

DECORATIONS AFTER THE BATTLES OF THE REFUGI DELTA AND SQUARE HILLMilitary Cross Post Nominum title MC: Lt EJ Rackstraw MCDistinguished Conduct Medal Post Nominum title DCM: CSM K Hutchinson DCM CSM DJ Brown DCM (German East Africa Campaign) SGT M February DCM CQMS AJ Hendricks DCM SGT SD Jansen DCM SGT M Johaar DCM LCPL W Hutchinson DCM LCPL RW Arendse DCM (German East Africa Campaign) Private CH Carlse DCM (German East Africa Campagin)Military Medal (prompt award): LCPL J Ruiters Battlefield Promotion CPL Thimm (The London Gazette, 4 November 1918)


On the 22 September 2017, Heritage Day was celebrated by some of the Reserve Force Units in Fort iKapa Military Base. The

idea was initiated by Regiment Westelike Provincie (RWP) who invited all the units in the base to be part of the celebrations. Different cultural groups got together and had to cook traditional food, wear traditional clothes and portray the uniqueness of their culture.

Mr Sonwabile, from the Department of Arts and Cul-ture, Castle of Goodhope was invited as a guest. He addressed the crowd and shared inspiring words on how the Department of Defence can cultivate and em-brace different cultures found within the deparment.

Heritage Day is a South African public holiday cele-brated on 24 September. On this day, South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and tra-ditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to its entire people.

Heritage not only refers to our historical inheritance, creative expression and food but also embraces various languages that have become entrenched in our milieu. Language is the key ingredient humans require, building bridges of understanding between cultures and communities. Language is also a key factor in building trust amongst people of South Af-rica. This helps us as the DOD in understanding our people’s cultures.

With a wonderful atmosphere and lots of laughter and curiosity about other cultures, all the different participants learned something from each other. At the end of the day everybody walked away with better understanding of the diverse culture of the people they work with.

Fort iKapa Heritage Day

Article and photographs by: Maj D. Coetzee and L/CPL L.Sohaba, Cape Field Artillery

RWP officer commanding, Maj N.H. Fikizolo handing out a certificate to Mr

Sonwabile, from the Department of Arts and Culture in the Castle of Goodhope in

recognition of his participation.

L to R Back: Cpl Snyders, Cpl Esau, L/Cpl Oor, L/Cpl Soloman, RSM Cedras, WO2 Muskett-Yetts, and WO1 Lindoor.

L to R Front: Cpl Lott in pink apron, Miss Hartnick in white apron and S/Sgt

Witbooi in navy blue top.

From L to R: L/Cpl Sohaba, L/Cpl Mbali

and seated is Rfn Mbanga dressed in Xhosa traditional

attire.

Ladies in traditional

attire dancing.


The Streets of Cape Town were closed on Saturday morning 26 August 2017 when Cape Field Artillery (CFA) together with the

Air Force Base Ysterplaat exercised their freedom of the entry of the City of Cape Town.

What made the parade special was that Cape Field Artillery, the oldest active Artillery Regiment in the Commonwealth, was celebrating its 160th birthday.

The Parade Commander of the day was Major G.P. Damon, the acting Officer Commanding of the Cape Field Artillery and the Parade Warrant Officer was Warrant Officer Class 1 M.J. Pretorius, of Air Force Base Ysterplaat.

The members on Parade were from Cape Field Artil-lery, supported by Transvaal Horse Artillery, Vrystaatse Artillerie Regiment, Transvaal Staatsartillerie, 18 Light Artillery Regiment and the Air Force Base Ysterplaat.

The Colours on Parade were the 13 Pounder Col-our Gun of Cape Field Artillery, Colours of 35

Squadron, 22 Squadron and Airforce Base Ysterplaat.

The Band on Parade was the Army Band Western Cape under the Baton of Captain V.A. Michaels and Bandmaster Warrant Officer Class 1 A.S. van Schalkwyk.

The Band which performed the Band Troop was the Cape Field Artillery Pipes and Drums under Pipe Major, Warrant Officer Class 2 A.J. Imrie.

The mechanised columns were GV5 Guns used by Cape Field Artillery and GV1 88mm Ceremonial 25 Pounder Guns used by Cape Field Artillery for Cer-emonial purposes. The 35mm Anti-Aircraft Guns from Cape Garrison Artillery, 2 Mambas from Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) and a Wit Hings Recovery from 30 Field Workshop. The mechanised columns were supported by members from 4 Artillery Regiment Potchefstroom. The fly pass with 2 helicopters, was done by 22 Squadron stationed at the Air Force Base Ysterplaat.

On Friday 25 August, a formal guest evening was held in the CFA Gun Park in Fort iKapa. The parade formed up in the Castle of Good Hope and start-ed on Saturday morning at 10am. The salute was

Cape Field Artillery Celebrates its 160th Year of Existence

Article and photographs by: Maj D. Coetzee, Cape Field Artillery


received by Alderman J.P. Smith on behalf of the Mayor of Cape Town at the City Hall. The celebra-tions came to a close with a church service in the CFA HQ on Sunday 27 August 2017.

Brief History of the 160 Years of Cape Field Artillery

Cape Field Artillery is a Reserve Force Regiment in the South African National Defence Force, and forms part of the South African Army Artillery Forma-tion. It is currently based at Fort iKapa Military Base, in Goodwood. The regiment was formed at the Old Town House, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town on 26 August 1857 as the Cape Town Volunteer Artillery. Major the Chevalier Alfred du Prat, was its first com-manding officer. The regiment enjoys the unique distinction of being the oldest operational volunteer artillery regiment in the British Commonwealth.

Over the 160 years of its history, the Regiment has fought courageously and honourably in many thea-tres of war.

WWl

Although the Regiment did not serve on the Euro-pean continent during World War I, it did take part in the South-West Africa Campaign. The unit also took part in the South African invasion of German South-West Africa in 1915 where it earned the battle honour “South West Africa 1915”.

WWll

During World War ll, the Regiment was sent to as far afield as East Africa, North Africa and Italy.

The Regiment fought during Operation Crusader at Bardia, Sollum, Halfaya Pass and at Gazala during the Battle of Gazala. It fired the first and last rounds before the Fortress at Tobruk surren-dered on 21 June 1942.

1 and 3 Field Batteries, joined by 14 Field Battery, fought in the First Battle of El Alamein in July 1942 as well as in the Second Battle of El Alamein.

L/Bdr R.R. Daniels was awarded the trophy for Best NCO of the year. In the picture is Brig Gen K. Makina,

MWO B. Havenga and L/Bdr R.R. Daniels.

Members of the CFA Pipes and Drums attended the dinner and played the Regimental Song.

The CFA Colour Gun on parade. Please note that CFA does not have a cloth colour, but a Gun.


Post War

During the post-war period, the Regiment was mo-bilised several times for duty in the South African Border War (1966 to 1989), including Operation Sa-vannah in 1976.

The Regiment has three regimental mottos, name-ly, Ubique (Everywhere), Quo Fas et Gloria Du-cunt (Whither Right or Glory Lead) and Spes Bona (Good Hope), all of which are incorporated into its unit badge.

The Regiment also fulfils many Ceremonial Duties

• At the annual Opening of Parliament in central Cape Town, the Cape Field Artillery Ceremo-nial Gun Troop fires a 21 Gun Salute with its well-maintained G1, 25-pounder guns.

• The ceremonial guns are also fired at the an-nual Gunners Memorial in the Gardens in Cape Town.

• The highlight of the Cape Town Military Tattoo at the Castle of Good Hope is when the Guns of Cape Field Artillery provide the gunfire dur-ing the playing of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

• Because of the high level of skills and training, CFA is often tasked to do ceremonial shoots at various occasions, such as salutes for visit-ing state presidents as well as state funerals. In recent years the ceremonial troop, had to travel several times as far as the Eastern Cape to perform such tasks. On one very memora-ble occasion the ceremonial troop was hon-oured to fire the 21 Gun salute in Operation Uxolo, the funeral of the late President Man-dela in Qunu.

Members of the Air Force Base

Ysterplaat march past, exercising

their Freedom of the City.

The church parade was also attended by 3 former OC’s of Cape Field Artillery. From L to R: Lt Col Ian McKinney (Ret), Maj Damon (Acting OC of CFA), Col Lionel Crook (Ret) and

Lt Col Kees de Haan (Ret).

During the church parade, a salvo was fired and followed by 2 minutes silence. Thereafter a second salvo was fired to remember those gunners who lost their lives in the line of duty.


When the Mandela month, as July is affec-tionately known, arrives almost everyone in our country gears up for Mandela Day,

heeding the call of the late Tata Nelson Mandela of taking just 67 minutes of their time to the better-ment of the world we live in. With this year’s theme being “Take action against poverty” it was on that note that the command group of Fort iKapa Military Base took time from their daily tasks on the 18 of July 2017 and headed to The Haven Night Shel-ter in Bellville where they donated groceries to the Shelter. The shelter offers cheap accommodation for homeless people that need a place to sleep

overnight, the ones that are trying to get back on their feet again are also accommodated for up to 3 months and they also provide accommodation for those that are undergoing rehabilitation. The com-mand group of Fort iKapa military base consisting of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Pierce (Base Com-mander), Lieutenant Colonel Izaks (Base Second in Command), Major Mafukate (Personnel Officer) and Master Warrant Officer Abraham Wakies (Base Sergeant Major) spent some time being shown around the shelter by the manager of the shelter before heading back to resume their daily tasks at Fort iKapa Military Base.

New Fort iKapa Military Base Do Their Bit for Mandela Day

Article and photograph by: Lt Col A. Izaks

From L to R: Lt Col Izaks, second in command of Fort iKapa Military Base, behind him is the liaison officer of the shelter, followed by MWO Wakies, Base Warrant Officer, Major Mofukate, HR Officer and

Lt Col S.E. Pierce, Commanding Officer.

“Take action against poverty”


Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) has placed store on musketry training since the Regiment was formed in 1855, and in recent years the

unit has established itself as the top musketry unit in the Western Cape. The Regiment prides itself on its high reputation for musketry, and promotes participation by its members in competitive mus-ketry events.

SA Army Championship

A total of 34 Reserve Force teams, and a similar number of Permanent Force members, competed for a place as the best musketry team in the SA Army at the 10th SA Army Combat Rifle Champion-ship on the Gen De Wet Range at De Brug over the period 17–21 April 2017. Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) delivered a sterling performance, confirming their reputation as one of the top musketry units in the SANDF.

The competition was shot over two days, with the standard Table 2 on Day 1 and the adapted Table 2 (Gold Cup) on Day 2. The latter is a modified version

with timed tactical exercises up to 300m, finish-ing with a Run Down match from 400m. The

Dukes was represented by Capt J. Man-ning, Cpls T. Viti, A. de Bruin,

F. Philander and J. Wallage, and Rfn K. Mehlomakhu-lu, D. von Willing and C. Jafta, supported by S/Sgt H. Gibbons and Sgt J. Jansen. The competition was shot under near-perfect conditions and scores were very high but the Dukes held their own to place 4th among the Reserve Force in the Table 2 and 6th in the Gold Cup. This was enough to put them in 9th place overall for the competition, making CTR the second best musketry unit in the Western Cape after the School of Infantry.

KZN Championship

Capt Manning and Cpl Wallage also represented WPCRA (Western Cape Combat Rifle Associa-tion) at the 41st Natal Combat Rifle Championships held on the Wagon Hill Range in Ladysmith, KZN on 19–20 May 2017. The contest was shot over 11 matches from 100 to 400m. Over 150 competitors from around the country took part.

Conditions were perfect and competition was fierce, with some very high scores. Both Dukes managed an individual medal each, Capt Manning (X Class: rifle with optical sights) winning a bronze in the 200m Snap and placing 26th overall, and Cpl Wallage (A Class: iron sights) taking gold in the 300m Sustained and placing 53rd overall.

Cape Town Rifles’ Top Guns

Article and photographs by: Capt J. Manning, Cape Town Rifles (Dukes)

Cape Town Rifles at the SA Army Championships.

SA National Championship

Five members of Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) repre-sented Western Province at the 43rd National Com-bat Rifle Championships at De Brug, Bloemfontein from 5–12 August 2017. Over 350 of the best shots from around the country took part, as well as teams from Botswana, Netherlands and New Zealand. The competition is a gruelling one requiring concentra-tion over the entire week. Conditions were especial-ly challenging on two of the days, with strong winds and clouds of dust.

Some 30 individual and team matches are shot over 100m, 200m, 300m and 400m, comprising both static and tactical exercises, including run-down matches from 300m and 400m. The first shot is fired soon after sunrise and the last shot of the day is fired in late afternoon, sometimes just before sunset!

The musketry team did the Regiment proud, bring-ing home several individual and team medals, including bronze in the Close Quarter Battle. Cpl De Bruin secured several individual medals in B Class, while Cpl Wallage delivered an outstanding performance to win the A Class, shooting himself a place in the President’s Team. Capt Manning was selected for the SA Master’s Team and Cpl Viti for the SA C Team. Both were also selected for the WP A Team, helping Province secure gold for the sec-ond year running. Manning and Wallage also won bronze in their respective classes in the SANDF Re-serve Force in the SANDF Championships that was shot on the first Saturday.

Cape Town Rifles has once again proved itself to be a significant force in Combat Rifle. The Infantry Formation is focussed on improving the standard of musketry in the SANDF, and the musketry teams from Cape Town Rifles have set a fine example over the past years. This has been achieved through a dedicated and innovative training programme uti-lising the opportunities provided through member-ship of the SA Combat Rifle Association.


Cpl T. Viti receives her bronze medal from Maj Gen K. Mokoape (Ret) as 3rd placed Female

Shottist in the SA Army Championships.

Five members of Cape Town Rifles represented Western Province at the SA National Combat Rifle Championships.

Two members of Cape Town Rifles represented Western Province at the Natal Combat Rifle Championships.


As in the past 10 years, Cape Field Artillery once again played a

very important role at the Gun Run, with the firing of the start as well as the finish gun for one of the biggest races in Cape Town. This year 21 000 runners took part. Again it was an early morning for the gun crew from CFA and at 4am on Sunday 8 October, the gun was in place as the moon was setting over the sea in Green Point. Soon after that, the streets were closed and one could feel the electric atmos-phere of the runners. For 2017 the organisation which benefited by this race was Ikamva Labantu, a non-profit organisation that helps build communities by con-necting with leaders, teach-ers and guardians who are already committed to sup-port and uplift those around them. This is achieved through providing train-ing, teaching and support. Ikamva Labantu works with seniors, orphans and vulner-able children, and in early childhood development and primary healthcare. This company dates back to 1963, and was founded by Helen Lieberman.

Their aim is to create sustainable social and economic change to help communities to

become self-sufficient.

Cape Field Artillery Fires at the Start and Finish of the 25th Outsurance KFM 94.5 Gun Run 2017


Members of the CFA Ceremonial Gun Troop with

some of the runners.

Gun ready at the finishing line.

The runners standing at the starting line waiting for CFA to fire the start gun.


On Tuesday 24 October 2017 the Ceremonial Troop of Cape Field Artillery left Fort iKapa Military

Base before 6am to the Company’s Gar-dens to set up and get into place next to Tuinhuis, where President Zuma met with His Excellency Mr Macky Sall, the President of Senegal.

Mr Sall was the Mayor of Fatick from 2002 to 2008, President of the National Assembly of Senegal from 2007 to 2008, Prime Minister and then President of Senegal since April 2012.

Cape Field Artillery Fires a 21 Gun Salute for the Visit of the President of Senegal

By: Maj D. Coetzee, Cape Field ArtilleryPhotographs by: MWO Havenga and Maj D. Coetzee, Cape Field Artillery

MWO Bennie Havenga (RSM of CFA) and Lt Victor Jensen (Adj of CFA) on their way to

the parade at Tuinhuys.

Guns prepared and ready to fire the 21 Gun Salute.

Guard of Honour from the SA Navy at Tuinhuys.

The visit of President Mackay Sall took place after the successful commemoration of the 30th anniver-sary of the Dakar Talks in June 2017.

Trade between the two countries has been stead-ily increasing since 2010. South African exports to Senegal consist of fresh produce, manufacturing equipment and household appliances. South Af-rican imports from Senegal are mainly house-hold furniture and effects, textile materi-als and original sculptures.


Many Reserve units experienced significant budget cuts in 2017. 15 Maintenance was not spared and was forced to reduce its

support to the stores at Army Support Base Kwa-Zulu Natal (ASB KZN) and Main Ordnance Support Depot (MOSD) Durban. Call-ups were cut by half. Nevertheless, the unit was determined to maintain its public profile on its shoestring budget.

During the 2017 Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg, the unit was again part of the prize-winning display mounted by the KZN Reserve Regiments. In June, the unit was represented at the Battlefields Festival in Ladysmith.

Then it was off to Tembe Elephant Park, where the unit supplied chefs for the joint training exercise with other Reserve Force units. Ex Inventshane was smaller than the previous ones in 2015 and 2016, but was a resounding success.

These annual exercises and the monthly continu-ation training are invaluable in improving the

unit’s combat readiness status. The cer-emonial role was not neglected ei-

ther. 15 Maintenance also

formed part of the Delville Wood and Annual Remem-brance Parades. The latter was particularly sombre as the Durban Cenotaph had been vandalised in early November 2017. Brass panels inscribed with the names of the war dead had been stolen and sold to unscrupulous scrap metal dealers. Only four intact panels were recovered.

The old regiments continue to support the traditional schools which mount remembrance services for pupils who made

the supreme sacrifice. The Officer Commanding, Maj Levin laid wreaths at the Delville Wood servic-es at Glenwood Boys’ and Glenwood Preparatory School in July and August 2017. In November, he laid wreaths at Durban High School and Maritzburg College. In each case, it was a privilege to attend these services which maintain such a high standard.

2017 was a tougher year, but when Maj Gen Noban-da, GOC Army Support Formation convened a two day Reserve Force Conference at the end of Octo-ber, it gave his eleven Reserve Force units their first opportunity since 2008 to deal with the critical is-sues facing them. Hosted in Durban by 15 Mainte-nance, it was a robust affair, but a seed was planted for the future. May it germinate quickly.

15 Maintenance Unit Put Their Best Boot Forward

Article and photographs by: Maj M. Levin, 15 Maintenance Unit

The team at the Royal Show, Pietermaritzburg.

Cpl Campos, NMR; Col Acutt, Defence Reserves POKZN; Mr Pinheiro, Headmaster DHS; Mr Zakariya Adam, Head Prefect DHS; Lt Col de Ricquebourg DLI; Monsignor

Nadal and Maj Levin,15 Maintenance at the DHS Service on 07 November 17.


At the age of 59, Major General Mxolisi Petane passed away in 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria and was laid to rest at Maitland Cemetery

with full military honours.

On Saturday 7 October 2017, relatives, friends and comrades of the former Inspector-General of the SANDF Petane paid their respects and tributes during a memorial service held in the NY 49 stadium, Gugulethu.

From Gugulethu his body was taken to his last rest-ing place in the Maitland Cemetery on the Colour Gun of Cape Field Artillery. It was also there where the Ceremonial Troop of CFA fired the 13 Gun Salute.

After joining the ANC in 1976, its armed wing, uM-khonto we Sizwe, Maj Gen Petane was one of the first recruits from Cape Town who left the country to exile. He received his basic military training in Nova Katenga Angola and furthered his training in the Soviet Union, specializing in Engineering.

He participated in various MK operations inside the country until his capture in 1986. A dedicated and astute commissar, between 1983 and 1985, he served as the Political Commissar Botswana and between 1985 and 1986, he served as the Political Commissar Western Cape, South Africa.

Major Gen Petane was arrested in 1986 and sen-tenced to 17 years on Robben Island (Prisoner No 43/9821) in 1987.

Upon his release, he was elected to the Regional Ex-ecutive Committee of the ANC in the Western Cape and served in this committee from 1991 until 1993. Following the first democratic elections, Maj Gen Petane was integrated into the South African Nation-al Defence Force (SANDF) in 1994 where he contin-ued to serve the nation until his retirement.

In the SANDF, he served as Comman-dant of the South African

Cape Field Artillery Fired a 13 Gun Saluteat the Funeral of

Major General Mxolisi Petane MMS, MMB, ST C (Ret)


Members of Cape Field Artillery firing the Internment Salute.


Army College and Director Planning at the joint sup-port division. Maj Gen Petane played a pivotal role in restoring our diplomatic relations with Angola and spearheaded the formation of SADC Defence Inspec-torate Working Group.

He served as the Inspector General at the Depart-ment of Defence from January 2005 until March 2017.

The escort as the procession entered Maitland cemetery.

Members of 9 SAI formed the Leading Detachment, followed by the Gun Tractor and Ceremonial Colour Gun from Cape Field Artillery.

Pallbearers getting into place on either side of the coffin.


Lieutenant Colonel Lourens Botha was a graduate from Grey College in Bloemfon-tein in 1962. He was a farmer by occupa-

tion from 1968 to 1988. He then worked as a freelance agent at Greenlands from 1989 until his death on 4 June 2017. He served in the SADF and later in the SANDF in various posi-tions in command and staff appointments. He did his basic military training at Tempe Military Base in 1964 where after he was posted to 5 SAI in Ladysmith. He served in Regiment De Wet from 1965 to 1971. He then served in San-drivier Commando from 1971 to 2005. With the closing down of the Commandos, Lieuten-ant Colonel Botha joined the SA Army Artillery Formation and he commanded Vrystaatse Ar-tillery Regiment from 2005 to 2008. He acted as the SSO Reserves for the SA Army Artil-lerie Formation from 2008 to 2012. Lieutenant Colonel Botha also served on the Free State Reserve Force Council from 1995 to 2015 and he served as the Chairmen of the Free State Combat Rifle Shooting.

Lieutenant Colonel Lourens Botha passed away on 4 June 2017 after complications from an operation. He is survived by his wife Fran-cis, children Fransa, Adel and Lourinda and nine grandchildren.

May his soul rest in peace.

In Memory of Lieutenant Colonel Lourens Christiaan Botha

By: SA Army Artillery Formation

Lieutenant Colonel Lourens Botha.


The annual Reserve Force Military Skills competition was pre-

sented in Potchefstroom over the period 23 to 28 October 2017. The competition took place under the auspices of Chief of the SA Army, Chief Defence Reserves and with the support of the Reserve Force Council. The competi-tion was hosted by SAASIC Reserves. Competitors from all over the country includ-ing reserves and regulars, participated during the week. International teams from the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and our brothers from Botswana also participated. It must be mentioned that the planning, leading, organising and at-tention to detail by SA Army Specialised Infantry Ca-pability Reserves was exemplary.

The SA Army Armour Formation

The SA Army Armour Formation was represented by six members from Regiment Mooirivier (RMR) and one member from Umvoti Mounted Rifles (UMR) in Pinetown KZN. Four of the Regiment Mooirivier team members, 2Lt C. Smit, 2Lt R. Purchase, 2Lt S.T. Podile and 2Lt M.A. Mosasi, are products of the University Reserve Training Program (URTP) who

began their military career on 21 June 2013 at Regiment Mooirivier in Potchefstroom

as part of the URTP. The URTP is a programme whereby un-

dergraduates and postgraduates enroll as Reserve Force (Part-time) members of the SANDF and un-dergo military training. Recruitment for the URTP takes place at the campuses of various identified tertiary institutions. On completion of the URTP members are then appointed as junior leaders in the SANDF. They may be utilized in the military in terms of their professional qualification or not, depending on their preference.The RMR members reported for a training camp one week prior to the competition. The members also attended several training camps during the year in preparation for the competition. Their dedication in achieving the ultimate mission, overall victory, was well compensated for during the prize giving ceremony when the following results were announced:

Regiment Mooirivier URTP Members Excel at Defence Reserves Military Skills Competition 2017

in Potchefstroom

By: Maj S.J.B. Brooks, Acting Officer Commanding Regiment MooiriverPhotographs by: MWO W.J. Wagner: RSM Regiment Mooirivier

From L to R: Tpr Nophetjhe (RMR), Capt Krauze(RMR), Cpl Hlophe (UMR). RFLTR: 2Lt Podile (RMR), 2Lt Mosasi (RMR), A/OC RMR Maj Brooks, 2Lt Smit (RMR), RSM RMR MWO

Wagner, 2LT Purchase (RMR).

Victorious armour members pointing to the “Flame of the Armour” from where

they seek inspiration.

Best overall Formation, SA Army Armour Formation• 2Lt S.T. Podile (RMR)• 2Lt R. Purchase (RMR)• 2Lt C. Smit (RMR)• Cpl Hlophe (UMR)Best overall Unit SANDF, Regiment Mooirivier• 2Lt S.T. Podile • 2Lt R. Purchase• 2Lt C. Smit • Tpr Nophetjhe

The Competition

The competition consisted of 6 disciplines to be com-pleted by all individuals. Points were allocated to each member according to their results in each discipline. These points were then converted according to a formula and added together to give a consolidated result per individual. The 6 disciplines were 200 me-ter R4 Rifle Shooting, 25 meter 9mm Pistol Shooting, Hand Grenade throwing, completion of a 500 meter Land Obstacle course (20 obstacles), completion of a 50 meter Swim Obstacle course (5 obstacles) and completion of a 8 kilometre battle dress run.

The competition was officially opened with a pa-rade on the Monday morning where after the final training and preparations were completed before the actual competition started on Wednesday.

The Victorious Armour Formation and Regiment Mooirivier

The grand finale of the 2017 Military Skills Competi-tion was the prize giving ceremony followed by a luncheon which was attended by all the competi-tors, invited guests and senior dignitaries from the Reserve Force Council, Army Head Quarters and the Defence Reserves Division. The keynote ad-dress was delivered by Maj Gen Roy Andersen, Chief Defence Reserves. In his address Maj Gen Andersen expressed his views on the restructuring of the Reserves that was approved by the HRCC in principle. Maj Gen Andersen further stressed the importance of the skills that were obtained through the competition being the basic soldiering skills that every soldier should be equipped with. A very proud Maj Brooks and MWO Wagner looked on as members of the RMR stepped forward to receive the following honours:


From L to R: Team Captain 2Lt Podile (RMR), Cpl Hlophe (UMR), Head Coach Capt Krauze (RMR), A/OC RMR Maj Brooks, RSM RMR MWO Wagner, 2Lt Mosasi (RMR), 2Lt Purchase(RMR), Tpr Nophethje RMR).Insert: 2Lt Smit (RMR)

2Lt R. Purchase, Regiment Mooirivier.

Best overall competitor


2Lt C. Smit and 2Lt R. Purchase on the land obstacle course.

2Lt S.T. Podile on the land obstacle course.

2Lt C. Smit throwing a full score.

Best overall international competitor, Lt B. Junge, and overall winner, 2Lt R. Purchase (RMR),

congratulating each other.

2Lt R. Purchase on the land obstacle course.Individual Winners

Best overall competitor• 2Lt R. Purchase (RMR)

Best overall water obstacle competitor• 2Lt R. Purchase (RMR)

Best overall shooting competitor• 2Lt S.T. Podile (RMR)

Best overall hand grenade throwing competitor• 2Lt C. Smit (RMR)

Best overall land obstacle competitor• 2Lt S.T. Podile (RMR)

Best overall 8km combat run competitor• 2Lt R. Purchase (RMR)


On Sunday, 29 October 2017, the Castle of Good Hope hosted the 75th Annual Com-memoration Service of the Second Bat-

tle of El Alamein. The service was organised by the Cape Town Highlanders, the Cape Western Provincial Dugout of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (M.O.T.H.) and the Department of Defence and Military Veterans (DOD&MV). The parade be-gan with Pipe Major WO2 Charles Canning leading the Drums and Pipes of the Cape Town Highland-ers onto the parade ground through the impos-ing entrance of the Castle, closely followed by the M.O.T.Hs. banners and a column of M.O.T.H. from various shell-holes around Cape Town. The sentries of the Cape Town Highlanders took post around the GV1 gun, as the SA national flag was unfurled, un-der the watchful eye of Parade Warrant Officer Alfie Wort, RSM of the Cape Town Highlanders.

Master of Ceremonies, Philip McLachlan, Provincial Adjutant of the Cape Western Provincial Dugout of the M.O.T.H., welcomed everyone to the commem-

oration service. Seating for the dignitaries, veter-ans, and representatives of various regiments and associations had been set up in the colonnade, which provided welcome shelter from the sun.

Lieutenant Colonel Tienie Lott, Officer Commanding of the Cape Town Highlanders, took to the podium to address the parade. He spoke about the signifi-cance of the Battle of El Alamein, the reason why it is still remembered today, 75 years later, and its special significance for the CTH. The regiment fought in all of the major battles in the Western Desert Campaign of 1941-43 of the Second World War.

The First Battle of El Alamein was fought around the small railway siding of that name in Egypt, on the North African coast, during the month of July 1942. The conflict involved, on the side of the Axis forces (Germany and Italy), the Panzer Army Africa under the command of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, and, on the side of the Commonwealth forces, the Eighth Army (consisting of troops from Britain, British India, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand),

Commemorating the Battle of El Alamein (1942)75 Years On

Article and photographs by: Mrs R. Lord

Lieutenant Colonel Tienie Lott, Officer Commanding the Cape Town Highlanders, addresses the parade.

Staff Sergeant Marius Pheiffer of the SA Army Band Western Cape, plays the Last Post and the Reveille, with the Drums

and Pipes of the Cape Town Highlanders in the background.


under the command of General Claude Auchin-leck. Taking advantage of the terrain, the British Eighth Army constructed three ‘boxes’ (dugouts surrounded by minefields and barbed wire); one of these was at El Alamein.

Here, the 1st South African Division played a pivotal role in halting Rommel’s advance from their front-line in Libya towards Cairo in Egypt and the strate-gic Suez Canal and the oilfields of the Persian Gulf further east. Total South African losses, from 26 June to 30 July 1942, were 433 officers and other ranks of whom 164 were killed, 253 wounded, and 8 taken prisoner of war, while eight received treat-ment for shell shock (Roll of Honour, World War II, 1939-1945; Div Docs 105, File1 SAD/A2/2: Battle Casualties, 1-30 July 1942).

The Second Battle of El Alamein, which was fought from 23 October to 11 November 1942, marked a turning point in the North African Cam-paign. The new commander of the British Eighth Army, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery, launched a multi-pronged offensive focusing on the north, involving a massive artillery barrage on

the German tanks, infantry actions, the advance of Allied armour tanks through vast mine-

fields, and bombing raids by airplanes, coupled with diversionary at-

tacks from the south.

The Eighth Army suc-ceeded in breaking through the defences of Rommel’s Panzer Army Africa, leading to the eventual defeat of the German and Italian forces in North Africa.

Among the Common-wealth forces, and part of the 1st South African Division, were troops from various regiments, including, among others, the 1st Cape Town Highland-ers, 1st Dukes of Edin-

burgh’s Own Rifles (known today as the Cape Town Rifles [Dukes]), 1st Royal Natal Carbineers (Natal Carbineers), 1st Transvaal Scottish, 1st Natal Mount-ed Rifles, 1st Imperial Light Horse (Light Horse Regi-ment), 1st Rand Light Infantry, and 1st Royal Durban Light Infantry (Durban Light Infantry) and various ar-tillery regiments.

The Second Battle of El Alamein represented the first major offensive against the Axis powers since the start of World War II; the victory revived the morale of the Allies when it was sorely needed. The South African casualties during this battle alone amounted to 734, killed, wounded or taken prisoner of war.

In acknowledgement of their participation in these historic battles, the CTH earned three battle hon-ours. Interestingly, it is only one of three regiments in the world to have not only the usual two Alamein battle honours, “Alamein Defence” (relating to the First Battle) and “El Alamein” (relating to the Sec-ond Battle), but also a third, “Alamein Box”. Two other Reserve Force regiments, the Durban Light Infantry and the Light Horse Regiment have also re-ceived this battle honour. This is why the commem-orations of El Alamein hold special significance for the Cape Town Highlanders.

The scripture reading and prayer were given by Chaplain Ben Smit, and the singing of the beautiful

From L to R: Dave Revell (Provincial Old Bill of the Cape Western Provincial Dugout of the M.O.T.H.), Lieutenant Colonel Tienie Lott (Officer Commanding the Cape Town Highlanders), Alderman Ian Neilson (Deputy Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town), Brigadier General Debbie Molefe (Director Defence Reserves), Lieutenant Colonel Johan Conradie (Defence

Reserves Western Cape) and Mrs Deirdre Conradie in front of the ceremonial gun.


hymns “Abide with me” and “Amazing Grace” was accompanied by the Drums and Pipes of the Cape Town Highlanders. During the traditional two min-utes’ silence, the moving Last Post and the Rev-eille were played by Staff Sergeant Marius Pheiffer of the SA Army Band Western Cape. The M.O.T.H. standards were lowered, as everyone stood in re-flective silence.

One of the 25-pounder GV1 guns of the Cape Field Artillery Saluting Troop stood on the front parade ground of the Castle, serving as a fitting focal point of the parade, since guns just like it had contributed their fire to the Allied effort at El Alamein. Like the Cape Town Highlanders and the Cape Town Rifles (Dukes) regiment, Cape Field Artillery too had seen active service in the North African Campaign, under the name of 1 Field Regiment; 1 and 3 Field Batter-ies, joined by 14 Field Battery, participated in both Battles of El Alamein.

Wreaths were laid all around the base of the gun by Mr Mike Masala on behalf of the DODMV, Brigadier General Molefe, Director Defence Reserves, and the Executive Deputy Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Alderman Ian Neilson. Alderman Neilson is a frequent speaker and long-time supporter of these military parades and commemoration services. Once all the wreaths had been laid, Pipe Major Charles Canning played the hauntingly beauti-ful Lament, giving us time to reflect on the lives

lost and ultimate sacrifices made in these battles, which changed the course of history.

Many of the people attending the parade were vet-erans who had seen active service, in World War II, during the Bush War in Namibia and Angola, and further afield. Although there are thousands of World War II veterans still alive today, around the world, they are all in their 80s and 90s by now, and their numbers are dwindling. In Cape Town, we are fortunate to have two veterans of El Alamein still alive today: Major Charles Holloway (age 99) and Sgt Sydney Ireland (age 97). Both of them were present at Sunday’s service.

Major Charles Holloway, a signaller, was attached to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Rifles, as part of the 1st South African Brigade in North Africa, and served at both the First and Second Battles of El Alamein. Ser-geant Sydney Ireland served as a wireless operator in East Africa as well as in North Africa, where he too witnessed the Battles of El Alamein.

It was a particularly emotional moment when they laid their wreath at the base of the gun, with the assistance of Sergeant Ireland’s grandson, Craig Portman, as well as Sergeant Peter Longbottom and Staff Sergeant Pierre Fourie of the Signals As-sociation. As they returned to their seats, all the spectators applauded, in heartfelt acknowledge-ment of their years of service to the country.

To conclude the parade, Dave Revell, the Provincial Old Bill of the Cape Western Provincial Dugout, delivered the M.O.T.H. Credo and Prayer:

“I shall pass through this world but once;any good thing that I can do

or kindness I can show any human being,let me do it now and not defer it,

for I shall not pass this way again.”“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,

We will remember them.”

Note: With grateful acknowledgement to Lieutenant Colonel Johan Conradie, SO1 of the Defence Provincial Office of the Western Cape, and to Captain Jacques de Vries, National Communications Chairpersons of the Junior Officers’ Association of the Reserve Force Council, for their input.


It was a cool and sunny morning on 26 November 2017, when the soldiers of the South African Irish Regiment commemorated the 76th anniversary of the battle of Sidi Rezegh.

The Regiment annually holds its Sidi Rezegh Commemoration pa-rade on the Sunday closest to the 23rd of November to commemorate the battle in 1941 where, together with other units of the South African 5th Brigade it was virtually annihilated by the 15th Panzer Division of Rommel’s Afrika Korps.

During this fierce battle, with their “die hard” attitude, the infantrymen of the SA Irish also helped to man the guns of the Transvaal Horse Artillery, to engage German tanks at point blank range and over open sights.

Although their position was overrun, they inflicted so many casual-ties on the Germans that they referred to the battle at “Tottensontag” (Sunday of the dead).

Article and photographs by: Maj I. Stins, The South African Irish Regiment

The South African Irish Regiment’s Commemoration of the Battle of Sidi Rezegh

Memorial to 5th South African Infantry Brigade; Sidi Rezegh War Cemetery.

March off led by the Regiment’s Pipes and Drums at the end of the parade.

This year was especially fitting where the Regimental Roll of Honour were updated to include members of the fallen members Native Maintenance Corps that was attached to the SA Irish at the time of the battle. The names of those attached to the SA Irish and that fell alongside the infantrymen of the SA Irish have been added to honour their sacrifice.

Due to renovations at the Regimental HQ, the parade was held, with the kind permission of its Principal, on the fields of Elandspark School in Kensington.

The Regiment was proud to host several military dignitaries from the office of the Chief of Defence Reserves and Infantry Formation.


TS Tiberon, a South African Sea Cadet Training Ship, celebrated 100 years of providing nauti-cal and maritime training to the youth in Dur-

ban with a dinner at the Blue Marlin Hotel, Scottburgh.

The weekend celebrations were hosted by the Of-ficer Commanding Lt Cdr James Young, Officers, Instructors and ship’s company and attended by the Cdr Philip Miller, CEO of the South African Sea Cadets, Capt Ian Loubser, Captain of the Sea Ca-det Corps, Cdr Penny Thompson, Kwazulu Natal Area Officer and Lt Paul Jacobs, Officer Command-ing TS Woltemade in Cape Town.

The evening included an address by Cdr Penny Thompson who reminisced about the origins of the Unit and how it had added value to so many young lives over the past decade.

One hundred years ago Capt Towhey, an ex-Sea Scout instructor, investigated the formation of a Naval Cadet Detachment in Durban. He was successful with his plans and in 1916 a self-supporting independent body called the Naval Cadet Detachment of Durban was formed. The initial activities of the unit were more physical training in nature with the ships company meeting at the local YMCA once a week for exercises.

In 1917 during World War 1 when most of the mem-bers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserves (RNVR) were away on active duty, the Cadets obtained the use of the RNVR base in Durban. This is when the real Naval training was implemented.

As a result the Cadet Detachment became more popular and discussions were held to incorporate the Unit into the Navy League as was the case in the United Kingdom. By 13 April 1918 Capt Towhey received an appointment as temporary Captain in the defence force and the Navy League Naval Ca-dets were born in Durban.

The Cadets continued to parade weekly at the RNVR base and later at the South African Naval Reserve base of SAS Inkonkoni. In 1972 the Officer Commanding,

“TS Tiberon – 100 Years on and Still Training”Sea Cadet Training Ship TIberon in Durban Celebrates 100 Years

By: Lt Cdr G. von Zeil Photographs by: Tracy Childs, Scottburgh

Cdr Philip Miller presents the South African Sea Cadets Foddering Trophy for Perseverance to Lt Cdr James Young to commemorate 100 years of successful nautical and maritime youth training at

TS Tiberon, Durban.

Officer Commanding TS Tiberon, Lt Cdr James Young, Officers, Instructors, guests and ship’s company celebrate 100 years of providing nautical and maritime training to the youth in Durban.


Lt Cdr John Wallis, acquired the use of the Bayhead base. The only building on the ground initially was an ablution block with all other structures erected subse-quently. The boat shed, previously the Sydney Road abattoir, was incorporated and much of the building work completed with donations of material and labour. The Officers, Instructors, Cadets and parents adding their weight.

Cdr Penny Thompson described her first Cadet experience as follows.

“My first memory of cadets was at-tending my first camp as a very green new entry. I was a bit young to join but my brother was already a cadet and Cdr Wallis (the OC at the time) was expecting an inspection and wanted to get his numbers up. I got out the car and ran to put my things in the huge army tent I would be sleeping in and ran straight into one of the metal stays. This resulted in me falling down with a lovely red burn mark on my face, my bag and bedding flying in all directions.”

“Within seconds the Petty Officer in charge of the girls, Sandra Orbin, was at my side along with a few helpers. My belongings were collected and I was settled in and the whole incident was man-aged and I was cared for. This epitomises the cadet spirit to me. These cadets were teenag-ers who understood caring, helping others and leadership. As I find myself in a teaching position now, dealing with teenagers every day, these are not characteristics that we always see. I think the importance of the life skills that the cadet corps teaches cannot be ignored.”

During the 1980s the number of Cadets in Durban averaged around 70. This was fuelled by National Service as Naval Cadets were given preferential entry into the SA Navy. TS Tiberon also won the National Cadet of the Year competition on 4 occa-

sions, sending cadets to the United Kingdom, Walvis Bay and Cape Town. During these

years the SA Navy fully supported the Cadets which included trained

instructors, training

courses and camps in Cape Town. These began with overnight train trips to Cape Town via Johan-nesburg, an opportunity to meet other Cadets and all the mischief that goes with teenagers away from their parents on a train. The courses were challeng-ing and rewarding with the experience of being in-structed by Permanent Force personnel invaluable.

The 1990s brought the end of National Service and many challenges as the SA Navy withdrew its sup-port and Units needed to rely on fundraising and payment of cadet fees. At one stage TS Tiberon started the year with 3 cadets and by persevering had 15 Cadets attested.

Although the validity of the training was questioned it became clear that the knowledge and skills were still relevant. Seamanship, sailing, pulling, communica-tions and engineering continued to be taught how-ever the Cadets also learnt leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, organisation, respect and loyalty.

Cdr Penny Thompson reflects.“On one particular occasion we were tasked an obstacle course by Lt Cdr Eugene Van Wyk. We had to perform a number of crawling, run-ning and generally sweaty tasks culminating in climbing over a shipping container. As I ran up to the container I thought this was where my jour-ney would end however my team had something else in mind and I found myself airborne, flying

Capt Ian Loubser, Captain of the South African Sea Cadet Corps, Cdr Penny Thompson, Area Commander Kwazulu Natal, Lt Cdr James Young, Officer

Commanding TS Tiberon, celebrate the Units centenary.


over the container without any effort on my part. The lessons were ingrained in us, no one got left behind. “

The 2000s resulted in the Cadet training again evolving to suit the needs of the youth and accred-ited training resulted. TS Tiberon produced a Ca-det of the year in 2007.

During the celebratory dinner Cdr Philip Miller, CEO of the South African Sea Cadets, presented the Foddering Trophy for Perseverance to Lt Cdr James Young, Officer Commanding TS Tiberon, to commemorate 100 years of successful nautical and maritime youth training at TS Tiberon.

The SA Navy has again supported an annual year end camp in Simon’s Town which is the highlight for Cadets to participate in real Naval life and see ships in action.

A special mention was made of the Officers Com-manding who have commanded TS Tiberon result-ing in 100 years of nautical and maritime training in Durban:

Capt M Towhey Lt Cdr FodderingLt Cdr John WallisCdr Gideon Van ZylCdr Dave JonesLt Cdr Eugene Van WykLt Peter SterlingCdr Penny ThompsonLt Cdr James Young

Under their leadership, especially during challeng-ing times, with support of Officers, Instructors, SA Navy, Maritime industry in Durban and parents TS Tiberon has persevered to make a positive differ-ence in the lives of Durban youth.

Cdr Penny Thompson concluded her address by thanking

“the Cadet Officers who over the years have worked tirelessly on the Unit. I don’t think any-one knows how much dedication is needed to be an officer until you are in that position yourself. All units are run by volunteers and the dedication and commitment shown is amaz-

ing. I would like to commend all Officers past and present for the impact they have made on many Cadets’ lives.”

TS Tiberon currently has a group of committed and enthusiastic Cadets – 80% of the Cadets are home schooled, 6% are very keen and active sailors, three took part in the 2016 Mirror Dinghy Nationals, four participated in the 2017 Halcat sailing region-als, and the whole Ship’s Company is preparing for the October 2017 Mirror sailing nationals.

May TS Tiberon and her Officers continue to serve the Durban community and provide nautical and maritime training for the youth.

The contact detail for both recruitment for cadets and volunteers, as well as sponsorships and fund-raising is as follows:

Lt (Mrs) Denise GouwsOffice number: 039-976 0174Mobile number: 060 680 3449Email: [email protected]

With AcknowledgementLt Cdr Penny Thompson – TS Tiberon Centenary speech, 10 June 2017Lt (Mrs) Denise Gouws – Administrator TS Tiberon

Lt Cdr James Young, Officer Commanding TS Tiberon, and Cdr Penny Thompson, Area Officer KwaZulu-Natal, at the TS Tiberon centenary celebration dinner holding the Foddering

Trophy for Perseverance awarded to the Unit.


Sea Cadets from TS Woltemade in Lakeside were invited by Hout Bay maritime business-man, Ken Evans, to attend the salvaging of a

local fishing trawler.

The trawler Constantiaberg had had her sea cocks damaged over 9 months previously in an attempted theft, resulting in her sinking at her berth. The small amount of cash hoped to be received for the brass fit-ting unfortunately negatively affected the livelihoods of local fishermen and their families. A major loss was also encountered by the owner of the vessel.

Ken explained the salvaging operation to the Sea Cadets, which included the use of experienced sal-vage divers, high volume pumps, mooring lines and a cofferdam constructed (to seal the large opening to the fish hold) on the more or less watertight but flooded deck.

The intent (successful!) was to pump out the water fast-er than it filled in whilst plugging the holes and ensuring that the vessel returned to her watertight integrity.

Once the fishing vessel righted herself, the Sea Ca-dets assisted, using seamanship skills learnt at the Unit, by the transfer from the shore to ship of a small pump onto the stern deck. This pump was used to pump out the lower parts of the ship which the other, much larger, suction hoses could not reach.

During the salvage operation one of the Sea Cadets noticed that the National flag was flying upside down

on a vessel berthed nearby. This flag hoist rep-resents a vessel in distress according to

international maritime signal code.

The Sea Cadets located a crewman and enquired whether there were any challenges onboard. After assurance that all was well the Sea Cadets were permitted to resolve the error and paid due re-spects to the National flag.

Ken, at one time a South African Navy executive officer, has previously also kindly taken Sea Ca-dets out on the tourist launch Calypso to experi-ence the bay and visit Seal Island. This opportu-nity was enjoyed by the group who were exposed to several aspects of seamanship as well as ship handling. The offer has been extended to other TS Woltemade Sea Cadets.

The practical experience re-inforced the Sea Ca-dets training at TS Woltemade and they did them-selves, their Unit and their volunteer adult Instruc-tors proud.

Sea Cadets Attend Hout Bay Operation Salvage “Constantiaberg”

Article and photographs by: Lt Cdr G. von Zeil, SA Navy Reserve Force

Hout Bay fishing trawler Constantiaberg sunk at her moorings for over 9 months.

TS Woltemade Petty Officer qualifying class after getting their sea legs onboard Calypso in Hout Bay. L to R: LS

Phillips, LS Petersen, LS Dayi, Ken Evance, LS Williams, LS Petersen, LS Swail.

RESERVE FORCE, THE SANDF’S EXPANSION CAPABILITY 75

Chief Defence Reserves, Major General Roy Andersen and staff wish to express

our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the following Reserve Force

fallen heroes, who passed away:

SA Army ReserveBdr J.M. Sehurutse

of Transvaal Horse Artillery17 January 2018

Rfn M.M. Beukes of Regiment Westelike Provincie

05 July 2017

Lt Col L. Botha of SA Army Artillery Formation and Free State

Reserve Force Council 04 June 2017

SA Air Force ReserveBrig Gen N. Greyling 05 September 2017

IN MEMORIAM

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