SSAA SSOOLLDDIIEERR - dod.mil.za · SSAA SSOOLLDDIIEERR The official monthly magazine of the SA...

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

Women in defence whohave crossed the divide

Letters:feedback from our readers

Focus on genderequity training

Sharing their skillswith our Air Force

Our first ever womanin command at sea

First black woman to obtain a MAN tank transporterlicence

Young pilot flying high

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19 The mind of a military judge

The EnvironmentalLady

First and only femalemilitary attaché in Rome

Female Infanteers wieldingthe sword with the men

Determined despitethe odds

A first for womenin the Reserve Force

Perseverancepays off

Meet the "Eye of our Force"

On the wingsof a nightingale

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STREET ADDRESSDefence Headquartersc/o Nossob and Boeing StErasmuskloofPRETORIA

POSTAL ADDRESSSA SOLDIERPrivate Bag X158PRETORIA, 0001

TELEPHONETel: 012 355 6341 Fax: 012 355 6399email: [email protected]: www.mil.za/magazines/sasoldier

EDITORIAL STAFFEditor: Ms Nelda Pienaar

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

Text Editor: Mr Eugene Muller

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

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EDITORIAL BOARDBrig Gen K.D. Mangope (Chairperson)Col L. XabanisaMs N. Pienaar

Lt Col A. RademeyerLt Col F. SiyongwanaCdr B. StocktonMaj T.W. CheelaMaj J. du Toit

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

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FRONT COVER and PHOTO onPAGE 3: Commemorating ourWomen in Defence. (Collages:Courtesy Visual Communication)

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SA SOLDIER is published monthly - 12 issues per year. The views and opinionsexpressed by the authors of articles are those of the authors and do not necessar-ily represent those of the Department of Defence (DOD). Acceptance and pub-lication of advertorial and advertising matter in SA SOLDIER does not consti-tute DOD endorsement or warranty in respect of goods or services thereindescribed. The DOD does not assume any liability in respect of any claims madein advertisements.COPYRIGHT: No article or picture in this magazine may be reproduced withoutthe written consent of the Editor.

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

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A U G U S T 2 0 0 5 S A S O L D I E R

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From the Editor's desk

t is August again and we are celebrating National Women'sDay on 9 August. To commemorate this exceptional day wedecided to publish another Special Edition on our Women inDefence as we did last year this time. I hope you will enjoythis issue even more than the previous one.

I want to thank everyone who participated by sending articlesfor publication in this edition. Without your dedicated sup-

port this edition would not have been possible.

We are proud of our women in defence and what they have so farachieved in a previously male dominated organisation. They havequalified themselves for careers that were previously largely thepreserve of men. Our women are also numbered among the sol-diers that are and were deployed inside and outside our borders,and they also act as proper ambassadors for our Defence Force andour country.

Women have a multiple role to play in that they are mothers,workers, wives or even single parents. These multiple roles are acommon feature of daily life for many women in our DefenceForce and globally. Nevertheless, our women in defence are com-mitted to a better future for all in the DOD, which includes caringfor the children of South Africa as mothers and custodians ofsociety.

Therefore we salute all our women in defence, and wish them amost deserved National Women's Day on 9 August. Pamper your-self on this day and everyday!

Please indulge in this Special Edition of SA SOLDIER and read allabout our remarkable women in defence.

Nelda PienaarEditor

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Van die Redaktrise se lessenaar

angesien ons Nasionale Vrouedag op 9Augustus vier, fokus ons dié maand opvroue in verdediging. Ek hoop dat onsvroue hierdie spesiale uitgawe net so baiesoos verlede jaar sal geniet.

Baie dankie aan almal wat 'n bydraegelewer het. Julle artikels en toegewyde

ondersteuning het hierdie publikasie moontlikgemaak.

Vroue in the Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermagvaar uitstekend in hierdie voorheen oorheersend-manlike omgewing. Hulle kwalifiseer hulself virloopbane wat eksklusief deur mans beoefen is. Dinkaan die reuse bydrae wat ons vroue in vredesteun-operasies lewer - hoe goed hulle onder primitieweomstandighede oorleef.

Vroue is nie net soldate nie, hulle is ook eggenotes,moeders en dikwels enkelouers. Vroue het die ver-moë om vele uitdagings gelyktydig te hanteer.Hulle kan beplan, uitvoer en ondersteun - allesterselfdertyd.

SA SOLDIER bring hulde aan ons vroue en wenshulle 'n welverdiende Nasionale Vrouedag toe.Bederf julself en geniet dit om vrou te wees!

Lekker lees aan dié spesiale uitgawe van SASOLDIER propvol merkwaardige vroue in onsWeermag.

Nelda PienaarRedaktrise

A

ll the women in the SANational Defence Force areremarkable people in thatthey are challenging a previ-ously male dominated envi-ronment. They are facingdaily challenges in which

they are called on to prove that theirpotential can carry them in thedefence environment. It is in the inter-est of the defence community that themale members in the DOD supportthe women in the challenges they face,to ensure that women in our countryare accorded their rightful place in allstructures of society, in line withGovernment policy.

Women from the former Non-statutory Forces were engaged inoperations against the then SouthAfrican Defence Force (SADF). In sev-eral cases they were front-line com-manders or served in the intelligencecorps of their respective forces.Women led wars against land dispos-session with the emergence of colo-nialism in South Africa.

Women in the Anglo-Boer Waroften disguised themselves to be ableto fight alongside their male counter-parts against the British. Women inthe SADF have served in the Reserves,


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and have comprised a large compo-nent of the Intelligence Corps. Theyserved in the former SADF as commu-nication specialists, and kept theadministrative wheel running in theoffices while their male counterpartswere engaging the liberation move-ments in Angola, Namibia, Zimbabweand other front-line states. Thisproves that the role of women indefence is not a new one, but it shouldnow be enhanced in all areas possible.At present the SANDF has womendeployed in all areas on the continentwhere South Africa has soldiers in theUN Peacekeeping Forces.

There are three women in defencewho have crossed the divide in allrespects - they are from differentbackgrounds and are in engaged indifferent areas of work in the DOD.However, these three women haveone vision and one identity in thatthey have a common goal, which is tocontribute to making the DOD a betterenvironment for all, and to be aninfluence in their respective environ-ments, in whatever small way, in facil-itating the dynamic changes in theDOD and the SANDF.

The three women in question allhave a multiple role to play in that

they are mothers, workers and wives(in two cases) while the other is a sin-gle parent. These multiple roles are acommon feature of daily life for manywomen globally.

The three women are Col DebbieVenter, a medical doctor employed inthe Directorate Medicine of theSAMHS, Col Belinda Martin, a socialworker and previous diplomat andformer MK commander, who worksin the Defence Reserves environment,and Mrs Elsje Els, a PSAP member,who is a professional executive secre-tary, PA and computer specialist inthe Directorate Medicine of theSAMHS.

These three women have come toknow each other in the defence envi-ronment. Though from differentbackgrounds, and from a past thatdivided nationalities, they havedecided to join hands and committhemselves to a better future for all inthe DOD, and to care for the childrenof South Africa as mothers and custo-dians of society.

Therefore we hail all the womenin our country and on the continent ofAfrica on our day of celebration inSouth Africa - National Women's Dayon 9 August.

A

Three women in defence who have crossed the divide

Col Debbie Venter. Col Belinda Martin. Mrs Elsje Els.

Winning letter


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feedback

Mother Africa is wiping off her tears of sorrow

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

Gone are the days when the childrenof Africa had to cry day and night.When killing of innocent people tookplace on each and every day andnight. No place to hide, no shelter, nofood to eat, no clothes to put on andno knowing about where to be tomor-row. It's simply to say no future at all.

After all efforts by the Africancommunity and international commu-nity the citizens of Burundi havegained hope and human dignity andhave joined hands in bringing peace totheir beloved country.

On 28 February 2005 the new erawas born when all citizens queued indifferent polling stations in allprovinces of the country. They were inall age groups, old aged, parents andmostly the youth. All had made sure

While we were busy with the JuniorLeader Course we were informed oneweekend that we were not supposedto leave the unit because Americanswere coming to inform us aboutHIV/AIDS. Suddenly we were nega-tive and our morale was very low. Wecould not understand why we had towait for people who came from so farto educate us - did they think we wereslow learners?

To our surprise, when the daycame it was not the Americans, butour own chaplains from differentunits. During the weekend we weredivided into different groups and thechaplains gave us time to express our-selves. They gave us time to share ourlife experiences among ourselves.Some very painful stories were told. Ihave never seen people so touched.We were able to get to know eachother well (and to understand why

How lucky are we

that they cast their votes in the refer-endum election. Votes were cast inballot boxes; hopefully the killings andsufferings will end - a new era ofpeace, stability and harmony for all.

I want to thank the rainbow nationof South Africa from the top brass tothe last proud South African for beingalways in the front line, ensuring thatpeace prevails without any harm tohuman dignity.

You are really making us proud inthe way you are dealing with theproblems you encounter in the differ-ent areas in which you operate. In allmissions areas you have never let usdown. The South African flag of therainbow nation is flying high in boththe African community and the inter-national community because of you.

You are our true ambassadors.The SANDF has displayed and

shown the true spirit of Ubuntu to therest of the world. Thank youCommander, Lt Col Ramabu of 4 SAIBn. We are so grateful to have a man ofyour calibre, not forgetting us as yoursubordinates. May the Great Lordalways be with you and give youstrength, wisdom and grant you moredays of life to keep up the good work.

SANDF we are so proud of you. Toall our soldiers abroad: you made ustrue proud South Africans in the eyesof the international community.

Tears off, Mama Africa we areyour children; save us and make us astrong nation loving one another, sowe pray - Rfn Sebapu Edward Leope,4 SAI Bn.

someone was talking about somethingor doing what they did: it flowed fromtheir life experiences.) We also learnedwhy decision-making is so important.The most popular lesson was the"river of life": where you come fromand where you are heading, and whathappens if you fall.

I must say I give all the credit toChaplain Masweu. The way he con-ducted us, the way he introduced histopics, the role-plays. It was more likewe had worked with him for donkey'syears, although it was only our secondday with him. Already on our secondday in his class we were calling him"Bra Moruti". Keep up the good workReverend. South Africa needs leaderslike you. I still have all the informationyou gave me, and I am thinking ofusing it to write a book to let the wholeworld know what is important in life -Bdr M.P. Matsoane, Potchefstroom.

I have made a study of the militarypostal services to and from the SouthAfrican forces during the various con-flicts and during peacetime. As I am acollector of these mail items withArmy Post Office date cancellations orunit identification cachets or the vari-ous censorship marks, I should like toappeal to your readers and those whohave served with the SANDF in theDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC),Ethiopia, Eritrea and in Burundi forany such items. I am particularly look-ing for mail to and from those SouthAfrican soldiers serving with theMONUC and AMIB peacekeepingmissions. The mail items that I seek arethe envelopes or postcards with someidentification of having been used byor sent to an SANDF soldier servingon one of these missions. I regard thecontents of such letters as personal andconfidential - it is the postal history ofthe envelope that is of interest.

I would be happy to correspondwith any SANDF personnel who haveserved or who are serving in the vari-ous missions in the DRC, Burundi,Ethiopia or Eritrea - Dr J. Findlay,Parklands.

* Any reader who can assist DrFindlay please write to him at: PO Box3474, Parklands 2121, RSA - Ed.

Military postalcollector


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(Continued on page 8)

May thegood Godwho waswith uswhen wes t a r t e dthis sixm o n t h speriod inthe De-mocrat icRepublicof Congo( D R C )

The Alpha and Omegapromised to pull us through… IndeedHe pulled us through every situation wecame across - Jer 43:1-3. Today we arebold enough to be able to stand and saywe made it through Christ who give usstrength; He is the Alpha (He was withus in the beginning) and He is theOmega (He is also with us in the end).During our stay in the DRC we haddaily prayer meetings in the eveningsand in the mornings, thanks to the faith-ful Christians who interceded for uswhile we went through the fire at alltimes; may the good God shower youwith his blessings and fill all your needsfrom His glorious riches so that youmay lack nothing.

My apology goes to the readers ofSA SOLDIER for promising you that Iwill share with you Why prayers are notanswered. In this letter I will try to coversome aspects and close with what Godgave us while we were still in the DRC

and what we discussed during ourBible discussions.

Let me start with Why prayers arenot answered. (People are praying, buttheir prayers are not answered. Let usconsider some of the reasons.

We fight for what we want insteadof asking - James 4:2.We ask with selfish motives - James 4:3.We ask while committing sin - Psalm 66:18 and Isaiah 59:1-2.We are deaf to the cry of the poor -Proverbs 21:13.We oppose the saints of God - Psalm 18:40-41 and Micah 3:2-4.We are disobedient to a known com-mand of God - Proverbs 28:9.We have an unforgiving spirit -Matthews 5:22-24 and 6:12-15.We lack faith - Hebrews 11:6 andJames 1:6.

that has now come to and end be withyou as you read this letter. I believethat you will be blessed and encour-aged in your spiritual life.

Remember, when we started thisperiod I said to you that God told uswe were going to encourage difficul-ties, not around, not under, not overthem, but through them and He

Cpl Joseph Boase.

Casual Day is regarded as the biggestfund and awareness-raising event forpeople with disabilities and relatedorganisations in South Africa. The SANational Council for Persons withPhysical Disabilities manages the Ca-sual Day project, which raised morethan R8 million in 2004. The CuramusAssociation - a non-profit organisationthat serves the interests of people withdisabilities (uniformed and PSAPmembers, their children and veterans)within the SANDF - also participates inthis project. This year the DOD and theCura-mus Association are once againdemonstrating their dedication to themembers with disabilities. They arehosting, in conjunction with the CasualDay Marketing Team, a jam-packed funday at Zwartkop Raceway in Pretoriaon 2 September 2005.

Approximately 4 000 people, most-ly DOD members, attended the CasualDay celebrations at Zwartkop Racewayin 2004. This year, they are not onlyfocusing on the DOD members, butwould like to increase the number ofvisitors by including the public at largeand schools in the Pretoria region. Theyare hoping to involve as many compa-nies and institutions as possible.

The theme for Casual Day 2005 is"Wear your heart on your sleeve for aperson with a disability". The aim of

this event is to increase the community'sawareness and involvement in the livesof people with disabilities. The eventwill start at 09:00 with a military paradeaccompanied by the SA Army Band, fol-lowed by drum majorettes. A tandemparachute jump by persons with vari-ous disabilities is one of the highlightsduring the opening ceremony. Thisevent will emphasise the abilities of thepeople with disabilities.

Several motorcar and motorcyclemanufacturers will show off their latestmodels, and for the outdoor fans thereis a fine selection of camping equip-ment. A number of companies, whichspecialise in aids for people with dis-abilities (eg computer equipment, hear-ing aids, etc) will use the opportunity toshow visitors the latest and greatestdevices available.

A flea market is also planned for theday. There will be motorcar, motorbikeand go-kart races - a selected number ofspectators may even get the opportuni-ty to be driven around the track in a rac-ing car. The skid-pan and 4X4 trackoffer a challenge to enthusiasts braveenough to put their ability to the test byputting a 4X4 vehicle through thesecourses.

Various sporting activities for peo-ple with disabilities will take place, forexample wheelchair ballroom dancing,

weightlifting, cricket for the blind, tabletennis, wheelchair athletics, etc. A high-light of these activities will be whenDOD dignitaries are challenged to takeon one another in a wheelchair race. A2,4 km fun walk around the racetrack isalso scheduled. Entertainment for thechildren includes helicopter flights,jumping castles, mini-quad bikes, mini-motorcycles and pony rides, an animaltouch farm, face painting, a merry-go-round - to mention but a few.

For the hungry, there will be a vari-ety of food stalls available. A beer gar-den will provide the necessary bever-ages. A braai garden where visitors canpurchase braai packs will also be avail-able. DOD units will be invited to par-ticipate in a potjiekos competition,where prizes can be won. Music and afashion show will add to the festiveatmosphere of this fun-filled day.

All this wonderful entertainment isoffered to you at the mere cost of anentrance ticket for the day, which is anofficial Casual Day sticker. These stick-ers are available at the gate or may bepurchased from the Curamus Associa-tion. The Curamus Association reliesheavily on Casual Day as an opportuni-ty to raise funds in order to fulfil itsobligations. Therefore we appeal to youfor your support in helping us raisemore money than ever before.

Casual Day 2005


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feedback(Continued from page 7)

We keep idols in our hearts - Ezekiel 18:5-18 and 14:1-3.We have turmoil in our home - 1 Peter 3:7.We really had a wonderful time

with God in the DRC, and allow me toshare with you the message from Job2:9 which led to the following pointsbeing discussed under the heading"Keep focus":

Know your beginning. (Know yourstarting point; know the foundationof your beginning.)Know your destiny. (If you knowyour destiny, you will not be misledby things that may seem good andtheir end result will not becomestumbling blocks on your journey.)Know who is with you. (If youknow who is with you, in times of

need and trouble you will knowwhere to go for help. You will knowthat He who is with you is greaterthan he who is in the world.)Make up your mind. (Making upyour mind might not be easy, onceyou have made up your mind neverlook back.)Be ready for challenges. (Expectchallenges regarding the decisionyou made, keep focus, never loosehope, challenges must come.)Be careful of the environment. (Theenvironment can result in yourmaking decisions for which youwere not prepared; be careful, keepfocus like Job who kept focusing onGod.)Be careful of pleasure. (Pleasure isfun and can derail you, keep focus.)Keep on praying. (Prayer can help

you from point to point; pray thatyou do not fall into temptation.)In closing, I want to mention that

during our stay in the DRC the follow-ing were discussed during our Biblediscussions: prayer, women in the min-istry, food and clothes, transfiguration,resurrection, judgement, Passover, footwashing and Holy Communion.

Many thanks to the Chaplains, CplnMosweu and Cpln Bathobakae, for theirsupport throughout the operation, andnot forgetting the commanders at alllevels for not having a problem with uswhen it was time to pray.

I do not want to forget Capt Diseko,who was my Platoon Commander andalso my son in the Lord; may God blessyou big brother and all Christians whotook part in all the events - Cpl Joseph Boase.

Patrol ration packsThe letter of Lt Col K. Ruiters as pub-lished in the May 2005 edition of SASOLDIER refers. During 1999 theActing Director Diet identified certainproblems with the current Patrol RationPacks. This was brought to the atten-tion of the Surgeon General, who thenallocated research funds to address theproblem. It should be appreciated thatfunds are not allocated on the spur ofthe moment and certain motivationsand time lapses take place before theprojects are placed on the budget.

It was decided to take a two-pronged approach to the problem.Firstly, the current ration pack will beupdated to address the most pressingproblems, and secondly research will bedone to redesign the pack. The ActingDirector Diet embarked on a country-wide tour during 2000/2001 to speak tosoldiers at ground level to determinetheir views on:

What is wrong with the rationpacks?What do you take with you whenyou deploy?What can the SANDF do to improvethe ration packs?The information gleaned at these

sessions was collated and several trendswere identified. It was striking to noticethat most deploying soldiers were veryrealistic in terms of their expectations ofwhat could be included in the rationpack. Their comprehension of shelf-lifeproblems, weight and volume restric-

tions and range of variety was good andin the process they displayed intelligentanalysis skills. In the meantime, a litera-ture study was performed and informa-tion gathered to determine what thecharacteristics of a ration pack were, andwhat the military and industry con-straints were. Information was alsorequested from other countries.

The most important requirements ofthe SA Army (which is the main user ofthe pack) are:

Shelf-life - the SANDF requires atleast nine months' shelf-life for thecurrent Patrol Ration Pack.Weight and volume restrictions: Thesoldiers who deploy must be able tocarry the pack and it is required thatthe products be nutritious, but con-centrated.It must provide sufficient nourish-ment for the soldiers to maintaintheir weight and therefore theirimmune status in the field.Signature management: This wasespecially important to SpecialForces, and means that packagingthat is very shiny and noisy is notacceptable to them.The industry has several constraints,

which render the production of rationpacks very complex. These constraintsare related to technologies available inSouth Africa, as well as the volumes thatmust be produced to make productionprofitable.

In 2003 the mandate to change the

ration pack specifications was formallyhanded to the Surgeon General. Thisspecifically involved the SSO Diet. Thespecifications for the current formatwere completely reviewed and updatedto bring about changes to improve thevariety, as well as to cater for certainreligious eating patterns and food pref-erences. The number of pack varietieswas changed from five to six to includea vegetarian pack. Unfortunate-ly, asthe variety increases, the costs alsoincrease, which explains why certainAfrican countries only have one type ofpack. A ration pack is not a normal dietand needs specific planning to ensurethat all the nutrients are included.Taking the constraints into considera-tion, it is not possible to design a rationpack devoid of sugar. Another techno-logical challenge is to include Vitamin Cin the pack in an acceptable and stablemanner. This vitamin is most stable in asugar tablet form and therefore thismanner of providing Vitamin C will becontinued until other methods can bedeveloped to keep it stable.

The new specifications were pro-mulgated by Chief Logistics in October2003 and, when the contract for the pro-vision of ration packs expired in 2004,these specifications were used for nego-tiating the new contract. The first con-signment was delivered in early 2005and will soon be available for use by thesoldiers. (Continued on page 9)

Project AFRICAN WARRIORWhile changes were being made to thespecifications for the Patrol RationPack, the project to redesign the rationpacks commenced. This project is rununder the auspices of Project AFRI-CAN WARRIOR and is performedaccording to project managementprinciples. The process included com-piling a User Requirement statement.This was done in consultation withrepresentatives of all Services. All rel-evant scientific literature was collectedand studied.

The SA Army submitted severaladditional requirements. An impor-tant user requirement is that all mainmeal items should be ready to eat,which eliminates the use of dehydrat-ed food or instant products. The for-mat is to change to a one-meal formatinstead of a 24-hour format. Theimportance of protection againstchemical and biological contaminationwas emphasised. The weight and

volume restrictions were reiteratedand definite limits placed thereon.This led to the requirement that metalcans should be replaced with anotherpackaging material. The shelf-lifeshould also be increased to at least oneyear under ambient temperatures andtwo years under controlled tempera-tures. An increase in the variety ofmain meal products must be designedand the energy content of the pack beincreased to meet the energy require-ments of the deployed soldier, whichis quite a different matter for a soldieron a course or undergoing strenuoustraining. Consideration was to begiven to ethnic and religious eatingpatterns.

The next step was to develop thespecifications for this new pack. Theindustry was invited to participateand scientific agencies were involved.The CSIR performed several tasks inthis regard. The SSO Diet completedthese specifications in the previousfinancial year. The next step is to

verify the specifications with the foodand packaging industry and the teamis currently discussing this with sever-al industry players. This will lead tothe correcting of the specificationsaccording to industry inputs. Whenthe specifications have been verified,Armscor will place orders with identi-fied contractors to enable the tastetests and field studies to take place.Only after this step has been complet-ed will the ration pack be ready foroperationalisation and will the specifi-cations be handed to the SANDF.Project AFRICAN WARRIOR hasensured that information about theproject is disseminated throughoutdivisions that have an interest in it orare affected by it. SAMHS dieticianswere informed about the new devel-opments during a presentation inOctober 2004. Dieticians were invitedto forward suggestions for improve-ment directly to the SSO Diet - Lt ColT.P. Seokamo, Project Officer ProjectAFRICAN WARRIOR.


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By Maj Gen Mohato Dan Mofokeng,Chief Defence CorporateCommunication

he 9th of August is NationalWomen's Day, a special dayas we will be celebrating theimportance of the women andmothers of our nation. SouthAfrican women of all raceshave a proud legacy of deter-

mination and strength. On 9 August1956 thousands of women from allover South Africa displayed extraordi-nary courage by marching to theUnion Buildings to protest againstpasses for women. Our history is proofthat this was only the beginning, asmall indicator of what was to come.

During the years of struggle fordemocracy women played a front-linerole through passive and active resis-tance to ensure the freedom of ournation. In this painful time many werearrested, banned and restricted to cer-tain areas, detained and some evenlost their lives. Through their commit-ment and sacrifices they brought

about constitutional changes, whichmade a positive difference to the livesof fellow South Africans and ensured abright future for their children.

Celebrating National Women'sDay is not just another public holiday.Women are the custodians of the corevalues of society. Classical African cul-tures were centred on the women, thefamily and the community. Today wesee that most home and community-based care projects are led by women.They are still caring for the most vul-nerable among us. Many women faceenormous challenges as single moth-ers and sole providers for expandedfamilies. Therefore, we have an obliga-tion to protect their rights by restoringa culture of respect and love for thewomen of our nation.

The development of South Africanwomen must become a priority. If welook at their achievements, there is nodoubt that the contribution of womento our economy, political environment,defence, education, the health sectorand social welfare is of great benefit toour society.

The SANDF ensures that womenhave the same military career opportu-nities as men. They undergo the sametraining and, therefore, are qualified toapply for the same posts as their malecounterparts. Currently, women arebeing deployed externally as a part ofthe SANDF contingent in support ofpeacekeeping in Africa. I am proud tosay that in spite of the discomfort anddanger, they are rendering outstand-ing service. The SANDF will increaseits efforts to promote equity, andwomen will be empowered to steerdefence in this country. It is time toalter negative perceptions about thecompetency of women in our society.

In conclusion, I want to remindyou that women are vulnerable. Theysuffer social injustices, they areabused, are victims of violence andrape and thousands are caughtbetween fighting factions in war-tornregions. Let it be different in our soci-ety. Let us value and appreciate thestrong women in our society and pro-vide opportunities for our daughtersto reach their full potential.

Celebrating National Women's Day

(Continued from page 8)

T

insight


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Focus on gender equity trainingBy Maj P.H. Hartslief, SO2 Social Work and DevelopmentPhoto: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

entral to the Constitution ofSouth Africa is its commit-ment to furthering equalityamong all people. TheConstitution respects cul-tural heritage, but statesclearly that the right to a

unique cultural life is subordinate tothe right to equal treatment.Therefore, if a tradition is discrimina-tory the Constitution will not upholdthat tradition. Traditions that are notdiscriminatory will be respected andeven protected by the Constitution.The spirit of the Constitution requiresof us to examine our beliefs, culturesand behaviours for those elementsthat foster and uphold discrimination.We are then challenged to changethose discriminatory beliefs and prac-tices we find in ourselves and in oursociety.

The letter and spirit of theConstitution alone cannot change dis-criminatory beliefs and values formedover many years. To foster real changehard work regarding our attitudes andbehaviours are needed. Since theSANDF supports the Constitution itis committed to addressing genderdiscrimination by furthering gen-der equity by means of interventions,such as the gender equity trainingprogramme.

BackgroundIn 2002 the Directorate Social

Work conducted a study on violenceagainst women in the SANDF. Thisresearch confirmed that both femalemilitary personnel and female life

Cpartners of soldiers were exposed togender based violence. The studyfound a clear link between stronglyheld stereotypes and patriarchalbeliefs, and the tendency of violentbehaviour towards women and chil-dren. In other words men in the mili-tary who hold strong patriarchalbeliefs and stereotypes regardingwomen are more likely to act violentlytowards them.

At the same time social workers inthe SANDF observed that reportedincidents of violence against womenand sexual harassment were on theincrease. Unfortunately, in the majori-ty of instances, only the victims of theviolence, viz the women, came forhelp. Very often the women were sofearful that they did not want toinvolve their partners, the actual per-petrators of violence, in the helpingprocess. This made it very difficult forsocial workers to address the violentbehaviour successfully.

What followed was a search bysocial workers for a strategy toaddress effectively the issue of vio-lence against women. This led to theDirectorate Social Work making con-tact with various non-governmentalorganisations working in the field ofgender based violence. It becameapparent that in order to address gen-der based violence successfully, gen-der inequality had to be addressed byreaching out to men and womenregarding the issue.

With the help of the University ofthe Witwatersrand's Women's HealthProject, the Men as PartnerProgramme as compiled by thePlanned Parenthood Association ofSouth Africa and Engender Health (aninternational non-profitable agencyaddressing reproductive health in

developing countries), a unique train-ing programme addressing bothHIV/AIDS and gender discriminationequity was developed. What is uniqueabout the programme is that it targetsboth men and women simultaneously.

The training addresses the follow-ing: relationships, gender and health,domestic violence, gender andinequality, sexual and reproductiverights, as well as human rights andgender.

The work in creating the trainingprogramme culminated on 14 April2003 when the Gender Equity TrainingProgramme was launched. TheGender Based Violence Policy of theSANDF was introduced at the sametime.

The link between gender equityand HIV/AIDS

A South African study carried outamong 1 366 women who attendedhealth centres in Soweto found thatwomen who were beaten by their part-ners were 48% more likely to becomeinfected with HIV than women notsubjected to violence. Those who wereemotionally or financially dominatedby a male partner were 52% likelier tobecome infected. Studies have shownthat women may be unwilling to

Violenceagainst

women andchildren…


11

discuss faithfulness in relationships, aswell as condom use with their malepartners for fear of a violent reaction.

In 2004 UN AIDS and the WorldHealth Organisation (WHO) estimatedthat 39.4 million people were infectedwith the HIV virus globally. Twothirds of these people live in Sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of whomare women and girls.

The SANDF addresses the preven-tion of the transmission of HIV/AIDSby means of the Masibambisane Pro-gramme. The Masibambisane Pro-gramme focuses on providing infor-mation, and promoting behaviourchange in order to prevent infectionswith HIV. To change behaviour peoplemust have the power to makeinformed decisions on their behaviour.They must also be willing to allowothers to do so, irrespective of theirgender.

Most cultures are more acceptingof men who are sexually active withmore than one partner, while this isnot accepted of females. This leavesmen with most of the decision-makingpower regarding sexual behaviour.Generally it is men, not women, whodictate whether or not intercourse willtake place and whether a condom willbe used.

Phot

o po

sed.

be selected on the basis of theirability and willingness to committo the HIV and Gender EquityProgramme training programme.They should also be afforded theopportunity to conduct the train-ing in the unit.The Force Support Element (FSE)Commander, through the MilitaryCommunity Development Com-mittee should manage the imple-mentation of the Gender EquityTraining and ensure the integra-tion with the Basic HIV PeerTraining and the Value andEthical-based Training.All members of the FSE, from themost senior to the most junior,should undergo this training inorder to cultivate a climate con-ducive to gender equality.

ConclusionOur Constitution places a respon-

sibility on all of us to fight discrimina-tion in any form, including discrimina-tion based on gender. In order to liveup to the spirit of the Constitution,both males and females must con-tribute to achieving gender equity.

It is also clear that gender inequal-ity contributes to the spread ofHIV/AIDS. The SANDF is committedto addressing HIV/AIDS and genderdiscrimination through programmessuch as Masibambisane and the GenderEquity Programme. The DirectorateSocial Work would appreciate sugges-tions and comments on the GenderEquity Programme.

* The IsiXhosa translation of this arti-cle is available on pages 45 to 46. To obtaina translation of this article or any articlepublished in SA SOLDIER in any one ofour official languages, please make use ofthe professional services rendered byDirectorate Language Services of theDOD. For assistance contact Col DaanVorster, Director Language Services, attel no: (012) 392 3176 - Ed.

Studies have indicat-ed that men can and dochange their attitudesregarding gender rolesand sexual decision-mak-ing through the imple-mentation of relevantprogrammes.

The fight againstHIV/AIDS is aimed atprotecting both femalesand males, with bothgenders having an equalresponsibility in thisfight. Both the Masibam-bisane Programme andthe Gender Equity Pro-gramme support the

empowerment of both genders in thisregard.

Implementation of the genderequity programme

Training in the Gender EquityProgramme was implemented and isongoing on three levels, namely:

Master trainers (social workers)trained by Planned ParenthoodAssociation of South Africa andWitwatersrand's Women's HealthProject.Peer educators trained by mastertrainers.Other personnel trained by peereducators.This was planned to achieve a

snowball effect in order to reach themaximum number of SANDF mem-bers in the shortest possible time.

Progress regarding the training ofMaster Trainers and Peer Educatorswere very positive thus far. However,the critical success factor in order toreach the ultimate outcomes of thetraining is to be able to train all DODmembers. It was also found that forthe programme to be implementedsuccessfully the following is requiredat unit level:

Members who are nominated forthe Peer Educators Training must

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Sharing their skills with our Air ForceBy Thuli Dube, Journalist AD ASTRAPhoto: WO2 C. Crous

raditionally honorary colo-nels' responsibilities in theSANDF have been to assist inmaintaining regimental orunit traditions, to foster espritde corps and to represent regi-mental and unit interests.

This may include fostering civilian,local and regional connections, creat-ing goodwill and regimental allianceswithin the SANDF and, externally,assisting in the recruitment of officers,warrant officers, non-commissionedofficers and ranks into their particularregiments, to mention but some oftheir responsibilities.

Is it any coincidence that the SAAir Force appointed two of SouthAfrica's most influential women ashonorary colonels in its basic militaryand development training institu-tions, namely the SA Air ForceGymnasium and the SA Air ForceCollege? These women not only assistwith the above responsibilities, butalso share their unique individualskills with the SA Air Force.

Honorary Colonel NgoatoTakalo

Honorary Colonel Ngoato Takalo,who was appointed an honorarycolonel at the SA Air Force College inDecember 2003, is an intellectual anda passionate educator. She obtained aBachelor of Arts Degree and aUniversity Education Diploma fromthe University of the North. She stud-ied for her Masters and DoctoralDegrees in Education at the ColumbiaTeachers College and BostonUniversity in the United States. Herrecent achievements include herappointment as Acting Campus

Principal at Vista University between1998 and 2001. She is currently theVice-Chancellor of the University ofthe North West.

She loves the SA Air Force becauseit has always been her childhooddream to be part of it, and also becauseher grandfather was in World War II.She believes that the SA Air Forceplays a crucial role in enhancing SouthAfrica's democracy. "They are rolemodels to the young and old; there-fore they should maintain andimprove what they are doing becausethey are valued in South Africa," shesaid of Air Force members. She is aninspiration to all young airmen andairwomen who are passionate aboutfurthering their education.

Princess of Africa Honorary Colonel Yvonne

Mhinga, better known as Yvonne

Tshe has released sixteen albums; hersinging goes back twenty years. Apartfrom her music she participates in anumber of charitable activities. She is aboard member of many non-govern-mental organisations, and thisinvolves visiting orphaned childrenand HIV/AIDS centres in Nigeria. Sheowns a limousine company with herhusband, who is a medical doctor, andhas her own music label and produc-tion company. She teaches literacypart-time at UNISA and was appoint-ed Goodwill Ambassador for theUniversity. She was also appointed tothe Board of the JohannesburgTourism Company.

These women contribute to the SAAir Force by using their differentcareers to raise funds, to bring youngpeople into the SA Air Force and toeducate those who want to be part ofthe Air Force.

Honorary Colonel Ngoato Takalo (left) andHonorary Colonel Yvonne Mhinga, better knownas Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

Chaka Chaka, or the"Princess of Africa", wasappointed an honorarycolonel at the SA AirForce Gymnasium inJanuary 2005. Prior tothat she had beeninvolved in the Siyan-diza Aviation Program-me, the SA Air Force ini-tiative aimed at encour-aging young people totake an interest in avia-tion. She has obtain-ed acertificate in Adult Edu-cation, a Diploma inAdult Education, anHonours Degree inAdult Education, and aDiploma in Speech,Drama and PublicSpeaking at the TrinityCollege in London.

She is well knownfor her music. To date


13

The SA Navy has announced theappointment of its first ever woman incommand at sea. She is Sub-Lieutenant Latha Starling, who hasbeen appointed Officer Commandingof SAS TEKWANE, the inshore patrolvessel (IPV) currently based inDurban.

Born in Tongaat in KwaZulu-Nataland schooled at Bolverton SecondarySchool, Sub-Lieutenant Starling joinedthe SA Navy in 1997. After completingtwo years at the Military Academy inSaldanha she completed her CombatOfficer's Qualifying Part 1 Course in2000.

Following sea-time in the minecountermeasures vessel, SAS UMZ-IMKULU, and the combat supportvessel, SAS DRAKENSBERG, shecompleted her Astro-NavigationCourse in 2002. Thereafter she com-pleted her Bridge WatchkeepingQualification and commenced IPVtraining.

In 2004 she spent time in the IPVsSAS TERN and SAS TEKWANE as

First Lieutenant. She was appointed incommand at a change of commandceremony held in Durban on 20 May2005. According to a Navy spokes-person, this is yet another example of

Sub-Lieutenant Latha Starling. (Photo: WO1 Manny Gounden)

From volunteer recruit to RSMWO1 Mariëtte van der Merwe becamethe first female RSM of the SA Na-tional War College on 3 June 2002.Before that she was a Senior Facilitatorat SANDF Colet; and before that shewas the Acting RSM of the SA Na-tional Defence College, to mention buttwo of her last posts that she occupied.

She was born in Pretoria in 1966and completed her Matric in 1983 atthe then Verwoerdburg High School.WO1 Van der Merwe volunteered atthe SA Army Women's College atGeorge in 1984 and attested in the SADefence Force (SA Army) on 1 January1985. Within ten years of service shehad attained the rank of WarrantOfficer Class 2.

During this period she successfullycompleted military courses in Com-munication Operations, Intelligence,Counter-intelligence, Bomb Counter-measures, Personnel, Mainframe

(Persol), Educational Technology andDevelopment Level One and Two andin 1996 Warrant OfficersDevelopment.

WO1 Van der Merwe was pro-moted to the rank of Warrant OfficerClass 1 in 1997 and saw service atMilitary Intelligence Division, SA Ar-my Headquarters (various posts),North West Command, GatsrandCommando, Personnel ServicesSchool, Special Forces Brigade, SANational Defence College and SANDFColet. She currently serves as theRegimental Sergeant Major of the SANational War College.

She is a divorcee and mother oftwo children, Nicolette (10) andDewald (2). WO1 Van der Merweenjoys needlework, knitting, reading,gardening, jogging and cycling.(Article and photo courtesy ofWO1 M. van der Merwe)

WO1 Mariëtte van der Merwe, thefirst female RSM of the SA NationalWar College.

women being appointed to key com-mand positions throughout the SANavy, both ashore and at sea. (Articleissued by the Department of PublicRelations: SA Navy)

Meet our first ever woman in command at sea

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First black woman to obtain a MAN tanktransporter licenceBy Lt Layzer Maswanganyi, Comm Officer 1 SA Tank RegimentPhoto: Capt Clinton Nel

Tpr Mary Hala did the Tank Trans-porter Driving and MaintenanceCourse from 2 November to 10December 2004, at the end of whichshe failed the yard test. She wasdetached to the Tank TransportersRegiment from middle February 2005and started practising the yard testagain with the help of Lt MartinMakuka. Tpr Hala proved to be dedi-cated towards achieving her goal,which was to be a tank transporterdriver.

"Two weeks before I was evenaware that she was ready, she told methat I had to bring the truck and atester; she would show me. At thatstage she was still struggling withalley docking. The following week shegave and excellent display of her skillsduring the yard test and told me thatshe was ready," said Lt Makuka. Tpr

Hala started to work at TankTransporters Regiment where she per-formed daily tasks, including movingpavilions for parades on the vehicles

to transporting Rooikatarmoured vehicles andOlifant MK 1A battle tanksto Pretoria and the SA ArmyCombat Training Centre.Finally she was tested on 9May 2005 by Sgt JabulaniMitileni and qualified.

Tpr Hala, who is current-ly working as a female tanktransporter driver finds thework exciting, but verystressful when it comes tochanging tyres and mainte-nance. On the other hand itis a privilege for her to rep-resent women and a goodopportunity to prove thatwomen can also stand at theforefront. With the supportof male soldiers the jobbecomes easy and less stress-

Chaplain with a gentle voiceBy Hanrie Greebe, Senior Journalist AD ASTRAPhoto: Capt J.P. van Vuuren

Women are traditionally associatedwith a nurturing and caring role insociety. When the well-being of peoplebecomes a professional career choice,why are people then surprised to finda woman appointed as chaplain in amilitary environment? Add to that aperson with the academic and physicalqualities to be nominated as best over-all student in the SA Air Force'sOfficers' Formative Course, and youhave Chaplain Melanie Smit.

She is level-headed and bestowsher spontaneous affability on everyperson she encounters. A smile con-stantly hovers behind her eyes and hersincere compassion for people is evi-dent in her manner of speaking. Shesees herself firstly as an officer anda soldier who can empathise with

members in the SA Air Force environ-ment, regardless of the level of their

professional mustering. The curricu-lum of the Officers' Formative Course

Tpr Mary Hala, 1 SA Tank Regiment.

Chaplain Melanie Smit, recipient of theAcademic Trophy, Officership Trophy and AirSquadron Sword for Best Overall Learner.

is integrated and stan-dardised throughout allServices. Cpln Smit says:"I obtain-ed great benefitfrom the course; it provid-ed me with an opportuni-ty to learn to know peopleand myself, and our reac-tions, especially in timesof suffering." Cpln Smitwas the recipient of theAcademic Trophy, Of-ficership Trophy and AirSquadron Sword for BestOverall Learner.

Cpln Smit expects inthe future to "remain intouch with the people, tobe there for everybody"and will serve as chaplainat Waterkloof Air ForceBase in Pretoria.

ful. She is hoping to achieve muchmore in future as the first blackwoman to qualify as a tank trans-porter driver.


15

Passion for flying

By Thuli Dube, Jounalist AD ASTRA

here are a lot of courses to be taken before a per-son can become a fighter pilot. Having quali-fied, the pilot has to convert to the Impala, fol-lowed by a Fighter Orientation Course com-bined with the Impala Operational TrainingCourse. The courses take three years, whichthen qualify the pilot as a fighter pilot.

To become a fighter pilot a person must have com-pleted the SA Air Force Pilot's Course, for which themaximum age is 28. After doing the OperationalTraining Course the pilot qualifies as a Wingman untilsuch time as he or she is ready to go on the FlightLeaders Course. This requires a high level of hard work,dedication and commitment. Fighter pilots fly simulat-ed operational sorties to maintain a high level of combatreadiness.

TCapt Catherine Labuschagne.

Capt Catherine Labuschagne, a fighter pilot at 85Squadron, Hoedspruit Air Force Base, is one of the people whosuccessfully completed the SA Air Force Pilot's Course. Shejoined the SA Air Force in 1998 and she says she always want-ed to be an air force pilot. She also works as an air trafficcontroller.

Her husband, Maj Jaco Labuschagne, is also a pilot at 85Combat Flying School. Before Capt Labuschagne became afighter pilot she flew the Cessna Caravan and King Air aircraftin the transport line.

Capt Labuschagne joined the SA Air Force immediatelyafter she matriculated from Willowridge High School. Shesees herself flying the Gripen fighter jet in ten years' time. Hermessage to other SA Air Force members is: "Stop complainingabout petty things - you chose to be here!"


16

Young pilot flying highBy Thuli Dube, Journalist AD ASTRAPhoto: Sgt B.L. Stewart

The flying of planes in the SA AirForce has always been male dominat-ed, but recently the number of femalepilots in the SA Air Force has grown.Lt Tamara Thomas is one of manyfemale pilots in our Air Force.

Lt Thomas is our first colouredfemale pilot, and she has been stream-lined to be utilised as a fighter pilot.She has been in the SA Air Force forthree years, and she received herwings on 10 March 2005 on comple-tion of the Pilot Wings Course 104/05at the Central Flying SchoolLangebaanweg. "It was a big day forme when I received my wings; it moti-vated me a lot," she said. She says thatflying planes was a childhood dreamand to be a pilot is exciting becauseevery day is different.

At the age of 21, Lt Thomas is theyoungest pilot at 41 Squadron. Shematriculated in 2001 at Fish Hoek

Senior High, whereafter she joined theSA Air Force. She did a two-and-a-half-year Pupil Pilots Course, one yearof which she spent at Ground School

and another year flying.The rest of the time shedid military training atCentral Flying SchoolLangebaanweg.

When she was in highschool she used every oppor-tunity she got to go to airshows at Ysterplaat Air ForceBase in Cape Town becauseshe was always interested inaviation. She believes that ifyou work hard you achievesuccess. Another reason whyshe joined the SA Air Forcewas that she felt that thereshe would get the best flyingexperience, work for hercountry and help to protecther country.

To motivate other AirForce members she said: "Weforget how privileged we are;

Officer Verster - a star indeedBy Maryke Lynn, Journalist AD ASTRAPhoto: Capt J.P. van Vuuren

"Do not follow where the path maylead, go instead where there is no pathand leave a trail." These are the wordsthat Lt Col Lynette Verster - betterknown as "Sterretjie" among friendsand colleagues - lives by.

Being a sports lover and campaign-er for a balanced and healthy lifestyle,she always wanted to do somethingphysical and joined the SA Air Forcein 1990 with this objective in mind. In1991 she became an instructor at theSA Air Force Gymnasium where shethoroughly enjoyed drilling traineesunder her instruction.

January 2005 marks her appoint-ment as the first woman in commandof a security squadron. 516 Squadronis responsible for the safeguarding ofthe SA Air Force Headquarters Unit,as well as patrols, searches and

entrance control on the grounds. Asofficer in command she firmly believesthat it is part of her duties and respon-sibilities to set a good example thatothers are willing to follow. Loyaltyand dedication in all aspects of life arealso noteworthy characteristics thatshe strives to live by.

Her experience andinvolvement in outdoorlife and sporting activi-ties know no bounds.She takes pleasure innature and, wheneverthe opportunity arises,finds herself on a hikingtrail or camping site. Herenthusiasm for sport isevident from her blackbelt in karate, her posi-tion as centre in theSANDF Netball Teamfor the past eight yearsand her regular squashgames. The Comrades

Lt Tamara Thomas (21) is our first colouredfemale pilot and the youngest pilot at 41 Squadron.

Lt Col Lynette Verster, the first woman in command of a security squadron.

Marathon is also a definite on herfuture "to do" list.

Her message to women in the AirForce is to believe in their abilities,to make use of opportunities thatmay come their way and never tostand back because of a lack of faith inthemselves.

we should always try to rememberthat people look up to us. Be proud ofyour uniform and set an example tocivilian people".

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Educated for the future

Ms Poppie Annah Legodi (right) and Ms MasesiAgnes Mahlobo, who represented the SANDF in theABET Programme, each received a certificate onCommunication in English (ABET: Level 1).

By Lebohang LetaoanaPhoto: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

After months of hard work and dedi-cation, the Adult Basic Education andTraining (ABET) learners wererewarded for their contribution to thisprogramme. This was borne out by thesaying: "You are never too old tolearn".

Armscor's Human ResourcesGeneral Manager, Mr Xolani Magojo,presented certificates to thirty ABETlearners for completing the fundamen-tal modules. They were presentedwith certificates on Communication inEnglish (ABET: Level 1), Mathematics(ABET: Level 2) and Communicationin English (ABET: Level 3). The pre-sentation ceremony was held at theArmscor Building in Pretoria on 15June 2005.

The aim of ABET is to train anddevelop employees who are illiterate

and semi-illiterate,as well as to intro-duce the prospec-tive learners tolearnership pro-grammes so thatthey may obtainsuitable qualifica-tions.

Learners whoparticipated werefrom various organ-isations, such asArmscor, Armscorcontractors and theSANDF. Learnerson the variousABET levels met allthe necessary South AfricanQualification Authority (SAQA)requirements, and were finallyassessed and accredited by an inde-pendent and external assessor, namelyUNISA.

"I would like to thank Armscor for

organising the ABET class; it has givenme more knowledge. Now I can readand write, and I can also speakEnglish," said Ms Masesi AgnesMahlobo, one of the two representa-tives of the SANDF, after receiving hercertificate.

18


Meet our female Air Supply InstructorBy Pte T.D. Maluleke, Acting CorpComm Officer DOD Air Supply Unit

The Department of Defence AirSupply Unit, the second oldest air-borne unit in the SANDF, and the onlyair supply unit in the sub-Saharanregion, prides itself on having in itsfold Sgt Beauty Sawula, who achieveda first by being the first Africanwoman to qualify as an Air SupplyInstructor.

Sgt Sawula joined the formerCiskei Defence Force in 1986 and com-pleted her Basic Training in 1987. In1991 she was promoted to the rank oflance corporal, and in 1993 she com-pleted the Basic Storeman Course andwas subsequently promoted to fullcorporal.

In 1995 she was transferred toGroup 8 in East London (Eastern CapeProvince). In 1996 she was nominatedfor a micro-vehicle management

system course, which she passed. In1998 she was transferred to DOD AirSupply Unit (formerly known as 101Air Supply Unit).

In 1999 she attended the JuniorNon-commissioned Officer FormativeCourse where she scooped the awardfor the fittest woman on course. Inaddition to these courses she success-fully completed, inter alia, theSpecialist Storeman Course (1999), theBasic Air Supply Course, and the AirSupply Assistant Instructor's Course.The highlight of her military careerwas when she was the first blackAfrican woman to qualify as an AirSupply Instructor in the SANDF, infact the first in the whole sub-Saharanregion.

Sgt Sawula is also known for hersporting prowess, having won numer-ous awards in netball circles. She wasalso deployed to the DemocraticRepublic of Congo.

Col Belinda Martin (second row, second person from left) with our womensoldiers deployed in Burundi after an all girls' meeting held at the PalaceBase in Bujumbura on a Saturday afternoon.

Proud to be a woman in the SANDFBy Col Belinda Martin of theReserve Force Division

Even if it does nothing else it willmake you proud if you see our girls inBurundi. They are smart, motivatedand real ambassadors of our country -doing us proud by serving in peace-keeping efforts when beckoned to doso like true soldiers responding to thecall to end conflict and war in theregions of Africa.

The women are at ease in theirnew and challenging environment,which was previously a male domain,and they have shown the resiliencethat a woman can be capable of aslong as she is driven and believes inherself and the "I can" philosophy.

Well done to our girls on the conti-nent. Well done, brave young womenin Africa, far away from home. Wesalute you on 9 August - National'sWomen's Day of South Africa.

Sgt Beauty Sawula, the first Africanwoman to qualify as an Air SupplyInstructor.

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The Environmental LadyArticle and photo courtesy of Lt Col Roshni Varaden

t Col Roshni Varaden is theSO1 Regional EnvironmentalManager for KwaZulu-Nataland the Eastern Cape and isbased at the Regional FacilitiesInterface Management OfficeDurban. She was previously

with the Area Military Health UnitKZN, where she worked as a ChiefEnvironmental Health Officer. Thiscareer change shifted her focus fromthe impact of an unhealthy environ-ment on DOD members to that of theimpact of military activities on theenvironment.

The main function of the RegionalEnvironmental Manager is to co-ordi-nate, monitor, advise and guide theimplementation of environmental pro-grammes and projects. The implemen-tation of environmental managementprogrammes and projects is a functionof Army Support Bases in the DOD.The Army Support Bases in theRegional Facilities Interface Manage-ment Durban area of responsibilityface numerous challenges with the im-plementation of environmental man-agement. The challenges of note are:

That the structure for environmen-tal management, as is required bySA Army Office/CD ForceStruc/401/1/P of April 1999, Con-cept of SA Army (D Force Structure)Policy Directive/Facilities Manage-ment, has not been adhered to.That members who have beenstaffed in environmental posts arenot qualified in the environmentalfield.Lastly, that few or no funds areavailable for the environmentalfunction. Lt Col Varaden stated that her liai-

son with external environmental roleplayers, such as the Department of Ag-riculture and Environmental Affairsand the Department of Water Affairsand Forestry, has been instrumental in

overcoming some of these shortcom-ings. These organisations have theenvironmental expertise that is lack-ing within the DOD and they are will-ing to assist the DOD in spite of theirown shortage of capacity andresources.

Lt Col Varaden has secured assis-tance from the University of KZN andEzemvelo KZN Wildlife to assist withthe updating of the ecological man-agement plan for the Bluff MilitaryBase. The sustainable management oftraining areas is not only of impor-tance to the environment, but is alsocritical to sustain military trainingactivities. The above-mentionedorganisations are also called upon toprovide environmental education toenvironmental service members of theArmy Support Bases. Thus thesemembers have been empowered toimplement some environmental pro-jects.

National days of environmentalimportance (eg National Water Weekand National Arbor Week) are utilisedto create an environmental awarenessamong members of the DOD. How-ever, this is a piecemeal effort anddoes not secure the full co-operation ofall members in finding solutions toenvironmental challenges in the DOD.It is important that that all DOD mem-bers understand the close ties betweenmilitary activities and the environ-ment. The environment and the con-cept of Integrated EnvironmentalManagement must be worked into allmilitary courses. Furthermore, theenvironmental education of DODmembers at management level is vitalto overcome the obstacles that impedethe implementation of IntegratedEnvironmental Management.

Lt Col Varaden has been appoint-ed as the DOD's Regional Co-ordina-tor for Operation VUSELELA. Oper-ation VUSELELA is a joint projectbetween the DOD and the Departmentof Water Affairs and Forestry. The aimof Operation VUSELELA is to remove

LLt Col Roshni Varaden, our environmental specialist.

invasive alien plants from DOD con-trolled property. The term "alienplant" refers to a tree, creeper orshrub, which has its place of originoutside the South African sub-conti-nent. Alien plants must be controlled,as they grow rapidly and easily out-compete local plants and utilise vastquantities of water. (The removal ofalien plants is governed by theConservation of AgriculturalResources Act No. 43 of 1983.) In addi-tion to the environmental benefits,Operation VUSELELA also has socialbenefits, eg poverty alienation.Unemployed military veterans arerecruited by the Service Corps asworkers for Operation VUSELELA.

The withdrawal of the DOD fromthe Hellsgate Training Area is anotherinteresting project that Lt Col Varadenis currently involved in. The HellsgateTraining Area is situated on adeclared World Heritage Site, which isdue to be handed over to the GreaterSt Lucia Wetland Park Authority inMarch 2006. The DOD will, however,have to rehabilitate the HellsgateTraining Area prior to its withdrawal.

An environmental impact auditwas conducted in September 2004.(Continued on page 20)

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The purpose of an environmentalimpact audit is to identify the negativeimpact of an organisation's activitieson the environment and to put for-ward recommendations for rehabilita-tion. The removal of lead from thestop wall at the small arms shootingrange, the rehabilitation of the domes-tic waste disposal sites and the reveg-etation of these areas are some of therehabilitation activities that the DODwill have to undertake in complian-ce with the relevant environmentallegislation.

(Continued from page 19) In addition to this the DOD has tomake the Hellsgate Training Area"safe" as the area is contaminated withunexploded ordnance.

The cost of such rehabilitation runsinto millions of rands and such fundsare obviously not readily available inthe DOD. The Regional FacilitiesInterface Management Durban Officehas therefore embarked on a processof negotiation with the various role-players to determine what "reason-able" rehabilitation measures the DODhas to undertake. Lt Col Varaden is ofthe opinion that this is a wonderful

opportunity to put into practice thesystem of co-operative governan-ce that is included in Chapter Threeof the National EnvironmentalManagement Act.

Lt Col Varaden was born inDurban and studied at TechnikonNatal where she obtained a BachelorsDegree in Technology: EnvironmentalHealth and in October 2004 she gradu-ated at the University of KZN with aMasters Degree in EnvironmentalManagement. She is married to AjithGobindlal and they are the proud par-ents of Lauren and Nickeël.

Living on the cutting edgeArticle courtesy of Rozelle SmitPhoto: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

In 2002 she was given the opportunityto participate in a tandem parachutejump during the opening ceremony ofthe Casual Day celebrations. This wasthe first time ever that she had jumpedfrom a plane and her comment after-wards when asked if she had beenscared at all was an emphatic: "No, itwas absolutely fabulous! I would loveto go again!" This attractive 37 yearold brunette from Pretoria (ChiefMilitary Information Systems,Regional Service Centre, Ministry ofDefence - Service Centre Poyntons)believes in living life to the full despiteher visual impairment.

This philosophy of hers is mostcertainly true of other facets of her life.Rozelle Smit matriculated at the Pio-neer School in Worcester - previouslyknown as the School for the Blind - in1985 and in the subsequent year com-pleted a switchboard course at thesame institution. She was the firstblind person ever to have registeredand successfully completed an N4/N5secretarial course at the TechnicalCollege in Worcester in 1987.

After a brief interlude duringwhich she worked as a secretary cumswitchboard operator at the NatalSociety for the blind, and as a switch-board operator at the First NationalBank in Cape Town and Durbanrespectively, she enrolled for aBachelor's Degree in languages at theUniversity of Potchefstroom in 1990

and graduated in 1992. In August1993 she was appointed as a switch-board operator in the DOD - a positionthat she still holds today.

Rozelle firmly believes in involv-ing herself actively in her communitybecause she cannot see any reason fora person with a disability not doing hisor her share in this respect. She cur-rently serves on various committees,eg the board of trustees of her residen-tial complex and on the PSAP-forumat her unit in the capacity of secretary.The planning committee for the DOD'sCasual Day 2005 celebrations havecalled upon her to be part of their mar-keting team in which she was assignedthe specific duty of liaising with themedia. She is, furthermore, of theopinion that she should play an activerole in her son's school and has hencedecided to join the school's revuegroup for parents, which is to presentan item during the annual RevueEvent in October.

Despite the many challenges thatexist in the open labour market for avisually impaired person, Rozelle stillstrives towards improving her skills.In 1995 she completed a computercourse at the National Council for theBlind and did another course in 2005in order to stay abreast of the latestdevelopments in this field. She wasalso faced with having to deal with thetypical prejudice of ignorant peoplewhen she approached PSAP ETD toattend one of the courses presented bythem. She was, however, prepared toface the challenge head-on and even-tually convinced the organisers to

allow her onto the course. She com-pleted this course successfully.

In her free time Rozelle enjoys out-door life, eg camping, hiking, moun-taineering, etc. She also enjoys curlingup with a good book and a cup of cof-fee or socialising with friends.

Rozelle certainly believes in takingon life's challenges and turning theminto opportunities. She smiles bright-ly, and shrugging her shoulders shesays: "Life, after all, waits for nobody,so one has to make the most of it, don'tyou agree?"

Rozelle Smit participated in a tandem parachute jump during theopening ceremony of the CasualDay celebrations in 2002.


21

First and only female military attaché in RomeArticle and photo courtesy of Col Sue Palmer

ol Susan Palmer (née Steyn)was born in Acornhoek inMpumalanga on 29 March1960. She was raised amongthe pine tree plantations inthe vicinity of Pilgrimrest,Lydenburg and Sabie and

matriculated in 1977 from the highschool in Lydenburg. She joined theSA Air Force on 4 January 1978 whereshe met and later married Col JoePalmer in 1982. The couple has twosons.

From 1978 to 1998 - Col Palmerjoined the SA Air Force on 4 January1978 as a logistician and did her train-ing at the then School for LogisticTraining, now known as 68 Air School.Col Palmer did the two-yearCandidate Officers Course and waspromoted to the rank of Lieutenant in1980. Most of her career from the rankof lieutenant to lieutenant colonel in1989 was in the logistic environment inthe SA Air Force, where she specifical-ly dealt with auditing and inspections,dress regulations, stores administra-tion and damage and loss control. Sheserved during these years at intervalsat the then Air Force Headquartersand the Chief of Staff Logistics. One ofthe highlights of her career at this timewas in 1995 when she, as a member ofthe Organising Committee, assisted inarranging the air shows held in SouthAfrica and Africa (as far north asKenya), in celebration of the 75thAnniversary of the SA Air Force.

From 1998 to 2001 - In 1998 theDirectorate in the SA Air Force inwhich Col Palmer was serving wastransferred to the Logistics Division aspart of the transformation process ofthe SANDF. The member once againexcelled in the logistical environment(this time for the SANDF). The fact

that she had previously served withthe Chief of Staff Logistics made thetransformation an easy process and theknowledge she acquired in the SA AirForce was put to good use in the fieldof stores administration for theSANDF. Col Palmer attended the lastSenior Command and Staff Coursepresented by the SA Air Force in 2001and was promoted to the rank ofColonel in December 2001.

From 2001 to 2004 - Col Palmer wasappointed as Senior Staff OfficerLogistic Policy for the SANDF at theLogistics Division in November 2001.This post posed various challenges asit and the office had been vacant forthree years. All logistics policies andinstructions had to be realigned withthe new structures and functions andrepublished in the format of the pre-scribed Department of DefenceInstructions (DODI). In 2003 ColPalmer applied for selection fordeployment to Italy in January 2005.

From 2005 to date - Col Sue Palmer,supported by her husband Col JoePalmer, arrived in Rome, Italy, inJanuary 2005. The reaction of membersof the Italian Defence Force was verypositive, but the member wasinformed that she was "entering apoint in history in Rome". Col SuePalmer is the first and only femaleMilitary Attaché in Rome, which has inthe region of 150 embassies and 107Military Attachés. Col Palmer believesthat everything that happens to a per-son during his lifetime is either a les-son to be learned or an opportunity notto be missed. Col Palmer is privilegedand proud to represent South Africaand the SANDF in Italy and Romaniaand will seize every opportunity dur-ing this deployment period to promoteSouth Africa and the SANDF.

A healthy body supports a healthymind, and Col Palmer supported bad-minton in the SANDF. She was a keen

player, but excelled more in the admin-istration of the sport. She was theChairperson of SA Air ForceBadminton and the Secretary ofSANDF Badminton for a period of tenyears, prior to handing over to her suc-cessor in 2000.

Col Palmer's career of 27 years inthe SANDF was both exciting and ful-filling, with numerous highlights.Being deployed as one of only twofemale Military Attachés from SouthAfrica and the only one to Europemakes the posting the highlight of hercareer at this stage. Col Palmer has theopportunity to liaise and socialise withall the foreign defence attachés inRome, as well as in Bucharest (Roma-nia) and experience the cultures ofboth the western and eastern Europeancountries. The experience gained dur-ing her three-year deployment in Italywill be put to good use upon returningto South Africa in 2008.

C

Col Sue Palmer is the first andonly female Military Attaché inRome, Italy, which has in theregion of 150 embassies and 107Military Attachés.


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focus on people

Female Infanteers wieldingthe sword with the men

By Maj Merle Meyer, Comm OfficerSA Army Infantry Fmn

he SA Infantry Corps wasestablished in 1954 and lastyear the corps celebrated its50th anniversary. Since 1954the Infantry have come a longway. Women were previouslynot allowed in the Infantry

corps and today we have women serv-ing with the men and doing what themen are doing.

All Infanteers can remember thewell-known Maj Kraai Kamffer whoexcelled at training equestrian soldiersat 12 SAI Bn. She was also well knownas an excellent horsewoman, who tookpart in several national champi-onships. She opened the doors forwomen in the Infantry.

First female battalion commander

Lt Col Topsy Mpaxa wasappointed in 2001 as the first femaleOfficer Commanding of an InfantryBattalion, namely 14 SAI Bn inUmtata. She completed the SeniorCommand and Staff Course in 2003.Before she was ap-pointed to this postshe was a company commander at 6SAI Bn and there she commanded hercompany on the border of the EasternCape and in the Western Cape duringthe time of unrest between the taxibosses and the Golden Arrow buscompany.

During the first deployment of 9SAI Bn to Burundi the Acting OfficerCommanding of the Battalion was MajHermien Brandt, yes not an Infanteer,but she handled the whole unit in acalm and controlled manner. The unitbudget was handed on in time and theunit routing continued as normal.

Female performersVrede Commando led the way

when they appointed WO2 "Suster"Pretorius as the first female RSM of acommando. Truly, we have pro-gressed as a large number of womenare presently serving in the comman-dos and the Conventional ReserveForce units. Some of them have com-pleted their Officer's FormativeCourse and are ready to become offi-cers. Dedicated women indeed.

At the Infantry School WO2Annerie Cornelius was a member ofthe research and development teamand she contributed to the curriculumof several courses. She wrote severalbulletins for the SA Army on the Codeof Conduct and the values - a veryversatile woman.

12 SAI Bn in Potchefstroom hasalways had a very positive approachtowards women in the Infantry. In2003 the company that was deployedat Madumo was commanded by awoman - Capt Connie Hugo (néeStarke), and the following deploy-ment by Maj Romie Jansen vanRensburg (now a member of 7 SAIBn). Both women handled the deploy-ment very well and the company wasvery successful.

Competing with the best of the best

At most of the Infantry battalionswe have women in the Infantry corpsserving in various posts and at 21 SAIBn we have several women serving inthe Reaction Company. Boy, oh boy, Iwould not like to be on the wrong sideof some of those women.

The women have proved that they

T

Lt Col Topsy Mpaxa is the firstfemale Officer Commanding of an Infantry Battalion.

S Sgt Mayke Poo, who took part inthe Infantry Pace Stick Competitionand was selected as the then bestCorporal in 2001. (Photo: Maj Merle Meyer)


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First female second in command in theJoint Operational structureBy Capt Elaine van Staden, SO3 Comm Officer Joint TacticalHQ Western Cape

An enthusiastic and ambitiouswoman, Lt Col Winnie Bobelo of JointTactical Headquarters Western Cape,Silvermine, became the first femalesecond in command in the JointOperational structure in the WesternCape.

Lt Col Bobelo, who was born inPort Elizabeth on 17 November 1960,is a divorcee and mother of two. Shejoined the ANC military wing,Umkhonto we Sizwe, in October 1977after which she did her Basic Trainingin Angola followed by a three-monthlong specialisation course in "militarycombat work". As she was determinedto achieve further success and enrich-ment in her career she then in 1979completed a ten-month long politicalscience course in the former SovietUnion.

She returned to Angola in 1980. In1982 she did her intelligence trainingin the former German DemocraticRepublic and in the USSR. Lt ColBobelo also did various internationalcourses in Germany, amongst others acourse in International RelationsDiplomacy.

Lt Col Bobelo worked in differentstructures of the ANC Intelligence

Intelligence in Potchefstroom andfinally at the SA Army CombatTraining School in Lohatlha. At thebeginning of 2001 she was promotedto SO2 Processing at the RegionalJoint Task Force South under the com-mand of Maj Gen Dan Mofokeng(who is now Chief Defence CorporateCommunication). Later in 2001 shewas transferred to the School ofTactical Intelligence as SO1 ForcePreparation and chief instructor.

After the successful completion ofher Senior Joint Staff Programme LtCol Bobelo was appointed as the sec-ond in command at Joint TacticalHeadquarters Western Cape on 6February 2004.

Lt Col Bobelo aspires to furtherher studies in international relationsand diplomacy and to develop hercareer in the military operationalstructure, particularly in the ChiefJoint Operational environment to con-tribute to the success of peacekeepingoperations. Currently, Lt Col Bobelo isdeployed as a Military Advisor to theForce Commander during a peacesupport operation in Burundi and isexpected back home by the end ofAugust 2005.

Last but not least, she is the moth-er of two beautiful children to whomshe offers everything she can so thatthey can follow in her footsteps.

Department, and was an IntelligenceProcessing Officer at the ANCIntelligence Headquarters. In 1990 shereturned to South Africa and workedin the political structure as a transi-tional local councillor of Queenstown.In 1995 during the integration processof the SANDF, she was appointed as aCaptain in Military Intelligence andshortly thereafter was transferred tothe then Eastern Province Command

Lt Col Winnie Bobelo.

can compete with the best of the menand in 2003 the women's pace stickteam of Van Rhynsdorp Commandocame forth overall in the SA Armycompetition. Who can remember S SgtMayke Poo, who took part in theInfantry competition and was selectedas the best Corporal in 2001.

Some men did not like being beat-en by a woman on their own ground,but she was good in musketry, fitnessand the other fields in which theywere tested.

Today we have women who areInfantry instructors, those working inoperation rooms, platoon comman-ders and many other fields. They have

all proved that they can make it andseveral have deployed externallywhere they have kept the name of theInfantry high.

Women making it in a man's world

The infantry consists of a variety ofunits and functions and in this regardwomen have contributed to making asuccess of the infantry, whether it wasthe Commando "tannie" working inthe office of the commando, the reg-istry or even the secretary. They dotheir best and today many women arestaffed in the Infantry Formationwhere they play a major role. The

Infantry Formation cannot functionwithout the women, whether they aremaking announcements at parades ororganising functions. Wherever theyare they bring a breath of fresh air tothis man's world. This does not meanthat the women are just doing themore feminine side of the work: theyare drivers, signallers, some are partof the reaction companies of the com-mandos, senior personnel officers,communication officers, and of course44 Parachute Regiment had femaleparachute packers all these years.These women have proved that theyhave made it in the man's world andthat they can keep up with the best.

as a unit counter-intelligence officer.Between 1995 and 1998 Lt Col

Bobelo completed all her promotionalcourses at the Tactical School of

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Firsts for the custodian of national security educationArticle and photos courtesy of SA National Defence College

he SA National DefenceCollege (SANDC) as the cus-todian of national securityeducation "delivered" onmany strategic issues in thepast. One ongoing issue is thequest for gender equality in

our country and the DOD. TheSANDC has in this regard been privi-leged to achieve two "firsts" in the lastfive years.

Col Mariëtte Hartley became thefirst Chief Senior Directing Staff in theDOD's Joint Training environmentwith effect from 1 December 2002.WO1 Steph Ferreira was appointed on15 February 1999 at the SANDC as thefirst female RSM in the SA Army, aswell as the first female RSM in theJoint Training environment.

The core business of the SANDC isthe presentation of two ExecutiveNational Security Programmes (ENSP)per year, attended by 36 members at atime. The ENSP represents the highestlevel of training supplied in the DODand aims to train senior officers fromthe DOD, international attendees andofficials from various governmentdepartments to function at the nation-al strategic level.

Chief Senior Directing StaffCol Hartley is a BA Honours grad-

uate in both International Politics andPsychology. Her responsibilitiesinclude the co-ordination of the train-ing effort to achieve the objective men-tioned above. Her career started off inDefence Intelligence in 1977 coveringvarious disciplines, such as counter-intelligence, covert intelligence and

foreign relations.She has been with the College since

2000, first as Senior Directing StaffDomestic Affairs, then as the SeniorDirecting Staff Research andDevelopment - a position she heldsimultaneously with that of ChiefSenior Directing Staff until July 2003when she became the Chief SeniorDirecting Staff.

Col Hartley has since January 2005been taking care of all education, train-ing and development (ETD) relatedfunctions, including the accreditationand redesigning of the ExecutiveNational Security Programme (ENSP).

Apart from being a dedicatedcareer woman, Col Hartley is also awife to Llewellyn, and mother toMireille and Celeste. She is a keen gar-dener and has other interests, such asinternational politics, the theatre andsport.

First female RSM in the Army WO1 Steph Ferreira has a diploma

in Total Quality Management. She is afully qualified Physical TrainingInstructor, a Driving and Maintenance

logistic and administrative support tothe training and support wings of theSANDC.

Apart from her dedication to herwork, sport and the outdoors are twogreat passions of WO1 Ferreira. She isa very keen squash player and an avidgardener. She is also chief conservatorof the SANDC's mascots - eight geese,five ducks and four guinea fowl.

Personnel at the SANDC are veryproud to have two women of suchquality in their midst to add value andgive guidance in their respectivefields. We wish them well in theirfuture careers and personal goals stillto be achieved.

TCol Mariëtte Hartley.

WO1 Steph Ferreira.

Instructor and was a Testing Officer.She is a recognised shot of distinction(silver).

She served during her career asinstructor at the SA Army Women'sCollege, the Personnel Services Schooland at the SA Army College. Herresponsibilities include discipline ingeneral, the full ground maintenanceof the SANDC, as well as dedicated


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Determined despite the oddsArticle courtesy of WO1 Poppy Moatshe Photo: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

ergeant Major Naomi Poppy(née Nchoe) Moatshe, knownto most of her colleagues as"Pops" was born at Rooijan-tjiesfontein (Gannalaagte) inthe district of Lichtenburg(North West Province). She

was born into a big family (six boysand seven girls), including two sets oftwins. Her humble parents who earneda modest income taught her the virtueof honest hard work. Her parents havebeen her role models since she was achild.

She started her school career at Ku-nana Lower Primary School in the dis-trict of Lichtenburg and matriculatedat Kebalepile High School in Mafikeng.WO1 Moatshe also developed herselfand enrolled with the University ofSouth Africa and studied Total QualityManagement, which is in line with herfield of work. She chuckles when shethinks of her father who always want-ed the best for his family and wouldremind them that "Knowledge isPower", and to this end he even gaveeach of them an encyclopedia from hisvaluable book collection.

Her father, the principal of theschool, was a teacher by professionand a part-time farmer during schoolholidays, and was like most parentsfrom the lower income group belea-guered not only by being concernedwith raising his family, but also withtaking care of their future careers. "Inmost of the African cultures there wasthe perception that daughters weredeprived from going to school, the rea-son being that they were going to bemarried, change surnames and not befully part of the family anymore," butthat was not the case with WO1Moatshe's father, who instead saw tothe education of his children. Todayher sisters and brothers are profession-als in other fields. She chose a differentcareer and became a soldier and a lady

in the Army. WO1 Moatshe was oneof the first few women to start work-ing as a typist, and later she served asa uniformed member in the formerBophuthatswana Defence Force in1980. She underwent all the trainingpresented by their expert instructorsfrom 21 SA Infantry Battalion in Gau-teng. She laughed when she recalledthat when she applied to join theDefence Force she did not know whattype of treatment as a wife, motherand woman she was going to get, butas a brave woman and a risk taker, sheended up putting on a "rucksack, web-bing and water bottle on my back" andwent to the bush for training and exer-cises. A married woman and a mother,she had a baby boy of six months whowas about to be christened. She fol-lowed the correct channels and ap-plied for a weekend pass to attend herson's christening. She realised that theboots she had worn on the long walkin the bush had hurt her feet. Shechuckled: "It was difficult to put on myhigh heels, as there were blisters allover my feet."

These problems did not stop her,but made her more motivated to facechallenges as a woman in the SANDF.She worked as a personal assistant toGeneral J.A. Jordaan and as a senior

administrative clerk and a typist in theBophuthatswana Defence Force, andlater in 1994 she joined the integrationgroup at Wallmannsthal where sheworked at the complaints office as asenior administrative clerk until 1996.Then she was transferred to Army HQand appointed as the Chief Clerk atDirectorate Communications. She waspart and parcel of the establishment ofthe Army Office and was appointed asan Internal Warrant Officer whosetask was to focus on Army OfficeGeneral Assistants' welfare and theirrole in the organisation. She recallsthat her father's wish was that sheshould be the best ambassador wher-ever she went and that she was to rep-resent her family, society and thecountry as a whole, which wouldprove her good background andupbringing.

Her proud record of achievementwas shown when she was appointedas the very first African woman in thehistory of the Defence Force with twostars as the Ceremonial Warrant Offi-cer. There was a lot of criticism whenshe was appointed as the first Africanwoman to wear stars and there was aperception that she was doing a man'sjob in handling the ceremonial activi-ties for the whole SA Army. Sheproved herself by conducting everysingle parade with success andobtained Letters of Appreciation fromthe different Services, as well as aRecommendation Certificate for a jobwell done, which was signed by theChief of the SA Army. She hasobtained various medals during hercareer in the Defence Force: theGeneral Service Medal, the UnitasMedal, the 10 Years Service Medal andthe 20 Years Service Medal.

After serving for four years in theCeremonial Section she was appointedas the first African woman wearingthree stars in the SA Army at theInspector General Directorate. Sheencourages other women in the SAArmy to be positive risk takers and totake the lead - "A Woman's Touch"! -always makes the difference.

WO1 Poppy Moatshe.

S

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Female academic leadership

By Maj A. Hanekom, Comm Officer Military Academy

ransformation at the MilitaryAcademy has always been amultifaceted matter since itsbeginnings in the early 1990s.Several issues had to beaddressed first and foremost,among which was the face of

the institution being predominantlywhite, male and military. Just asimportant was the lack of a strong aca-demic presence characterised byresearch and publications in academicjournals. As the institution grappledwith these issues, it was surprisinglyenough a woman who played the lead-ing role in transforming the institutionto enable academics, and particularlyfemale academics, to play a moremeaningful role.

Prof Elize Kotze joined the ranks ofthe Academy at the end of 1989 as oneof the first civilian lecturers in theFaculty of Military Science. As she wasknown as the principal of the local pre-primary school, her appointment wasfrowned upon by many staff and stu-dents. What her critics did not seem torealise was that she had a MastersDegree and had already taught at twotertiary institutions. However,through her typical people-orientatedapproach, sheer hard work, and dedi-cation she succeeded in breakingdown the stereotypes. In due recogni-tion of her efforts she was awarded theRector's Award for MeritoriousTeaching in 1996 and in 1999 forMeritorious Research - the first in theFaculty and also a first for female aca-demics. When it was time to appointan acting dean to the Faculty in 1999,she was the popular choice. After theappointment of the current dean, shewas elected as the first Secundus

T

Dean, and in 2003 she was appointedas a full professor by StellenboschUniversity - the first female, and, afterthe dean, the first civilian to reach thismilestone.

Prof Kotze was born in Vredefortin the Free State, matriculated at theGymnasium High School in Potchef-stroom and continued with her ter-tiary studies at the PotchefstroomUniversity. She obtained a BSc(Psychology and Statistical Mathe-matics), BSc Honours (Psychology),MSc (Psychology) cum laude, and shelectured in Psychology and IndustrialPsychology at this institution for fouryears.

She subsequently taught at thePretoria Teacher's Training Collegeuntil her husband, Col Kobus Kotze,was appointed as a lecturer (later pro-fessor) in Military History at theAcademy in 1973 when the couple

moved to Saldanha. Here she focusedon the upbringing of her three sons,but also enrolled for a Diploma inHigher Education at Unisa, and laterfor the Postgraduate Diploma inHigher Education, specialising in Pre-primary Education. Upon completionof the latter she established the firstpre-primary school in Saldanha andtaught there for five years. During thistime she completed a NationalDiploma in Personnel Managementthrough Technikon SA. She was thenappointed as a lecturer in theDepartment of Industrial Psychologyat the Academy, completed her intern-ship as Counselling Psychologist in1992, obtained her PhD in IndustrialPsychology from StellenboschUniversity in 1998 and was promotedto full professor in 2003.

Prof Kotze's research has concen-trated on career psychology, psycho-metrics, the social responsibility ofinternational corporations operatingin developing countries, and the psy-chological empowerment of workers.Over time she has received severalgrants for research from, inter alia, theNational Research Foundation, theSocial Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council of Canada, the USAFund for International MilitaryEducation and Training (IMET),Stellenbosch University and theSANDF.

She regards her participation inthree international research projects asthe highlights of her academic career.One was a cross-cultural study onmanagement and change in the SouthAfrican Defence Force with DrTerence Jackson, formerly from theESCP-EAP European School of Man-agement (Paris-Oxford-Berlin-Ma-drid). The results of this study werepublished in the international

Prof Elize Kotze was awarded theRector's Award for MeritoriousTeaching in 1996 and in 1999 forMeritorious Research - the first inthe Faculty and also a first forfemale academics.


27

"Administration and Society" journal.The second was with Dr FrederickBird from Concordia University,Montreal, on a project titled "Globalresponsibilities: Managing interna-tional companies in developing coun-tries." This work has already beenpublished as a book. Presently she isengaged in research with Prof SanjayMenon from Louisiana StateUniversity, USA, on the psychologicalempowerment of workers.

Her international interdisciplinaryresearch has now encouraged her totake the lead in a similar approach toresearch in the SANDF. This involvesco-operative research with senior andjunior faculty colleagues, and formerstudents. It is, furthermore, her idealto strengthen academic bonds with all

her former students who haveobtained postgraduate qualificationsin Industrial Psychology. For this pur-pose she intends organising a (*)research seminar where they canreport on their research.

Over the years students, youngand old, here and abroad, colleaguesand members of her community havecome to know Prof Kotze for her pas-sion in caring for and concern aboutthe people whose lives she touches, forher conscientious work ethic and com-mitment and her national and interna-tional academic stance. Furthermore,the long list of academic publicationsand papers is a reflection of her workdrive despite her constant fightagainst cancer. The latter gave rise toher involvement in an initiative to

assist a young Ethiopian girl in gettinga bone-marrow transplant and in rais-ing funds for the adornment of therehabilitation ward of 2 MilitaryHospital. Nevertheless, she alwayshas time for a good joke, enjoys read-ing fiction, Afrikaans and English, andmost of all cherishes time spent withher grandson and daughter who livein the UK.

Prof Kotze, the Department ofDefence salutes you!

(*) The proposed research seminaris planned to take place in 2006 andall interested former students of theMilitary Academy with a postgradu-ate qualification may contact MajJ.A. Hanekom at tel no: (022) 702 3004with their details.

First female coxswain on boardAB Zelda (Lizzy) Lebelo, Assistant Media Liaison OfficerNaval Base Simon's Town

Crew members of the SA Navy hydro-graphic survey vessel, SAS PROTEA,known to many as "The White Lady"had a first-hand experience of historyin the making on 6 May 2005 as theywelcomed on board their first everfemale coxswain, WO1 Wendy Lan-caster. WO1 Lancaster joined the Navyin 1980 and did her Basic Training atSAS SIMONBERG in Simon's Town.

After Basic Training she success-fully completed courses as a radaroperator, then served in both Simon'sTown and Durban in different posts.She did excellent work on the StrikeCraft Flotilla where she worked close-ly with R Adm Hennie Bester, currentFlag Officer Fleet of Naval Base Si-mon's Town. At the time R Adm Bes-ter was the Officer Commanding ofNaval Station Durban: "He is one ofthe people who believed in me andgave me great responsibility," she said.

Although WO1 Lancaster plannedto become a schoolteacher during herhigh school days, she decided to jointhe SA Navy instead and ever sincehas never looked back. Now almost 25years down the line she is the first

WO1 Wendy Lancaster, the firstever female coxswain.

female coxswain of a naval ship, whichis a great feeling, "I never saw thisappointment coming and I am stillbewildered by the whole thing," shesaid.

As the most senior rating on board,her main responsibilities includemaintenance of discipline and highmorale among the crew members, andhelping them with any problems theymay encounter. She is the liaisonbetween officers and ratings. "This isnot such an easy job," she said, "as itrequires one to be more understand-ing, especially at sea because everyoneneeds to stay positive even thoughthey are away from families andfriends." WO1 Lancaster's first sea-going experience with the SAS PRO-TEA after her appointment was whenthe ship sailed to Richard's Bay for sixweeks. At the time she got to know theship and the crew much better. Duringthese six weeks and after the crewmembers got to know her better, shewas described as being understanding,considerate and a very strong woman,and to her they, in turn, are a brilliantgroup of people.

WO1 Lancaster's face glows whenshe speaks of her sons, Brice (18) andLance (13) - they have been extremelyproud of their mother and understand

when she has to sail and be away fromhome for a little while. As a mothershe always has words of encourage-ment to give. When asked to encour-age young women who some daywish to be like her, she said: "Theyhave to work hard, keep their nosesclean and have a positive attitude ineverything they do". WO1 Lancaster'slove of the Navy and good guidanceare tools that have kept her going andthat is how she got to where she istoday.

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A Personal Assistant who seizes themomentBy Thuli Dube, Journalist AD ASTRAPhoto: WO2 C. Crous

Lt Samantha Pillay, Personal Assistantto the Chief of the SA Air Force, LtGen Carlo Gagiano, is a woman whois passionate about what she does. "Ihave learnt a lot from the senior offi-cers. I am always keen to grasp theknowledge they have and I apply it tomy working environment," she said.She also said that her job was neverboring, and that it was challengingwhen it came to the quality and quan-tity of the work to which she isexposed. She tries to perform her jobwith professionalism.

Her duties as a personal assistantto the Chief of the SA Air Force arediverse. She has to ensure that all doc-umentation of meetings attended bythe Chief of the SA Air Force is pre-pared and that inputs are received,make all arrangements for his staffvisits, and co-ordinate all activities

Lt Samantha Pillay, PersonalAssistant to the Chief of the SA AirForce, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano.

with his spouse. And these are justsome of the responsibilities she has inserving the Chief of the SA Air Force.

Before she was promoted to a per-sonal assistant, she was a senior per-sonnel functionary at the same office,where she was responsible mainly for

the administrative support to theoffice of the Chief of the SA Air Forceand all personnel matters relatingdirectly to the office.

At the moment Lt Pillay is study-ing at the Military Academy for her BMil Degree in Human and Organisa-tional Development. Though her workmay be challenging, she says that sheenjoys working with people: "I comeinto contact with many people on adaily basis, and I learn a lot. I improvemyself and show professionalism inmy working environment".

Besides her challenging job, sheenjoys relaxing at home with her son,socialising and participating in sport.To motivate Air Force members shesaid: "Working towards Vision 2012 asofficers within the SA Air Force we arefaced with many challenges and greatopportunities. Seize these opportuni-ties to develop yourselves and attainthe vision of the SA Air Force forfuture members still to come. Alwaysmaintain your loyalty".

A first for women in the Reserve ForceBy Lize Pienaar, Group 33Photo: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

Belfast Commando is the first com-mando unit in the SA Army to have afemale second in command and afemale RSM. It is a well-known factthat women can do several taskssimultaneously, and if you have twowomen of this calibre at one unit atthe same time you can expect thingsto happen.

Female second in commandMaj Susanne Marè grew up in a

military environment as the daughterof the late Col JAP Steyn and matricu-lated in 1974 at the Afrikaanse HoërMeisieskool in Pretoria. She com-menced with tertiary studies at theUniversity of Pretoria and completed

her BA Degree in 1977 withPsychology and Criminology as mainsubjects.

She joined the Defence Force in1977 at Military Intelligence(Directorate Counter-intelligence) andserved in this division until 1981.During 1984 to 1988 Maj Marè servedat the then Eastern TransvaalCommand in the Secretariat EasternTransvaal Joint Management Centre.

In 1996 she joined the BelfastCommando, where she started as anintelligence officer and later on alsobecame responsible for operations andcommunication. She received Com-mendation Certificates of Group 33 forIntelligence, Communication andOperations.

Over the period June 2000 toFebruary 2001 she completed theCompany Commanders Course.

During 2001 she was promoted tothe rank of Major, and on 24 January2001 she was appointed as the secondin command of Belfast Commando.

Maj Marè currently serves as anintelligence officer and communica-tions officer. In 2004 she also complet-ed the Unit Commander ArmyTerritorial Reserve Distance TrainingCourse where she obtained secondplace and in this regard is also the firstwoman to do the course.

Female RSMWO1 Martina Wilkie joined

Belfast Commando in 1979, and com-pleted the Basic Training Course atGroup 12 HQ in February 1981. In1985 she was promoted to the rank ofcorporal. In 1996 she completed a PTFPersonnel Administation Course anda Basic Intelligence Distance Training


29

Maj Susanne Marè, second in command of Belfast Commando (left), andWO1 Martina Wilkie, RSM Belfast Commando.

Course. During 2001 she completed aPlatoon Sergeant Course and in 2002 aCompany RSM Course. She was alsoawarded the first place for personnelduring the 2002, 2003 and 2004 evalu-ation.During her service at the com-mando there were very few functionsshe was not exposed to.

WO1 Wilkie was responsible forregistration, finance and intelligence.At one stage she was also responsiblefor communication, logistics (also awinner with a CommendationCertificate from Group 33), transport,training and, to some extent, opera-tions.

Since 1997 WO1 Wilkie has beenthe personnel functionary at the com-mando and is at present also responsi-ble for the finances, she was ActingRSM since 5 December 2003 andappointed as RSM on 1 May 2005.

A woman takes controlBy Lebohang LetaoanaPhoto: F Sgt Amelda Strydom

When Lt Col René Mercuur joined theSA Army Intelligence Corps in 1994she did not know that one day shewould be the first woman in the histo-ry of 1 Tactical Intelligence Regimentto be its Officer Commanding. Only 30years old, she is one of the youngestwoman commanding officers in ourDefence Force.

The official handing and takingover of command parade between LtCol Tsihililo Albert Mukwevho and LtCol Mercuur was held at 1 TacticalIntelligence Regiment in Potchef-stroom on 3 June 2005.

Lt Col Mercuur was born in CapeTown on 3 September 1974. She com-pleted her Basic Training Course atthe SA Army Women's College inGeorge, and later joined the SA ArmyIntelligence Corps in December 1994.

Asked if as a woman OfficerCommanding she did not expectthings to be easier, she replied: "No, I

Lt Col René Mercuur during thechange of command parade held at1 Tactical Intelligence Regiment.

think with the different cultures thatwe have it will be difficult, but I willconquer." She also said that as the firstwoman she would be bringing in some

changes, but did not want to elaborateany further.

Lt Col Mercuur worked as aProcessing Officer at Northern CapeCommand HQ in Kimberley fromDecember 1994 to November 1997. In1996 she assisted 525 Troop inOlifantshoek as the IntelligenceOfficer of the Electronic WarfareStation.

In January 1997 she assisted as anAdministrative Officer at the School ofTactical Intelligence. In November1997 she was transferred to Group 1HQ in Cape Town, where she workedas the SO3 Processing Officer untilJune 2002.

She was transferred to SA ArmyIntelligence Formation in June 2002,where she worked as the SO2Administration of Operational Tech-nical Officer. After promotion to aMajor in 2002 she worked as the SO1Combat Readiness Officer in the for-mation. Lt Col Mercuur is married toGavin and they have a two-year oldson named Corbin.

focus on people


30

Excellence in the language practitionerenvironmentBy Dr J.L. Marais, D Lang, HRSCPhoto: F Sgt Amelda Strydom

iempie Louw's office is onthe twenty-eighth floor ofthe Poynton Building inPretoria. Sheets of paperare posted against thebookshelves full of dictio-naries and other language

books. On these sheets Miempie hasbeen mapping the post structure ofthe Directorate Language Services asit has developed since 2004 as part ofthe Human Resources SupportCentre. There are also files on the floorabout training initiatives for learnerson different levels.

"I can live with disorder up to apoint," says Miempie while she turnsto her desk where she has piled paperand books in an orderly and particularmanner. Her hand sweeps over anopen dictionary. Miempie clearly hasthe ability to organise and to take theinitiative.

"Miempie works towards a goal inlife. She always works hard to equipherself better for her career and herposition in life," says Eugene Muller, alanguage practitioner colleague whohas been working closely with her atthe Army Office. "She is dynamic andnot shy to perform in front of people."Miempie's other colleagues in theDirectorate Language managementteam, as well as those who deal withher as Head of the Official LanguagesSection, will certainly agree.

"I used to be very shy as a child,"says Miempie. "Today I regard myselfas a well-adapted introvert. Often Ihave to take the lead because there areno other people who are willing to doso. I also have the ability to see thingsin a broader perspective. It is one ofmy talents, and my training helped to

develop that."After her undergraduate studies at

the University of Pretoria (where sheadmits she was more interested insport and especially netball, for whichshe eventually got University andProvincial Colours), she completed anhonours degree in journalism at theUniversity of Stellenbosch.

joined the DOD and is currently acolonel and working in the office ofthe Chief of the SANDF.

As her husband had to work alter-nately in Pretoria and Cape Townevery other six months for theMinistry of Defence for a couple ofyears, Miempie worked alternately inCape Town and Pretoria for SA SOL-DIER. When her husband was trans-ferred to Cape Town in 1995 she wasappointed at the Castle in Cape Townas a language practitioner. There sheworked at the Western ProvinceCommand Headquarters until themiddle of 1999. Apart from working asa language practitioner, she co-ordi-nated Adult Basic Education andTraining (ABET) in the Western Capefor all the DOD learning sites. She alsoacquired her Post Degree Diploma inTranslation from UNISA during thistime.

"I am thankful for the experience Igained through my involvement withABET. It was very rewarding to workwith the learners. It was especiallystimulating to see how peopleacquired new basic life skills and howthankful they were. This made mehumble."

Miempie sees the DOD as an envi-ronment where people have incredibleopportunities if they could only recog-nise them. "They are not presented toyou on a tray, and you must neverallow yourself to be confined to a spe-cific mindset." She is also thankful toher husband with whom she forms agood team; they understand eachother's work environment very well.

She is currently in the second yearof MBA studies at the University ofPretoria. This qualification will giveformal recognition to her leadershipskills, for which her colleagues respecther.

M

Miempie Louw, Head of the OfficialLanguages Section.

"I met my husband while I wasstudying at Stellenbosch. We did thesame course. We got married in 1980and from the start worked together asjournalists. These were difficult, butvery rewarding times. I learned a lotabout journalism and regard myself inthe first instance as a journalist. I amactually first of all a writer, then aneditor and then a translator," saysMiempie.

Her career as a journalist startedwith the Afrikaans newspaper Beeld inPretoria and Johannesburg. In 1991,after eight years of raising her threechildren and doing freelance journal-ism, she joined SALUT, the forerunnerof the current SA SOLDIER, on a half-day basis. Her husband, Riaan, also


31

Perseverance pays offBy Tshidi Baloyi, Journalist AD ASTRAPhoto: Capt J.P. van Vuuren

She started as a cleaner at the SA AirForce - today she is a Warrant Officer.WO2 Emma Lekalakala was promotedin December 2002 from a Sergeant to aWarrant Officer Class 2. She recentlywon the 2004 Top Warrant Officer ofthe Year Award.

In her job as a Warrant Officer sheis a Personnel Functionary Officer incharge of administrative work andhuman resources.

WO2 Lekalakala matriculatedfrom Gasietsiwe High School(Warmbaths) in 1981. Thereafter herfirst job was as a cleaner in the SA AirForce. She learned how to operate theswitchboard and did part-time workthere. She applied to join the SA AirForce in 1985, but was turned down.However, she did not give up and in1990 she was accepted.

She joined the SA Air Forcebecause she liked the appearance of itsmembers in uniform. "They all lookedsmart," she said. Since starting hercareer in the SA Air Force she hasworked as an Apprenticeship CareerManager at the Directorate Operations

Support and Intelligence Systems,and next as a Career Manager ofTechnical Electronics.

WO2 Lekalakala is married andhas two sons. One of her sons, SgtModikana Jacob Lekalakala, is also amember of the SA Air Force. He is anaircraft mechanic at Makhado AirForce Base and has a NationalDiploma in Engineering. Her otherson, Koketso, is a Grade 12 learner atPretoria West Technical School.

She is currently studying Man-agement Assistance at the CenturionCollege as part of the SA Air Force'sThusanong Programme to empowerwomen in the SA Air Force. WO2Lekalakala believes that "there isnothing that is impossible; be confi-dent and believe in yourself." This isalso her message to other Air Forcemembers. When asked where she sawherself in ten years' time, she said shewould like to be the Sergeant Major ofthe SA Air Force.

Fitness fanaticBy Tshidi Baloyi, Journalist AD ASTRAPhoto: Capt L. Greyvenstein

There are six female instructors in theSA Air Force Gymnasium and SgtDesiree Namise is one of them. Shebecame an instructor in 2001, whenshe worked as a trainer at CentralFlying School Langebaanweg.

As an instructor she trains the newSA Air Force recruits on the ethos andstructure of the SA Air Force; and afterthree months the students choosewhich field they want to go into. "Ilove what I am doing; in a sense I havewanted to be here ever since I was achild," she said.

Born on 7 July 1977, Sgt Namisematriculated from Valhalla SeniorSecondary in Cape Town in 1996.After school she worked in a clothingfactory for almost a year, and then wasaccepted into the SA Air Force in 1997.

Before she became an instructorshe worked as a permit clerk at

Central Flying School Langebaanweg.She then completed an instructor'scourse, which qualified her to be aninstructor in the SA Air Force. SgtNamise loves what she does. She wasawarded the trophy for the Best Basic

Training Instructor at the last BasicMilitary Training passing-out paradeheld at the Air Force Gymnasium inApril 2005. With great confidence shesaid: "Men now know that whateverthey can do, I can also do".

When asked what she would liketo be in ten years' time she said: "Iwant to be a Regimental SergeantMajor of the SA Air Force Gymnasiumand still be involved in training". Hermessage to other Air Force membersis: "If you have dreams, believe inthem and they can come true. Onlyyou can make your dreams cometrue".

Sgt Namise is married, and has asix-year-old daughter who shows alively interest in physical training. Inher spare time she enjoys reading,playing soccer and netball, and run-ning. She is a keen athlete and was amember of the SANDF AthleticsTeam, which competed against theBotswana Defence Force members inBotswana in July 2005.

Sgt Desiree Namise is one of sixfemale instructors in the SA AirForce Gymnasium.

WO2 Emma Lekalakala, the 2004Top Warrant Officer of the Year.


32

focus on people

Meet the "Eye of our Force"By Sgt Mercia Engelbrecht, former Reserve Force ScriptwriterDefence TV

A tragic car accident almost left herparalysed in 1989, but she was mirac-ulously given a second chance in life.Today Ms Cindy Ludick is living lifeto the fullest as the Executive Producerof Defence TV, the television unit ofthe DOD. As a young schoolgirl shedreamt about being involved in themagical world of television produc-tion, either as a reporter or as a pre-senter. Ms Ludick completed herHonours degree in Communication atthe Potchefstroom University forHigher Education in 1990. In 1991 shejoined the SA Air Force as ProductionManager of SAAF TV, the then televi-sion unit of the SA Air Force. As shewas medically unfit to serve as a uni-formed member, she was appointed asa Public Service Act Personnel mem-ber. She completed various militaryand civilian courses and in 1996 shewas promoted to Executive Producerof SAAF TV. Defence TV was estab-lished in January 2000 as a result of the

amalgamation of the formerly inde-pendent television units of the variousServices into one central capability.The offices and studio of the "old"SAAF TV were identified as most suit-able for the new unified unit. TodayDefence TV is still situated at the AirCommand Building in Pretoria, al-though it functions as part of DefenceCorporate Communication of theDOD. While Colet holds the mandate

for training, Defence TV has the man-date for all audio-visual communica-tion in the DOD. Ms Ludick has beenawarded numerous awards duringher career in the DOD, and is theheartbeat of Defence TV. Within hercareer she has experienced more thanmost, including a flip in a Cheetahfighter jet! Some of the highlights shewould like to point out during hercareer in the DOD are: meeting theFirst Lady, Ms Zanele Mbeki, onWomen's Day in 2001, as well as theparticipation of Defence TV in theInternational Military Film Festivalheld in Rome, Italy, in 2001 and 2002 -where Defence TV received awards.

Ms Ludick is married to Jacquesand has a five year old son, Juan. Afterher car accident she was told that shewas medically unfit to have childrenand although his birth was prematurein December 1999, Juan is a healthyand lively young boy today. MsLudick enjoys life to the fullest,deeply thankful for the second chanceshe has been given. Her motto in life:"Any noble deed is a stepping stonetowards heaven!"

First female Formation Sergeant MajorBy Lt Col D. Botha, SO1 CorpComm, Tertiary MH Fmn

WO1 Christa Stoop, currently theFormation Sergeant Major of theTertiary Military Health Formation,was the first woman to be appointedas a Formation Sergeant Major in theSAMHS and in the SANDF. Thiswoman in uniform describes herself asa "straightforward" person, who isdedicated to serving the military to thebest of her ability. WO1 Stoop hasthree children and says it is possible tobe a professional soldier and still fulfilthe role of a mother "if your supportsystems are in place and you reallywant to be successful". According toWO1 Stoop the highlight of her mili-tary career was when she was the RSMof the SAMHS Nursing College, whereshe was involved with the nursing stu-dents, and was almost the soleprovider of both care and discipline.She says that transformation granted

her the opportunity to make her standas a woman in the SANDF, where onlymen had traditionally fulfilled the role

of members responsible for disciplinein the military. "Women can enforcediscipline just as men can and may beeven better, because we as women aremore strict, though our approach issofter. However, our results are just aseffective," said WO1 Stoop. WO1Stoop dislikes "people who are lateand lie", but has admiration for peoplewho are committed and who have astrong sense of self-discipline. "Onemust remember that we are in thebusiness of training members to bedisciplined at all times in order to suc-cessfully survive times of enduranceand eventually to be prepared to facewar," continued WO1 Stoop. In herleisure time she likes spending timewith her family. She enjoys Gospelmusic and good food. Where does shesee herself in ten years time? WO1Stoop confidently replied that she"will be the Sergeant Major of theSANDF". This is definitely a womanwith a mission.

WO1 Christa Stoop.

Ms Cindy Ludick.


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A secretary with visionBy Lebohang LetaoanaPhoto: F Sgt Amelda Strydom

It is not often that you find a secretaryspeaking highly of her employer, butin the case of Phindile Mgaga it is so.

Phindile is the Secretary to theChief of Defence Corporate Commu-nication (CDCC), Maj Gen MohatoDan Mofokeng. Asked what it waslike to work for CDCC, she said it wasinteresting to work under Maj GenMofokeng because he is a leaderrather than a boss. She described MajGen Mofokeng as someone who waspolite and understanding and whoplayed the role of a father figure.

Before she joined the SANDF in1992, she worked for CSIR andWoolworths. She says it was hard forher in the beginning because she didnot understand the ranks: "I used to

call everyone a General," said Phindilaughing.

Phindi was born in Ratanda nearHeidelberg, but grew up in Mamelodi

East. She attended Mamelodi HighSchool and Technikon North West,where she obtained the NationalDiploma in Commercial Administra-tion. She is currently busy with herstudies in Public Relations at Dam-elin. She credits Maj Gen Mofokeng assomeone who inspired her to learn.

Her day in the office starts with abriefing by Maj Gen Mofokeng andhis PSO, Maj Vivian Petrus, duringwhich time they discuss the dailytasks. Her involvement in DefenceCorporate Communication does notend with her being a secretary, as shesometimes helps with the organisingof the Directorate’s activities, ie GolfDays and other public relationsevents. She spends her leisure timecooking or watching TV with herdaughter Matshepo (7), whom shedescribes as an angel.

Farewell SallyBy Lebohang LetaoanaPhoto: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

It is so hard to say goodbye to the peo-ple you have grown to love and appre-ciate for the past nineteen years. Thisis how Ms Sally Jordaan feels abouthaving to retire from her post asControl Personnel Officer at theDirectorate Labour and ServiceRelations.

When SA SOLDIER arrived at theBank of Lisbon Building in Pretoriashe was waiting to meet us. MsJordaan was born on 27 July 1940.Before her employment in the DODshe worked for Volkskas Ltd as aClerk, whereafter she worked at theDepartment of Water Affairs whereshe was promoted to a Senior Clerk.From 7 May 1975 to 31 August 1981she was a Senior Typist at GeneralMining and Finance Corporation Ltdin Windhoek.

In 1982 she was transferred to theDepartment of Agriculture as a SeniorPersonnel Clerk, a position she helduntil 1984. She was responsible forhandling appointments, statistics andmatters concerning the Fixed

Establishment. On 1 November 1984Ms Jordaan was appointed as SeniorPersonnel Clerk (Administration:House of Assembly). Her dutiesincluded all matters relating to theFixed Establishment regarding theDepartment of Agriculture, the De-partment of Health, the Department ofLocal Management, Housing andWorks and Budgetary and SupportServices.

She joined the South AfricanDefence Force on 14 January 1986 andwas appointed as Senior PersonnelClerk. She worked in the DirectoratePersonnel Administration where shewas responsible for, inter alia, admin-istration relating to civilian appoint-ments, interdepartmental transfersand transfers within the DefenceForce. Ms Jordaan worked her way upuntil she became Control PersonnelOfficer on 1 March 1995. She wasresponsible for performing certainduties regarding civilian personnel,such as dealing with their grievancesin the Department, post promotionsand merit awards in the UpperStructure.

"I am very sad to leave, althoughon the other hand I should be glad to

leave because my husband is veryseriously ill and I am looking forwardto being with him," said Ms Jordaan.She has been married to Dr JanJordaan for the past 31 years and theyhave five children. (Since the interviewtook place Ms Jordaan's husband passedaway on 22 June 2005.)

Ms Sally Jordaan retires after nineteen years of service in theDepartment.

Phindile Mgaga, the backbone ofDefence Corporate Communication.

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34

First woman OfficerCommanding in theService Corps

Lt Col Marné Malan, the firstwoman Officer Commanding in theService Corps.

Article courtesy of Service CorpsPhoto: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

t Col Marné Malan, OfficerCommanding of the ServiceCorps Regional Office PortElizabeth, became the firstfemale Officer Commandingin the Service Corps when shewas appointed to the post on

19 May 2002.Lt Col Malan believes that no

woman is really free without beingempowered - and to become empow-ered one must be educated. With thisin mind, the main function of theService Corps Regional Office Port Eli-zabeth is to empower people througheducation.

One of the initiatives of Lt ColMalan was a project to enable PublicService Act Personnel (PSAP) withinthe Department of Defence to becomeempowered by adding value to theirlives by giving them the opportunityto do vocational training in variousfields, such as hair care, welding, elec-tricity, catering, spray-painting, motormechanics and entrepreneurshipclasses - more than 180 clients weretrained in this manner.

One of the issues very close to LtCol Malan's heart is that of HIV/AIDS. Since there is at this stage nocure for this epidemic, Lt Col Malanbelieves that the only solution to theproblem is to educate people. One ofthe greatest risks concerning HIV/AIDS is that people are uneducatedand therefore indifferent about HIV/AIDS. She believes that educationmight change the behaviour of people.Lt Col Malan strives to educate allclients of the Service Corps RegionalOffice Port Elizabeth with regard tothe HIV/AIDS issue. An HIV/AIDS

programme is presented to everyintake of clients that goes through theService Corps process. Through thisprogramme they are taught whatHIV/AIDS is, how to prevent it andalso how to handle it once infectionhas occurred.

Another issue that is of greatimportance to Lt Col Malan is thatsome people in this country havenever had the opportunity to learn orto go to school and that they can there-fore not read or write. In the SANDFare many previously disadvantagedmembers with little or no educationalskills. Lt Col Malan saw an opportuni-ty in this. She contacted the Department of Education and reached andagreement with it that the Departmentwould make some of its Adult BasicEducation and Training (ABET) facili-tators available to present ABET to the

members of the DOD - free of charge.Through these classes, the mem-

bers have now had the chance to learnand write for the first time in theirlives. During 2003 the first ABETgroup consisting of 44 learners wastrained and there is at present a groupof more than sixty learners undergo-ing ABET training.

This initiative of Lt Col Malan is afirst for the Eastern Cape. She has alsoadded a woman's touch to the officesof the Service Corps in Port Elizabethby renovating it so that it has become aplace where her staff members like tobe and where they can be optimallyproductive.

Lt Col Malan, in her capacity ofOfficer Commanding of the ServiceCorps Regional Office Port Elizabeth,lives by the motto of the Service Corps- "To Open New Horizons". She sup-ports the empowerment of women inthe SANDF and the principle of equi-ty.

Lt Col Malan has an exceptionalability to determine objectives and toorganise and prioritise tasks given.During 2004 there were indicationsthat an exercise to train military veter-ans would be launched and this officershowed initiative when she started tocompile a database of all military vet-erans in her area of responsibility. Shealso held workshops and gave guid-ance to the military veterans so thatthey could organise themselves intoareas and elect committees to repre-sent them. (She ensured that suchcommittees represented all genders.)This has made the communicationprocess much easier and it alsoensures that information is relayed tothe lowest level. The first group of mil-itary veterans entered learnershipswith Palace Construction (a privatecompany) as artisans in July 2005.

L


35

The growth of medicineArticle courtesy Lt Col (Dr) AquinaThulare Photo: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

t Col (Dr) Aquina Thulare (LtCol SAMHS Reserve Force)joined the SAMHS Reserves inApril 2004 since when she hasbeen in the Office of theSurgeon General. Since joiningthe SAMHS she has beeninvolved in promoting the

University Reserve Training Unit andrepresented SAMHS in 2004 at theConfederation of the Inter-AlliedMedical Reserve Officers (CIOMR)annual meeting in Vienna, Austria.

Lt Col (Dr) Thulare was educatedat Leketi and Phiri-Kolobe HighSchools in Limpopo province whereshe matriculated in 1979. She studiedat the University of KwaZulu-Natal,obtaining her Bachelor of Medicineand Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) in1985. She completed a Bachelor ofScience (Hons) in Reproductive Me-dicine (University of Stellenbosch) in2001, a Master of Business Adminis-tration (University of the Witwaters-rand) in 2003 and a Graduate Cer-tifi-cate in Programme and ProjectManagement in Public Development(University of the Witwatersrand) in2004. She is currently writing her dis-sertation on her Public Policy Mastersin Management at the University of theWitwatersrand.

Following her medical internshipat Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in1986, Lt Col (Dr) Thulare was appoint-ed Senior Medical Officer in variousdepartments (1987-1989), includingObstetrics and Gynaecology at KingEdward VIII Hospital and Paediatricsat Chris Hani Baragwanath. She estab-lished a family medical practice inTembisa (1990-2000) and was subse-quently and concurrently also in-volved in providing medico-legal ser-vices and primary health care at local

clinics (1997-1998).Lt Col (Dr) Thulare is the newly

appointed Chief Executive Officer andSecretary-General of the South AfricanMedical Association (2005- ). Pre-viously she was the Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the South African Medicaland Dental Practitioners Association(SAMDP)1 (1999-2003). She has, interalia, also held the positions of DeputyChairperson of the SAMDP andExecutive Director of SAMDP GroupHoldings2 and its subsidiaries (equityand operational interests in theNetcare Group of Companies) from2003 to 2005. She also holds severalother directorships, including Directorof Faranani Investments (Pty) Ltd, aninvestment portfolio for professionalwomen from a historically disadvan-taged background.

Lt Col (Dr) Thulare is also a boardmember and non-executive director ofthe World Childhood Foundation -Guild Cottage (Swedish FundedProject) and of the Banabaka CareInstitute and Tshwaranang Care (hos-pice sponsored by the Missions of theSacred Heart and Catholic BishopsConference), all of which are NPOswithin the development and the HIVand AIDS sectors.

She previously also held the posi-tions of non-executive director ofAganang HTV Management Centreand Calabash Health Solutions (Pty)Ltd, both of which are subsidiaries ofthe Mx-Health Group of companies(2000-2005). In addition to being amember of the South African MedicalAssociation, Lt Col (Dr) Thulare is amember of the South African Medicaland Dental Practitioners Association,the South African HIV Clinician'sSociety and the Wits Business SchoolAssociation.

As the Secretary-General of theSouth African Medical Association(SAMA), Lt Col (Dr) Thulare's short-term ambition is to drive and entrenchthe transformation agenda so thatSAMA can truly represent and em-brace the aspirations of all medicaldoctors in the country. She also hopesto contribute towards meaningfuladvocacy and mainstreaming of issuesrelating to improving the working con-ditions of medical professionals in thecountry.

Her other longer-term ambitionrelates to being an active participant inissues of development in the country.Lt Col (Dr) Thulare is cognizant of thefact that globalisation impacts on thelives of every South African, both pos-itively and negatively. As it is a devel-oping country women and children inSouth Africa may, however, fail to ben-efit maximally from this notion ofglobal integration. Her ambition is toadvance a developmental agenda fordisadvantaged women and children inSouth Africa by being part of the cadrethat will redress deprivation, inequali-ty and social fragmentation as a resultof factors such as health and economicinsecurity. She is already involved inprojects that are developing capacitywithin the next generation of leader-ship of women and children so that wecan benefit from sustained economicgrowth, improved literacy and the effi-cient delivery of public health.

L

1 The South African Medical and Dental Practitioners (SAMDP) Association is a national body of black medical and dental practitioners estab-lished in 1989 that serves the healthcare needs of historically disadvantaged populations in South Africa. The SAMDP was incorporated as anon-profit company in 1997. It is a leading professionally driven healthcare association that advocates and mainstreams health policy inter-ests and issues on behalf of black healthcare professionals in South Africa.

2 SAMDP Group Holdings (SGH) was founded as a vehicle of wealth creation for members of the SAMDP. The primary aim of SGH is toachieve participation in mainstream economic activities and to establish itself as a healthcare market leader. Secondarily SGH aims toaddress the specific needs of doctors for meaningful participation in business through capacity building. The markets that are targeted bySGH are in healthcare services and related industries in South Africa, the NEPAD region and international markets.

Lt Col (Dr) Aquina Thulare.

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36

Tribute to women of theMilitary Legal ServicesDivisionBy Lt Col Leon Smit, MilitaryJudge, and Lt (SAN) Andre Smit,SO1 Legal Advice, Legal SatelliteOffice WynbergPhotos: Lt (SAN) Andre Smit

wife of noble character who canfind? She is worth far more thanrubies. Her husband has fullconfidence in her and lacksnothing of value." (Proverbs31:10-11). Even though thewomen who serve in the

Military Legal Services Division's fiveoffices in the Western Cape might notbe married to their unit, their serviceand dedication to the SANDF certain-ly match the spirit of King Lemuel'sancient and well-known tribute.

The Legal Satellite Office(LEGSATO) Wynberg, of which theHead Office is situated at the Castle inCape Town, with its four sub-officesin Langebaanweg, Simon's Town,Oudtshoorn and Port Elizabeth, hasreason to pay tribute to the womenwho serve faithfully alongside the"worse half" of mankind (a term thatshould be understandable to those ofus who subscribe to the belief thatwomen make up the "better half" ofsociety). Our women not only issueinstructions at the highest level, theyalso execute instructions at the lowestlevel.

Starting at the top, Lt Col Moyrade Lange (SO1 Legal Services Sup-port) is the epitome of trustworthinessand loyalty. She has been in the mili-tary for fifteen years and was the firstnon-Military Legal Practitioner to fillthe post of Officer-in-Charge of aLEGSATO (albeit in an Acting capaci-ty). The fact that she has done thistwice for extended periods of time is afeat that might never be repeated by anon Military Legal Practitioner. In thisposition she was responsible for the

administrative running of militarycourts over a vast area of responsibili-ty, in addition to the running of anoffice, co-ordinating legal training andlegal advice, facilitating litigationagainst the Minister of Defence, moti-vating members and administering allpersonnel and support functions, help-ing with the homework of two chil-dren, cooking, cleaning and keepingher husband happy!

Backing up Lt Col De Lange is ournever failing Lt Col Mavis C. Vol-schenk (Acting SO1 Legal ServicesSupport and SO1 Reserve Force) whohas been serving our armed forcessince 1962 and has had more than 31years of uniformed service. Dedicationand high personal standards permeateevery task performed by Lt ColVolschenk. Bearing in mind that shesurvived the "old" days when womenwere relegated only to non-key posi-tions, received less pension than theirmale counterparts, did not qualify formedical cover if they fell pregnant andwere expected mostly to keep quiet,her positive attitude and healthy senseof humour are truly remarkable.

For those who know how mucheffort and concentration goes intoworking with money, being responsi-ble for stores, liaising with suppliersand the keeping of endless registersand logs, Sgt Joan W. Westraadt (StaffDuties Clerk) will seem like a machine.She has been doing three people's jobsfor a number of years despite havingbeen staffed in a supernumerary postfor all this time and continues to dis-play a dedication that most of uswould envy. As an intelligence non-commissioned officer she certainlyruns a "'tight ship" when it comes toour stores and stationery and woebetide the person who does not followthe rules. This kind of disciplineensures proper control and accounting

in her field of responsibility, despiteno shortage of supplies.

Sgt Lilian S. Wakies (Snr Admin-istrative Clerk) joined the MilitaryLegal Services Division on 2 August2004, but she has been in the militarysince August 1993. She is a highlyknowledgeable person who plays herpart in the legal "drama" like a well-oiled part in a properly maintainedengine. She is one of the people whoensures that our registry runs smooth-ly, and only those who know aLEGSATO registry will realise thatthat makes her a kind of "specialforces" soldier! She aims to creatework solutions and certainly succeeds.Not to be overlooked are her hiddentalents that include singing and play-ing the violin.

Our unit would certainly not havesurvived without our civilian women.Two extremely critical positions arefilled by Ms Colleen Duckworth(Clerk) and Ms Belinda Coetzee(Maintenance). Come rain or shine,wind or the Western Cape drought,Colleen is at her post answering thetelephone for 29 plus members. Shenot only acts as the personal assistantto the Officer-in-Charge, typist for allwho need her, walking CSW referencesource and the ultimate telephonedirectory, she also knows almostevery long-standing Air Force mem-ber in the country. She also displaysher business acumen in the runningof more or less all our fund-raisingactivities.

Belinda is getting married soon.However, our LEGSATO has alwaysbeen like her second household.Belinda ensures that those smallthings that if not attended to becomereally big problems, are attended to.She has seen people come and go andremains a steady pillar of support tothe members of LEGSATO Wynberg.

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37

Always friendly and willing to helpand go the extra mile, she is an inspi-ration to military members as well.

Ladies also play a vital role insome of the sub-offices, specifically inPort Elizabeth and Simon's Town. Atthe Sub-office Port Elizabeth Lt ColAdele Bezuidenhout presides as a mil-itary judge. She has been a member ofthe Military Legal Services Divisionfor about thirteen years and became amilitary judge in 1999. For the last cou-ple of years she has been the mostsenior judge in LEGSATO Wynberg.Apart from her duties as a militaryjudge she also has a number of admin-istrative tasks to perform. Despite herbusy schedule she has found time todo a Masters Degree in Law. Evenmore remarkable is her interest in andempathy with her colleagues. Shealways finds time for a word of advice.Her greatest passion, however, is herhusband and her two-year-old son.She is a very good example of how tobe a successful career woman and lov-ing wife and mother at the same time.

Another lady who contributes tothe well-being of Sub-office PortElizabeth is Mrs Nomhle SylviaMagiliwe. She has been detached fromGeneral Support Base Port Elizabethfor a number of years as the cleaner atthe office. Apart from her good workin keeping the offices clean, she seems

to command respect for other reasons.Even though she is a grandmother, sheis striving to develop herself by study-ing to obtain her Grade 12 (Matric) cer-tificate. She truly sets an example toeveryone.

Sub-office Simon's Town handlesall naval cases relevant to LEGSATOWynberg in the Simon's Town area.This office is largely managed byladies. At the helm is Cdr Lorinda vanNiekerk. Not only is she in charge ofan office consisting of two male prose-cutors and four ladies in support posi-tions, but she is also currently actingprosecution counsel. Cdr Van Niekerkjoined the South African NationalDefence Force on 3 February 1995 andthe Military Legal Services Division on1 September 1996. Given the fact thatshe is married and furthering her legalstudies Cdr Van Niekerk's proverbialship is laden with various responsibil-ities. That does not seem to perturbher, however. She manages to remainpositive and passionate about herwork. She believes in equity and fair-ness and that everyone, irrespective ofgender, should live life to its fullest.

PO Sandy MacDonald assists withvarious administrative tasks, especial-ly the smooth running of the courts.One of her most important tasks is toassist in ensuring the presence ofaccused and witnesses in court. Given

the workload at the sub-office and thenumber of court appearances, andeven worse the postponement ofcases, her support in this regard isvital. Although she is a final year LL Bstudent, she still finds time to play theoboe in a number of chamber andsymphony orchestras.

Mrs Amelia V. Flatwell is thesenior administration and supportclerk at Sub-office Simon's Town. Sheperforms a myriad of administrativeand logistical tasks that are vital to thesmooth running of the office. Thisfriendly mother of one has a passionfor people and is never too busy tohelp where needed.

The principle typist, Mrs E.M.Smit, plays an important role in ensur-ing the accurate and professional pre-sentation of certain pre-trial and trialdocuments. She is very dedicated toher duties and loyal to the LEGSATO.She believes in being a team player,both at work and at home with herhusband and two boys. She is also akeen sportswoman with provincialcolours in badminton.

Mrs Wilma Rhodes, the cleaner,has other talents as well. Her soupmaking ability is legendary and hasbeen enjoyed by office personnel andvisitors alike. As an avid singer Wilmais a regular member of the Simon'sTown Dockyard Choir.

The ladies of LEGSATO Wynbergsee their roles in the Military LegalServices as being no different fromthat of the men and they do not wantany special treatment. They are, how-ever, clearly special and deservethe respect and admiration of all theircolleagues.

Some of the women of Legsato Wynberg, back row, fltr: Lt Col M.C.Volschenk, Lt Col M. de Lange, Lt Col R.A. Bezuidenhout, Cdr L.M. vanNiekerk, Sgt L.S. Wakies and Mrs C. Duckworth. Front row, fltr: Mrs A.V.Flatwell, PO S. MacDonald and Mrs M.E.M. Smit. Absent when photo wastaken: Sgt J.W. Westraadt, Ms B. Coetzee, Mrs N.S. Magiliwe and Mrs WilmaRhodes.

Ms Belinda Coetzee.

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On the wings of a nightingale

Cpl Linda Lebona doing what sheknows best.

By Lebohang Letaoana Photo: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

he is confident, intelligentand very talented. That ishow to describe Cpl LindaLebona, an opera singer fromthe National CeremonialGuard. SA SOLDIER caughtup with her during her busy

schedule.We found her in a quiet office,

rehearsing for the next day's event.She says she is totally booked for thewhole weekend, but she does notmind because she is doing what sheloves best - singing.

Cpl Lebona was born in theEastern Cape in King William's Town37 years ago.

She was recruited by her friend, SSgt Refiloe Dyer, to join the SANDF in1997. S Sgt Dyer thought that her tal-ent could be used in the NationalCeremonial Guard. Before she joinedthe SA Army, she worked with themusical group called Amandla (a musi-cal group from exile). She had a shortstint at Shell House (the ANC HQ)where she hosted a programme calledVoter Education in IsiXhosa.

In 1990 she was in BabsyMlangeni's band where she did back-ing vocals for him. She also did back-ing vocals for Sophie Mngcina. Shewas later introduced to Steve Kekanathrough whom she met her husband,one of the pioneers of bubblegummusic - Mr Koloi Lebona. She andKoloi have five children (three boysand two girls).

Cpl Lebona speaks highly of theformer Chief of the South AfricanNational Defence Force, Gen Siphiwe

Nyanda. When asked how she feltwhen she sang for General Nyandaon his farewell parade, ie officially forthe last time, she replied: "I was feel-ing very emotional, I have neverworked with him, but every time weperformed at functions he has alwaysmotivated us, which made us workeven harder".

The former Chief of the SANDF isnot the only person who sings thepraises of the National CeremonialGuard, especially of Cpl LindaLebona and her "partner in crime" LCpl Thapelo Molusi. On two occa-sions Lt Gen Rinus Jansen vanRensburg, the Surgeon General,wrote Letters of Appreciation addres-sed to Lt Col N. Stephenson, DirectorCeremonial and Military Music, tothank the duo for their superb perfor-mances during concerts.

"I would like to once again extend mysincere gratitude and appreciation to theCeremonial Guard Entertainment Groupfor their support to the South AfricanMilitary Health Service SecretariesForum during their recent fund-raisingproject. The concert would certainly nothave been so successful without their par-ticipation. Everybody appreciated andenjoyed their lovely voices, their choice ofsongs and the music. Please convey a spe-cial word of thanks to WO1 LindseyLiebenberg, Cpl Linda Lebona and L CplThapelo Molusi." This is an extractfrom a letter dated 6 April 2005 by theSurgeon General.

Cpl Lebona completed a voicetraining and theory course at theTechnikon Pretoria in 2001. (She iscurrently taking private lessons.) Shementioned that her tutors, Ms LizetteJonker and Col John Titus, were herpillars of strength.

The futureBecause of popular demand, she

and her music partner, L Cpl ThapeloMolusi, are busy in the studio record-ing a "demo". Her husband will pro-duce the whole "CD". She says the"CD" will consist of various types ofmusic, such as Pop, R&B, Classic andOpera. Cpl Lebona says she is alsograteful for the support she gets fromthe SANDF members, because theyare the reason she and L Cpl Molusidecided to record their music.

Facts fileHer favourite way of unwinding:

"I do not have time to relax, if I am notin the studio, I am doing 'gigs' withThapelo."

The book she is currently reading:Four Agreements by Miguel Reeds.

Her favourite music: Any goodmusic.

Her motto: "Just be yourself."

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39

Female athletes who do not bite the dust

Maj René Odendaal received a silver medal for the 800 m at theWorld Masters Championships heldin Puerto Rico in 2003.

Article courtesy of Maj A.C. Lotriet,Vice-Chairperson SANDF Athletics

wo majors of the Bloemfon-tein Military Athletics Club,Dinah Heymans (38), a phar-macist at 3 Military Hospital,and René Odendaal (41), SO2Physical Training, Sport andRecreation (PTSR) Bloemfon-

tein, do not stand back when thesenior or junior women soldiers lineup for the high jump or middledistances.

High jumpMaj Heymans is the world cham-

pion in high jump in the age group 35-39 having won the high jump (1,73 m)at the World Masters AthleticsChampionships in 2003 in PuertoRico. She still competes at the SeniorSA Championships and came fourthlast year, where Hestrie Cloete wonthe high jump. This year she came

sixth at the SA Seniors Championships(1,70 m) and once again won the FreeState Senior (1,73 m) and the SA Mas-ters Championships (1,70 m). Sheholds the SA, the SANDF and FreeState record in her age group for highjump. She was the SANDF VeteranSportswoman of the Year in 2003 and2004, as well as the SAMHS Sports-woman of the Year. Maj Heymans isalso a member of the BloemfonteinMilitary

Athletics Club Committee. Be-cause of course duties she will not beable to compete in the ESALO Trackand Field Championships in Bot-swana in August this year or theWorld Master Track and Field in SanSebastian, Spain at the end of August.

Middle distancesMaj Odendaal's best performance

was winning the silver medal in the800 m at the World MastersChampionships in Puerto Rico in 2003.

She came fourth in the 1 500 m at thesame championships. She participatedin three previous World MastersAthletics Championships, which takeplace every two years. The first was in1999 in England, the second in 2001 inAustralia and then in 2003 in PuertoRico. Every time she reached the finalsin both the 800 m and the 1 500 m.

Maj Odendaal is at present prepar-ing to compete in the 800 m and 1 500m in this year's World MasterAthletics Championships which willbe held in San Sebastian, Spain from22 August to 3 September 2005. In thisyear's SA Masters she won a goldmedal in the 1 500 m, a silver medal inthe 800 m and a bronze medal in the400 m. She is also the Chairperson ofBloemfontein Military Athletics ClubTrack and Field.

T

Maj Dinah Heymans is the world champion in high jump in the age group 35-39.

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By CPO Dennis Ndaba Photos: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

s Zanele Bhengu comesacross as a person who islarger than life and exudesconfidence in the execu-tion of her tasks as a secre-tary. She was born andbred in Marianhill in

KwaZulu-Natal. Before joining theDepartment of Defence she had a shortstint with the Department of Scienceand Technology.

She was appointed as secretary forthe Director Media Liaison in theMinistry, Mr Sam Mkhwanazi. Herduties entailed dealing with themedia, stakeholders and GovernmentCommunication Information Systems.She reported for duty on 19 June 2000and got the shock of her life when shewas told to pack as she was leaving forCape Town in thirty minutes.

That was her introduction to aseries of long hours, hectic schedules,endless deadlines and commutingfrom Cape Town to Pretoria. This hasdestabilised her family environment,but with her family support systemshe tackled the challenges head on.

Ms Bhengu proved that she wasambitious and a high flyer when shewas appointed as Secretary to theHead of Ministerial Services, MrThabiso Ratsomo. About her new postMs Bhengu says that she works withextremely confidential information,which requires her to be clear minded.

She is humbled by the influencethat her parents had on her upbring-ing. Her mother, a principal, and herlate father, who was a teacher, encour-aged her to be the best that she couldbe. Her role model is one of her formercolleagues at the Department ofScience and Technology, who movedfrom being a Secretary to being aDirector through sheer hard work and

MMs Zanele Bhengu.

General Assistant soarsBy CPO Dennis NdabaPhoto: Cpl Elias Mahuma

s Leah Ntuli, a GeneralAssistant at Navy Office,received an opportunity ofa lifetime when she waschosen to work on MarionIsland for two months.

The post was adver-tised and after the DirectorateMaintenance and PersonnelUtilisation had considered all theapplicants she was chosen. She toldSA SOLDIER that after Ms Petra Roos,Principal Personnel Officer Staffing,had explained to her about the

prospects and the requirements of thepost she got the blessing of her family,and applied for the post. Ms Ntuli lefton 28 February 2005 and returned on 6May 2005.

Ms Ntuli said the trip was an eye-opener and had broadened her knowl-edge. She flew to Cape Town whereshe boarded the SS Agulhas and sailedfor three days to Marion Island. Thiswas a first for her, since she had notbeen to Cape Town before and hadnever sailed. She had a lot of expecta-tions about the trip and requested SASOLDIER to express her sincere appre-ciation to all who had made this mem-orable journey a reality.

Ms Leah Ntuli talking to SASOLDIER, prior to her departure towork on Marion Island.

determination. After a long day, MsBhengu unwinds by listening to herfavourite singer, Luther Vandross,and seeing a movie.

A visionary secretary

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41

Female instructor in a male dominated environmentBy Capt T.N. Snyman, Comm Officer SA Army Combat Training Centre

t Col Annemarie Nieuwoudt, aChief Instructor at the Intelli-gence Branch of the SA ArmyCombat Training Centre, wasselected as one of four womento attend the Military Acade-my after women were absent

from the Academy for ten years. "Itwas both a challenge and an honour. Istarted my studies for a B Mil (NaturalScience) in 1991 and finished in 1993,"said Lt Col Nieuwoudt.

"Hard work, perseverance andstudying something in which one hastalent is the only recipe for success inan academic environment. And if youare the only one studying a particularsubject in your third year, you can besure of the best personal attention ofyour lecturers!" Lt Col Nieuwoudtcontinued.

The proudest moment in her mili-tary career was when she received theSword of Honour as the best thirdyear student at the Military Academyfrom the then Minister of Justice andDefence, Mr H.J. Coetzee, inDecember 1993.

When asked what it took to be afemale instructor in a male dominatedenvironment she replied that it wasnot always easy. "Fortunately most ofmy colleagues at the SA Army CombatTraining Centre are very supportive. Itis my motto at work that a female can-not compete with a male at the physi-cal level, but we can compete at theintellectual level. Therefore, by ensur-ing that one knows one's work, is dili-gent and willing to work long hoursand sometimes sacrifice some com-forts, a female can become just as

much a team member in the environ-ment we work in as a man. You mustearn the respect of your colleagues," LtCol Nieuwoudt continued.

Can a woman in uniform keep herfemininity? According to Lt ColNieuwoudt femininity lies not in whatyou are, but in how you think and por-tray yourself. Although working in themilitary often requires a higher degreeof independence and assertivenessfrom a woman than is the case in someother jobs, it is still possible to remainfeminine.

Lt Col Nieuwoudt served as a vol-untary member at the SA ArmyWomen's College in George in 1989,and thereafter joined the PermanentForce in 1990. "It was always a passionfor me to attend the year of voluntaryservice at the prestigious SA ArmyWomen's College in George. After Imatriculated I was selected to attendthe College and during the year oftraining I realised that a career in theSA Army did not only promise some

adventure, but also the possibility of agood career. I decided to join the SAIntelligence Corps, as the choices inrespect of a corps for a woman werestill limited at that time. The first unitI served in was the then Danie TheronCombat School in Potchefstroom,"said Lt Col Nieuwoudt.

Her advice to new recruits wishingto make a success of their careers is:"One must firstly choose a direction inwhich you see a long-term career foryourself. That way you will be moti-vated to work hard and to do yourcourses when required. It is essentialnot to postpone courses too long -motherhood and marriage mayrequire your attention, but one willhave to make sacrifices if you want tosucceed. Remember to compete on theintellectual terrain, not the physical!"Lt Col Nieuwoudt concluded.

Lt Col Nieuwoudt is currentlydoing the Senior Command and StaffDuties Course presented at the SAArmy College.

L

Lt Col Annemarie Nieuwoudt, a Chief Instructor at the Intelligence Branch ofthe SA Army Combat Training Centre, indicates to students where "enemyforces" are situated in order for them to plan an own forces plan of action.

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The Editor of Navy News'secret is revealedArticle courtesy of Navy News

s Delle Jacobson, the Editorof Navy News, was born inPietermaritzburg and rais-ed and educated in Johan-nesburg and Pretoria.From an early age Dellewas passionately involved

in music (classical guitar and piano,passing UNISA, Trinity CollegeLondon and Royal College of Londonexams to Grade 12 level), ballet (stop-ping just short of her Royal School'steacher's licentiate), horse-riding,drama (winning a SACCE BestActress award in matric, acting forPretoria Boys' High!) and establisheda reputation as a dedicated and multi-talented go-getter with the drive totake her to the vanguard of whatevershe chose to focus her energies on.

At the University of Pretoria, shetook up karate with her usual tenacity,reaching her second kiu brown belt intwo years, earning her Provincial AllStyles colours and a Gold medal in theShukukai Championships. Uponreceiving her BA (in Languages andSociology) in 1984 and winning anacademic scholarship to study Englishfurther, she followed her first love andopened a stringed instrument repairworkshop where she restored andrepaired guitars, violins, mandolins,etc while teaching music privately.During this time her long-standingaffiliation with the blind welfareworld began when she joined a pilotprogramme at the OPTIMA TrainingSchool for the Blind, where volunteerswere trained in working and assistingthe blind during rehabilitation.Among other activities, she taughtblind students guitar, piano andhorse-riding.

She began work in the DefenceForce as a translator and proof-readerat the Directorate of LanguageServices at Chief of Staff Personnel in

Pretoria. It was from here that she wasfortunate enough to be transferred tothe erstwhile Naval Language Bureauin Simon's Town, where she workedfor just over a year and where herassociation with the then staff of NavyNews magazine began.

The lure of using her linguisticskills while exercising her artistic tem-perament and painstaking eye fordetail proved too much and she wastransferred to the staff of Navy News inJune 1990. Here she introduced adver-tising and established the beginningsof digital layout for the magazine,which until then had been literally cutand paste. She worked as a journalist,photographer, layout artist and adminclerk as the Deputy Editor under thelate Mr Casper de Vries, did a briefstint as Acting Editor and thenworked under Lt Cdr Stockton (nowCdr) for the next four years. Duringthis time she also became TEFL quali-fied through Cambridge Universitywith an eye to teaching Englishabroad, but her love for her countrykept her in Simon's Town. She appliedherself tirelessly to developing herskills and knowledge in the then

burgeoning digital publishing indus-try and built Navy News to the pointwhere it was handling the completein-house digital pre-press production.

As Editor of Navy News from 1996to the present, she has taken the oncelowly, 16-page in-house news rag toits current status as a highly acclaimedand credible naval publication, recog-nised and popular throughout theworld as a positive, vivid 48-pageglossy, colour window on the chang-ing Navy of today. Steering the maga-zine through the sweeping changes inits digital capability, the introductionof subscription and effective, targeteddistribution, she has further augment-ed the section's capabilities by intro-ducing other graphic products. Shealso firmly re-established the Navy'svideo capability by ensuring long-overdue capital renewal and puttinginto place the modern editing suiteneeded to carry what is now SAN TVinto the future.

Her creditable accomplishmentsthus far are all the more remarkablebecause her personal work ethic ofselfless dedication and determinedcourage has been tested in the face of

MThe Editor of Navy News, Delle Jacobson, on assignment with journalist andphotographer, CPO John Sverdloff. (Photo: Cdr Eddie Wesselo)


43

Making her mark in foreign relations

Capt (SAN) Laura Jansen vanVuuren, Senior Staff Officer, Naval Foreign Relations.

By CPO Dennis NdabaPhoto: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

"Do you want to speak to the man incharge or to the woman, who knowswhat's going on?" People working atthe Navy Office in Pretoria are famil-iar with this statement on the door ofan office on the 8th deck (floor), as itconfronts them on a daily basis. Facedwith this challenge, SA SOLDIERchose the latter. Once inside the office,it became obvious to us that we werenow in the territory of Capt (SAN)Laura Jansen van Vuuren, Senior StaffOfficer, Naval Foreign Relations.

Capt (SAN) Jansen van Vuurenhas a good sense of humour, verydynamic, and passionate about the SANavy. However, she conceded that ithas been much easier since 1994 to bea woman in the South AfricanNational Defence Force (SANDF). "Weare being treated equally, but muchstill needs to be done," she declared.

This, she adds, should happen nat-urally, as women need to be valuedand their contribution respected, asthey can make a difference. "When Ijoined the SA Navy, there were nowomen in combat positions and the

2002 Capt (SAN) Jansen van Vuurenwas appointed as Senior Staff OfficerNaval Foreign Relations. She is mar-ried to Lou and has two sons, Robin(20) and Paul (12). To all women whoaspire to be like her, her message is:"Work hard, prove yourself by doingyour task to the best of your abilityand regard the SA Navy as a priority.Dream what you would like to achievewith your career and your dreams willcome true".

challenge for me in an 'operationalenvironment' was to work myself upto my present position through a mix-ture of hard work, experience anddetermination. Young naval ladies oftoday have far more choices.

Capt (SAN) Jansen van Vuurenjoined the SA Navy in 1977. She com-pleted a communications course as arating (Junior NCO) after which shewas employed at the CommunicationsCentre at Silvermine. In 1978 she com-pleted her Officers Course and BridgeWatch-keeping Training. She servedin a number of posts at MineCountermeasures Flotilla, Comman-der Naval Operations (COMNAVOP),Commander Naval Operations West(COMNAVWEST), Naval Headquar-ters and Joint Operations. The postsshe served in were in the operationalenvironment. Capt (SAN) Jansen vanVuuren has 28 years of service in theSA Navy, which entailed planning forForce Preparation and Force Em-ploy-ment. She was also involved in the for-mation of the Chief of Joint OperationsDivision.

She did the SA Army SeniorCommand and Staff Course in 2001and was promoted to the rank ofCaptain (SAN) in December 2001. In

enormous adversity. In 1986 she wasdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis, anincurable debilitating disease of thecentral nervous system which ran-domly short-circuits nerve function invarious areas of the body for indeter-minate periods, each attack leavingvarying degrees of permanent nervedamage. Delle has endured prolongedperiods of severe pain, muscle spasm,paralysis, even blindness and a host ofother seemingly unrelated symptomsover the years. Rather than breakingher down, these attacks have onlyserved to spur her on to greater featsof self-discipline and strengthened herresolve to excel.

Her secret? She is fond of saying:"In life we have a choice - to be a vic-tim or a survivor. I am a survivor. Allsuccess, all courage, all achievement ofwhatever kind depends on the onething we are all 101% in control of -our attitude." She is also a confirmed

follower of the principle that "whatgoes around comes around" - be com-passionate and true in all you do andlife will treat you accordingly. Herlove for nature and the joy she drawsfrom beauty in all its forms is a con-stant source of inspiration and encour-agement, she says. She is also quick topoint out that the support and humourher Navy News Team have alwaysshared with her have made a huge dif-ference and been a major factor inkeeping her with Navy News.

An avid reader, she is exceptional-ly well read with an enquiring mindand enjoys a wide range of topics,ranging from mystical realism and sci-ence fiction to philosophy and quan-tum physics. She feels that the impor-tance of reading and extending one'smental parameters cannot be over-emphasised. Her passion for project-ing a positive and honest image of theSA Navy and its members to the

broader public and as a morale boost-er to the Navy itself has continued togrow over the years and her vision forthe future of the magazine and itsrelated multimedia capabilities andultimately the Intranet and Internet,are fast becoming a reality.

As Editor of Navy News (which isChief of the Navy's official mouth-piece) she is in a unique position toassist him first-hand in projecting hisvision for the Navy's self-image andworking towards fostering a mind-setof morality, patriotism and pride inevery serving member. She says thatthis is probably the most exciting timeto be in the SA Navy and indeed thecountry - "…the changes, the growthand the opportunities are there to berelished and grasped with both hands!Imagination is the highest kite you canfly and all young women in the Navyhave been given a limitless line - theyjust need to believe it and soar!"

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The mind of a military judgeArticle courtesy of Lt Col ShanthaBalakrishnaPhoto: F Sgt Amelda Strydom

t Col Shantha Balakrishna is amilitary judge of the SANDFand is currently based at theLegal Satellite Office, ThabaTshwane. She is the proudmother of three daughters andmatriculated two years after

the birth of her youngest daughter.Prior to joining the legal professionshe worked as a table-hand/cut-ter/machinist in the clothing and shoeindustries for seven years. She hascompleted her BA (Law), LLB and anHonours Degree in Philosophy. She iscurrently studying for a Master'sDegree in Fundamental Rights.

For several years she was involvedin the establishment and managementof numerous organisations that partic-ipated in the struggle for a democraticSouth Africa, such as the AzanianStudent Movement at the Universityof Durban-Westville (1987-1988), theBlack Consciousness Movement,Durban and Districts (1988), theAzanian Students Convention asNational Vice-Chairperson during1989, the Black Lawyers Associationand the National Association ofDemocratic Lawyers (1997-2000).

She practised as an attorney forapproximately nine years and spe-cialised in human rights litigation. Herdecision to join the SANDF ReserveForce in 2002 was a conscious one withthe intention of contributing towardsthe transformation process and thewhole culture of constitutionalismwithin the organisation. In April 2004she was appointed as a Regular Forcemember from among the ranks of theReserve Force contingent of theSANDF.

Lt Col Balakrishna believes in thevalue of legal positivism which re-gards law as a system that integratesthe norms of both state and society.She sees the weaknesses and prob-lems in society as deficiencies in theexisting law. Thus the task of judges is

misconstrued as that of technicians toformulate new norms and perfect theexisting ones.

She stresses the fact that militaryjudges are guided by basic values,which do not, for example, flow frompublic opinion surveys nor from pop-ulism sweeping our soldiers, althoughall these things are important becausethey might permeate the soul of theDefence Force and eventually trans-form it. In this connection she says:"Until that happens these are not stan-dards that should be guiding judges.Hence the military judge has the obli-gation to protect the right of each indi-vidual soldier and therefore an obliga-tion to protect the military communi-ty. Where there is no security for themilitary community there is no exis-tence for the individual soldier.Securing the former is a necessary pre-requisite for the existence of the lat-ter".

Lt Col Balakrishna advocates theidea of transformative adjudicationand takes the view that the legitimacyof this idea does not hinge on theavailability of an objective legalmethod, which enables military judgesto apply the law and norms in a neu-tral and determinate manner. It hingesrather on the capacity of our militaryjudges to become involved in demo-cratic accountability. The question thatoften strikes the mind of the publicand in particular the military public is:How does a military judge who is also amember of the military society, manage tomaintain his or her independence andobjectivity in the courtroom?

"I am a product of my period andobjectivity would not seek to tear meoff from my surroundings. It enablesme instead to properly formulate thefundamental principles of my period.The purpose of objectivity is to stimu-late the military judge to make use ofher past, her education, her experi-ence, her faith and her values in orderto reflect as truly as possible the fun-damental values of the military soci-ety. In the same breath the militaryjudge must exercise self-restraint that

L

enables her to separate her personalfeelings from the inner feelings of themilitary society. A military judge whoimposes on the military society all thatis subjective in her will create tensionbetween herself and her environment.This tension may ultimately damagethe status of the military court and themilitary public's confidence in it.Although there is not much one cando with only the military public's con-fidence in adjudication, without it onecannot do anything."

She subsequently pointed out thatwhat this meant was that a militaryjudge had to free herself as far as shecould from all personal preferencesand that the work it dictated neutrali-ty in the process of balancing and areflection on the deep consensus andshared values of the military society."The military judge through a processof mental accounting must acknowl-edge her characteristics and mustmake a conscious effort not to make adecision on the basis of these subjec-tive traits."

Lt Col Balakrishna is extremelypassionate about her work and seesherself as an agent of meaningfulchange within the SANDF.

Lt Col Shantha Balakrishna, a military judge of the SANDF.


45

Ngu Maj P.H. Hartslief, SO2 Social Work and DevelopmentUmfanekiso: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana

yona nto ingundonqo kwimi-thetho yolawulo yase Mzan-tsi Africa kukuzibophelelaekuqhubeleni phambili ulin-gano ebantwini. Imithethoyolawulo iyazihlonipha izi-thethe ezashiywa ngasemva

ngokhokho, kodwa iyicacisa phandleinto yokuba ilungelo elilodwa kubomibezithethe ingaphantsi ngokwem-phatho kwilungelo lokulingana. Ngo-ko ke ukuba ngaba isithethi sinocalu-calulo, imithetho yolawulo ayinakhoukusixhasa esosithethe. Izithethe ezin-genacalucalulo ziyakuhlonitshwa zi-khuselwe yimithetho yolawulo. Imoyemithetho yolawulo ifuna sizihloleinkolo zethu, izithethe kunye nendlelayokuziphatha kwizinto ezinganelelazixhase ucalucalulo. Sinoxanduva lo-kuba siguqule/sitshintshe ezonkolozocalucalulo esizifumana sizenzaeluntwini.

Incwadi nemo yemithetho yolawu-lo iyodwa ayinakho ukuguqula inkolozocalucalulo kwanenqobo (values)ezisemgangathweni ezasekwa kwimi-nyaka emininzi. Kufuneka intsebenzonzima ngoku bhekiselele kwizimvonendlela yokuziphatha ukuze sin-genise inguqulelo eyiyo. Nanjengo-kuba i SANDF ixhasa imithetho yo-lawulo, inyanzelekile okanye ibophe-leleke ekuthini ithethe ngocalucalulongokwesini ngokuthi iqhubekeke ngo-kulungisa ngokwesini ngokungene-lela ngomgaqo nkqubo wokuqeqesh-wa onjengobulungisa ngokwesini.

Imvelaphi Ngomnyaka wamawaka amabini

anesibini(2002) ubongomeli bezentla-lontle buqhube izifundo kububhovu-bhovu emabhinqeni kwi SANDF.Oluphando lwaqinisekisa ukuba

Ugqaliso kwisinikulenkqubo yo bulungisa

Ubundlobongela kumabhinqanabantwana.

Engokulinganayo abasebenzi abangam-abhinqa emkhosini nabatshate okanyeabahlalisana namajoni basesichengenisohlaselo ngokwesini. Uphando lwa-fumanisa ukuba ikhonco elicacileyoliphakathi kwentetho okanye inkoloesoloko isetyenziswa kunye nenkoloyabantu abangamadoda kunye nesi-qhelo sokuziphatha ngobubhovubho-vu kumabhinqa nabantwana. Ngama-nye amazwi amadoda asemkhosiniabambelele kulenkolo, ngawona ana-mandla okwenza izenzo zobundlo-bongela emabhinqeni

Ngaxesha linye onontlalontle kwiSANDF baqwalasela ukuba(inani)lengxelo ngezehlo zohlaselo lwamab-hinqa nokubandezela ngokwesiniliyalisongezeleleka. Ngelishwa kuma-tyeli amaninzi, ngamaxhoba ohlaseloodwa amabhinqa, aye eza kufunauncedo. Amabhinqa abesoloko qhoesoyika ukufaka abalingane bawo,abona benzi bobubi bohlaselo kulen-kqubo yoncedo. Lento yenza kwanzi-ma kakhulu konontlalontle ukuthethangalendlela yokuziphatha yohlaselongempumelelo. Into eyaye yalandelaluphando olwenziwa ngonontlalontlengokufumana indlela abangathethangayo ngalombandela wohlaselolamabhinqa ngempumelelo. Lento

ikho-kelele ekuthini ezentlalontle(Directo-rate social work) zenze unxu-lumano nemibutho ngemibutho yase-burhulumenteni esebenza ngohlaseloolusekwe kwisini. Kuye kwacacaukuba ukuze kuthethwe ngolu hlaseloolu-sekwe kwisini ngempumelelo,umba wokungalingani ngokwesinikufanelwe ukuba kuthethwe ngawokude kufikelele ke kumadoda namab-hinqa.

Ngoncedo lwe Dyunivesithi ye(Witwatersrand's Women's HealthProject). Amadoda njengenxalenyeyenkqubo njengokuba yenziwe ngulombutho(Planned Parenthood Asso-ciation of South Africa) kunye ne(Egender Health) ishishini lomenzeliwezizwe elithetha ngezempilo mve-liso kumazwe asakhasayo. Lenkquboyoqeqesho iyodwa nje ithetha nge-zinto ezimbini i HIV/AIDS kunye(liyaqityezelwa kwiphepha elilande-layo)

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nocalucalulo ngobulungisa ngokwesi-ni yavekiswa. Into eyodwa ngalenkqubo kukuba ijoliswe kumadodanamabhinqa ngaxesha nye. Umseben-zi ekudalweni kwenkqubo yoqeqeshoyaphelela ngomhla we 14 April 2003ngexesha ekwandululwa ngalo inkqu-bo yoqeqesho ebizwa ngokuba yi(Gender Equity Training Programme).Inkqubo ebizwa ngokuba yi (GenderBased Violence Policy) ye SANDFyaphakanyiswa ngaxesha nye.

Unxulumano phakathi kobu-lungisa ngokwesini kunyenengculaza (gender equity &HIV/AIDS.)

Ufundo olwenziwayo kumabhin-qa aliwaka namakhulu amathathuanamashumi anamathandathu ane-sithandathu (1336) awayeye kuma-ziko ezempilo eSoweto, kwafunyanis-wa ukuba amashumi amane anesibho-zo epesenti (48%) ngawo asulelwa lig-ciwane ngaphezu kwamabhinqa an-gekho phantsi kohlaselo. Abo bacine-zelwa ngokwasezimalini ngabalin-galingane babo, babangamashumiamahlanu anesibini epesenti (52%)yaye kurhaneleka ukuba nabo banga-suleleka. Izifundo zibonakalise ukubaamabhinqa anokungathandi ukuxoxangokunyaniseka malunga nezothan-do kwanokusetyenziswa kwedyasiyobudoda(condom) nabalingane babongokoyika uhlaselo olunokwenzeka.

Ngomhla we-2004 iUN AIDS nom-butho wezempilo (World Health Or-ganisation - WHO) baqikeleleka ku-mashumi amathathu anethoba (39.4%)ezigidi, abantu abenigciwane lengcu-laza jikelele kwilizwe lonke liphela.Isibini kwisithathu (2/3)saba bantubahlala e Sub-Saharan Afrika, uninzilwabo ngabafazi namantombazana. ISANDF ithetha ngothintelo lokwe-suleleka yi HIV/AIDS ngomgaqonkqubo obizwa ngokuba yi (Masi-bambisane Programme) le (Masibambi-sane Programme) ijolise ekunikeni in-kcukaca nase kuphumeleliseni ingu-qulelo ngokuziphatha ukuze kuthin-telwe ukusuleleka yiHIV/AIDS. Ama-doda makabenamandla okwenza izi-gqibo ezaziwayo ngokuziphatha uku-ze kubekho inguqulelo. Kwakhonabafanelwe kukuba bavumele nabanye

benze njalo ngo-kungabakhathalelisini. Izithethe ezi-ninzi ziyayamkelainto yokuba ama-doda anamandlangokwezesondo abenabalingane aba-ngaphezu kwesinye ngeli xesha le ntoingamkelekanga ku mabhinqa. Le ntoiwashiya amadoda ingawona anegun-ya lo kwenza isigqibo malunga nen-dlela yokoziphatha ngokwesondo.Ngokwesiqhelo ngamadoda, ingenga-wo amabhinqa anokuyalela ukubakwabelwane ngesondo, nokuba idyasiyobudoda izakusetyenziswa kusinina. Izifundo zibonakalise ukuba ama-doda anako yaye angaguqula izimvozawo malunga nokwenza isigqibo ngokwendawo zesini nesondo ngokuthibazalisekise okanye baphumeleliseinkqubo ezifanelekiyo.

Ukulwa I HIV/AIDS kujolisweekukhuseleni amabhinqa namadodangokwezini zozibini,ezizini zozibinizinoxanduva ekulweni. Ezi nkqubozombini uMasibambisane Programmekunye ne Gender Equity Programmeziyakuxhasa ukuxhotyiswa kwezi zinizozibini ngalo mba okanye le nyewe

Ukuzalisekiswa kwenkquboyobulungisa ngokwesini.

Ukuqeqesha kwiSini: I n k q u b oyobulungisa yazalisekiswa yaye iya-qhubeka kuma nqanaba amathathuangala:

Abaqeqeshi abaphuma izandlaabaqeqeshwe ngumbutho waseMzantsi Afrika obizwa ngokuba yi(Planned Parenthood Associationand Witwaterand Women's HealthProject)Abaqeqeshi abangaba lingani,abaqeqeshwe ngabaqeqeshi aba-phum'izandla.Abanye abaqeqeshi abanga baqe-

shwa abaqeqeshwe ngabaqeqeshiabangabalingane. Oluqeqesho lway-ilelwa ukuzuza isiphumo sebholayekhephu esothabathisekayo ukuzekufikelelwe kwelona nani liphezululamalungu e SANDF ngexeshana eli-nokwenzeka.

Inkqubela malunga noqeqesholwabaqeqeshi abanolwazi kunye na-baqeqeshi babalingane lwabalolu-qinisekileyo ukuzithi ga apha. Noku-ba imeko inesiphumo isinzima ukuzekufikelelwe kwiziphumo zokugqibelazoqeqesho kukuba nakho ukuqeqeshaonke amalungu e Sebe lezokhuselo.

Kwafumaniseka nakanjalo ukubaezizinto zilandelayo ziyafuneka uku-sukela enkampinin ukuze kuqalisweinkqubo ngempumelelo: amalunguamiselwe uqeqesho lwabalingneabangabaqeqeshi kufuneka bakheth-we ngokwamandla nangokuzithan-dela ukuba bazibophelele kwi HIVnenkqubo yoqeqesho yobulungisanango kwe (Gender Equity Program-me) Kwangokunjalo bafanelwe kuku-ba banikwe ithuba lokuqhuba uqe-qesho enkampini.

Umphathi mkhosi inkumanda ye(FSE) ngoncedo lwe (MilitaryCommunity Development Com-mittee) kufanele alawule ukuza-lisekiswa kwe (Gender Equity)aqinisekise ukudibana kunye ne(Basic HIV Peer Training) kunyenexabiso kunye noqeqesho lwenqobo (values) ezisekwe kunye ne(Ethical Based Training.)Onke amalungu e (FSE) ukusukelakwabakhulu ukuya kwaban-geneno kufuneka aye kuqeqeshwaukuze alime imeko ekhoyo ence-dayo ekulinganeni ngokwesini.

IsipheloImithetho yolawulo ibeka imfanelo

kuthi sonke yokulwa ucalucalulolwalo naluphi na uhlobo, ibandakanyeucalucalulo olusekwe kwisini. Ukuzesihlale ngokwemo yemithetho yola-wulo,amadoda namabhinqa kufunekaabanegalelo ekuphumeliseni ubu-lungisa ngokwesini. Ikwacacile intoyokuba ukungalingani ngokwesinikongezelela ekusasazweni kwe HIV. ISANDF ibopheleleke ekubeni ithethenge HIV/AIDS kunye nocalucalulongokwesini ngoncedo lwenkquboezinje nge Masibambisane kunye ne(Gender Equity Programme.) Ubo-ngameli bezentlalontle bufanelwe ku-kuncoma izimvo negalelo kulenkqu-bo (Gender Equity Programme)

* The English translation of this arti-cle is available on pages 10 to 11. To obtaina translation of this article or any articlepublished in SA SOLDIER in any one ofour official languages, please make use ofthe professional services rendered byDirectorate Language Services of theDOD. For assistance contact Col DaanVorster, Director Language Services, attel no: (012) 392 3176 - Ed.

(liyaqityezelwe kwiphephalamashumi amane anesihlanu)

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