List of South African military chiefs
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This article lists the South African military chiefs. From 1958 until the first democratic general election in 1994, the present-day South African National Defence Force was known as the South African Defence Force. From 1912 to 1958, the South African military was known as the Union Defence Force.
In terms of section 202(1) of the Constitution of South Africa, the military command of the Defence Force consists of[1] the Chief of the Defence Force plus the Chiefs of the combat arms (Army, Air Force and Navy) as well as
- the Surgeon-General of the South African Military Health Service;
- the Chief of Joint Operations of the Defence Force;
- the Chief of Defence Intelligence;
- the Chief of Human Resources; and
- the Chief of Logistics.
Head of the Defence Force
[edit]The Defence Force consists of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Medical Service (which was renamed Military Health Service in 1998). The Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is the senior military commander and the chiefs of the four services, in addition to the chiefs of Joint Operations, Defence Intelligence, and Corporate Staff, report to him.[2] As of September 2018[update] the Chief of the SANDF is General Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS.
Chief of the UDF
[edit]The Union Defence Force (UDF) consisted initially of land forces. An aviation corps was formed in 1915 and replaced by the South African Air Force in 1920. A naval branch was added in 1922, and the South African Division of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was incorporated into it in 1942.
In 1951, the defence forces were reorganised into three distinct combat services: the South African Army, the South African Air Force, and the South African Navy. The organisation was renamed "South African Defence Force" in 1958.
The UDF had no overall commander for the first nine and a half years. From January 1922, the Chief of the General Staff, previously responsible only for the Defence Headquarters staff, was the executive commander of the UDF. The title was changed to 'Commandant General UDF' in September 1956.
No. | Portrait | Chief of the UDF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Andries Brink CBE, DTD, DSO (1877–1947) | Major General1 October 1922 | 1 May 1933 | 10 years, 212 days | ![]() | — | |
2 | Sir Pierre van Ryneveld KBE, CB, DSO, MC (1891–1972) | General2 May 1933 | 1 May 1949 | 15 years, 364 days | ![]() | [3] | |
3 | Leonard Beyers (1894–1959) | Lieutenant General2 May 1949 | 15 March 1950 | 317 days | ![]() | — | |
4 | Christiaan du Toit DSO (1901–1982) | Lieutenant General16 March 1950 | 22 September 1956 | 6 years, 190 days | ![]() | — | |
5 | Hendrik Klopper DSO (1903–1977) | General23 September 1956 | 24 September 1958 | 2 years, 1 day | ![]() | — | |
6 | Stephen Melville SSA, OBE (1904–1977) | General25 September 1958 | 31 October 1958 | 36 days | ![]() | — |
Chief of the SADF
[edit]The UDF was renamed 'South African Defence Force' in November 1958.[4] The Commandant General's title was then changed to 'Commandant General SADF'. It was changed to 'Chief of the SADF' in July 1973, after Admiral Hugo Biermann assumed the post the year before. After South Africa's first democratic election, the South African Defence Force (SADF) became the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
No. | Portrait | Chief of the SADF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Stephen Melville SSA, OBE (1904–1977) | General1 November 1958 | 31 December 1960 | 2 years, 60 days | ![]() | — | |
2 | Pieter Grobbelaar SSA, DSO (1908–1988) | General1 January 1961 | 31 December 1965 | 4 years, 364 days | ![]() | — | |
3 | Rudolph Hiemstra SSA, SM (1912–2007) | General1 January 1966 | 31 March 1972 | 6 years, 90 days | ![]() | — | |
4 | Hugo Biermann SSA, SD, OBE, GCIH (1916–2012) | Admiral1 April 1972 | 31 August 1976 | 4 years, 152 days | ![]() | — | |
5 | Magnus Malan SSA, OMSG, SD, SM (1930–2011) | General1 September 1976 | 6 October 1980 | 4 years, 35 days | ![]() | — | |
6 | Constand Viljoen SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, ORB (1933–2020) | General7 October 1980 | 30 October 1985 | 5 years, 23 days | ![]() | [5] | |
7 | Johannes Geldenhuys SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, GCIH, ORB (1935–2018) | General1 November 1985 | 31 October 1990 | 4 years, 364 days | ![]() | — | |
8 | Andreas Liebenberg SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, MMM (1938–1998) | General1 November 1990 | 31 October 1993 | 2 years, 364 days | ![]() | — | |
9 | Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, ORB (born 1939) | General1 November 1993 | 30 April 1994 | 180 days | ![]() | — |
Chief of the SANDF
[edit]The SADF amalgamated with the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), and the homeland defence forces to form the South African National Defence Force in 1994. The SANDF was based on the existing SADF structure of Army, Air Force, Navy, and Medical Service (which was renamed Military Health Service in 1998).
No. | Portrait | Chief of the SANDF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, ORB (born 1939) | General27 April 1994 | 31 May 1998 | 4 years, 34 days | ![]() | — | |
2 | Siphiwe Nyanda SSA, SBS, CLS, DMG, MMS, MMM (born 1950) | General1 June 1998 | 31 May 2005 | 6 years, 364 days | ![]() | — | |
3 | Godfrey Ngwenya SBG, DMG, MMS, LOM (USA) (born 1950) | General1 June 2005 | 1 May 2011 | 5 years, 334 days | ![]() | — | |
4 | Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS (born 1956) | General2 May 2011 | 30 May 2021 | 10 years, 28 days | ![]() | [6] | |
5 | Rudzani Maphwanya SM, MMM (born 1960) | General1 June 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 86 days | ![]() | [7] |
Chief of the Army
[edit]The Chief of the South African Army is the professional head of the Army. There was no separate army commander until 1948. The post was called 'Director-General of Land Forces'[8] 1948–51 and 'Army Chief of Staff' 1951–66, and has been 'Chief of the Army' since 1966.
No. | Portrait | Chief of the Army | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Christiaan du Toit DSO (1901–1982) | Brigadier10 November 1948 | 15 March 1950 | 1 year, 125 days | [9]: 92 [8] | |
2 | Hendrik Klopper DSO (1903–1977) | Brigadier16 March 1950 | 30 April 1953 | 3 years, 45 days | [9]: 94 | |
3 | Pieter Grobbelaar SSA, DSO (1908–1988) | Major General1 May 1953 | 24 September 1958 | 5 years, 146 days | [9]: 93 | |
4 | Nick Bierman SSA, SM, CBE (1910–1977) | Major General25 September 1958 | 31 October 1959 | 1 year, 36 days | [9]: 89 | |
5 | Sybrand Engelbrecht SM (1913–1994) | Major General1 November 1959 | 3 March 1963 | 3 years, 122 days | [9]: 92 | |
6 | Petrus Jacobs SSA, SM (1910–1967) | Major General4 March 1963 | 31 December 1965 | 2 years, 302 days | [9]: 93 | |
7 | Charles 'Pop' Fraser SSA, SM (1915–1994) | Lieutenant General1 January 1966 | 30 November 1967 | 1 year, 333 days | [9]: 92 | |
8 | Willem Louw SSA, SM (1920–1980) | Lieutenant General1 December 1967 | 30 June 1973 | 5 years, 211 days | [9]: 94 | |
9 | Magnus Malan SSA, OMSG, SD, SM (1930–2011) | Lieutenant General1 July 1973 | 31 August 1976 | 3 years, 61 days | [9]: 95 | |
10 | Constand Viljoen SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, ORB (1933–2020) | Lieutenant General1 September 1976 | 6 October 1980 | 4 years, 30 days | — | |
11 | Johannes Geldenhuys SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, GCIH, ORB (1935–2018) | Lieutenant General7 October 1980 | 30 October 1985 | 5 years, 23 days | [9]: 92 | |
12 | Andreas Liebenberg SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, MMM (1938–1998) | Lieutenant General1 November 1985 | 28 February 1990 | 4 years, 119 days | — | |
13 | Georg Meiring SSA, SD, SM, MMM, ORB (born 1939) | Lieutenant General1 March 1990 | 31 October 1993 | 3 years, 244 days | — | |
14 | Hattingh Pretorius SD, SM, MMM (1942–2008) | Lieutenant General1 November 1993 | 31 December 1994 | 1 year, 60 days | — | |
15 | Reginald Otto SD & Bar, SM, MMM (1943–2022) | Lieutenant General1 January 1995 | 30 June 1998 | 3 years, 180 days | — | |
16 | Gilbert Ramano SSAS, SD, MMS, MMM, MMB (born 1939) | Lieutenant General1 July 1998 | 31 May 2004 | 5 years, 335 days | — | |
17 | Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS (born 1956) | Lieutenant General1 June 2004 | 1 May 2011 | 6 years, 334 days | — | |
18 | Vusumuzi Masondo MMM (born 1957) | Lieutenant General1 October 2011 | 31 January 2016 | 4 years, 122 days | [10] | |
19 | Lindile Yam (born 1960) | Lieutenant General1 February 2016 | 31 October 2019 | 3 years, 272 days | [11] | |
20 | Thabiso Mokhosi (c. 1968–2019) | Lieutenant General1 November 2019 | 10 December 2019 † | 39 days | [12][13][14][non-primary source needed][15] | |
21 | Lawrence Mbatha (born 1968) | Lieutenant General9 April 2020 | Incumbent | 4 years, 139 days | [16] |
Lieutenant General Werndly van der Riet[9]: 98 and Major General Mannetjies de Goede[12] spent some time acting as Chief of the Army.
Chief of the Air Force
[edit]The Chief of the South African Air Force is the professional head of the Air Force. The post was called 'Director of Air Services' 1920–33, 'Director of Air & Technical Services' 1937–39, 'Director-General of Air Services' 1939–41, 'Director-General of the Air Force' 1941–51, and 'Air Chief of Staff' 1951–66, and has been 'Chief of the Air Force' since 1966.
No. | Portrait | Chief of the Air Force | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sir Pierre van Ryneveld KBE, CB, DSO, MC (1891–1972) | Colonel1 February 1920 | 30 September 1937 | 17 years, 241 days | [17] | |
2 | Francis Hoare CB, CBE (1879–1959) | Colonel1 October 1937 | 31 October 1937 | 30 days | — | |
3 | Hector Daniel CBE, MC, AFC (1898–1953) | Lieutenant Colonel1 November 1937 | 12 September 1939 | 2 years, 41 days | — | |
4 | John Holthouse OBE (1891–1964) | Colonel13 September 1939 | 30 September 1940 | 1 year, 17 days | — | |
5 | Christoffel Venter CB, DFC & bar (1892–1977) | Major General1 October 1940 | 16 October 1945 | 5 years, 15 days | — | |
6 | Harold Willmott CBE (1899–1993) | Brigadier17 October 1945 | 10 September 1946 | 328 days | — | |
7 | James 'Jimmy' Durrant CB, DFC (1913–1990) | Brigadier1 October 1946 | 30 June 1951 | 4 years, 272 days | — | |
(6) | Harold Willmott CBE (1899–1993) | Brigadier1 July 1951 | 24 August 1954 | 3 years, 54 days | — | |
8 | Stephen Melville SSA, OBE (1904–1977) | Brigadier25 August 1954 | 22 September 1956 | 2 years, 28 days | — | |
9 | Barend Viljoen SSA, OBE (1908–1995) | Major General23 September 1956 | 30 April 1965 | 8 years, 219 days | — | |
10 | Henry 'Kalfie' Martin SM, CBE, DFC (1910–2000) | Lieutenant General1 May 1965 | 30 November 1967 | 2 years, 213 days | — | |
11 | Jacobus Verster SSA, SM (1919–1981) | Lieutenant General1 December 1967 | 28 February 1975 | 7 years, 89 days | — | |
12 | Robert 'Bob' Rogers SSA, SM, MMM, DSO, DFC & bar (1921–2000) | Lieutenant General1 March 1975 | 30 November 1979 | 4 years, 274 days | — | |
13 | Michal Muller SSAS, SD (born 1930) | Lieutenant General1 December 1979 | 29 February 1984 | 4 years, 90 days | — | |
14 | Denis Earp SSA, SD, SM, SOE (1930–2019) | Lieutenant General1 March 1984 | 30 June 1988 | 4 years, 121 days | — | |
15 | Jan van Loggerenberg SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, ORB (born 1935) | Lieutenant General1 July 1988 | 31 October 1991 | 3 years, 122 days | — | |
16 | James Kriel SSAS, SD, SM, MMM (1942–2016) | Lieutenant General1 November 1991 | 30 April 1996 | 4 years, 181 days | — | |
17 | Willem Hechter SSA, SD, SM, MMM (born 1942) | Lieutenant General1 May 1996 | 29 February 2000 | 3 years, 304 days | [17] | |
18 | Roelf Beukes SD, SM, MMM | Lieutenant General1 March 2000 | 28 February 2005 | 4 years, 364 days | — | |
19 | Carlo Gagiano SM, MMM (born 1951) | Lieutenant General1 March 2005 | 30 September 2012 | 7 years, 213 days | — | |
20 | Fabian Msimang SM, MMM (born 1960) | Lieutenant General1 October 2012 | 30 September 2020 | 7 years, 365 days | [18] | |
– | Mzayifani Buthelezi (born 1965) Acting | Lieutenant General30 September 2020 | 1 June 2021 | 244 days | [19] | |
21 | Wiseman Mbambo (born 1966) | Lieutenant General1 June 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 86 days | [7] |
Chief of the Navy
[edit]The Chief of the South African Navy is the professional head of the Navy. The post was called 'Officer Commanding South African Naval Service' 1922–32, 'Director, Seaward Defence Force' 1940–42, 'Director, South African Naval Forces' 1942–51, 'Naval & Marine Chief of Staff' 1951–55, and 'Naval Chief of Staff' 1955–66, and has been 'Chief of the Navy' since 1966.
No. | Portrait | Chief of the Navy | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Norman Rankin | Commander1 April 1922 | 3 June 1928 | 6 years, 63 days | — | |
2 | Robert F.U.P. Fitzgerald | Commander4 June 1928 | 4 November 1932 | 4 years, 153 days | — | |
Position of the Chief of the Navy did not exist from 1932 to 1939[a] | ||||||
3 | Guy Hallifax CMG (1884–1941) | Rear Admiral16 September 1939 | 28 March 1941 † | 1 year, 193 days | — | |
4 | James Dalgleish CBE (1891–1964) | Commodore28 March 1941 | 30 November 1946 | 5 years, 247 days | — | |
5 | Frederick Dean OBE (1900–1983) | Commodore1 December 1946 | 30 June 1951 | 4 years, 211 days | — | |
6 | Pieter de Waal CB, CBE (1899–1977) | Brigadier1 July 1951 | 30 November 1952 | 1 year, 152 days | — | |
7 | Hugo Biermann SSA, SD, OBE, GCIH (1916–2012) | Vice Admiral1 December 1952 | 31 March 1972 | 19 years, 121 days | — | |
8 | James 'Flam' Johnson SSA, SM, DSC (1918–1990) | Vice Admiral1 April 1972 | 30 September 1977 | 5 years, 182 days | — | |
9 | Johan Charl Walters SD, SM, MMM (1919–1993) | Vice Admiral1 October 1977 | 30 January 1980 | 2 years, 121 days | — | |
10 | Ronald A. Edwards SSAS, SM, MMM (1923–2014) | Vice Admiral1 February 1980 | 30 September 1982 | 2 years, 241 days | — | |
11 | Andries P 'Dries' Putter SSAS, SD, MMM (1935–2014) | Vice Admiral1 October 1982 | 30 June 1985 | 2 years, 272 days | — | |
12 | Glen Syndercombe SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM (1931–2005) | Vice Admiral1 July 1985 | 31 March 1989 | 3 years, 273 days | — | |
(11) | Andries P 'Dries' Putter SSAS, SD, MMM (1935–2014) | Vice Admiral1 April 1989 | 30 June 1990 | 1 year, 90 days | — | |
13 | Lambert J 'Woody' Woodburne DVR, SD, SM (1939–2013) | Vice Admiral1 July 1990 | 31 August 1992 | 2 years, 61 days | — | |
14 | Robert Simpson-Anderson SSAS, SD, SM, MMM (born 1942) | Vice Admiral1 September 1992 | 31 October 2000 | 8 years, 60 days | — | |
15 | Johan Retief SD & Bar, PG, SM, MMM (born 1946) | Vice Admiral1 November 2000 | 28 February 2005 | 4 years, 119 days | — | |
16 | Refiloe Johannes Mudimu CLS, DMG, SM, MMS, MMM, MMB (born 1954) | Vice Admiral1 March 2005 | 31 March 2014 | 9 years, 30 days | [20] | |
17 | Samuel Hlongwane MMS, MMB (born 1962) | Vice Admiral1 April 2014 | 30 June 2022 | 8 years, 90 days | [21] | |
18 | Monde Lobese MMS, MMB | Vice Admiral1 November 2022 | Incumbent | 1 year, 299 days | [22] |
Surgeon General
[edit]The Surgeon General is the Chief of the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS), which was known as the South African Medical Service (SAMS) before 1994.
No. | Portrait | Surgeon General | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South African Medical Service | ||||||
1 | Eugene Raymond SSA, SM (born 1923) | Major General1 February 1960 | 31 March 1969 | 9 years, 58 days | — | |
2 | Colin Cockcroft SSA, SM, SSA, SD, SM, MMM (1917–1987) | Lieutenant General1 April 1969 | 31 October 1977 | 8 years, 213 days | — | |
3 | Nicolaas Nieuwoudt SSA, SD, SM (1929–1989) | Lieutenant General1 November 1977 | 29 February 1988 | 10 years, 120 days | — | |
4 | Daniel Knobel SD, SOE, SM, MMM, KStJ, MBC, HB, PHD (1936–2021) | Lieutenant General1 March 1988 | 27 April 1994 | 6 years, 57 days | — | |
South African Military Health Service | ||||||
1 | Daniel Knobel SD, SOE, SM, MMM, KStJ, MBC, HB, PHD (1936–2021) | Lieutenant General27 April 1994 | 30 November 1997 | 3 years, 217 days | — | |
2 | Davidson Masuku SSAS, MMM, KStJ (1940–2000) | Lieutenant General1 December 1997 | 30 September 2000 | 2 years, 334 days | [23] | |
3 | Jurinus Janse van Rensburg SD, SM, MMM, KStJ (born 1952) | Lieutenant General1 October 2000 | 31 July 2005 | 4 years, 303 days | — | |
4 | Vejaynand Ramlakan DMG, MMS, MMB, KStJ (1957–2020) | Lieutenant General1 August 2005 | 31 March 2013 | 7 years, 242 days | — | |
5 | Aubrey Sedibe DMG, MMS, MMB, OStJ, MBC, HB, PHD (born 1957) | Lieutenant General1 April 2013 | 31 October 2019 | 6 years, 213 days | — | |
6 | Zola Dabula (born 1956) | Lieutenant General1 November 2019 | 31 October 2021 | 1 year, 364 days | [13] | |
7 | Ntshavheni Maphaha (born 1966) | Lieutenant General1 November 2021 | Incumbent | 2 years, 299 days | [19] |
Chief of Joint Operations
[edit]No. | Portrait | Chief of Joint Operations | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Deon Ferreira PVD, SD, SM, MMM (1946–2002) | Lieutenant General1 August 1997 | 31 December 2000 | 3 years, 152 days | ![]() | — | |
2 | Godfrey Ngwenya SBG, DMG, MMS, LOM (USA) (born 1950) | Lieutenant General1 January 2001 | 31 May 2005 | 4 years, 150 days | ![]() | — | |
3 | Sipho Binda MMS (1952–2006) | Lieutenant General1 June 2005 | 10 November 2006 † | 1 year, 162 days | ![]() | [24] | |
4 | Themba Matanzima CCM, SM, MMM (born 1953) | Lieutenant General1 September 2007 | 30 September 2011 | 4 years, 29 days | ![]() | — | |
5 | Derrick Mgwebi (born 1956) | Lieutenant General1 October 2011 | 31 January 2016 | 4 years, 122 days | ![]() | [10] | |
6 | Duma Mdutyana MMB (1960–2016) | Lieutenant General1 February 2016 | 6 July 2016 † | 156 days | ![]() | [25] | |
7 | Barney Hlatswayo (born 1958) | Lieutenant General1 January 2017 | 31 October 2019 | 2 years, 303 days | ![]() | — | |
8 | Rudzani Maphwanya (born 1960) | Lieutenant General1 November 2019 | 30 May 2021 | 1 year, 210 days | ![]() | [13] | |
9 | Siphiwe Sangweni | Lieutenant General1 June 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 86 days | ![]() | [19] |
Chief of Corporate Staff
[edit]The Chief of Corporate Staff is responsible for the provision of all staff services for the SANDF.[26]
No. | Portrait | Chief of Corporate Staff | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Martyn Trainor SD, SM, MMM (born 1944) | Vice Admiral1 October 2000 | 31 January 2004 | 3 years, 122 days | ![]() | — | |
2 | Themba Matanzima CCM, SM, MMM (born 1953) | Lieutenant General1 February 2004 | 31 July 2005 | 1 year, 180 days | ![]() | — | |
3 | Jurinus Janse van Rensburg SD, SM, MMM, KStJ (born 1952) | Lieutenant General1 August 2005 | 30 April 2010 | 4 years, 272 days | South African Military Health Service | — | |
— | Louis Dlulane (born 1952) Acting | Major General1 May 2010 | 30 March 2013 | 2 years, 333 days | ![]() | [27] | |
4 | Vejaynand Ramlakan DMG, MMS, MMB, KStJ (born 1957) | Lieutenant General1 April 2013 | 31 May 2015 | 2 years, 60 days | South African Military Health Service | [27] | |
5 | Vusumuzi Masondo MMM (born 1957) | Lieutenant General1 February 2016 | 31 October 2019 | 3 years, 272 days | ![]() | [27] | |
6 | Lindile Yam (born 1960) | Lieutenant General1 November 2019 | 31 October 2022 | 2 years, 364 days | ![]() | [13] | |
7 | Michael Ramantswana | Lieutenant General1 November 2022 | Incumbent | 1 year, 299 days | ![]() | [22]> |
Sgts Major
[edit]From | Union Defence Force (UDF) (prior to 1957) | To |
1947 | WO1 James Samuel Hulme[b] | 1950 |
1950 | WO1 David Goldblatt [c] | 1953 |
1953 | WO1 John Pelham Mundy[d] | 1956 |
1956 | WO1 Thomas Benjamin Brown[e] | 1957 |
From | SADF (prior to 1994) | To |
1961 | WO1 J. A. van der Merwe | 1964 |
1964 | WO1 F. P. Marais | 1966 |
1966 | WO1 W. J. van Rensburg | 1969 |
1969 | WO1 W. R. Myburgh | 1972 |
1972 | WO1 J. C. Smit | 1976 |
1976 | WO1 J. A. Schoeman | 1980 |
1980 | WO1 J. J. Grobbelaar | 1983 |
1983 | WO1 C. J. Badenhorst | 1987 |
1987 | WO1 P. J. van der Merwe | 1990 |
1990 | WO1 W. E. W. Fourie | 1991 |
1991 | WO1 G. Moorcroft | 1993 |
1993 | WO1 J. L. Calitz | 1994 |
From | SANDF (post 1994) | To |
1994 | WO1 J. L. Calitz | 1998 |
1998 | WO1 J. J. van Zyl | 2003 |
2003 | WO1 L. J. Green | 2006 |
2006 | WO1 M. J. Nortjé | 2009 |
2009 | WO1 P. J. Appelgryn | 2010 |
2010 | WO1 D. E. Motau | 2013 |
2013 | WO1 P. R. Masondo | 2015 |
2015 | A. G. Mashaba | 2018 |
2018 | WO1 L. M. Masemola | 2021 |
2021 | WO1 N. Maphaha | 26 August 2024 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ During this period, the Navy disposed of its ships and reduced personnel to a few administrative staff due to the Great Depression.
- ^ WO1 James Samuel Hulme was the first Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force (UDF), serving from 1947 to 1950. Prior to his appointment as Sergeant Major, he had served in the British Army during World War II, where he was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in action. He later served in the South African Army until his retirement in 1950.
As the first Sergeant Major of the UDF, Hulme played an important role in establishing the position and the responsibilities that would come with it. He was responsible for the discipline, training, and morale of the soldiers under his command, and worked closely with officers to ensure that their commands were carried out effectively. He also acted as a liaison between the enlisted soldiers and the officers, and helped to address any concerns or issues that arose. - ^ WO1 David Goldblatt was the second Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force, serving from 1950 to 1953. Prior to his appointment as Sergeant Major, he had served in the South African Army, including service in North Africa during World War II.
As Sergeant Major, Goldblatt was responsible for maintaining the discipline and morale of the troops under his command, as well as ensuring that they were properly trained and equipped. He also played a role in the development of the South African Army's non-commissioned officer corps, and was instrumental in the creation of the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1, which became the highest rank attainable by non-commissioned officers in the South African military.
After his retirement from the military, Goldblatt became involved in various veterans' organizations, and continued to work to improve the status and recognition of non-commissioned officers in the South African military. - ^ WO1 John Pelham Mundy was a highly decorated soldier in the South African military who served as the third Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force from 1953 to 1956.
Mundy joined the South African Army in 1940 and served in North Africa during World War II. He was awarded several decorations for his bravery in combat, including the Military Medal, the Africa Star, and the War Medal.
As Sergeant Major, Mundy played an important role in the development of the South African Army's non-commissioned officer corps. He was also known for his dedication to the welfare of the troops under his command, and was often called upon to mediate disputes and resolve conflicts between soldiers.
After his retirement from the military in 1956, Mundy continued to work to improve the status and recognition of non-commissioned officers in the South African military. He also served as a mentor to many young soldiers, and was widely respected for his leadership and integrity. - ^ WO1 Thomas Benjamin Brown was a highly decorated soldier in the South African military who served as the Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force from 1947 to 1953.
Brown joined the South African Army in 1939 and served in North Africa during World War II. He was awarded several decorations for his bravery in combat, including the Military Medal, the Africa Star, and the War Medal.
As Sergeant Major, Brown was responsible for the training and discipline of non-commissioned officers in the South African Army. He was also involved in the development of the South African Army's non-commissioned officer corps and played a key role in creating a professional and disciplined military force.
After his retirement from the military, Brown remained active in veterans' organizations and continued to advocate for the recognition and welfare of non-commissioned officers in the South African military. He was widely respected for his leadership and commitment to service.
References
[edit]- ^ "Chapter 1 : Introductory Provisions 4A. Military Command of Defence Force". Defence Act (Act No. 42 of 2002). Parliament of South Africa. 2002.
- ^ Defence Act (Act No. 42 of 2002). Parliament of South Africa. 2002.
- ^ Ellis, Johan (2000). "Oswald Pirow's Five-Year Plan for the Reorganisation of the Union Defence Force, 1933–1938". South African Journal of Military Studies. 30 (2).
- ^ "Defence Act 44 of 1957" (PDF). 1957. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- ^ Hamann, Hilton (2001). "Introduction". Days of the Generals. Cape Town: Zebra Press (Struck Publishers). ISBN 1-86872-340-2.
- ^ "Chief of the SANDF, General S. Shoke". Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ a b Seleka, Ntwaagae (14 April 2021). "Ramaphosa announces Lt-General Rudzani Maphwanya as incoming SANDF Chief". News24. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ a b Lillie, Ashley C. (2012). "The Origin and Development of the South African Army". Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies. 12 (2). doi:10.5787/12-2-618. ISSN 2224-0020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leiers Deur die Jare (1912-1982)". Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies (in Afrikaans). 12 (2): 89–98. doi:10.5787/12-2-631. ISSN 2224-0020.
- ^ a b "SANDF support to Springbok".
- ^ "Yam takes over from Masondo as Army Chief". defenceweb.co.za. DefenceWeb. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ a b "De Goede acting Army chief until next year". Defense Web. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ a b c d "New chiefs of SA Army, Joint Operations, SAMHS announced". Defence Web. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ Siphiwe Dlamini (10 December 2019). "SANDF Media Advisory; sandf announces the untimely passing away of the Chief of the Army". Pretoria: Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans, Defence Headquarters. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022.
- ^ "President Ranaphosa mourns passing of Chief of the Army, Lt Gen Mokhosi". 10 December 2019.
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