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RESERVE FORCE, THE SANDF’S EXPANSION CAPABILITY2

Part-time Volunteers

Editorial Note

Editorial Staff

Ke Nako – It’s time. We heard these words so

many times during the past months at the time

of the blissful soccer that it is impossible to forget

them, and yes it is time for our next edition of The

Reserve Force Volunteer.

This edition contains an article from a New York

Guard member giving us some information

regarding the Guard and their Employer Support

of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and articles

that emphasise the diversity of the Reserve

Component.

The Reserves are a unique and remarkable

group of dedicated individuals who make

sacrifices not only for their country but at all

levels of the private sector. The members include

business executives, plumbers, farmers,

teachers, etc. They are determined to get the job

done properly and with pride as they have a

passion for soldering. They deserve the

compliment and title ‘twice-a-citizen” as

illustrated on the front page.

We value, support and appreciate all those who

serve in the Reserve Component and trust that

you will get insight into and valuable information

regarding the Reserves in this edition.

Editor: Lt Col Elenor Hendriks

Production: Formeset Print (Pty) Ltd

Layout & design: Formeset Digital Tshwane (Pty) Ltd

Language verification: Mr Eugene Muller

Chief Co-ordinator: Col S.A. Motswadira

The Editor does not take responsibility for historically incorrect facts.

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

Copy Right: no article or picture may be reproduced without the written consent of the Editor.

Although great care is taken with articles, the Editor can not be held responsible for lost articles or

photographs.

Making a difference

RESERVE FORCE, THE SANDF’S EXPANSION CAPABILITY 3

Index

Message from Warrant Officer

of the SANDF 4

– MCWO F. J. S. Scheepers Foreword 6

– Maj Gen Roy AndersenMeeting Needs and Serving

our Nation 7

– Maj David A. PanzeraThe SANDF Supports the

Commemoration of the 110th

Anniversary of the Relief of the

Siege of Ladysmith 11

– Maj Gen R. C. Andersen and WO II Ken Gillings

Implementation of the Individual

Grievances Regulations in the DOD 14

– Lt Col S. PillayThe 2009 Cape Town Military Tattoo 19

– Lt (SAN) Glenn von Zeil

RFC

“ONE FORCE” – “What does it

mean and can we achieve it?” 21

– Dr John JobMilitary Skills Competition 25

SA ARMY

South African Army Reserve 27

– Maj Gen Keith MokoapeCape Town Highlanders Celebrate

125 years of Service 30

– Lt (SAN) Glenn von ZeilHistory of Kimberley Regiment:

A Brief Overview 34

– The Kimberley Regiment Association 2010 and Lt Col M. van Schalkwyk

Kimberley Regiment Conversion

Training 37

– CO E.B. GroenewaldRegiment Mooirivier (RMR)

Celebrates its 55th Year 39

– Capt G.C. CloeteRegiment Mooirivier: Exercise

KUTLWANO 40

– Capt G.C. Cloete

Trooping the Colour – 84 Signal Unit 42

– Staff Sergeant Johann Kruger Exercise INTEGRATED X 44

– Staff Sergeant Johann KrugerPretoria Show 2009: 11 Field Postal

Unit 46

– Lt Col R. van Heerden

SAAF

Work Session for Reserve

Squadrons 48

– Lt Col Ben Oberholzer

SAN

Celebration of 105 Years of Naval

Reserve activity in Cape Town &

the Western Cape 50

– Lt (SAN) Glenn von ZeilInternational 2010 Military Skills

Competition in Norway 52

– Lt (SAN) Glenn von ZeilSea Cadets in 2009 World

Maritime Day 54

– Lt (SAN) Glenn von ZeilThe MAC 12 Hour Sailing Challenge 56

– Lt (SAN) Glenn von Zeil

SAMHS

7 Medical Batalion Group 57

– Maj J.F. MakhubelaExercise REVELATION II 61

– Capt D. Barnard

CHAPLAINS

Newly Appointed Reserve

Force Chaplain 65

– Ms P. MafenyaMotivation: Success through

Endurance 66

– Chaplain O.I. Tau

In Memorium 67

Profile of a Reserve Member 67


It is imperative to understand that training is

the core business of the SANDF during

peacetime, and that it is the core responsibility

of all force providers, commanders and

incumbents involved in training.

Training exercises are indispensable for the

preparation of a military force for operations and

the continued development of its fighting power;

this includes the training of the Reserve

component. It is one of the most important

activities when a force is not committed to

operations. A good investment in training

provides optimum output in times of crisis.

It is important to develop Reserves as

individuals, sub units, units and formations and to

frequently test, practice, improve and evaluate

their skills so that the Reserve component can

contribute fully to operational success and

mission accomplishment.

Exercises build operational excellence and are a

process where people, technology, equipment

and resources are brought together to exercise a

particular operational concept to achieve

operational excellence.

At present Reserves receive individual training,

team training, and opportunities for selective joint

exercises. It is imperative to make a realistic

assessment of what can be expected from the

Reserve component in an emergency as well as

for regular service for a variety of missions. An

integrated Joint Divisional/Brigade Reserve

exercise at the Combat Training Centre will

evaluate the combat readiness of Reserves and

ensure that Reserve training is closely

interfaced.

This exercise must provide the key ingredient to

establish uniform and integrated operational

Reserve capacity, together with the other

operational participants, role-players and

stakeholders they operate with. This will enhance

a viable Defence Reserve capability.

Training exercises are fundamental to the

development of Reserve fighting power, the

physical component as well as the moral

component, and when properly conducted,

represent the reality of soldiering and develops

the true potential of individuals, formations and

units.

I visualise the following:There is a saying: “To enhance a viable Defence

Reserve capability they must go on “BE-

NOVARES”

Message from the Warrant

Officer of the SANDF:

MCWO F.J.S. Scheepers, PMD, PMM, MMM


To ensure that the SANDF has a viable Reserve

Force capability, it is essential that the capability

is exercised and evaluated. This could be

executed in a phased approached to ensure that

the defence reserves build a liable capability to

execute the tasks as required.

Phase One (Individual HQ exercises: Level 1)

Example: Defence Reserve Division with his

Regional Offices (Divide the regional offices into

the different J-Structures) to test: Command and

Control, Communication and Administration. This

exercise could be executed from their present

locations with only radio communication to be

installed.

Phase Two (Divisional HQ exercise: Level 1

and 2)

Example: Defence Reserve Division (with J-

Structures) and Reserve Arms of Services HQ

(as Bde HQs) to test: Command and Control,

Communication and Administration. This

exercise could be executed from their present

locations with only radio communication to be

installed.

Phase Three (Divisional HO exercise: Level 1

to 4)

Example: Defence Reserve Division (with J-

Structures) and Defence Reserve Arms of

Services HQ (as Bde HQs) and Defence

Reserve Units under command of the Bde’s to

test: Command and Control, Communication

and Administration. This exercise could be

executed from their present locations with only

radio communication to be installed.

Phase Four (Divisional exercise with Bde’s and

Units)

This exercise should been executed at SA Army

Combat Training Centre with troops (Units and

sub-units) and the required equipment.

This phased (four year cycle) approach should

not been seen in isolation. In phase one the

different Defence Reserve Arms of Service and

Units should also do the same exercise but on

their level.

I Salute You with this Motto “Simply the Best”GOYA


Foreword

Chief of Defence Reserves

Major General Roy Andersen

At the time of writing this foreword the level

of Reserve call-ups has reached a new

peak with deployments in the DRC and

Sudan for peace support operations, the first

deployments on the borders as well as call-ups

for the Soccer World Cup 2010. Well done to all

those Reserves who responded to the call!

A further important development is the tabling of

draft legislation in the House of Assembly to

amend the Defence Act to require members of

the Reserve to respond to all call-ups for duty.

Currently members of the Reserve are only

obliged to serve during time of war, a state of

national defence, or a state of emergency. The

volunteers in the Reserves will, if the Bill is

passed, be required to enter into a contract and

thereafter to present themselves for service

when required to do so – ie they must comply

with a call-up instruction. The sections of the Act

which provide for an Exemption/Deferment

Board and which protect volunteers from

discrimination by employers will remain in force.

The proposed legislation provides members of

the Reserve with certainty and a firm legal basis

for their service and should result in more

deployment opportunities as a result of the

planning certainty provided to the SANDF.

Further details are provided on our website

www.rfdiv.mil.za.

I am sure that all members of the Reserve join

me in wishing our team, which will participate in

the CIOR Military Skills Competition in Norway

later this year, every success. I encourage all

Reserve units to enter teams in the local

competition to be held in Potchefstroom over the

period 8-13 November 2010. Details are

enclosed.

This, the fourteenth edition of the Reserve Force

Volunteer, also contains a message from the

Warrant Officer of the SANDF, MCWO

Scheepers, as well as wide range of articles.

Certain of the articles open the debate on the

very important subject of the role of the Reserves

in youth development as well as the

development of the State. This theme will

continue in the future and relevant articles are

welcomed.

I trust that you the reader will find this edition of

The Reserve Force Volunteer of interest.


Meeting Needs and

Serving Our Nation– By Maj David A. Panzera, New York Air National Guard,

Wing Plans Operations Officer

Command Chief Master Sergeant of the NY Air Guardconferring with Warrant Officer I N.V. Gumede fromSAMHS at the International Defence Reserve Force

Symposium

In September of 2009 I had the privilege of

attending the South African International

Defence Reserve Forces Symposium held at the

St George Hotel and Convention Centre, in

Doornkloof, Pretoria, Gauteng Province.

Six officers from the New York Army and Air

National Guard were on hand with me and each of

us was invited to speak to issues of the day

surrounding sustained deployment and more.

What was most striking was the level of

participation from all corners of South Africa and

several other invited nations. At a time when the

nation of South Africa is facing some great

challenges on their border, preparing for the

pending World Cup, and meeting their

commitments to the UN. AU and SADC on the

continent it was great to see so many of South

Africa's best and brightest gather to face issues of

the day that affect them and thus their nation.

The former US Adjutant General, Major General Joseph Taluto, and Ms Susan Shabangu, former Deputy Minister of Safety and Security at a conference held in Albany, New York.

Maj Gen Keith Mokoape, Chief SA Army Reserve, attended the conference as head of the SA Army Foundation


They have one purpose, success in their civilian

directed missions.

This is no easy task. In the United States we are

often struggling to find ways to not only be

successful in our mission taskings, but to do so in

a time of dwindling resources and with fewer

people. The transformation of the South African

Reserve Force into one that is organized, trained

and equipped to the same degree and capability as

their active duty counterpart is most likely one of

the most difficult tasks it has ever undertaken yet is

doing so in a most impressive fashion.

Like the Guard and Reserve of the United States it

is clear that many service members of the SANDF

Reserve Force are resident experts in their military

disciplines. One of the great difficulties is job

security outside of the reserve. Previously in the

United State it was very difficult for a person who

held a job to also serve their state and nation.

Employers often felt as if they had no choice but to

find someone else who could do the job at hand.

Over time, legislation in the various states

culminated in a national policy of job protection. At

the same time that this kind of protective approach

was being taken the National Guard, on their own,

sought to show employers why it was better to have

their people as employees and this is something

that the Army Foundation of South Africa is doing

every day. National Guard leadership in each US

state, along with that of the National leadership,

formed the Employer Support of the Guard and

Reserve (ESGR). Please look at their web site at

www.esgr.org.

ESGR was born out of the effort of protecting the

jobs of Guardsmen and Women and Reservists. It

has blossomed into much more than just laws

protecting service members. ESGR is now a one

stop location for information on the law (Uniformed

Services Employment and Re-employment Rights

Act (USERRA)) and on many other programs.

Millions of employers now completely understand

many things when it comes to military service

members. We have shifted from a nation of

A New York Air Guard LC-130 Ski-equipped Hercules at Air Base Ysterplaat in Cape Town during the 2008 African Aerospace and Defence Exhibition. The New York Guard will again attend the

exhibition in September 2010


employers wanting only civilians to fill positions to a

nation of employers preferring Guardsmen and

Women and Reservists. The question many would

ask is why?

What the Guard and Reserve had to do was sell

themselves to employers. This was actually easy to

do. In many nations around the globe one of the

most trusted people to employ is a former service

member. So many employers know that a person

who was in the military, for even a short period of

time, was someone who is dedicated, disciplined,

educated, in good physical condition, moral and

professional. In many countries the Military often

leads in the development of newer or proven

management styles and methods. They also lead

in coming up with ways to mitigate risk on and off a

battlefield. It is this type of out-of-the-box thinking

that so many civilian employers love. It was from

this point of view that many employers started to

see the value of a military member in their company

or business. Additionally, they were able to see that

allowing that person to attend required training

events and serve, occasionally, on deployment

benefited them.

South Africa is on the verge of this kind of national

acknowledgement of its Reserve Force. It is clear

that without its reserve forces South Africa could not

meet its commitments. It is also clear that

government support to those members by

legislation in the United States has evolved into a

very mutually beneficial relationship between

employers and their Guard and Reserve

employees. The employee is getting that

professionally refined person, the Guard and

Reserve benefits from having a person who is not

worried about losing their job. Please take a look at

the web page that shows the law protecting Guard

and Reserve service members (http://www.esgr.

org/Site/USERRA/tabid/75/Default.aspx)

Hand in hand with the approach of government to

support both the employer and the service member

was the effort to have a strong family support

system. Far too many military members around the

globe have little to nothing to assist their families

with when duty calls. In some instances the family

is left with little to no income, no support structures

and very few places to turn to in case of medical

needs or treatment. For a comprehensive of

National Guard efforts in the US please look at the

following link: www.ng.mil/news/family_programs/

default.aspx

At the end of every day in every culture and in every

land the only thing that matters most to every man

and woman is their family. The protection, care and

feeding of a family comes first to everyone. It is

clear to government and to military leadership that

this ought to be an area of great focus and support.

After all, no man or woman can be fully focused on

a mission when their mind and heart is on the

needs and requirements of their family. It is nearly

impossible to give 100% to a mission when your

deepest concerns for your family are constantly on

your mind. While many have the blessing of

community or church or family to gather round and

assist them others do not.

Here attention must be given to those members to

whom family support assistance is a must. Clearly

South African Reserve Force leadership

understands that need. Building a sustained and

successful program that all know about and have

access to is not easy. It is important for each

military member to inform their families on the

benefits and programs offered and how to access

them and where to go. More often than not it is

simply a matter of good communication.

South Africa impresses me in their use of cell phone

technology. Millions of people in South Africa may

not have internet in their home but almost all have

fantastic cell phone access. Even in some of the

most rural of places I was able to use my cell

phone. Harnessing this technology means that a

mother or father and their children can get the

attention they need or the assistance they require.

It is here that we in the US have found that a civilian

hired to run that program brings many benefits.

In the New York National Guard civilians have

run the family support program for years


through partnership with businesses. It has been

found that many businesses want to help. They

acknowledge that military service members benefit

them greatly. They want to give back and this can

sometimes mean a great difference to that family in

a trying time.

These are but two of the important areas discussed

at the past Reserve Forces Symposium. SANDF

Reserve Leadership is keenly aware of the

importance of its most valued asset, the individual

soldier. They are working hard to gain increasing

support by way of law and programs to support that

citizen soldier. Each soldier needs to communicate

with leadership through their chain of command.

They need to offer their ideas on ways to improve

the system.

In so many ways South Africa leads the continent

with its magnificent abilities and those abilities

come in large part from the citizen soldier who is

going to be called on for an ever increasing amount

of missions that South Africa will be asked to

accomplish. The greatest tool used in

accomplishing those missions will be the individual

soldier, airman, seaman or medical member of the

various services in the South African National

Defence Reserve Force.

now. They do not deploy, they do not get taken out

of their office for other jobs as they are dedicated to

family support. They are expertly trained in the

national and state programs so as to assist every

family of every military member in use of programs

and benefits. They also use their position to seek

out better deals for military families. They work to

secure discounts for services or groceries or items

The new US Adjutant General, Brigadier GeneralPatrick Murphy awarding a medal to the outgoing

South African Defence Attaché, Rear Admiral (JG) G.Mphafi. At the time of this photo Brig Gen Murphy

was NOT the Adjutant General

The current SA Defence Attaché to the USA, Brig Gen M. J. Ledwaba, meeting with Emergency Responders in Erie County, New York on exercise Vigilant Guard. A few other foreign nations,

including other members from the SANDF also attended


The Town of Ladysmith commemorated the

110th Anniversary of the Siege of

Ladysmith (1899-1900) through a

multiplicity of events that highlighted the 118

days of heroic withstanding of the siege by the

people of the town. At the Council’s request the

Freedom Regiments of the Siege of Ladysmith

in accordance with tradition, participated in a

110th Anniversary Parade at the Town Hall on 27

February 2010.

On 27 February 1900 – 110 years ago to the day

– the battle for the possession of Pieters Ridge

was fought. It was the final phase of a massive

battle and arguably until the Second World War

the biggest battle fought by the British in Africa.

The Battle of the Thukela Heights had begun on

12 February 1900 and by the time it ended at

Pieters Ridge, Boer resistance was represented

by approximately 3000 burghers with twelve field

pieces, compared to 28000 British soldiers with

– By Maj Gen R. C. Andersen and WOII Ken Gillings

Parade Commander Lt Col Chris Els (OC 5 SAI Bn) receiving the Majoral Party

The SANDF supports the commemoration

of the 110th Anniversary of the relief

of the Siege of Ladysmith


Councillor DCP Mazibuko receives the salute, accompanied by Maj Gen R. C. Andersen (CDR) and Dr M. R. Chirwa (SAPS)

seventy-eight guns of various calibres. One

cannot but admire the dogged resistance shown

by the Boers against such overwhelming odds.

Ladysmith was relieved the following day, but

General Sir Redvers Buller VC only made his

official entry on 3 March 1900.

After Union in 1910, the two former enemies who

had fought one another bitterly for three years

were welded into a single Union Defence Force

and the Springbok soldiers of all races performed

with remarkable gallantry during the First World

War. Indeed, the defence of Delville Wood will go

down in the annals of South Africa’s military

history as one of the most heroic. South Africa’s

role during the Second World War is

acknowledged as truly remarkable and many of

the regiments that took part in the Ladysmith

parade participated in some of the major battles

that took place in North Africa and Europe.

Then, in 1994, the democratic elections heralded

the birth of a truly united South Africa and once

again former enemies were joined together into

a single force. History repeated itself and the

Reserve Regiments that paraded through the

streets of Ladysmith on 27 February 2010

reflected the demographics of the South Africa of

today. As was the case after the Anglo-Boer War

of 1899 – 1902, former enemies have been

welded into the South African Defence Force.

This must be one of the most remarkable

achievements for any country and the soldiers

who serve in these regiments reflect the same

pride in their traditions as those who served

before them. Some of these units have

participated in Peace Support Operations in

Burundi, the DRC and Sudan. Ladysmith

deserves full credit for inviting the Regular and

Reserve Force soldiers to join her in

commemorating her amazing history.


The Chief of the Army, on behalf of the Chief of

the SANDF, in close conjunction with Chief of

Defence Reserves, was responsible for general

SANDF co-ordination. The Town of Ladysmith

was the most important external role player and

the parade was conducted in collaboration with

them

The following units and regiments formed a

Colour company in the parade:

• Natal Field Artillery

• Vrystaat Artillerie Regiment

• Transvaal Staatsartillerie

• 5 South African Infantry Battalion

• Natal Mounted Rifles

• Natal Carbineers

• Umvoti Mounted Rifles

• 15 Maintenance Unit

• 1 Medical Battalion Group

The SA Army Band KwaZulu-Natal as well as a

platoon from the South African Police Service

also participated.

The Mayor of Ladysmith, Councillor Dudu

Mazibuko, took the salute. She was joined by

Maj Gen Roy Andersen, Chief Defence

Reserves.

It was a privilege to observe history in the

making as the former opposing forces of the

Anglo-Boer War and the Armed Struggle

marched together as brothers in arms. What a

remarkable country we live in; an event such as

this makes one proud to be able to say: “I am a

South African”.

SA Army Band Durban

Troops on parade

Inspection of the parade


Implementation of the

Individual grievancesregulations in the DOD– By Lt Col S. Pillay, SO 1 Grievances

Administration (DPSA), Public Service

Commission (PSC) and the Chief State Law

Advisor.

The final draft Regulations was approved by the

Weekly Defence Staff Council (WDSC) on 11

February 2010. The Regulations was

subsequently submitted to the Minister of

Defence and Military Veterans for the issuing

thereof.

Salient features of the new grievance

procedure

Guidelines considered for an effective

grievance procedure

• Supported electronically

• Fair and just

• Be free from fear of victimisation and

prejudice

• Be simple and easy to use

• Provide effective action, without undue

delays

• Be visible, understandable, credible and have

the means to finalise grievances at the lowest

possible level in the shortest possible time

period, and

Single process

The Individual Grievances Regulations gives

effect to a single grievance process within the

The Minister of Defence and Military

Veterans, the Honorable Ms (Dr) Lindiwe

Nonceba Sisulu, has promulgated the

Individual Grievances Regulations in the

Government Gazette for implementation with

effect from 01 July 2010. These Regulations

were published in Government Gazette No

33334 on 30 June 2010 and are available on the

DOD Policy website.

History of Development

The need for a new grievance procedure

The Defence Act Section (61) prescribes the

need to establish a grievance procedure. The

need to amend existing grievance procedures

was identified as critical to ensure that the DOD

has an effective procedure.

Development of the new grievance procedure

During the development phase, Directorate

Labour and Service Relations (DLSR) embarked

on extensive research by means of surveys and

benchmarking with other State Departments and

Embassies.

Extensive consultation took place with various

stakeholders within the Department namely,

Services and Divisions as well as external role-

players that included military and PSAPs Trade

Unions, Department of Public Service and


DOD that accommodates both uniform members

and Public Service Act Personnel (PSAP). The

main intention of the Individual Grievances

Procedure is to streamline the process by

reducing the command channels through which

a grievance travels and having a set time frame

of 90 days in which to finalise the grievance.

Replacement/repeal

The Individual Grievances Regulations replaces

C SANDF Directive 1/141/95 dated 1 Feb 95 in

respect of Individual grievances and Section 134

of the MDC that provides for Redresses of

Wrongs.

New grievance procedure

The purpose of the Individual Grievances

Regulations is to give effect to section 61(2) of

the Defence Act as far as it applies to individual

grievances. These Regulations apply to all

members and employees who lodge individual

grievances after the commencement of these

Regulations.

The Individual Grievances Procedure is a three

tier process where the grievance is addressed by

the following chain of command:

• Unit

• Service/Division (Formation if so designated)

• Secretary for Defence/C SANDF/MOD

Definition of a grievance

A “grievance” includes, but is not limited to, a

written expression of dissatisfaction by a

member or employee regarding any act or

omission of a person to whom the Act applies

relating to his or her promotion, placement,

course nomination, assessment or service

benefits, excluding dissatisfaction relating to–

• matters pending before, or a decision of, a

military court or disciplinary hearing, a civilian

court or an institution with quasi judicial

powers;

• professional conduct of registered medical

practitioners as rendered by the South

African Military Health Service to members,

employees or their dependants;

• matters falling under the jurisdiction of the

state institutions contemplated in Chapter 9

of the Constitution of the Republic of South

Africa, 1996; and

• matters that have been dealt with as

grievances in terms of these Regulations.

Responsibility of an aggrieved individual

An aggrieved member or employee must lodge a

grievance in writing vide the prescribed

Grievance form with his or her Unit Officer

Commanding within 90 working days after the

occurrence of the act or omission concerned.

Ensure that all supporting documentation is

attached to the Grievance form.

If a grievance is against the relevant Unit Officer

Commanding, Formation Officer Commanding or

Chief of a Service or Division, it must be lodged

with the next higher authority in the chain of

command.

If a grievance cannot be lodged within 90

working days, the member or employee must

first apply in writing vide the Condonation

Application form, to the Grievance Board for

condonation, and attach a copy of the

condonation to the grievance when it is lodged.

It is dependant on the individual to make known

whether he or she is satisfied with the outcome of

the grievance at every phase. Substantiated

reasons for continued dissatisfaction must be

provided when requesting that the matter be


referred to the next level.

An aggrieved individual must ensure that he or

she addresses his or her grievance through the

chain of command and must ensure that the

internal grievance process is exhausted prior to

resorting to external mechanisms.

The regulations give legal effect to the

following individual grievances procedure …

Actions to be taken by officers commanding

and directors

Immediately upon receipt of the grievance, the

Officer Commanding/Director must pro-visionally

determine relevant facts.

Obtain statements from all concerned (where

necessary).

Officers Commanding/Directors must assess the

facts and compare it to the regulatory framework.

Provide the aggrieved with a written response

within the prescribed time frames.

If no solution is possible, inform the aggrieved

thereof in writing.

Actions to be taken by service/division

The person(s) designated by each Service/Div

must investigate and address the grievance

within 30 days (Chiefs must establish a

Grievance Committee).

The designated person(s) must assess all the

facts and compare it to the regulatory framework

and respond directly to the aggrieved.


If the aggrieved is still unsatisfied with the

response, the aggrieved must refer the matter,

with all the supporting documents to the next

stage within 5 days upon receipt.

Actions by the dod grievance board

The DOD Grievance Board will be mandated and

appointed to act on behalf of the DOD as

employer.

Each grievance will be allocated to a case

manager to investigate, prepare and present the

grievance for a FINAL decision at the DOD

Grievance Board.

The Grievance Board will also be mandated to

consider condonation for late lodging of

Grievances.

Grievance it system

A Grievance IT System has been developed as a

component of the Action Request System (ARS).

This system will be made available to identified

users of the system to support the individual

grievances procedure electronically. The system

will be implemented to lodge, update, track

and monitor the status of grievances.

Representatives at Services and Divisions have

already been trained with a view to training other

users of the system prior to the implementation

of the Individual Grievances Regulations.

What next!

The Individual Grievances Regulations are

vertically and horizontally aligned with the

relevant legislation. They accommodate the

needs of Service and Division specific

requirements. They are user friendly and


The Directorate Labour and Service Relations Grievance team: Mr. Johann Behr, Lt Col Saroj Pillay and Ms Karien Hills

understandable to ensure that grievances are

handled within the prescribed timeframes, and

address control and accountability as well as

non-compliance. The Regulations are easily

accessible for all DOD officials.

These Regulations will be fully supported by a

DODI; however, for the interim an Instruction will

be issued for the implementation of this new

procedure. The Implementation Instruction and

the training manual will be available on the HR

website.

Training on how to lodge a grievance and the

responsibilities of the various role players will be

conducted by means of training DVDs, the

Instruction, the Intranet and a road show by

DLSR. Training DVDs will be distributed to every

unit via the Labour Relations Offices in due

course and will be available to any individual who

may require advice on the process of lodging or

addressing a grievance. Member/employees

may also visit the Directorate Labour and Service

Relations’ (DLSR) website on the DOD Intranet.

An aggrieved person will then be the driver of

his/her own grievance in accordance with the

provisions of the Regulations.

For any further information or enquiries in this

regard, kindly contact the DOD Grievances

Information Desk at:

012 355 5555

or fax 012 355 5333 (SSN 810).


The SA Navy’s silent drill squad gave a

stunning performance which thrilled the

crowd at the 5th Cape Town Military Tattoo

at the Castle of Good Hope from 19 – 21

November 2009.

The squad, comprising Military Skills

Development (MSD) Junior Ratings who practise

in their off-duty periods, demonstrated that

precision and perfection without the use of verbal

commands are still possible in this technological

age.

The SA Navy Band, under the command of Cdr

Kenny Leibrandt, along with the SA Navy choir

ensured that the Navy contributed towards a

proudly South African programme to celebrated

our rich diversity through music.

The 60th anniversary of South Africa’s entry into

World War II in 1939 was commemorated with

period songs performed by the SA Military Health

Service choir. Their singing created nostalgia –

which took the spectators back to another era.

Thereafter the history of the “poppy”, the symbol

used in commemorating the fallen, was

presented. This, and the two minutes’ silence,

which originated in Cape Town in 1918, brought

a tear to many a spectator’s eye.

The South African Police Service Mounted Unit

which was commissioned in the Western Cape

in 2008, fulfils an important policing role in areas

where foot and vehicle patrols are unsuitable.

The 2009Cape Town Military Tattoo– By Lt (SAN) Glenn von Zeil, SA Naval Reserve

Precision in Motion! SA Navy Drill squad in action at the 2009

Cape Town Military Tattoo


They performed several drills at the gallop in a

confined space, and thereafter demonstrated

precision horsemanship skills of yesteryear

including lance and swordsmanship.

There was a guest appearance by the

Trompetterskorps der Koninkijke Marechaussee,

a Dutch military police corps, who demonstrated

their music, drumming and marimba skills to

much applause.

A regular highlight, namely Tchaikovsky’s “1812”

Overture was performed by all the bands. It

included the firing of four 25 pounder / G1 guns

by the Cape Field Artillery in salute. The guns

had been included in the orchestral score and

the percussion and precision firing was done

using limited communication and relying on a

queue sheet and stopwatch.

Bravo Zulu to the SA Navy Band, the SA Navy’s

Silent Drill Squad, SA Navy Choir as well as the

many uniformed members, including Reserves,

who contributed to a successful 2009 Cape Town

Military Tattoo.

Drummers of the Trompetterskorps der KoninkijkeMarechaussee, a Dutch military

police corps, demonstrating theirdrumming skills

Three friendly Junior Ratings from the SA NAVAL

RESERVE wait to seat guests at the 2009 CAPE TOWN

Military Tattoo


The SANDF is 16 years old, and the term

“One Force” has been used throughout its

relatively short life. But even today the

term enjoys no universal meaning or

acceptance.

So why do we use the term and what does it

imply in today’s South African National

Defence Force (SANDF)?

The “One Force” concept was coined when

General George Meiring was appointed as the

first Chief of the SANDF and had to face the

unique challenge of forging a unified force out of

seven separate forces, some of which were

“statutory” and some of which were “non-

statutory”. There followed an extended phase of

integration of these forces into what we know as

the Regular Force or the Regulars. The

integration was largely successful although some

tensions remain between the members who

originated in the different forces. The tensions

are, inter alia, being addressed by the recent

appointment of the Interim Defence Service

Commission.

But none of these considerations suggest why

the term still needs to be used and addressed.

The reason given for ‘One Force” to be used

repeatedly today is that there was at that time

effectively an eighth force or component that no

one then realised had to be joined and integrated

into the new SANDF. The eighth force or

component was and is the Reserve Force or

Reserves. With the Reserves being a part-time

force and the Regulars a full-time force the

effective integration of these two components

into “One Force” requires many not so difficult to

identify approaches and strategies, many of

which have not been resolved.

So the term “One Force” remains today as the

goal to be achieved by forging a unified SANDF

from the Regular and Reserve components. The

term will remain relevant until there is universal

acceptance of the real and perceived

convergence of the two components, which is

broadly accepted by each component.

I will attempt to address what needs to be done

to achieve this new unity.

– By Dr John Job, Chairperson Reserve Force Council

1“One Force”“What does it

mean and can weachieve it?”


Important realities

At the most basic level, Regulars and Reserves

differ in many ways, eg:

• Reserves typically work outside normal

working hours, while Regulars work during

these hours, unless both components are

deployed on operations. This reality needs to

be understood by both Regulars and

Reserves, and accommodated in the

scheduling of the activities of each.

• Although many members of the Reserves

today are unemployed, the majority of the

leader elements are employed and can only

work on Reserve matters outside normal

working hours. That is why evenings and

weekends are as important to the Reserves

as they also have to keep up with the

demands of their civilian jobs and bosses.

• Members of the Reserves have been drawn

and recruited into the SANDF by very

different paths when compared to the

Regulars, even though the Military Skills

Development System (MSDS) was intended

to supply members to both components.

• Members in the Reserves tend to remain in

one regiment or unit for their entire military

careers, while regular transfers are typical in

the Regulars, particularly among leader

elements. This typically leads to there being

a stronger sense of “the regiment” and what

it stands for, among Reserves.

• Because of their split lives (between civilian

occupations and military obligations)

members of the Reserves need to be

managed over time in a flexible manner.

Given the examples above and many more that

can be identified, is “One Force” an attainable

goal?

I believe it is attainable, just as in any family there

is usually more than one generation and there

are typically boys and girls, and each member

plays a complementary role in relation to the

other members. Yet we do not query the idea of

a family unit.

So what do we have to do to ensure “One

Force”?

Common ground

Instead of seeking the answers in the differences

between the Regulars and Reserves, we need to

emphasise the common ground on which both

components stand.

• In the first instance, both components are

part of the SANDF and subordinate

themselves to the dictates of the National

Constitution and civil oversight of the South

African military.

• Both components work within the same

doctrine and policy framework and wear the

same uniform, which may differ only in order

to identify from which component a member

comes.

• There is a single chain of command, unlike in

the United States for instance, where the

National Guard reports through its own chain

of command until it reaches the highest levels

in the Pentagon.

• All services and formations of the SANDF

contain both Reserves and Regulars. Many

parts of the SANDF have fully integrated


groupings of Reserves and Regulars within

their structures. There are so many examples

of this reality that I do not intend to list them.

It is therefore clear that the organisational and

doctrinal foundation on which the two

components stand is exactly the same. I can

therefore deduce from this short analysis that the

differences between the two components and

the differences needed in the managing of them

lie in the secondary stratum of what is important.

Further, given the common paths that we are all

travelling in our rainbow nation, every member of

the SANDF should be able to cope with the

demands of “One Force”.

What the reserves need to become part of

“one force”

No doubt there are aspects of this issue which

the Regulars need for a broad acceptance by

them of “One Force”. However, I am not in a

position to try and list these needs. My mandate

and task remain focused on the Reserves, and I

discuss below those important matters that need

to be put in order for the Reserves so that they

are part of “One Force”.

So what is needed by the Reserves?

• There needs to be a clear plan for the overall

development of the Reserves. This means

that we need a plan that lays down how the

Reserves are to be developed into the future,

including target strengths and readiness

states by the Services, the Formation and the

Unit or Regiment. No such plan exists today

.

• The law needs to be amended to allow for

more comprehensive Reserve service, as

well as placing an obligation on the Reserve

volunteer to serve when called up. This

amendment process is under way.

• The policies and procedures which are

customised to cope with the realities of

Reserve service need to be completed. We

have promulgated general regulations for the

Reserves, but many policies and procedures

have not yet been developed.

• Reserve-friendly human resource feeder

systems need to be further developed and

expanded. HR Instruction 32/08 suggests a

number of feeder systems to improve the

Human Resource flow into the Reserves, and

some are being activated, such as the

University Reserve Training System. Others

are not and too much emphasis remains on

the MSDS which has completely failed to

feed the Reserves in a meaningful way.

Decentralised recruitment and training by

regiments themselves works well as shown

over the past years in their deployments, but

the practice is still frowned upon, even

though as much as 85% of current Reserve

strengths are derived from this method. Why

not formalise it?

• Reserve-friendly career paths and the

associated training courses need to be put in

place, along with intensive distance learning

schemes.

• Efficient administration of Reserve

promotions is lacking and needs urgent

improvement. It is a common source of

frustration on the part of Unit Commanders

that even with the constrained availability of

suitable Reservists; their efforts are further

frustrated by extremely slow administration

beyond their control.


• Attracting highly skilled citizens into the

Services that need such skills, with the

possible exception of the SA Air Force, needs

concerted effort, not only to strengthen the

Reserves, but also to strengthen the SANDF

in these areas. The SA Navy and SAMHS are

particularly exposed to this weakness.

• The removal of discriminatory Human

Resource practices is essential. Why has the

22% Reserve pay adjustment to compensate

Reservists for benefits that their Regular

counterparts enjoy not yet been approved? It

cannot be a question of money in the wake

of the up to 65% pay increase recently

approved for Regulars and Reservists as the

latter will cost up to R1.6 bn per annum and

the former only about R70m.

• Other discriminatory practices include

holding Reservists on the lowest rung of pay

for the rank they have, even if they remain in

that rank for many years.

• One element which is being rectified is the

unacceptable practice of calling Reservists

up from Monday to Friday, releasing them

over the weekends and then calling them up

again the following week. These practices

need to be identified and abolished in the

SANDF.

• Regular participation by Reserves in large-

scale field exercises needs to become

routine practice.

• Consideration must be given, once their

strengths have been built up, to deploying

Reserve battalions on Peace Support

operations and not simply adding a Reserve

company or two to a Regular battalion for

these deployments. The Reserves which

have been deployed over the past few years

have clearly shown that they are able to

conduct themselves well in these operations.

The above list contains some of the more

important matters that need to be addressed

concerning the Reserves on the path to “One

Force”. Almost certainly there is a multitude of

other lesser items that will need to be sorted out

before the reality of “One Force” emerges in the

SANDF.

In conclusion

The “One Force” ideal is today limited to the

effective integration of Reserves and Regulars.

There are signs that it is happening in some

areas, but in general it remains an elusive goal.

It is necessary to increase the drive towards this

goal. The steps to be taken are not as difficult to

identify as many would have us believe, but the

SANDF needs to set about fixing the Reserve

system with determination and not stalling the

process, for example by giving reasons why it

cannot be done.

The staff work required is not overwhelming and

the Reserves themselves can be used to

generate the detailed solutions. Let’s get on with

the job!

Note: The views expressed in this article are the

personal views of the author and do not reflect

those of the RFC, the SANDF or the Department

of Defence.


8–13 November 2010

Reserve Force Council/

Defence Reserves

Military Skills Competition


– Maj Gen Keith Mokoape, Chief SA Army Reserve

The SA Army Reserves have played a

significant role in the rising of the ‘phoenix

bird’ over the last several years. From

individual member deployment to the

deployment of Reserve infantry companies is a

feat to be proud of, especially under trying times

of budget constraints.

Firstly, the Reserves have been deployed

internally in ‘Support to the People’ Missions, and

to assist the SAPS in border safeguarding.

Recently the Minister of Defence and Military

Veterans announced that the SANDF was going

to be deployed for border safeguarding again.

She also announced that the Reserves would

provide the majority of the troops for this role.

This is acknowledgement of the trust she places

in the reserves. Secondly, Reserves were

deployed externally to supplement the Regulars

in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo

and in the Darfur region of the Sudan, where

they conducted themselves with honour.

The Conventional Reserve Units that were given

the responsibility of conducting conversion

training for former commando members carried

out the mission with success. To date 6 000

former commando members have undergone

conversion training and have been integrated

into Army Reserve units.

The challenge at hand is that members of rurally

based commandos have difficulty reaching the

Conventional Units based mainly in metropolitan

areas. Needless to say, provinces such as the

Northern Cape and Limpopo only have one each

of the Conventional Units, i.e. in Kimberley and

Polokwane. This remains a challenge, not only

in terms of the former commandos, but for all of

our citizens who wish to enlist in the Reserves.

The New Vision of the SA Army lays emphasis

on the Reserves being the main supplement of

landward forces. To this end, more funds have

been allocated for purposes of continuation

training: R22 616 133 in the FY 2010/11, R37

693 555 in the FY 2011/12 and R39 578 233 in

the FY 2012/13. It is absolutely essential that

South African

Army Reserve


these funds be watched closely, firstly to ensure

that they are ring-fenced, and secondly that they

are utilised to enhance the combat readiness of

the Reserves in the SA Army.

Intensified efforts should be made to identify

officers and non-commissioned officers in our

Reserve units and introduce a fast-tracking plan

to enhance representivity amongst the senior

leader-group in those units. While success was

achieved in training more than two hundred

junior leaders over the past three financial years,

changes have not been visible in the current

leaders of the Conventional Units. Former

members of MK, APLA and AZANLA should be

encouraged to join the Reserves, and they

should be provided with conversion training akin

to that given in the past to the commandos. After

the conversion training a number of these

members should be selected for leader-group

positions in the various units, in the process

enabling them to attend staff courses.

Equally, ex-NSF members retiring from the

Permanent Force should be encouraged to join

the Reserves. Interaction by units with the

headquarters of the Army Reserve, in

conjunction with the Directorate Army HR, should

facilitate these intentions.

The mechanism to feed the Reserves

adequately still needs to be fine-tuned. For as

long as the Regular army needs to be

rejuvenated, so long will it take the MSDS to

rejuvenate the Reserves. On the other hand, the

rejuvenation of the Regular army is slowed by

members who have reached a plateau in their

careers, but have no alternative income – i.e.

outside the system. A viable and sustainable exit

mechanism should be developed for these

regulars.

This vicious cycle will have to be resolved by a

rigorous campaign directed at the business

community to help absorb members who are

surplus to the design structure. Minimal

incremental training is what is required to make

these members suitably for other career

opportunities.

The imperatives of the SANDF HR Strategy 2010

have to be revisited regarding the involvement of

Reserve units in the school ‘cadet system’.

Familiarising Grade 11 learners with the culture,

values and ethos of the military would widen their

career choices and, should they choose the

military, they would understand the transient

nature of the MSDS. Unit Commanders would

track them during the MSDS, thus exposing them

to the spectrum of choices at the end of the two

year period. In this regard Reserve units in Cape

Town have embarked on a pilot project called the

Young Lions, to start sensitising schoolchildren

to the SA Army.

In the course of the last year, Instruction 32/08

generated debate and discussion about

alternative feeder systems for the Reserves.

Without compromising the one-force concept,

there were specific aspects that were identified

that showed the uniqueness of the Reserves as

opposed to the Regulars. Such aspects call to

question the wisdom of training the Regulars and

the Reserves together, especially in an

environment of high unemployment in society.

Expectations of longer careers in the regular

army are associated with continued employment.

In the case where members are not selected for

further contracts, observations have been made

of 'losers' being disheartened, to the extent of

being reluctant to join the Reserves.

The challenge for us is how the Reserve system

can be positioned to play a role in a


developmental state. In the light of the capacity

constraints on the delivery of basic services in

the communities, the skills inherent in the

Reserves could be put to use to mobilise the

youth in military training and with simultaneous

assistance to local authorities. Considering that

budgets for services are available via national

and provincial governments, such assistance

would not impact negatively on Army Reserve

budgets. The positive spin-off would be a closer

community/army relationship, in line with civil

military relations.

To further cement community/army relations,

inspirational name changes for the units have

been mooted. A task team consisting of officers

from the Office of Chief Defence Reserves, Army

Reserves and the Reserve Force Council has

been mandated to ensure that a new balance in

terms of names reflecting the military history and

traditions of all the former forces, including the

traditional African regiments, should be created.

Included in this process is the directive to

investigate the formation of new units.

In March this year, a one-week orientation

programme was conducted for 25 of the 42 new

Reserve cadet officers. Fourteen of them will

constitute a pool of specialists while the rest will

be appointed to various directorates and

formations as Reserve officers. These

individuals, coming from civil society, including

business and academic environments, constitute

formidable support for staff decisions within the

SA Army. Directorates and formations should

seize the opportunity to utilise their skills, which

are costly to keep permanently in the system.

The Sa Army’s University Reserve Training

System commenced in April 2010. The

enthusiasm shown by these undergraduates is

matched by the resilience of committed Reserve

officers who championed the pilot scheme a few

years ago. Adequate training and completion of

the course would enable these cadets to enrol in

the Regular army, and so enhance the numbers

and quality of junior leaders.

The Directorate of the Army Reserves regards

itself as a vital instrument of transformation and

nation-building. For this reason the Directorate

welcomes the application of Project Phoenix to

the rejuvenation and transformation of the

Reserves to the FY 2012/13.

Much still remains to be done. The challenges

are immense. We learn and compare with best

practice, and try to be innovative.


what it always was: an active, fighting infantry

regiment manned by volunteer officers and other

ranks from the Mother City and across the

Western Cape.

The CTH regimental history is entwined with that

of the history of South Africa, especially Cape

Town. Its versatility has been tested while it has

constantly been transforming to keep pace with

change and at the same time maintaining the

values and standards of its founding fathers.

Cape Town Highlanders

Celebrate 125 years of Service– By Lt (SAN) Glenn von Zeil, SA Naval Reserve– Photographs: Capt Ian Long, PO Leon Fourie

Officer Commanding Cape Town Highlanders, Lt ColA. van der Bijl, Cape Town Highlanders and the

Colour Party, C Sgt J. Herwitz, 2 Lt E. Murray, C Sgt P.Fourie, Band and Regiment await the arrival of the

Acting Mayor, Alderman Ian Neilsen

Lt V. Beko stands proudly to attention for the inspection ofAlderman Ian Neilsen, Acting Major of the City of Cape

Town

One of South Africa’s finest fighting

Regiments” was how Maj Gen Roy

Andersen, Chief Defence Reserves,

described the Cape Town Highlanders (CTH)

during a celebration dinner to mark the

Regiment’s 125 years of service on Saturday, 8

May 2010.

The regiment, fondly known as ‘CTH’, was

founded in 1885 by a group of volunteer soldiers

who felt Cape Town should rightly have a

Scottish regiment. Now, 125 years later, it is still

Maj Gen Roy Andersen, Chief Defence Reserves, congratulates a CapeTown Highlander on receivinghis Tsumela medal


The Officer Commanding, Lt Col Andre van der

Bijl, and Regimental Sergeant Major WO Joe

Koen, can be proud that the CTH has upheld its

regimental motto “Byand” meaning “Steadfast”

during its long and distinguished history.

As a mechanised infantry unit, the battalion

operates in the famed Ratel armoured fighting

vehicle, equipped with heavy weapons ranging

from 20 mm to 90 mm turret guns to ZT-3 anti-

tank rockets and 81mm mortars. Today the

regiment is trained and deployed as part of

South Africa’s capable peacekeeping and

borderline control operations, both at home and

in the rest of Africa.

The Regiments’ 24 hard-won battle honours are

displayed on the Regimental Colour. It regularly

celebrates its Freedom of the City of Cape Town

and is proud of recent deployments on

peacekeeping operations in the Democratic

Republic of the Congo. The regiment actively

participates in training exercises and

competitions, The Cape Town Tattoo and its

band are loved internationally as ambassadors

for South Africa.

The 125 year celebrations included a weekend

of fun activities for the regiment and their families

that comprised a medal parade, a Freedom

March through the city of Cape Town, a Sunset

Parade and a Band Concert, dinners and a

traditional church parade.

The weekend commenced with a dinner on the

Friday evening for 150 troops and their junior

officers and NCOs, and, in a reversal of roles, the

officers acted as the waiters and ensured that all

enjoyed themselves.

At the medal parade on Saturday, two 10 year

Long Service Medals and twelve Tsumela

Medals were awarded to members of the

regiment for their loyal and dedicated service

rendered to South Africa.

The Cape Town Highlanders Colour Party, C Sgt J. Herwitz,2 Lt E. Murray, C Sgt P. Fourie, followed by the RSM, MWO

J. Koen, parade past the City Hall during the regiment’s 125year celebrations

Maj J. Pienaar, 2 IC, leads the Cape Town Highlanders outof the Castle of Good Hope towards the City Hall at the startof the Freedom March to celebrate the 125 years of service

to South Africa and the City of Cape Town


Maj Gen Roy Andersen commended the medal

recipients for their commitment to the SANDF

and the regiment, especially as they had to

balance the demands of a civilian occupation

and family responsibilities along with their

military commitments.

After the Medal Parade the Pipe Major, WO II

Charles Canning, handed over a special bagpipe

tune especially composed for the occasion. This

tune was played with gusto during the Sunset

Parade and concert to the enjoyment of all

present.

The regiment paraded outside the City Hall at

12h00, after which it was addressed and

inspected by the Acting Mayor, Alderman Ian

Neilson.

Thereafter CTH exercised its freedom of entry

into the City of Cape Town, with the salute being

taken by the Executive Deputy Mayor, Ian

Neilson. The Freedom Parade included the CTH

Band, SA Army Band (WC), officers and troops in

their traditional kilts and balmorals as well as

Mamba fighting vehicles.

Later that afternoon, a retreat ceremony was

followed by a concert by the Pipes and Drums at

which a new march the “125th Anniversary” was

performed for the first time.

A formal dinner was held in the Lady Anne

Barnard Room, at the Castle of Good Hope,

where Maj Gen Roy Andersen and Alderman Ian

Neilson again congratulated the Regiment.

The weekend of celebrations was concluded with

a church parade, led by the Regimental Padre,

Chaplain Smith, in the St Andrews Presbyterian

Church. During the service the names of those

who had paid the supreme sacrifice were read

out, and after the service wreaths were laid at the

CTH memorial in the church grounds.

Major R. Collins marches off the Cape Town Highlandermedal recipients after being awarded their 10 year Long

Service and Tsumela medals

Pipe Major, WO II Charles Canning, handing over a specialbagpipe tune especially composed for the occasion to the

Officer Commanding, Lt Col Andre van der Bijl

Lt V. Beko, Cape Town Highlanders, proudly salutesAlderman Ian Neilsen, Acting Major of the City of

Cape Town as she leads her platoon past theCity Hall during the Freedom March to

celebrate the regiment’s 125 years


Brief history of the CTH

(adapted from the SANDF Reserve Website)

The regiment has fought the battles of both war

and peace arguably more than any other in the

Defence Force – having been awarded 24 battle

honours in places as far afield as the Western

Desert and northern Italy. Two of these – Paliano

1944 and Alam el Halfa – are not held by any

other South African unit.

The first campaign was in Bechuanaland in 1896

and 1897, followed by the Anglo Boer War of

1899 -1902, when we provided infantry in the

Northern Cape and Karoo and also mounted

infantry for Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts and the

Commander-in-Chief’s bodyguard.

In World War I, the CTH helped to capture what

was then German South West Africa from the

Germans, after which it formed the major part of

a composite regiment – the 4th SA Infantry (SA

Scottish) – which fought in most of the big battles

in Europe during the rest of the ‘war to end all

wars’.

At the Battle of Delville Wood (1916) and despite

being heavily outnumbered and suffering heavy

losses, the battalion held off the German

advance for five dreadful days. Two years later,

at the Butte de Warlencourt during the final

German push into France, 4th SA Infantry was

pivotal in halting the vastly larger enemy

advance, once again in spite of taking heavy

casualties.

In World War II, the CTH were the first South

African troops in Egypt, serving in the victorious

Western Desert campaign against Rommel right

up to his crushing defeat some two years later.

At the Battle of El Alamein in late 1942, the CTH

was one of three South African regiments tasked

to stop Rommel’s advance in its tracks, to help

the retreating Eighth Army to gain vital breathing

space to prepare its counter-attack. At Alam el

Halfa, just before the momentous Second Battle

of El Alamein, one CTH company attacked so

fiercely that it fatally delayed the German assault

aimed at pre-empting the Allied attack plan.

The regiment played a leading role in the

subsequent Second Battle of El Alamein, when it

attacked and captured strongly held German

positions, though it lost over a quarter of its

officers and men in the process. The battalion

then rushed across the Mediterranean to join the

equally triumphant but bruising Allied campaign

against the Germans in Italy in 1944 and 1945.

During a particularly bloody battle that raged on

14 and 15 April 1945, the First City/Cape Town

Highlanders – along with a contingent from the

Cape Corps – fought South Africa’s last battle of

World War II. In true CTH style, they led the

charge and stormed the heights of Monte Sole

at bayonet point. This spectacular capture

opened the hitherto impassable way to Bologna,

thus not only hastening the end of the war but

also avenging a massacre of Italian civilians of a

few months earlier, which is remembered there

to this day.

The regiment takes pride in its readiness to

commit its men and women to meet the military

needs of the modern SANDF and it believes that

their rightful place is as an active, battle-ready

Priority One unit. The CTH were called on to

mobilise for active service on several occasions

during and since the 1975 incursion into Angola,

as well as during the counter-insurgency

campaign in what is now Namibia.

During the 1994 election period, CTH officers

and men volunteered in full strength to perform

election security duties when it was discovered

only ten days before the event that there were

not enough policemen to guarantee a peaceful

election.

The CTH are proud of recent deployments on

Peacekeeping Operations in the Democratic

Republic of the Congo where the CTH members

have excelled. The SANDF and City of Cape

Town can be justly proud of the Cape Town

Highlanders, a modern fighting mechanised unit

with a proud tradition and founded a solid set of

values and traditions.


Kimberley Regiment, the only Army

Reserve unit in the Northern Cape, is the

fifth oldest infantry regiment in the country,

and was first formed as the Kimberley Light

Horse in August 1876.

Authorised mergers between the Lighthorse, the

Dutoitspan Hussars, Kimberly Scots, Diamond

Fields Horse and Diamond Fields Artillery led to

the Kimberley Rifles in 1890 and ultimately the

Kimberley Regimental of today.

It has, throughout its history, maintained certain

traditions of the cavalry, artillery, rifles and

especially the Scottish, which can still be seen in

its uniforms and in the regimental culture.

Since its inception it has taken part in every

History of Kimberley Regiment:

A Brief Overview– By The Kimberley Regiment Association 2010 and

Lt Col M. van Schalkwyk, SO 1 PO NC

The Regimental Colour of Kimberley Regiment


action, campaign and war of importance for

South Africa.

It has had battle honours awarded to it that are

unique to only two regiments in the old British

Empire. This was for defending its own city, viz.,

Kimberley in the “Defence of Kimberley” where it

kept the Boers at bay during the Anglo-Boer War

of 1899-1902. It has currently twenty authorised

battle honours on its Regimental Colour.

The Regiment provided two battalions for the

South West African Campaign during World War

I and provided ‘C’ Company of the composite 1st

Regiment of the 1st SAI Brigade which fought in

France during World War I.

At Delville Wood, Pte Manne Faulds (later Capt)

was the only South African to be awarded the

The historical monument entrance to the drill hall, the Regimental Headquarters of the Kimberley Regiment since 1892

Victoria Cross (the highest military award for

bravery) during the epic battle. He was also

rewarded the Military Cross (Military award for

bravery).

It served as a motorised battalion together with

the Imperial Light Horse (ILH), in the armoured

brigade of the 6th SA Armoured Division

throughout the Italian campaign in World War II.

During this campaign it won more battle honours

and more awards for bravery in the field, but also

suffered more casualties in doing so than any

other SA Regiment in the campaign.

The Regiment became the first official bilingual

regiment in SA in 1963 and applied to become

SA’s first multiracial regiment in 1977, but this

was not approved at that time.


The unit has a proud military history and lives up

to the high standards set by the leaders and

members from the present and its past. The

motto of the unit “MUNUS VULT JACTURAM”

(duty entails sacrifice) serves as a continuous

motivation for its members.

Authority was granted in August 2008 for the

establishment of Kimberley Regiments’ B-Coy in

Upington and this ensures an Army Reserve

presence in the central part of the Northern

Cape. The unit was involved in conversion

training during October – November 2009 and

the cadre training during May 2010 at

Schmidtsdrift.

The Regiment participates annually in the wreath

laying ceremonies and their pipe band remains a

huge attraction to the community.

Subsequent to the formation of the new South

African National Defence Force, elements of the

Regiment have been deployed both internally, on

the Lesotho border and Medimbo and externally

in the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of

Congo in peace support operations.

The Drill Hall of Kimberley Regiment

The original shell and entrance were built for a

massive exhibition in Kimberley in the early

1890’s.

In 1892 Major Sir David Harris CMG KCMG VD

purchased the building from the Kimberley

Exhibition Committee and acquired the lease of

an adjoining portion of the Kimberley Gardens as

a parade ground.

Several alterations and additions were

necessary over time, which have resulted in the

building of today.

The drill hall has previously been utilised by both

the Diamond Fields Horse and the Kimberley

Rifles and, after their official merger in 1899, by

the Kimberley Regiment and which is still the

case today. It has been gazetted as a national

historical monument which, in effect, guarantees

the future existence of the building.

MWO J.A.C. Swanepoel, MAJ R. Bode – 2IC and LT B. Arnold – ADJ


Kimberley Regiment

Conversion Training

Introduction

From 12 October 2009 to 20 November 2009, as

part of the capacity building process, commando

members who joined the different regiments of

the Army Conventional Reserves (ACR) were

called up to undergo conversion training.

Members of Kimberley Regiment, Durban

Regiment, Regiment De la Rey and Bloemspruit

Regiment were trained in Kimberley and

Schmidsdrift – Jakkalsfontein.

Maj B.C. Vorster, B-coy commander of Kimberley

Regiment, was appointed as the course leader.

He was supported by Capt L. Janse van

Rensburg as the training officer, Lt D.G. Arnolds

as the second in command and WO II A.P.

Visagie as the CSM.

Members were trained in various aspects of

warfare, such as urban and rural vehicle patrols,

regimental issues, operational law, etc. The

presenters confirmed the high standard that was

expected of students and they presented their

learning material with this in view. A holistic

approach was followed to equip the students with

the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to

fulfil the needs of a modern professional military

force.

Much effort was put into drill practice. Although

most were on the ball, some needed a little bit

more that just practice, viz the vociferous

corrections of the Warrant Officer. In the end

there were smiles all round after evaluation by

instructors of 3 SAI Bn, and at having achieved a

90 % mark for drill. All the efforts of the drill

instructors really paid off in the end. There is a

– By CO E.B. Groenewald, 2IC, B Coy Kimberley Regiment

Night shooting during the training – (Photo Paul Job)

Sergeant Mosito demonstrating the kneeling shooting position


military saying: “a soldier who drills correctly is a

very well disciplined soldier“. The method is drill

and the goal is discipline.

The practical training took place at

Jakkalsfontein near Schmidsdrift. The soldiers

were trained to follow commands to the letter.

They were trained in the correct use and

handling of different platoon weapons such as

the R4 rifle, LMG, MGL and 60 mm patmor, and

they were given enough training to prepare and

throw smoke grenades and M 26 hand

grenades. They also completed exercises in the

setting up and exiting of temporary bases, night

shooting and ambushes. The cherry on top was

the section attacks. The evaluators from Infantry

School were impressed with the high standard of

training. A marvellous 98 % was achieved.

Col R. van Zanten from Infantry Formation (SSO

Motorised Infantry Reserves) paid a surprise visit

to the training ground to motivate and encourage

the members. Another visitor was Lt Col M. van

Schalkwyk (Def Res Provincial Office NC). She

had words of encouragement for the volunteers

who had sacrificed their time and families to

become well trained professional infanteers.

Friendships were formed across the country.

Although the medium of instruction sometimes

caused uneasiness, everything went well. We

salute Maj B.C. Vorster and all instructors who

formed part of the training for excellence. The

co-operation and discipline of the soldiers are to

be commended. After six weeks of training the

well equipped soldiers returned exhausted

to their bases, but ready to take up the role

of professionally trained soldiers prepared

for battle. Forward we shall march to defend

our territorial integrity or any other task

we receive. In conclusion it needs to be

emphasised that the course was conducted in an

excellent manner and that the training reflected

money well spent.

Section Leaders report to Platoon Sergeant

Fire and Movement exercise

Aim and Fire


Regiment Mooirivier (RMR)

Celebrates its 55th year

– By Capt G.C. Cloete, Squadron Commander, A SquadronPhotographs: Capt Adam Barnard and Lt Kobus Roux

On 18 July 2009, RMR celebrated its 55th

anniversary with a Winter Ball at 4

Artillery Regiment, Potchefstroom. The

Transvaal Scottish Regiment’s, Senior Pipe

Band entertained the guests with an extremely

professional performance which was thoroughly

enjoyed.

MWO Johan Wagner, the RSM, was the

organiser of the event and he acquitted himself

well of the task by presenting a military ball of

distinction. The hard work and assistance of the

members in organising and executing of this

mammoth task is highly appreciated. It was the

first ball organised by the current group of

serving members and their dedicated efforts

resulted in an impressive event. The sixtieth

anniversary celebrations in early 2014 will be a

social occasion that should even leave royalty

green with envy.

This was an especially magnificent year for the

unit with18 members receiving the Badge for

Voluntary Service in the Reserve Force and two

members their “Medalje vir Getroue Diens”medals for 20 years of service to the SANDF.

The regiment introduced its own combat rifle

team under the competent and inspiring

leadership of Major Heiko Stark and will definitely

strive to improve on its initial successes

It was indeed a very fruitful and fulfilling year for

the regiment.

Impressive venue for the Winter Ball

Guests enjoying the Winter ball


Regiment Mooirivier:

Exercise KUTLWANO– By Capt G.C. Cloete, Squadron Commander: A SquadronPhotographs: Capt Adam Barnard and Lt Kobus Roux

The 2009/2010 fiscal year was a very busy

training year for Regiment Mooirivier

(RMR). The year commenced with the

usual Safety Training Course for all ranks in April

2009, normal promotion courses, and the

conversion courses for all Rooikat personnel.

Our members, our most valuable asset, have

under the strict guidance of WO I William

Thomas Knowles, completed the following

training: twelve members completed sixty-five

computer based training courses, while four

other members completed twenty-five enterprise

knowledge based courses. The Regiment is in

the final stages of an in-house developed Global

Positioning Based (GPS) courses. Members will

then be educated in the art of using the battlefield

layout and overcoming natural obstacles while

manoeuvring and not getting lost while doing so!

Exercise KUTLWANO took place in the period 20

– 29 October 2009. The training was divided into

two distinct sections, viz a simulation and a

retraining section and then the actual field

exercise which took place at De Brug, the

training area a few kilometres outside

Bloemfontein. The following units participated:

• School of Armour

• 1 Special Service Battalion

• Umvoti Mounted Rifles

• Natal Mounted Rifles

• Regiment Oranje Rivier

• Regiment Mooirivier


Exercise KUTLWANO

• Pretoria Regiment

• Regiment President Steyn

RMR provided 32 members who served in

various capacities ranging from troop sergeants

to echelon sergeants and two troops of crew

commanders, gunners, drivers and loaders.

Exercise KUTLWANO was the highlight of the

year’s training. It was a huge success and all

those who attended gained knowledge and

thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The 2010 Exercise KUTLWANO will take place

at Combat Training Centre in Lohatlha in the

Northern Cape. RMR’s training may possibly

include combining with an infantry regiment.

Sending a Rooikat Troop to Lohatlha is like

sending a pre-school child to a chocolate factory

with no adult supervision. It is going to be a

memorable occasion!


Trooping the Colour –

Signal Unit84

Brig Gen Sipika and Ms Sipika with Hon Col P. de Lille and ID MP Mr H Hosana

The members of 84 Signal Unit are proud of

the Colour that was presented to them on

11 July 2009. All members of 84 Signal

Unit participated in this parade, the biggest event

in the history of the unit.

Brig Gen L. L. Eggers presented the Colour. He

opened his address with the following: “What an

honour it is to officiate at such an important

parade. Not many General Officers Commanding

have had the opportunity to present such an

honour to a unit under their command” and urged

all members to work hard and remain loyal to

both unit and country.

A national flag signifies the unity and integrity of

a nation and communicates to each citizen,

irrespective of group or cultural differences, that

he or she belongs to the same nation “under one

flag”.

The Colour signifies the traditions and battle

honours of a specific unit, strengthen unity within

their corps and also as members of the greater

– By Staff Sergeant Johann Kruger, Communications Officer


84 Signal Unit Colour Parade

military community in the South African National

Defence Force.

Such is the importance of the Colour that it is

kept under lock and key. It is only unfurled

according to prescribed protocol when brought

out to be displayed on parade. The greatest

honour the unit can bestow upon a member is to

select him or her to carry the Colour on parade.

This honour has to be earned through bravery,

hard work or loyalty to the unit.

84 Signal Unit members are proud of the honour

bestowed on them.

Adjutant Lt Majozi receiving the unit colour from BrigGen L.L. Eggers, GOC SA Army Signal Formation


Exercise

INTEGRATED

The Natal Carabineers hosted the very

successful Exercise Integrated X in the

Howick area from 11 – 13 December 2009.

They were supported by members from Durban

Light Infantry, Umvoti Mounted Rifles, 19 Field

Engineer Regiment, 84 Signal Unit, Delta

Company of 3 Parachute Battalion, and 15

Squadron of the South African Air Force.

The purpose of the exercise was to showcase

the abilities of the Reserve units in the KwaZulu-

Natal area. The exercise comprised of a mock

battle, helicopter training, bridge building, water

crossing and provision of reliable military

communications.

The exercise was a great success and was

also used as an opportunity to recruit new

members.

XXXX– By Staff Sergeant Johann Kruger, Communications OfficerPhotographs: Roy Reed

Maj C. Nel, OC NFA, Lt Col D. J. Kruger, OC 84 Signal Unit, Lt Col K. Lowe, OC NC, SWO B Tarr, RSM NC listening while Maj Pascol,

BAA Cmdr (2IC NC) explains the battle


Umvoti Mounted Rifles crossing the bridge in

the Rooikat

Natal Carbineers and Durban Light Infantry members crossing the

bridge in Mambas

Water crossing by members of 3 Parachute Battalion

X X


The SANDF booked a hall to feature all its

subdivisions and won a gold medal at the

Pretoria Show!

One of the subdivisions exhibited was 11 Field

Postal Unit in conjunction with the South African

Post Office (Sapo).

“What is the Defence Force’s connection with the

Post Office?”

This question had to be answered many times at

the SA National Defence Force (SANDF)

exhibition in Hall F at the Show.

Pretoria Show 2009:

Field Postal Unit– By Lt Col R. van Heerden, SO1 Reserve

Simon Ntsoane from the Post Office shared the off-line counter at the exhibition with SergeantFlip Labuschagne (Branch Manager: Isando) and Sergeant Leon Herridge (Branch manager:

Groblershoop)


The purpose of the exhibition was to display the

excellent relationship between the SANDF and

Sapo, and also the support the SANDF receives

from Sapo in rendering a world-class field postal

service to members deployed in the mission

areas of Burundi, the DRC, the Sudan and the

Central African Republic.

Basic postal products and services, such as

stamps, envelopes, Easy Post packaging

material and registered envelopes were available

at the stand. Philatelic Services provided a

display cabinet that included all the items

available

The actual transactions included receipt and

collection of parcels, selling of stamps and Lotto

tickets. Enquiries were also made about airtime

and faxes.

Light boxes affixed to the back wall were supplied by the SANDF while Sapo Marketing assisted with the posters and

banners used at the stand

An SANDF member found the Setempe, the philately magazine,

very informative

We deliver, come what may


Work Session for

Reserve Squadrons– By Lt Col Ben Oberholzer, Staff Officer Air Force Reserve Squadrons

The annual meeting and work session of the

Officers Commanding of the nine Air Force

Reserve Squadrons (AFRS) was held at

AFB Ysterplaat over the period 20 to 22 April

2010.

These squadrons are located across the country

and manned by volunteers who are employed

full-time or part time. It is a challenge to arrange

the meeting at such a time and place to ensure

that all members are available and attend.

The facilities of the base were kindly placed at

their disposal by the Officer Commanding, Col

W. Cowan, who is a big supporter of the AFRS,

and in particular of 110 Squadron based at

Ysterplaat.

Delegates discussing agenda points

Delegates discussing agenda points


members has increased.

Since their inception in 1963, the AFRS have

grown in importance as a force multiplier to the

Air Force and one of the most important topics

discussed at the meeting was the recruitment of

suitable younger members to continue the good

work.

The most important matter was funding. Lengthy

discussions were held on utilising the limited

funds to the best advantage of the SAAF to

maintain its capability.

As most members are involved in business, and

understand the economic problems facing the

SANDF, it was not too difficult to solve the

problem and arrive at a solution that suited

everyone.

It was a successful meeting due to the positive

contribution of the AFRS. Three years short of

their half century, the AFRS have proved their

worth to the SAAF and SANDF over the last

forty-seven years and will continue to do so in

the future.

Brig Gen T.M. Khumalo (Director Air Transport

and Maritime Systems) under whose control

these squadrons operate also attended the

meeting with Lt Col G. Duvenage (SO Air

Transport Plan).

Many matters were discussed and debated but

the matters that dominated discussion were

finances, border protection and the upcoming

FIFA Soccer World Cup.

A number of members of the AFRS have been

extensively involved in Exercise "Shield" (1 to 6)

in preparation for the soccer event, and other

members were involved in a number of different

ways during the soccer tournament.

Lt Col Duvenage, who has flown aircraft at 21

Squadron for many years, gave a very

informative briefing on VIP flights.

Representivity in the squadrons is a matter of

high priority and efforts are ongoing to attain this

goal. Owing to the new requirements for basic

training, which now takes place over a period of

six months, the difficulty of recruiting new

L to R Lt Col B. Oberholzer (SO AFRS), Lt Col W. J. Roux (OC 120 Sqn), Lt Col J. H. Human (OC 107 Sqn),Lt E. Le Roux, (Act OC 108 Sqn), Lt Col A. H. Clarke 9OC 105 Sqn), Lt Col R. J. Mossom (OC 111 Sqn), BrigGen T. M. Khumalo (DAT&MS), Lt Col F. Boshoff ((OC 101 Sqn), Lt Col M. J. Roets (OC 104 Sqn), Maj

A. P.C. du Plessis Rep OC 110 Sqn), Lt Col G. Duvenhage (SO Air Tpt Plan DAT&MS) and Col L.A. J. Wiese (OC 106 Sqn)

Cdr Ken Newton and Rear Adm Rusty Higgs listenattentively to Padre Tony Bethke’s sermon during the

commemoration church service


Celebration of 105 years ofNaval Reserve Activity in Cape Town

and the Western Cape

– By Lt (SAN) Glenn von Zeil, SA Naval ReservePhotographs: Roy Reed

The month of February is

traditionally important in the history

of the Naval Reserve in Cape

Town. It was in February 1905 that the

“Cape Colonial, Royal Naval Volunteer

Reserve” was first formed by an Act of

Parliament. On 28 February 1942 the

Prime Minister Field Marshall Jan Smuts

laid the foundation stone of the Royal

Naval Volunteer Reserve Base which

subsequently became HMSAS / SAS

UNITIE in the Cape Town harbour.

It was therefore fitting that 28 February

2010 should be the date to celebrate 105

years of Naval Reserve activity in Cape

Town. The event was celebrated with a

traditional church service arranged by the

Western Cape Naval Reserve Liaison

Officer, Cdr Ken Newton, at the Unitie

Association room, SAS Wingfield.

The church service was led by Padre

Tony Bethke and attended by FOF Rear

Adm Rusty Higgs, past OC’s of SAS

UNITIE and SAS YSELSTEIN as well as

serving officers, men and women of the

SA Naval Reserves, other SANDF

Reserve Units as well as family and

friends.

The Sea Cadet silent drill squad from TS

Woltemade provided a well executed

precision display after the service. These

young men and women demonstrated

that dedication, discipline and hard work

Rear Adm Rusty Higgs with the TS Woltemade Sea Cadet silent drill squad


were still the preferred recipe for

success.

During the official address Rear Adm

Rusty Higgs praised those men and

women of the Naval Reserve who had

served, and continue to serve, willingly,

of their own free time, to the South

African Navy and the Republic of South

Africa.

He also spoke directly to the young Sea

Cadets present and encouraged and

inspired them to pursue their careers with

vigour excellence as they will one day

need to compete internationally on behalf

of South Africa.

Although the form of the Naval Reserve

in Cape Town has changed over the past

105 years the spirit, values and tradition

of the sea still remain strong.

Rear Admiral Rusty Higgs with Andrew Bennett, Cdr (nowCapt) Trunel Morom and Sally Bennett (wife of the late Cdr

John Bennett, ex OC SAS UNITIE)

Rear Adm Rusty Higgs congratulates Cadet CPO AnthonyVoogt, Parade Gunnery Instructor, TS Woltemade, on the

excellent silent drill display

The traditional tea after the church servicewas held in the Unitie Association room at

SAS Wingfield


International 2010 MilitarySkills Competition in Norway

– By Lt Glenn von Zeil, SA Naval ReservePhotographs: Lt Glenn von Zeil and Capt Dougie le Roux

Able Seaman Dumisani Mhlanga, SA Naval

Reserve, will represent the SA Navy,

SANDF and South Africa at the 2010

Military Skills competition to be held in

Stavanger, Norway from 6 to 14 August during

the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers

(CIOR) conference.

One hundred and twenty aspiring Reserve

members applied for selection in Potchefstroom

from November 2009. Col Wim Alberts put the

participants through their paces and the final four

were selected. AB Mhlanga is part of the four

man team that also includes Capt Dougie Le

Roux, 3 Parachute Battalion, 2 Lt Edward Murray

and L Cpl T. M. Myeko, Cape Town Highlanders.

Although Military Skills is not considered a sport

in the SANDF, the activities are based on those

basic skills required by all soldiers in training and

battle. These include running, overcoming

obstacles, swimming and shooting.

AB Mahlanga is a product of the SA Navy’s

Military Skills Development (MSD) programme

for which he enlisted in 2004. During his basic

training he successfully completed a Military

Training for Ratings Part 1 (MTR1) course,

including seamanship, drivers, NBCD and

computer literacy courses. He underwent training

in the Protection Division and served at

Silvermine. After completion of his two year

contract he joined the SA Naval Reserves where

his services and skills were put to good use in

support of the SA Navy.

His MSD training and experience assisted in

securing him a position with the Department of

Correctional Services as a prison warder before

he enrolled for an Engineering Degree at UCT.

Lack of funding forced him to withdraw at the end

of his first year, but he intends to return to his

studies once he has secured a bursary.

Able Seaman Dumisani Mhlanga proudlywearing his SA Navy tracksuit while taking

time out from his training programme


This very able seaman hails from Mtubatuba,

Kwazulu Natal, and has fond memories of

learning to swim in the local rivers. He believes

that his love of sport, especially running, weight

training and karate has greatly assisted him in

preparing physically and mentally for the

competition.

The SANDF team participated in another local

training camp in Potchefstroom in June 2010

before heading off to Holland to train with the

Dutch team.

According to Capt Dougie Le Roux, the senior

member of the team, the training camps have

greatly added to the fitness of the team members

and improved their skills and confidence levels.

For those aspiring to compete in 2011 the

national competition is due to take place from 7

to 13 November 2010 in Potchefstroom. More

than 200 participants are expected and several

foreign participants from the USA, the United

Kingdom and the Netherlands have accepted

invitations to compete.

Bravo Zulu to AB Mhlanga for his selection and

best wishes to the SANDF Reserve Team for

what will no doubt be a tough competition in

Norway in August 2010.

The SANDF Reserve members selected to represent South Africa at the 2010 International Military Skillscompetition to be held in Stavanger, Norway from 6 to 14 August. Left to right: Capt Dougie le Roux, 3 Parachute Battalion, L Cpl T. M. Myeko, Cape Town Highlanders, AB Dumisani Mhlanga, SA Naval

Reserve and 2 Lt Edward Murray, Cape Town Highlanders


Sea Cadets in

2009 WorldMaritime Day– By Lt (SAN) Glenn von Zeil, SA Naval ReservePhotographs: Lt (SAN) Glenn von Zeil, SA NavalReserve

Sea Cadets from TA Woltemade were

amongst learners from four Cape Town

schools who attended and participated in

the Department of Transport’s 2009 World

Maritime Day programme.

The Sea Cadets silent drill squad, coached by

WO II Smiley Abrahams, welcomed the Acting

Director-General Department of Transport, Mr

George Mahlalela, at the opening of the

proceedings and presented a TS Woltemade

ship’s badge to commemorate the event.

The theme of the event was “Climate Change”

and various speakers, including the CEO of the

South African Maritime Safety Authority

(SAMSA), Cdr Tsietsi Mokhele, emphasised that

South Africa should be expanding its maritime

economy and that should human behaviour not

change, this would impact on future generations.

Mr Sanjay Govan, MD of the Port of Cape Town

spoke on behalf of the International Maritime

Organisation (IMO) and clearly indicated to all

delegates that the increase in global

temperatures would have a definite impact on

the sea and sea levels, which in turn would have

an impact both on maritime and costal

economies. One hundred and fifty years of

industrialisation had gradually affected the earth

LS Jooste, TS Woltemade, presents a ship’s badge toActing Director- General of Department of Transport, Mr

George Mahlalela, on behalf of the Sea Cadets organisation

Sea Cadets from TS Woltemade, Acting Director-General of Department of Transport,

Mr George Mahlalela, and Officer Commanding Cdr Philip Miller

OC TS Woltemade, Cdr Philip Miller and Acting Director-General of Department of Transport, Mr George Mahlalela,

at the Sea Cadets stall during World Maritime Day


and, like a giant oil tanker, its course needed to

be corrected.

He encouraged delegates to face the facts, to

take tough decisions for the future, to act in

unison and to put life ahead of lifestyle. He also

encouraged thinking citizens to place pressure

on Ministers and Heads of State to ensure that

governments were held to account.

Mr George Mahlalela acknowledged the Sea

Cadets and other learners and praised those

schools and youth organisations that were

providing positive opportunities for future

maritime leaders. He encouraged those present

to turn their institutions into pockets of excellence

and appealed for a national co-ordinated effort to

ensure that the lessons learned were rolled out

elsewhere.

The various maritime and Department of

Transport stalls provided an opportunity for the

youth to network and see what opportunities are

available in the future.

Four maritime schools and organisations

participated in a practical model boat building

competition. Thandukulu High School was

judged first, TS Woltemade Sea Cadets second,

Simon’s Town High School third and Linden High

School fourth.

The event highlighted that there was a role for

the Sea Cadets organisation, with the support of

the SA Navy and other stakeholders, to continue

to develop young people for careers in the

maritime field. Furthermore, the vision of

providing practical and accredited training

towards a career was becoming a necessity to

meet the growing need for appropriate skills. We

are investing in the leaders of tomorrow.

TS Woltemade Silent Drill Squad with Tug Smit Amandla in the background during

World Maritime Day celebrations

TS Woltemade Silent Drill Squad go through their routine with only a drum beat for direction

watched by fellow learners from participating maritime schools

LS C. Sanders, LS Z. Gatab and Sea J. September of TSWoltemade received their certificates as runners up in the

practical boat building competition


remaining crew members encouraged their

team-mates between each crew change-over

and busied themselves around the “skottel”.

This was yet another excellent opportunity to

build esprit de corps, especially between the

Regular and Reserve members, and to have fun

at the same time.

Isivunguvungu won the Laser class, whilst the

SA Navy team was placed 3rd and the SA Naval

Reserve team 19th in a field of 26. The young

men from the Isivunguvungu sailing academy in

Simon’s Town definitely did their instructors

proud!

Well done to the Isivunguvungu crew, their win

was well deserved! And to the Naval Reserve

Team, for showing that they were still up to a

sailing challenge, considering that the average

age of the team was 50 years!

The MAC 12 hour

Sailing Challenge– By Lt Glenn von Zeil, SA Naval ReservePhotographs: PO Leon Fourie

The SA Navy entered two teams as well as

an Isivunguvungu team in the MAC 12

hour sailing challenge at Rietvlei Dam

hosted by the Milnerton Aquatic Club.

Isivunguvungu is a team consisting of under

privileged / street kids who are training at

Simon’s Town.

Like the MAC 24 Hour challenge, the MAC 12 is

an endurance race in which a team takes part;

however it is shorter in duration and confined to

only the following three classes of boats:

• Lasers

• Dabchicks

• Extras

The race started at 06h30, with light to moderate

winds driving the boats towards the finishing line

by18h30.

Whilst those on the water battled it out, the


MedicalBatalion Group

From as far back as 1998, the reservists of 7

Med Bn Gp have played an indispensable role in

significantly enhancing the operational capability

of the CBRD Wing. These members were

originally drawn from 7 Med Bn Gp. They were

part of the CBRD Wing contingent when a

demonstration for the then State President, the

Honourable Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, was held on

6 January 09 at Protechnik Laboratories.

The Chemical Biological Radiation Defence

(CBRD) Wing of 7 Med Bn Gp is unique

and specialised. It is responsible for the

professional training of SANDF personnel from

various services, as well as approved clientele, in

chemical, biological and radiation defence. The

CBRD Wing depends predominantly on their

Reserve members.

– By: Maj J.F. Makhubela, Acting Wing Commander

7

Honourable President Motlanthe


Confederations Cup, and 28 Reserve members

were part of the selected team of members.

Some of the members were deployed at the

Sandton Fire Station while other members were

on standby at the unit.

The CBRD Wing was on standby during the

inauguration of the President on 9 May 2009 and

held a demonstration for the World Health

Organization on 19 June 2009.

The CBRD Wing was on standby for the FIFA

The first deployment on their way to Sandton Fire Station


sacrifices and contributions of these men and

women are not without significance and are

much appreciated.

A joint working CBR team was established in

collaboration with other government agencies.

Some of the Reserve members had to forfeit

their leave to make the tour of duty. The

Morale boosting –“braai” during the Confederations Cup

Brig Gen Liebenberg with senior SAPS officers during aChemical and Biological demonstration


EMS, Port Elizabeth EMS, the Gauteng National

Department of Health, SAPS Explosives unit and

Durban Fire Department. The exercises were a

huge success and created awareness of the SA

National Defence Force among civilian

members.

During 2009 three exercises were held. They

were mainly joint training exercises and none of

the decontamination stations would have

functioned optimally without the participation of

the Reserve members. It was also an opportunity

for collaboration with different governmental

agencies such as the Tshwane EMS, Ekurhuleni

CB members and the Durban fire team at NECSA during Exercise Wayside 03

Hard at work during the decontamination process involved contamination with simulations for radioactive materials at NECSA

component that is keen to face challenges head

on, and their support service rendered is highly

appreciated.

7 Med Bn Gp is proud of their very

energetic and young Reserve


Exercise

REVELATION II

The leadership continuation training

exercise, Revelation II, was held at Touws

River Training Area over the period 13 to

28 February 2010.

Under the command of Maj Johann Boshoff, the

three kilometre convoy of ever so tetragon and

menacing looking vehicles, departed for the 185

km trip to the Touws River Training Area, along

with the shouts and barks of fervent non

commissioned officers ready to pursue two

weeks of training, dry runs and live attacks. The

keen contingent of Reserves was anxious to test

and demonstrate their skills and abilities.

Exercise Revelation II, a conventional exercise,

was led by Lt Col Ray Nesset, the Battalion

Commander for the exercise, and his very

proficient Second in Command, Captain John

Ecclestone.

The advance team devotedly prepared each

unit’s base camp, comprising of all the essential

structures required to establish a contemporary

military encampment.

Medical Task Group One from 3 Medical

Battalion Group Western Cape, comprising of

eight Mfezi armoured ambulances and a variety

of other vehicles ranging from logistic vehicles to

normal road ambulances had the privilege of

assisting Cape Town Highlanders, Cape Town

Rifles, Regiment Western Provincie, 3 Parachute

Battalion and Department Of Defence School of

– By Capt D. Barnard Med Task Group Commander, 3 Med Bn Gp

Left to right, back row: Sgt K. Fredericks, L Cpl N Nel, Capt D Barnard (TG Comdr), L Cpl R Muller

Front row: L Cpl G Motopheng sg, Sgt J.J. West and Sgt F Huisamen


Logistic Training with medical support for the

duration of the exercise.

Medical Task Group One based at Verkeerdevlei

prepared in expectation of possible injuries that

go hand in hand with exercises of this nature.

A Level One Medical Facility was in operation

and had the potential of a very modern hospital,

whilst the living quarters consisting of mostly two

man chopper tents was also very prominent.

Operational emergency care practitioners and

basic ambulance assistants each with their

necessary vehicles were deployed with the

various units participating in the Exercise.

The first week of the exercise was devoted to

training and re-training in various military and

crime prevention skills, ranging from road block

orientation and implementation, urban house

clearing and infiltration, walking patrols, to the

firing of various weapons during live ammunition

exercises, culminating in a first light, and

complete Battalion attack on the morning of the

final day. This was witnessed by very impressed

VIPs from various institutions.


Injuries were minimal during the entire exercise

and apart from a few bruises and the occasional

insect bite the training week was plausibly

without incident. The Level One facility did,

however, treat the normal daily ailments, ranging

from influenza to sunburn. The various units

were also re-introduced by the medical

personnel to buddy aid and were lectured on the

importance of personal hygiene and procedures

following snake or spider bite.

With the airborne assistance of the SAAF, the

exercise was privileged to have two BK117

helicopters (manned by crew from 15 squadron

Charlie flight Port Elizabeth). The Battalion

Headquarters observed a very realistic air patient

evacuation executed by Capt Khuliso Tshiololi

(pilot), Lt Johan Van Staden (pilot), F Sgt Vivian

Mattheus (flight eng) Sgt Frankie Pearce (flight

eng), Sgt Luthando Matross (avion electrician)

and L Cpl Stoffel Skomere (tech asst).

The simulated casualties were handled by the

skilful staff of the Level 1 facility, with WOI John

Tuck as the first simulated casualty of war

followed by three more equally mangled less


fortunate souls who were quickly stabilised and

sent on their way.

A special thank you to Lt Col Uys Van Der

Westhuijzen – the self proclaimed esteemed

leader of the enemy, who on more than one

occasion created untold panic and

pandemonium with his nightly discharges of stun

grenades and keeping the need steady vigilance

in the Battalion Headquarters, for hours on end.

The Battalion was also accredited for capturing

numerous POW’s with special credit for the

humanizing abilities of the intelligence

community that so skilfully alleviated the

situation.

During the last parade of the exercise Lt Col Ray

Nesset, thanked all personnel for their

participation and diligence. Subsequently it was

time to pack up and return to our mundane lives

as businessmen, plumbers, teachers etc.

Already beginning to miss the hard ground and

the dust, the convoy embarked on the long and

winding road back to Cape Town.


Newly AppointedReserve ForceChaplain– By Ms P. Mafenya, Communication and Liaison Administrator

In November 2009 Col Rweqana retired and

Cpln Mothopeng was appointed as the acting

Senior Staff Officer Reserve Force Chaplain.

In February 2010 Cpln M.A. Mothopeng was

promoted to the rank of Colonel and officially

appointed as Senior Staff Officer Reserve Force

Chaplain in.

Col Mothopeng accepted her post and the

promotion with joy and courage. She is a very

dedicated and hard-working person, originally

from Potchefstroom in the North West province.

She matriculated at Botoka comprehensive High

School in 1993 and was ordained as a minister in

2001 in Mamelodi West.

She has the following qualifications:

Diploma in Literature obtained in 1997 from

Pretoria University.

Diploma in Theology obtained in 2002 from

Pretoria University.

BA Hons Theology, specialising in the New

Testament, obtained in 2002 at Pretoria

University.

Computer course (MS Word, Excel, and Outlook)

obtained in 2002 from Ithute Tswelopele.

Col Mothopeng was appointed to the SANDF

Chaplaincy in 2002 and worked at the Air Force

Gymnasium. She was then transferred to SA Air

Force College in 2006, where she worked until

she was promoted to her current post.

From February – July 2004 Col Mothopeng was

the first female chaplain deployed in Burundi on

a peacekeeping mission.

She has successfully completed the following

military courses:

• Basic Training-AF Gym – 2002

• Officer Formative-SAAF College – 2002

• CHATSEC Facilitators course – 2003

• Peace support course presented by the

Canadian Defence Force – 2003

• Health care workers course – 2004

• Chaplains Operations course-

Oberammergau, Germany – 2006

• Life Maps and Memory Boxes course-

University of North West – 2006

• Junior Command and Staff course-SAAF

College – 2007

• Trauma counselling-Unisa – 2009

Col Mothopeng is very passionate about her

work and learns fast. She is the kind of person

you can rely on and is always willing to assist

where and when she can. It is a pleasure to work

with her because we are always learning and

laughing when around her.

We wish her all the best with her new

appointment and trust that she will deliver as

expected of her.


Motivation:

Success ThroughEndurance– By Chaplain O.I. Tau, 93 Ammunition Depot

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and

courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for

the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

(Joshua 1:9)”.

Courage is builf from an individual's endurance

through tough times, where there is uncertainty

and lack of confidence (which is also the end

result of the fear of not having a clue as to how

to deal with challenges ahead), especially if you

have to deal with situations which might end up

causing you more pain than happiness. We need

to know that our strength should be drawn from

the spoken word of God, who is the author and

finisher of our faith, which is the substance of

things hoped for, and evidence of things not

seen.

The following P's will strengthen us in knowing

that we need to endure at all times:

• Proper Planning and Preparation (through

God's guidance)

• Produces Powerful,

• Perfect and Progressive Peace and

Prosperity to every human being who keeps

his/her focus in what the Lord says.

Closing: Quote from the book: The Greatest

Salesman by OG Mandino

• “Today I begin a new life, today I shed my old

skin which hath, too long, suffered bruises of

failure and the wounds of mediocrity. Today I

am born anew and my birthplace is a

vineyard where there is fruit for all. Today I

will pluck grapes of wisdom from the tallest

and fullest vines in the vineyard, for these

were planted by the wisest of my profession

who have come before me, generation upon

generation. Today I will savour the taste of

grapes from these vines and verily I’ll swallow

the seed of success buried in each and new

life will sprout within me…yet I’ll not fail, as

others, for in my hands I now hold the charts

which will guide me through perilous waters

to shores which only yesterday seemed but a

dream.”

• For us not to tremble at any kind of situation

that we might encounter, we need to know

that The Lord our God will be omnipresent.

Be strong and courageous at all times, the

Lord’s grace is sufficient for you and He will

never put you where His grace will not reach

you. Stand up; shake off all the fear, for the

good Lord has commanded you to be strong

and courageous.

\Ç `xÅÉÜ|âÅO

n 4 August 2010 Rfn L. P. Zama of Durban Light Infantry

passed away while she was giving evidence to the

Parliamentary Committee on Defence.

We express our condolences to her family and next of

kin on this tragic loss.

Profile of a

Reserve Force MemberThe SANDF Reserve Force member could be described as someone:� Who is loyal to the Republic of South Africa

� Who is prepared to serve and add value to his/her country and its people in being simultaneously

a fulltime citizen and a professional soldier

� With a passion for defence imperatives and who is prepared to unselfishly give him/herself to the

organisation

� Who desires to enhance the image and contribute to the pride and effectiveness of the SANDF

� Who understands the country’s priorities in terms of safety and security

� Who understands government’s imperatives in terms of a cost-effective Reserve capacity

� Who understands that the Republic of South Africa’s wellbeing, growth and success depends on

a secure environment and that a highly effective defence force will provide a competitive

advantage

� Who understands that business cannot operate successfully in an insecure environment, therefore

he or she has a contribution to make

� Who understands the value of international investment and how a secure environment will

enhance investments and consequently the wellbeing and growth of our country

� Who is constructive and not just a consumer

� Who is driven by the love for and needs of his/her country

� Who pursues the advantages to the country, rather than to him or herself

– Anon

sandf reserve force 2010the mac 12 hour sailing challenge 56 – lt (san) glenn von zeil samhs 7...

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