|
News and Views
 12 November 2009. SANDF member shot during training. An SANDF Corporal died after being accidentally shot during a training exercise in Oudtshoorn on 12 November at 9.35am. Corporal Tuis Dimakatso Malitisi, 36, of Regiment Christiaan Beyers in Polokwane was killed during crowd control training at Kansas Vlakte in Oudtshoorn. He was evacuated to Oudtshoorn provincial hospital but was declared dead on arrival. 04 November 2009. Two SANDF members die in parachute incident. Rifleman John Mpshe, 23, from Brits in the North West, and Rifleman Thabang Mokoena, 22, from Wepener in the Free States lost their lives while they were undergoing scheduled static-line parachute training as part of their final phase of qualifying them as paratroopers. Both were members of 44 Parachute Regiment based at Tempe, in Bloemfontein. 25, 26 October 2009. the SADF Wall of Remembrance. On Sunday 25 October I attended the unveiling of the SADF Wall of Remembrance at the Voortrekker Monument. My first thought was how this compared to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington. That one is stark, but effective, this one is formal and sorrowful. I found my company mates, and I reached out to touch their names, it was a sombre and sad moment. The ceremony was slick and VTM can pat themselves on the back for their organisation and the way the whole ceremony was handled. This is a place of contemplation though, and I returned long after the ceremony was ended and paused once again to look at the wreaths and those names once again. I stopped to talk to an ex serviceman who had lost a friend, and his pain was my pain. We came back, they stayed behind. Perpetually young. Many next of kin of those who died were present too, children when their brothers or fathers died, parents who lost a son, wives who lost a husband. A microcosm of society that has never really come to terms with the border war. Ex-servicemen, old soldiers, veterans associations, political parties, all were there. At that moment in time we all had the same ideal. I was also pleased to see a sizeable contingent of 32 Battalion members, there because their Tree of Honour has found a home. I felt a sense of pride amongst them, and as a humble rifleman I realised that their comradeship was different to ours, it went on long after we had gone home. Pics are available at 26, 27 August 2009. An Army goes on strike. These past few days have seen some very shocking behaviour by members of the SANDF who went on the rampage at the Union Buildings about salary. 3000 "soldiers" were suspended according to reports on the radio. I am pretty sure I know how any other ex-servicemen feel about this. In our day you would have been arrested, court martialed and locked away. No questions asked apart from the usual "NommerRangNaam?" How can any country have an "army" that has a trade union? and, how can any country have an army that goes on strike? Its pretty easy, if you don't like the pay you shouldn't have joined! I cannot remember what we earned when I was an NSM in 1980/81, I seem to recall R1 (or R1.50 or R2) a day was given to us as a monthly allowance and we must have earned roughly R100 a month on top of that before deductions. Ok, granted a litre of milk costs R9.99 in August 2009, but it is still no excuse to behave like a bunch of taxi drivers protesting about the BRT! I sincerely hope that the authorities come down heavily on this bunch of clowns, they bring disgrace to our armed forces, they disgrace those who died during the course of being soldiers and they bring their uniform, country and themselves into disrepute. I have always tried to understand the change from SADF to SANDF, but its pretty obvious, the book on military law, discipline and accountability was thrown away, along with all the records of who was lost in the Border War. Heaven help us if we ever get invaded. 16 August 2009. Border Boy Parade. Today I attended the Border Boys Parade held at the GEM Village in Irene. This is the first parade I have ever attended since I left the SADF all those years ago, and I felt strange, because many years ago my father had always attended these parades as a member of the MOTHS, but the MOTHS turned us away when we came back from the border. Now we have to carry this tradition forward ourselves, not only for those of our comrades that we left behind, but also for the military veterans of the First and Second World Wars. I was also privileged to see the banner for 61 Mech Bn Grp, and I was proud of my former unit, and those who carried it onto parade. For photographs of the parade please go to The Border Boys Parade page. While I was in the area I also visited the SADF memorial at Fort Klapperkop and saw the names... so many names.
May 2009. 3 Lives lost in helicopter crash. Three South African Air Force (SAAF) members were killed when their Agusta A109 helicopter crashed into the Woodstock Dam, in the upper Tugela area, during a training flight in Dragon's Peak Park on Tuesday 12 May 2009. They were:
Captain Bongani Mdluli, (34)
Lieutenant Simon Baloyi (27) Flight Sergeant Mone Zuidmeer.(32) 19 With A Bullet, A South African Paratrooper in Angola. by Granger Korff. This was one book that just popped onto the shelves and that interested me a lot. The author did his national service in 1980/81, at the same time as I did and was a member of 1 Parachute Battalion. He served in Ops Protea and Ops Daisy and there were references to 61 Mech in the book, although its never mentioned by name. Strangely enough I suspect his company was one that our company had a minor skirmish with after one of the ops. It was an interesting read, especially as it related to the parabat participation in Protea and Daisy, and its very well written with little to fault it regarding terminology or equipment. Unfortunately, the natural dislike of the infantryman for the parabat does come through, and having encounterered "bats" on the border (possibly the same ones mentioned in the book) I do recall that dislike between the 2 sides. Still, its a great addition to the collection, cost just under R200 and is published by 30 Degrees South Publishers.  The Border War officially ended 20 years ago. The South African National Military Museum (aka The War Museum), in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, will host a special exhibition from 03 to 05 April 2009 to commemorate the war and those who participated. Gen. Jannie Geldenhuys will speak about the war on Sunday 05 April. Beeld (Afrikaans daily newspaper) and the museum have joined forces to create the photo exhibition in the Delville Wood Hall. You can send your photos, and story, to Beeld at mystorie@beeld.com Each photo should include date, place, a description of what the photo depicts, names of those in photo, unit, and any contact details. Postscript. Frankly the exhibition was a disappointment, it happened at the same time as some hunting and weaponry show and it was totally left out by the organisers. I dont think 90% of the people there were even aware of the exhibition. I only saw 1 folded out display stand and the bimbo's in pink cammo, 4x4's and hunting paraphenalia put me off. If I hadnt had other business at the museum I would have turned away and not even wasted my time. The only saving grace was the arrival of a stripped down Dakota that had been stuck on the Oxford Road offramp for 2 hours. 
My latest book acquisition is called "On The Border. The White South African Military Experience. 1965-1990" by David Williams. Published by Tafelberg 2008. I did find this book an interesting read as it covered a number of aspects about the whole military experience of the SADF, however, I did spot a number of really stupid errors in it which soured the read. Overall as a general type overview book it is great and I do recommend it, but its not the sort of book you would use as a in depth research work. I have seen it at Exclusive Books and CNA, and it is available in Afrikaans, priced at R154.00 
25 August 2008 was supposed to be yet another ordinary day, but while browsing a local newspaper I discovered that it was 20 years to the week since the End Conscription Campaign was banned. The ECC was formed to basically show the middle finger to the whole national service system that was in force at the time. The article is very interesting as it does tell a story that I am not totally aware of, and of an organisation that was not around when I did national service in 80/81 and which was surpressed by the government at the time. I cannot say I know how to react to the article, I can however say with hindsight that I do admire the courage of conviction shown by these guys that stood up to the system, but at the time when I was an NSM chances are I would have had a different opinion. The one odd thing I did see was how many of these guys mentioned are still around in the country. I do know that they did miss out on many of the things that were positive about national service, but the irony is that the affirmative action policies of today exclude them by virtue of their race and gender from the very things they stood up for. On a sad note, I heard that Colyn Brookes, the driving force behind the Military Burials in South Africa Project. passed away in July of this year (2008). Sadly his work will in all likelihood come to a halt and we have lost yet another keeper of the knowledge of our past. I have not seen any indication as to what will happen with the project but I know that his contribution to the record of war graves in South Africa will be sorely missed. Rest in peace Colyn, and thanks for bringing so many soldiers back home. I found another new arrival on the military book scene. "A Secret Burden. Memories of the Border War by South African Soldiers who fought in it." is a collection of writings and poetry that was collected by Karen Batley, with Ian Liebenberg, Carol Allais and Tienie Du Plessis. This collection was built up following a request by the editor, Karen Batley, for poetry and writings from the Border War. Its a strange collection of writing and much of it will strike a chord with many ex soldiers, by its simplicity and depth. Published by Jonathan Ball in 2007, I have not seen this book at too many sources yet, but I am sure it will become a "must have" in short order.  October 2007. Training accident costs 9 lives. A training accident during the SANDF's Exercise Seboka, has cost the lives of 9 soldiers and left 14 wounded. Reports say that a 35mm MK5 anti aircraft gun went out of control during the exercise where almost 5,000 soldiers, including 18 SA Army units and various units from the SA Air Force, SA Navy and the SA Military Health service, were taking part. The soldiers were:
Sergeant John Bezuidenhout, 30,
Bombardier Khangeziwe Malaza, 24, Gunner Rhulani Mtileni, 23, Gunner Thapelo Nkwana, 21, Gunner Sammuel Nyembe, 22, Gunner Botse Seipato, 21, Gunner Emmah Mthimunye, 20, Gunner Sebenzile Nhlabathi, 20, and Gunner Rudzani Siphuma, 21. July 2007. 61 Mechanised Battalion Group reunion. According to a number of sources, plans are underway to hold a reunion of past members of 61 Mechanised Battalion Group. The reunion is touted to be held in early 2008, at an undecided location, with a planning meeting scheduled to be held in August of 2007. This may be a momentous renunion and a special 61 Mech website is apparently being set up somewhere. Lets hope it happens. A new arrival on the military book scene is well worth the trouble. "An Unpopular War, from Afkak to Bosbefok" by JH Thomson hit the shelves and its excellent. Aptly described as "Voices of South African National Servicemen", it will strike a chord with every Weerman, Skutter, NDP or CF that served in the old SADF. Published by Zebra Press in 2006 its well worth the money. It has also been translated into Afrikaans and is available at most bookshops. 
Also worth getting is "At Thy Call We Did Not Falter" by Clive Holt. The blurb reads "A frontline account of the 1988 Angolan war, as seen through the eyes of a conscripted soldier. 
I have also had queries regarding the Vini Vidi Vici motto as portrayed above, unfortunately this should read Veni Vidi Vici, however, when it was first designed in 1981, the designer who did it was not aware of the incorrectness of what he wrote and as such it was accepted by the powers that be and finally adopted and printed on T shirts etc. It is much too late now to ever correct it, and as such will go down as one of those things that happened at the time. I am also pleased to see that we have finally our own war graves project on the go, this is a long long overdue effort and well worth the visit, please assist where you can and help to preserve the memories of our lost soldiers.  Sadly, with the death of Colyn Brookes the Military Burials in South Africa Project has been closed down. Sadly though, the many lost National Servicemen will not be remembered at the so called "Freedom Park." An article at News24 dated 18 Dec 2006 quoted Mongane Wally Serote, CEO of the Freedom Park Foundation as saying; "they don't deserve it because they didn't die for freedom and human dignity. Responding to an article in the Sunday Times, Serote said the Cubans who died in Angola would be honoured." Guess who deserves a toffee? As I feared, the concept is yet another farce and its laughable that the ideal has been warped and twisted to suit political ideals. And, as for it being a world's number one... its going to be the world's number one place of shame. I hope they have a spot reserved there for Robert Mugabe.... Remember guys, its up to those of us left behind to remember our friends and fellow soldiers. |
