List of South African military chiefs
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This article lists the South African military chiefs. From 1958 until the first democratic general election in 1994, the present-day South African National Defence Force was known as the South African Defence Force. From 1912 to 1958, the South African military was known as the Union Defence Force.
In terms of section 202(1) of the Constitution of South Africa, the military command of the Defence Force consists of[1] the Chief of the Defence Force plus the Chiefs of the combat arms (Army, Air Force and Navy) as well as
- the Surgeon-General of the South African Military Health Service;
- the Chief of Joint Operations of the Defence Force;
- the Chief of Defence Intelligence;
- the Chief of Human Resources; and
- the Chief of Logistics.
Head of the Defence Force
[edit]The Defence Force consists of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Medical Service (which was renamed Military Health Service in 1998). The Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is the senior military commander and the chiefs of the four services, in addition to the chiefs of Joint Operations, Defence Intelligence, and Corporate Staff, report to him.[2] As of September 2018[update] the Chief of the SANDF is General Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS.
Chief of the UDF
[edit]The Union Defence Force (UDF) consisted initially of land forces. An aviation corps was formed in 1915 and replaced by the South African Air Force in 1920. A naval branch was added in 1922, and the South African Division of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was incorporated into it in 1942.
In 1951, the defence forces were reorganised into three distinct combat services: the South African Army, the South African Air Force, and the South African Navy. The organisation was renamed "South African Defence Force" in 1958.
The UDF had no overall commander for the first nine and a half years. From January 1922, the Chief of the General Staff, previously responsible only for the Defence Headquarters staff, was the executive commander of the UDF. The title was changed to 'Commandant General UDF' in September 1956.
| No. | Portrait | Chief of the UDF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Major General Andries Brink CBE, DTD, DSO (1877–1947) | 1 October 1922 | 1 May 1933 | 10 years, 212 days |  South African Army | — | |
| 2 | General Sir Pierre van Ryneveld KBE, CB, DSO, MC (1891–1972) | 2 May 1933 | 1 May 1949 | 15 years, 364 days |  South African Air Force | [3] | |
| 3 | Lieutenant General Leonard Beyers (1894–1959) | 2 May 1949 | 15 March 1950 | 317 days | South African Army | — | |
| 4 | Lieutenant General Christiaan du Toit DSO (1901–1982) | 16 March 1950 | 22 September 1956 | 6 years, 190 days | South African Army | — | |
| 5 | General Hendrik Klopper DSO (1903–1977) | 23 September 1956 | 24 September 1958 | 2 years, 1 day | South African Army | — | |
| 6 | General Stephen Melville SSA, OBE (1904–1977) | 25 September 1958 | 31 October 1958 | 36 days |  South African Air Force | — |
Chief of the SADF
[edit]The UDF was renamed 'South African Defence Force' in November 1958.[4] The Commandant General's title was then changed to 'Commandant General SADF'. It was changed to 'Chief of the SADF' in July 1973, after Admiral Hugo Biermann assumed the post the year before. After South Africa's first democratic election, the South African Defence Force (SADF) became the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
| No. | Portrait | Chief of the SADF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Stephen Melville SSA, OBE (1904–1977) | 1 November 1958 | 31 December 1960 | 2 years, 60 days | South African Air Force | — | |
| 2 | General Pieter Grobbelaar SSA, DSO (1908–1988) | 1 January 1961 | 31 December 1965 | 4 years, 364 days | South African Army | — | |
| 3 | General Rudolph Hiemstra SSA, SM (1912–2007) | 1 January 1966 | 31 March 1972 | 6 years, 90 days | South African Air Force | — | |
| 4 | Admiral Hugo Biermann SSA, SD, OBE, GCIH (1916–2012) | 1 April 1972 | 31 August 1976 | 4 years, 152 days |  South African Navy | — | |
| 5 | General Magnus Malan SSA, OMSG, SD, SM (1930–2011) | 1 September 1976 | 6 October 1980 | 4 years, 35 days |  South African Army | — | |
| 6 | General Constand Viljoen SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, ORB (1933–2020) | 7 October 1980 | 30 October 1985 | 5 years, 23 days | South African Army | [5] | |
| 7 | General Johannes Geldenhuys SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, GCIH, ORB (1935–2018) | 1 November 1985 | 31 October 1990 | 4 years, 364 days | South African Army | — | |
| 8 | General Andreas Liebenberg SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, MMM (1938–1998) | 1 November 1990 | 31 October 1993 | 2 years, 364 days | South African Army | — | |
| 9 | General Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, ORB (1939–2024) | 1 November 1993 | 30 April 1994 | 180 days | South African Army | — |
Chief of the SANDF
[edit]The SADF amalgamated with the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), and the homeland defence forces to form the South African National Defence Force in 1994. The SANDF was based on the existing SADF structure of Army, Air Force, Navy, and Medical Service (which was renamed Military Health Service in 1998).
| No. | Portrait | Chief of the SANDF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, ORB (1939–2024) | 27 April 1994 | 31 May 1998 | 4 years, 34 days |  South African Army | — | |
| 2 | General Siphiwe Nyanda SSA, SBS, CLS, DMG, MMS, MMM (born 1950) | 1 June 1998 | 31 May 2005 | 6 years, 364 days | South African Army | — | |
| 3 | General Godfrey Ngwenya SBG, DMG, MMS, LOM (USA) (born 1950) | 1 June 2005 | 1 May 2011 | 5 years, 334 days | South African Army | — | |
| 4 | General Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS (born 1956) | 2 May 2011 | 30 May 2021 | 10 years, 28 days | South African Army | [6] | |
| 5 | General Rudzani Maphwanya SM, MMM (born 1960) | 1 June 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 150 days | South African Army | [7] |
Chiefs of the South African military | |
|---|---|
| Chief of the UDF 1912 – 1957 .svg){kind=small} | |
| Commandant General of the SADF 1958 – 1973 .svg){kind=small} | |
| Chief of the SADF 1973 – 1994 | |
| Chief of the SANDF 1994 – present  | |
Chief of the Army
[edit]The Chief of the South African Army is the professional head of the Army. There was no separate army commander until 1948. The post was called 'Director-General of Land Forces'[8] 1948–51 and 'Army Chief of Staff' 1951–66, and has been 'Chief of the Army' since 1966.
| No. | Portrait | Chief of the Army | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigadier Christiaan du Toit DSO (1901–1982) | 10 November 1948 | 15 March 1950 | 1 year, 125 days | [9]: 92 [8] | |
| 2 | Brigadier Hendrik Klopper DSO (1903–1977) | 16 March 1950 | 30 April 1953 | 3 years, 45 days | [9]: 94 | |
| 3 | Major General Pieter Grobbelaar SSA, DSO (1908–1988) | 1 May 1953 | 24 September 1958 | 5 years, 146 days | [9]: 93 | |
| 4 | Major General Nick Bierman SSA, SM, CBE (1910–1977) | 25 September 1958 | 31 October 1959 | 1 year, 36 days | [9]: 89 | |
| 5 | Major General Sybrand Engelbrecht SM (1913–1994) | 1 November 1959 | 3 March 1963 | 3 years, 122 days | [9]: 92 | |
| 6 | Major General Petrus Jacobs SSA, SM (1910–1967) | 4 March 1963 | 31 December 1965 | 2 years, 302 days | [9]: 93 | |
| 7 | Lieutenant General Charles 'Pop' Fraser SSA, SM (1915–1994) | 1 January 1966 | 30 November 1967 | 1 year, 333 days | [9]: 92 | |
| 8 | Lieutenant General Willem Louw SSA, SM (1920–1980) | 1 December 1967 | 30 June 1973 | 5 years, 211 days | [9]: 94 | |
| 9 | Lieutenant General Magnus Malan SSA, OMSG, SD, SM (1930–2011) | 1 July 1973 | 31 August 1976 | 3 years, 61 days | [9]: 95 | |
| 10 | Lieutenant General Constand Viljoen SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, ORB (1933–2020) | 1 September 1976 | 6 October 1980 | 4 years, 30 days | — | |
| 11 | Lieutenant General Johannes Geldenhuys SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, GCIH, ORB (1935–2018) | 7 October 1980 | 30 October 1985 | 5 years, 23 days | [9]: 92 | |
| 12 | Lieutenant General Andreas Liebenberg SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, MMM (1938–1998) | 1 November 1985 | 28 February 1990 | 4 years, 119 days | — | |
| 13 | Lieutenant General Georg Meiring SSA, SD, SM, MMM, ORB (1939–2024) | 1 March 1990 | 31 October 1993 | 3 years, 244 days | — | |
| 14 | Lieutenant General Hattingh Pretorius SD, SM, MMM (1942–2008) | 1 November 1993 | 31 December 1994 | 1 year, 60 days | — | |
| 15 | Lieutenant General Reginald Otto SD & Bar, SM, MMM (1943–2022) | 1 January 1995 | 30 June 1998 | 3 years, 180 days | — | |
| 16 | Lieutenant General Gilbert Ramano SSAS, SD, MMS, MMM, MMB (born 1939) | 1 July 1998 | 31 May 2004 | 5 years, 335 days | — | |
| 17 | Lieutenant General Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS (born 1956) | 1 June 2004 | 1 May 2011 | 6 years, 334 days | — | |
| 18 | Lieutenant General Vusumuzi Masondo MMM (born 1957) | 1 October 2011 | 31 January 2016 | 4 years, 122 days | [10] | |
| 19 | Lieutenant General Lindile Yam (born 1960) | 1 February 2016 | 31 October 2019 | 3 years, 272 days | [11] | |
| 20 | Lieutenant General Thabiso Mokhosi (c. 1968–2019) | 1 November 2019 | 10 December 2019 † | 39 days | [12][13][14][non-primary source needed][15] | |
| 21 | Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha (born 1968) | 9 April 2020 | Incumbent | 4 years, 203 days | [16] |
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Lieutenant General Werndly van der Riet[9]: 98 and Major General Mannetjies de Goede[12] spent some time acting as Chief of the Army.
Chiefs of the South African Army | ||
|---|---|---|
| Director-General of Land Forces |  | |
| Army Chief of Staff | ||
| Chief of the Army | ||
Chief of the Air Force
[edit]The Chief of the South African Air Force is the professional head of the Air Force. The post was called 'Director of Air Services' 1920–33, 'Director of Air & Technical Services' 1937–39, 'Director-General of Air Services' 1939–41, 'Director-General of the Air Force' 1941–51, and 'Air Chief of Staff' 1951–66, and has been 'Chief of the Air Force' since 1966.
| No. | Portrait | Chief of the Air Force | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colonel Sir Pierre van Ryneveld KBE, CB, DSO, MC (1891–1972) | 1 February 1920 | 30 September 1937 | 17 years, 241 days | [17] | |
| 2 | Colonel Francis Hoare CB, CBE (1879–1959) | 1 October 1937 | 31 October 1937 | 30 days | — | |
| 3 | Lieutenant Colonel Hector Daniel CBE, MC, AFC (1898–1953) | 1 November 1937 | 12 September 1939 | 2 years, 41 days | — | |
| 4 | Colonel John Holthouse OBE (1891–1964) | 13 September 1939 | 30 September 1940 | 1 year, 17 days | — | |
| 5 | Major General Christoffel Venter CB, DFC & bar (1892–1977) | 1 October 1940 | 16 October 1945 | 5 years, 15 days | — | |
| 6 | Brigadier Harold Willmott CBE (1899–1993) | 17 October 1945 | 10 September 1946 | 328 days | — | |
| 7 | Brigadier James 'Jimmy' Durrant CB, DFC (1913–1990) | 1 October 1946 | 30 June 1951 | 4 years, 272 days | — | |
| (6) | Brigadier Harold Willmott CBE (1899–1993) | 1 July 1951 | 24 August 1954 | 3 years, 54 days | — | |
| 8 | Brigadier Stephen Melville SSA, OBE (1904–1977) | 25 August 1954 | 22 September 1956 | 2 years, 28 days | — | |
| 9 | Major General Barend Viljoen SSA, OBE (1908–1995) | 23 September 1956 | 30 April 1965 | 8 years, 219 days | — | |
| 10 | Lieutenant General Henry 'Kalfie' Martin SM, CBE, DFC (1910–2000) | 1 May 1965 | 30 November 1967 | 2 years, 213 days | — | |
| 11 | Lieutenant General Jacobus Verster SSA, SM (1919–1981) | 1 December 1967 | 28 February 1975 | 7 years, 89 days | — | |
| 12 | Lieutenant General Robert 'Bob' Rogers SSA, SM, MMM, DSO, DFC & bar (1921–2000) | 1 March 1975 | 30 November 1979 | 4 years, 274 days | — | |
| 13 | Lieutenant General Michal Muller SSAS, SD (born 1930) | 1 December 1979 | 29 February 1984 | 4 years, 90 days | — | |
| 14 | Lieutenant General Denis Earp SSA, SD, SM, SOE (1930–2019) | 1 March 1984 | 30 June 1988 | 4 years, 121 days | — | |
| 15 | Lieutenant General Jan van Loggerenberg SSAS, SD, SOE, SM, MMM, ORB (1935–2022) | 1 July 1988 | 31 October 1991 | 3 years, 122 days | — | |
| 16 | Lieutenant General James Kriel SSAS, SD, SM, MMM (1942–2016) | 1 November 1991 | 30 April 1996 | 4 years, 181 days | — | |
| 17 | Lieutenant General Willem Hechter SSA, SD, SM, MMM (born 1942) | 1 May 1996 | 29 February 2000 | 3 years, 304 days | [17] | |
| 18 | Lieutenant General Roelf Beukes SD, SM, MMM | 1 March 2000 | 28 February 2005 | 4 years, 364 days | — | |
| 19 | Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano SM, MMM (born 1951) | 1 March 2005 | 30 September 2012 | 7 years, 213 days | — | |
| 20 | Lieutenant General Fabian Msimang SM, MMM (born 1960) | 1 October 2012 | 30 September 2020 | 7 years, 365 days | [18] | |
| – | Lieutenant General Mzayifani Buthelezi (born 1965) Acting | 30 September 2020 | 1 June 2021 | 244 days | [19] | |
| 21 | Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo (born 1966) | 1 June 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 150 days | [7] |
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Chief of the Navy
[edit]The Chief of the South African Navy is the professional head of the Navy. The post was called 'Officer Commanding South African Naval Service' 1922–32, 'Director, Seaward Defence Force' 1940–42, 'Director, South African Naval Forces' 1942–51, 'Naval & Marine Chief of Staff' 1951–55, and 'Naval Chief of Staff' 1955–66, and has been 'Chief of the Navy' since 1966.
| No. | Portrait | Chief of the Navy | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commander Norman Rankin | 1 April 1922 | 3 June 1928 | 6 years, 63 days | — | |
| 2 | Commander Robert F.U.P. Fitzgerald | 4 June 1928 | 4 November 1932 | 4 years, 153 days | — | |
| Position of the Chief of the Navy did not exist from 1932 to 1939[a] | ||||||
| 3 | Rear Admiral Guy Hallifax CMG (1884–1941) | 16 September 1939 | 28 March 1941 † | 1 year, 193 days | — | |
| 4 | Commodore James Dalgleish CBE (1891–1964) | 28 March 1941 | 30 November 1946 | 5 years, 247 days | — | |
| 5 | Commodore Frederick Dean OBE (1900–1983) | 1 December 1946 | 30 June 1951 | 4 years, 211 days | — | |
| 6 | Brigadier Pieter de Waal CB, CBE (1899–1977) | 1 July 1951 | 30 November 1952 | 1 year, 152 days | — | |
| 7 | Vice Admiral Hugo Biermann SSA, SD, OBE, GCIH (1916–2012) | 1 December 1952 | 31 March 1972 | 19 years, 121 days | — | |
| 8 | Vice Admiral James 'Flam' Johnson SSA, SM, DSC (1918–1990) | 1 April 1972 | 30 September 1977 | 5 years, 182 days | — | |
| 9 | Vice Admiral Johan Charl Walters SD, SM, MMM (1919–1993) | 1 October 1977 | 30 January 1980 | 2 years, 121 days | — | |
| 10 | Vice Admiral Ronald A. Edwards SSAS, SM, MMM (1923–2014) | 1 February 1980 | 30 September 1982 | 2 years, 241 days | — | |
| 11 | Vice Admiral Andries P 'Dries' Putter SSAS, SD, MMM (1935–2014) | 1 October 1982 | 30 June 1985 | 2 years, 272 days | — | |
| 12 | Vice Admiral Glen Syndercombe SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM (1931–2005) | 1 July 1985 | 31 March 1989 | 3 years, 273 days | — | |
| (11) | Vice Admiral Andries P 'Dries' Putter SSAS, SD, MMM (1935–2014) | 1 April 1989 | 30 June 1990 | 1 year, 90 days | — | |
| 13 | Vice Admiral Lambert J 'Woody' Woodburne DVR, SD, SM (1939–2013) | 1 July 1990 | 31 August 1992 | 2 years, 61 days | — | |
| 14 | Vice Admiral Robert Simpson-Anderson SSAS, SD, SM, MMM (born 1942) | 1 September 1992 | 31 October 2000 | 8 years, 60 days | — | |
| 15 | Vice Admiral Johan Retief SD & Bar, PG, SM, MMM (born 1946) | 1 November 2000 | 28 February 2005 | 4 years, 119 days | — | |
| 16 | Vice Admiral Refiloe Johannes Mudimu CLS, DMG, SM, MMS, MMM, MMB (born 1954) | 1 March 2005 | 31 March 2014 | 9 years, 30 days | [20] | |
| 17 | Vice Admiral Samuel Hlongwane MMS, MMB (born 1962) | 1 April 2014 | 30 June 2022 | 8 years, 90 days | [21] | |
| 18 | Vice Admiral Monde Lobese MMS, MMB | 1 November 2022 | Incumbent | 1 year, 363 days | [22] | |
| OC South African Naval Service 1922 – 1932 | | |
|---|---|---|
| Director, Seaward Defence Force 1940 – 1942 | ||
| Director, South African Naval Forces 1942 – 1951 | ||
| Naval & Marine Chief of Staff 1951 – 1955 | ||
| Naval Chief of Staff 1955 – 1966 | ||
| Chief of the Navy 1966 – Present | ||
Surgeon General
[edit]The Surgeon General is the Chief of the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS), which was known as the South African Medical Service (SAMS) before 1994.
| No. | Portrait | Surgeon General | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South African Medical Service | ||||||
| 1 | Major General Eugene Raymond SSA, SM (born 1923) | 1 February 1960 | 31 March 1969 | 9 years, 58 days | — | |
| 2 | Lieutenant General Colin Cockcroft SSA, SM, SSA, SD, SM, MMM (1917–1987) | 1 April 1969 | 31 October 1977 | 8 years, 213 days | — | |
| 3 | Lieutenant General Nicolaas Nieuwoudt SSA, SD, SM (1929–1989) | 1 November 1977 | 29 February 1988 | 10 years, 120 days | — | |
| 4 | Lieutenant General Daniel Knobel SD, SOE, SM, MMM, KStJ, MBC, HB, PHD (1936–2021) | 1 March 1988 | 27 April 1994 | 6 years, 57 days | — | |
| South African Military Health Service | ||||||
| 1 | Lieutenant General Daniel Knobel SD, SOE, SM, MMM, KStJ, MBC, HB, PHD (1936–2021) | 27 April 1994 | 30 November 1997 | 3 years, 217 days | — | |
| 2 | Lieutenant General Davidson Masuku SSAS, MMM, KStJ (1940–2000) | 1 December 1997 | 30 September 2000 | 2 years, 334 days | [23] | |
| 3 | Lieutenant General Jurinus Janse van Rensburg SD, SM, MMM, KStJ (born 1952) | 1 October 2000 | 31 July 2005 | 4 years, 303 days | — | |
| 4 | Lieutenant General Vejaynand Ramlakan DMG, MMS, MMB, KStJ (1957–2020) | 1 August 2005 | 31 March 2013 | 7 years, 242 days | — | |
| 5 | Lieutenant General Aubrey Sedibe DMG, MMS, MMB, OStJ, MBC, HB, PHD (born 1957) | 1 April 2013 | 31 October 2019 | 6 years, 213 days | — | |
| 6 | Lieutenant General Zola Dabula (born 1956) | 1 November 2019 | 31 October 2021 | 1 year, 364 days | [13] | |
| 7 | Lieutenant General Ntshavheni Maphaha (born 1966) | 1 November 2021 | Incumbent | 2 years, 363 days | [19] | |
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Surgeons General of the South African Military Health Service | ||
|---|---|---|
| Surgeons General of the South African Medical Service Pre–1994 | .svg) | |
| Surgeons General of the South African Military Health Service Post–1994 | ||
Chief of Joint Operations
[edit]| No. | Portrait | Chief of Joint Operations | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lieutenant General Deon Ferreira PVD, SD, SM, MMM (1946–2002) | 1 August 1997 | 31 December 2000 | 3 years, 152 days | South African Army | — | |
| 2 | Lieutenant General Godfrey Ngwenya SBG, DMG, MMS, LOM (USA) (born 1950) | 1 January 2001 | 31 May 2005 | 4 years, 150 days | South African Army | — | |
| 3 | Lieutenant General Sipho Binda MMS (1952–2006) | 1 June 2005 | 10 November 2006 † | 1 year, 162 days | South African Army | [24] | |
| 4 | Lieutenant General Themba Matanzima CCM, SM, MMM (born 1953) | 1 September 2007 | 30 September 2011 | 4 years, 29 days | South African Army | — | |
| 5 | Lieutenant General Derrick Mgwebi (born 1956) | 1 October 2011 | 31 January 2016 | 4 years, 122 days | South African Army | [10] | |
| 6 | Lieutenant General Duma Mdutyana MMB (1960–2016) | 1 February 2016 | 6 July 2016 † | 156 days | South African Army | [25] | |
| 7 | Lieutenant General Barney Hlatswayo (born 1958) | 1 January 2017 | 31 October 2019 | 2 years, 303 days | South African Army | — | |
| 8 | Lieutenant General Rudzani Maphwanya (born 1960) | 1 November 2019 | 30 May 2021 | 1 year, 210 days | South African Army | [13] | |
| 9 | Lieutenant General Siphiwe Sangweni | 1 June 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 150 days | South African Army | [19] |
Chief of Corporate Staff
[edit]The Chief of Corporate Staff is responsible for the provision of all staff services for the SANDF.[26]
| No. | Portrait | Chief of Corporate Staff | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vice Admiral Martyn Trainor SD, SM, MMM (born 1944) | 1 October 2000 | 31 January 2004 | 3 years, 122 days | South African Navy | — | |
| 2 | Lieutenant General Themba Matanzima CCM, SM, MMM (born 1953) | 1 February 2004 | 31 July 2005 | 1 year, 180 days | South African Army | — | |
| 3 | Lieutenant General Jurinus Janse van Rensburg SD, SM, MMM, KStJ (born 1952) | 1 August 2005 | 30 April 2010 | 4 years, 272 days | South African Military Health Service | — | |
| — | Major General Louis Dlulane (born 1952) Acting | 1 May 2010 | 30 March 2013 | 2 years, 333 days | South African Army | [27] | |
| 4 | Lieutenant General Vejaynand Ramlakan DMG, MMS, MMB, KStJ (born 1957) | 1 April 2013 | 31 May 2015 | 2 years, 60 days | South African Military Health Service | [27] | |
| 5 | Lieutenant General Vusumuzi Masondo MMM (born 1957) | 1 February 2016 | 31 October 2019 | 3 years, 272 days | South African Army | [27] | |
| 6 | Lieutenant General Lindile Yam (born 1960) | 1 November 2019 | 31 October 2022 | 2 years, 364 days | South African Army | [13] | |
| 7 | Lieutenant General Michael Ramantswana | 1 November 2022 | Incumbent | 1 year, 363 days | South African Army | [22]> |
Sgts Major
[edit]| From | Union Defence Force (UDF) (prior to 1957) | To |
| 1947 | WO1 James Samuel Hulme[b] | 1950 |
| 1950 | WO1 David Goldblatt [c] | 1953 |
| 1953 | WO1 John Pelham Mundy[d] | 1956 |
| 1956 | WO1 Thomas Benjamin Brown[e] | 1957 |
| From | SADF (prior to 1994) | To |
| 1961 | WO1 J. A. van der Merwe | 1964 |
| 1964 | WO1 F. P. Marais | 1966 |
| 1966 | WO1 W. J. van Rensburg | 1969 |
| 1969 | WO1 W. R. Myburgh | 1972 |
| 1972 | WO1 J. C. Smit | 1976 |
| 1976 | WO1 J. A. Schoeman | 1980 |
| 1980 | WO1 J. J. Grobbelaar | 1983 |
| 1983 | WO1 C. J. Badenhorst | 1987 |
| 1987 | WO1 P. J. van der Merwe | 1990 |
| 1990 | WO1 W. E. W. Fourie | 1991 |
| 1991 | WO1 G. Moorcroft | 1993 |
| 1993 | WO1 J. L. Calitz | 1994 |
| From | SANDF (post 1994) | To |
| 1994 | WO1 J. L. Calitz | 1998 |
| 1998 | WO1 J. J. van Zyl | 2003 |
| 2003 | WO1 L. J. Green | 2006 |
| 2006 | WO1 M. J. Nortjé | 2009 |
| 2009 | WO1 P. J. Appelgryn | 2010 |
| 2010 | WO1 D. E. Motau | 2013 |
| 2013 | WO1 P. R. Masondo | 2015 |
| 2015 | A. G. Mashaba | 2018 |
| 2018 | WO1 L. M. Masemola | 2021 |
| 2021 | WO1 N. Maphaha | 29 October 2024 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ During this period, the Navy disposed of its ships and reduced personnel to a few administrative staff due to the Great Depression.
- ^ WO1 James Samuel Hulme was the first Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force (UDF), serving from 1947 to 1950. Prior to his appointment as Sergeant Major, he had served in the British Army during World War II, where he was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in action. He later served in the South African Army until his retirement in 1950.
As the first Sergeant Major of the UDF, Hulme played an important role in establishing the position and the responsibilities that would come with it. He was responsible for the discipline, training, and morale of the soldiers under his command, and worked closely with officers to ensure that their commands were carried out effectively. He also acted as a liaison between the enlisted soldiers and the officers, and helped to address any concerns or issues that arose. - ^ WO1 David Goldblatt was the second Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force, serving from 1950 to 1953. Prior to his appointment as Sergeant Major, he had served in the South African Army, including service in North Africa during World War II.
As Sergeant Major, Goldblatt was responsible for maintaining the discipline and morale of the troops under his command, as well as ensuring that they were properly trained and equipped. He also played a role in the development of the South African Army's non-commissioned officer corps, and was instrumental in the creation of the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1, which became the highest rank attainable by non-commissioned officers in the South African military.
After his retirement from the military, Goldblatt became involved in various veterans' organizations, and continued to work to improve the status and recognition of non-commissioned officers in the South African military. - ^ WO1 John Pelham Mundy was a highly decorated soldier in the South African military who served as the third Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force from 1953 to 1956.
Mundy joined the South African Army in 1940 and served in North Africa during World War II. He was awarded several decorations for his bravery in combat, including the Military Medal, the Africa Star, and the War Medal.
As Sergeant Major, Mundy played an important role in the development of the South African Army's non-commissioned officer corps. He was also known for his dedication to the welfare of the troops under his command, and was often called upon to mediate disputes and resolve conflicts between soldiers.
After his retirement from the military in 1956, Mundy continued to work to improve the status and recognition of non-commissioned officers in the South African military. He also served as a mentor to many young soldiers, and was widely respected for his leadership and integrity. - ^ WO1 Thomas Benjamin Brown was a highly decorated soldier in the South African military who served as the Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force from 1947 to 1953.
Brown joined the South African Army in 1939 and served in North Africa during World War II. He was awarded several decorations for his bravery in combat, including the Military Medal, the Africa Star, and the War Medal.
As Sergeant Major, Brown was responsible for the training and discipline of non-commissioned officers in the South African Army. He was also involved in the development of the South African Army's non-commissioned officer corps and played a key role in creating a professional and disciplined military force.
After his retirement from the military, Brown remained active in veterans' organizations and continued to advocate for the recognition and welfare of non-commissioned officers in the South African military. He was widely respected for his leadership and commitment to service.
References
[edit]- ^ "Chapter 1 : Introductory Provisions 4A. Military Command of Defence Force". Defence Act (Act No. 42 of 2002). Parliament of South Africa. 2002.
- ^ Defence Act (Act No. 42 of 2002). Parliament of South Africa. 2002.
- ^ Ellis, Johan (2000). "Oswald Pirow's Five-Year Plan for the Reorganisation of the Union Defence Force, 1933–1938". South African Journal of Military Studies. 30 (2).
- ^ "Defence Act 44 of 1957" (PDF). 1957. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- ^ Hamann, Hilton (2001). "Introduction". Days of the Generals. Cape Town: Zebra Press (Struck Publishers). ISBN 1-86872-340-2.
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