Mission THEBE: SA Army Trains Excellent Soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Banana trees in the forefront, green hills in the background and a very bad road from Likasi. These are the scenes a group of soldiers from South Africa has seen and experienced since January 2008.

These soldiers, under the command of Colonel Piet Sereko from the SA Army Infantry Formation Headquarters, were responsible for training the 1st Rapid Reaction Battalion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of Mission THEBE. Colonel Piet Sereko was appointed as the Mission THEBE commander. He arrived at the Mura Base on 7 January 2008. This base is situated in the Katanga Province near Likasi in the southern mineral rich part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The SA Army instructors arrived on 27 January 2008 and the 944 members of the Democratic Republic of the Congo arrived on 12 February 2008. The battalion was officially handed over by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Minister of Defence and War Veterans to Colonel Sereko on 18 February 2008 and on that same day the training started. Five women formed part of the group.

Military Parade with a Difference

This Rapid Reaction Battalion was formally handed over to the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the new Minister of Defence, Minister Charles Nqakula, to the Minister of Defence and War Veterans of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Minister Chikez, on Friday 3 October 2008 during a parade held at the Mura Base.

Front Left to Right: South African Minister of Defence, Minister Charles Nqakula, and Minister of Defence and War Veterans of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Minister Chikez Back Left to Right: Chief of the South African Army, Lieutenant General S.Z. Shoke, and Colonel Piet Sereko from the SA Army Infantry Formation Headquarters

A civilian band, dressed in white jackets and red pants, with some drum majorettes in front, led the guard of honour onto the parade. This band came from Likasi and entertained the spectators with their intricate movements during the display to jazz music rather than military music.
 

Civilian Band

 

The soldiers were dressed in their green uniforms, made more ceremonial with a lighter green shoulder sleeve and white gloves

South African Soldiers Praised for their Contribution

Minister Nqakula, said “South Africa believes that Africans, assisted by the international community, must be in the forefront in resolving challenges our continent faces.The South African government is delighted to hand over the first of the three battalions to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and we trust that they will assume their responsibilities in a professional, disciplined and humane nature and that when they execute their respective duties they will place ahead of their own the needs of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo”.

He commended the contribution of the South African soldiers, a sentiment shared by Minister Chikez, who mentioned that when he visited Colonel Sereko there were only bushes, where on 3 October 2008, the parade was held. He also thanked the South Africans for the role they played in bringing peace to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The most difficult problem for the South African soldiers is that they trained the soldiers using South African weapons and that the soldiers spoke French and Swahili, not languages known by the South Africans. Interpreters were provided but they could not be at all the training points. Fortunately, the Congolese soldiers were very keen to learn and most of the South African soldiers picked up the most important words. So you would hear a South African soldier saying “bonyour” instead of good morning or "merci" instead of thank you.

For the soldiers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this training was not easy as their living conditions are different from those that the South Africans are used to and they were also not used to the intensive and physical training. They overcame these challenges by their positive approach to the training and their willingness to learn.

Soldiers Trained in Infantry, Artillery and Intelligence

All the soldiers underwent a basic training period whereafter they were trained in infantry, artillery and intelligence doctrine. The soldiers entertained the spectators at the Observation Post Kabila at the Mura Base with their military skills. The demonstration was enjoyed by all the soldiers, but the sound of the artillery guns was not something the civilians were used to. 

Training Part of the Presidential Agreements

This training formed part of the 4th Session of the Republic of South Africa/Democratic Republic of the Congo Binational Commission held at presidential level over the period 10 to 21 August 2007 in Kinshasa. The areas of future defence cooperation focus were worked out by the Defence Committee led by the late Mr J.B. Masilela and endorsed at ministerial and presidential levels.

A joint declaration of intent was signed on 22 August 2007 by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of South Africa and the Minister of Defence and War Veterans of the Democratic Republic of the Congo concerning support and assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the reform of the Armed Forces.

The agreement identified the following:

• In preparation for the MONUC withdrawal in 2009, assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo Armed Forces in training 2 – 3 battalions of the Rapid Reaction Force (RRF) and the development of the Rapid Reaction Force concept.

The SA Army is responsible for the training of 3 X Rapid Reaction Force Light Infantry Battalions consisting of:

• 3 X Light Infantry Companies (Coys)
• 1 X Support Coy
• 1 X Headquarters Coy
• 1 X Rapid Reaction Force Light 120mm Artillery Battery
• 1 X Rapid Reaction Force Light Intelligence Troop

Other assistance included the training of staff in logistics, finance, intelligence, human resources and medical fields.

We wish the members of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Defence Force or FARDC as it is called all of the best and may they rise to the challenge given to them by both ministers in that they should do their task with responsibility in the pursuit of a better life for all.

Article Compiled by Major Merle Meyer
Communication Officer SA Army Infantry Formation

Photographs by Flight Sergeant David Nomtshongwane
Defence Corporate Communication, SA Soldier