Inauguration of the New Commandant, Lohatlha
25 January 2008

Kathu Gazette: 2 February 2008

FLTR: Commandant Brigadier General J.D. Magasela, Brigadier General N. Mpaxa

History was made at the SA National Defence Force on Friday 25 January 2008 when Brigadier General Nontobeka Mpaxa was inaugurated as the first female Commandant of the South African Army Combat Training Centre at Lohatlha in the Northern Cape.

During the Change of Command Parade, the outgoing Commandant Brigadier General Job Daniël Magasela, welcomed Brigadier General Mpaxa and said it was indeed a very special moment in the history of the SA National Defence Force and the country in witnessing history in the making as a lady took command of the SA Army Combat Training Centre. He also handed her the sword as symbolic token of her appointment. Brigadier General Magasela has been promoted to the position of General Officer Commanding the SA Army Intelligence Formation in Pretoria, after having commanded the Lohatlha Training Centre since 2005.

In her speech, Brigadier General Nontobeka Mpaxa thanked everybody present for the warm welcome. She said that she was looking forward to the support of the entire Combat Training Centre and made an appeal to all to work together as a team. Amongst several dignitaries who attended the historic inauguration, Major General Robert Madita from Support Formation at the SA National Defence Force Pretoria was the highest-ranking SA National Defence Force officer.

Drive Past                                                                                           Ratels
       
Biography: Brigadier General Nontobeka Mpaxa

Brigadier General Nontobeka Mpaxa was born on 11 October 1965 in Mount Frere. She completed her school career at Zibokwana Senior Secondary School at Mount Frere. Ever since 1985, Brigadier General Nontobeka Mpaxa served within the ranks of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in the underground structures inside the country. She later left the country in exile and settled in Uganda where she received military training and was trained in other countries, among other involvement externally, she became a Section Commander, Platoon Commander, Instructor and also served in a Commissariat section. She also led women structures in the military base upon coming back in the country following the un-banning of the liberation movement.

She was appointed as Sub Regional Organiser for elections in 1994 by the ANC. In 1994 she integrated from MK to the newly established SANDF. In 1995 she started her training at South African Army Women’s College in George. A pioneer for women’s rights, Brigadier General Nontobeka Mpaxa became the first female in infantry Formation to Command an Infantry Battalion during 2001. In 2005 she was again appointed as the first female Commander of the Army Support Base in the history of Army Support Formation within the South African Army.

She completed the Joint Senior Command and Staff Duties Course in 2003 at the Army College and the Executive National Security Programme in 2007 at the South African National Defense College. She is currently busy with her B Com degree, majoring in Human Resource at the University of South Africa. During the General’s military career the following medals were awarded to her : OPS Medal for South Africa (MK), General Service Medal, Unitas Medal, a bronze 10 years Good Service Medal, and a silver 20 years Good Service Medal. During her term as Officer Commanding Army Support Base, Eastern Cape, the General was awarded the Leadership Award by Eastern Cape Award Office.