SA Army Join Millions in Celebrating Women’s Month - August 2008

SA Army Women’s Visit to Lohatlha, Northern Cape on 20 August 2008

Women Visitors		Visitors

“On the 20th August 2008, 51 women from all nine provinces in South Africa got together at the Burgerspark Hotel in Pretoria. We enjoyed a welcoming dinner hosted by Chief of the SA Army, Lieutenant General S.Z. Shoke, in preparation for our Women’s Day Celebration Visit to Lohatlha.

Visitors

We had to get up very early on Thursday, 21 August 2008 to leave by bus to Air Force Base Swartkop to travel with a C130 aircraft from Pretoria to Lohatlha. All ladies received gifts, as well as a prepared packed breakfast before departure. The “flossie trip” to Sishen airport took one hour and fifteen minutes. We traveled approximately forty-five minutes by bus from the airport to Lohatlha.

At Lohatlha we were welcomed with a lunch and briefings. We were taught how to put on a battle jacket. We were informed that a “rat pack” is sufficient food for 24 hours. We were also taught how to use the contents of the “rat pack”. We were requested to put on the battle jacket and to wear the steel helmet. After the briefings, the military personnel took us on a drive where only female drivers were behind the steering wheels of the Ratels. After an hour’s drive with the Ratels we went to our tents. Two ladies shared a tent and each one of us slept on a stretcher with two blankets, a pillow and a sleeping bag.

Women Visitors and SA Army Members		Women Visitors and SA Army Members

Some of the female troops who are still in training, explained how to replace a flat tyre of a Samil vehicle, they took only about 15 minutes to replace the flat tyre and afterwards they demonstrated how to dig trenches! In the evening we were treated to a lovely supper.

Women Visitors and SA Army Soldiers		SA Army Soldiers

On day two we had to get up at 06:00, have a shower On day two we had to get up at 06:00, have a shower and be ready for breakfast at 07:30. We then went on a drive in the Ratels to get acquainted with the area. Lohatlha is situated in a very big area of dust and bush. We were taken by bus to all the various divisions/units on the base that are self-sufficient. We also visited the new military hospital. During the evening we were treated once again to an enjoyable supper. The permanent staff members joined us at this event and all of us really enjoyed the event and the dance.

On the last day we had breakfast and handed back the battle jackets, sleeping bags and the water bottles. The staff took down the tents and after that, we left for the Sishen Airport. At the airport we received a gift and flew back to Air Force Base Swartkop. We arrived in Pretoria at about 16:00 on Friday afternoon.

Women Visitors		Visitors

The Lohatlha visit was really worthwhile and the ladies enjoyed the various events. The preparations and organisation were well done and we are proud to be females employed by the Department of Defence and associated with the South African National Defence Force.

Compiled by Ms Sylvia Ndlovu