Article by: Captain Corne Grundlingh, SA Army Corporate Communication
Scripts by: Colonel Sidney Zeeman, SA Army Corporate Communication
Photos by: Sergeant Leonard Xaba, 1 Military Printing Regiment

The Chief of the SA Army Lieutenant General S.Z. Shoke, expressed his wish to have an Army Week filled with events celebrating the SA Army.

Events during the week of 22 to 26 November 2010 included:

• Decentralised sport and cultural activities.
• SA Army Awards Evening.
• Chief Army Gala Evening .

Units were afforded the opportunity, through the Military Sports Clubs, to participate in decentralised sporting activities from 22 to 24 November 2010.

The SA Army Awards Evening and the Chief Army Gala Evening were presented inside the Production Line Hangar at Denel Land Systems in Lyttelton, Centurion. The Awards Evening was attended by guests from the Extended Army Command Council, all unit commanding officers and regimental sergeant majors. The guests of the Gala evening included members from the Plenary Defence Staff Council, Military Attachés, the Army Command Council and high profile stakeholders and civilian guests.

The venue was a production hangar that was transformed into a glamorous venue where guests of Chief Army were entertained by two internationally renowned bands, namely the South African National Ceremonial Guard Band and the Army Band Kroonstad.

During the Awards Evening on 25 November 2010 certain shooting, fitness and sports trophies were awarded to recipients.

Chief of the SA Army, Lieutenant General S.Z. Shoke and SA Army Awards Recipients

Chief of the Army Table 2 Shooting Awards

Category A for Corps Schools and Training Units was awarded to Army Gymnasium. The Acting Officer Commanding, Colonel Grobbelaar, received the award.

FLTR: Chief of the SA Army, Lieutenant General S.Z. Shoke and The Acting Officer Commanding SA Army Gymnasium, Col Grobbelaar

Category B for Operational Units was awarded to 21 South African Infantry Battalion. The officer commanding, Lieutenant Colonel B.F. Vilikazi, received the award.

Category C for Headquarters and Support Units was awarded to Army Support Base Johannesburg. The Officer Commanding, Colonel K.J. Raselomane, received the award.

FLTR: Chief of the SA Army, Lieutenant General S.Z. Shoke and The Officer Commanding SA Army Support Base Johannesburg, Col K.J. Raselomane

The Combat Rifle Shooting Competition

This competition is held annually in Bloemfontein with over 800 competitors. The following awards were presented:

The Best Combat Rifle Regular Unit was awarded to the School of Armour. The Officer Commanding, Colonel M.W. Nondala, received the award.

The Best Combat Rifle Reserve Unit was awarded to the Natal Carbineers. The Gold Cup Trophy was received by Lieutenant Colonel Lowe on behalf of the Natal Carbineers.

The Best Overall Combat Rifle Unit was awarded to Regiment President Steyn. The White Horse Trophy was received by Major L.R. Korff on behalf of Regiment President Steyn.

The individual winner of the Rembrandt Trophy for Combat Rifle Shooting was Lieutenant J. Loock from Wits Rifles.

The Best Development Combat Rifle Team was Regiment De La Rey. Warrant Officer Class 1 van Coller and Corporal B.M. Seleka received the trophy on behalf of Regiment De La Rey.

The SA Army Sport Personalities of the Year

The SA Army Sports Administrator of the Year was Lieutenant Colonel J. Zietsman from Defence Headquarters. He was re-elected as one of 18 members out of 38 participating countries as a member of the CISM Military Pentathlon Sports Committee. He was responsible for the rewriting of the CISM Military Pentathlon rules which he completed successfully. The final version thereof was approved by the CISM Board of Directors during the General Assembly.

The SA Army Sports Official of the Year was Major J.J. Wahl. He was the national coach for the SA swimming team for the disabled for the IPC World Championships 2010. He was appointed by the South African Sport and Olympic Committee. The team broke 7 world records and won 8 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 1 bronze medal. He was appointed as a member on the International Swimming Coaches Board and the swimming coach who will train the elite swimmers for the next Para Olympics in London.

The SA Army Veteran Sportsperson of the Year was Staff Sergeant V.V. Fraser from Army Support Base Eastern Cape for body building. He was the winner during the SA Championships in the category Veteran under 75 kg. He also participated in the world championships where he obtained 4th place.

The SA Army Sportswoman of the Year was Lance Corporal M.T. Moaneno. She achieved 1st place in the ladies’ category during the SANDF Fittest Soldier Competition. She is the SANDF Military Pentathlon champion. She won the trophy for the best woman endurance walker during the famous annual 46 km Simon’s Town Route March.

FLTR: Chief of the SA Army, Lieutenant General S.Z. Shoke and  Lance Corporal M.T. Moaneno

The SA Army Sportsman of the Year was Recruit M. Manganyi. He won a gold medal when he participated in provincial boxing for the Western Cape Boxing Team. He was the SA champion. He won a bronze medal when he participated in the Commonwealth Games.

The Military Sports Club of the Year was the Military Sports Club Potchefstroom. The Acting Officer Commanding, Colonel A.H. Louw, received the award.

Awards for Physical Fitness of SA Army Units

Category A for Schools and Training Units was awarded to the School of Artillery. The Officer Commanding, Col D.B.J. Schoonwinkel, received the award.

Category B for Operational Units was awarded to 121 South African Infantry Battalion.

Category C for Headquarters and Supporting Units was awarded to Headquarters 43 South African Brigade. The General Officer Commanding, Brigadier General L.R. Smith, received the award.

SA Army Fittest Soldier Competition Awards - Various Categories

Fittest Female Soldier 40 Years and Older was awarded to Staff Sergeant S.B. Sawula (101 Air Supply Unit).

Fittest Male 45 Years and Older was awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 H.W. Matoeka (SA Army Headquarters Unit).

Fittest Female Soldier 30 – 39 Years was awarded to Sergeant D.C. Nkosi (Infantry School).

Fittest Male 35 – 44 Years was awarded to Captain D.T. Sekoere (1 Special Service Battalion).

Fittest Female Soldier 0 – 34 Years was awarded to Private M.L. Motebele (5 South African Infantry Battalion). Staff Sergeant M.E. Mkhilise received the award on behalf of Pte Motebele.

Fittest Male Soldier 0 – 34 Years was awarded to Lance Bombardier R.J. Mashapu (Light Artillery Regiment).

The Fittest Headquarters Team is SA Army Armour Formation Headquarters

• Lieutenant Colonel J. Doman
• Lieutenant Colonel S.M. Wessels
• Major D. Olivier
• Warrant Officer Class 1 P.I. Kolokoto

The Fittest Formation Team is the SA Army Infantry Formation team

• Staff Sergeant N.J. Moloto (7 SAI Bn)
• Private M.J. Kekane (8 SAI Bn)
• Private M.I. Tete (21 SAI Bn)
• Private M.L. Motebele (5 SAI Bn)

The Fittest Unit team is 1 Special Service Battalion.

• Captain D.T. Sekoere
• Corporal T.D.A. Tengela
• Trooper S.I. Shongoane
• Trooper S.K. Mabaso

The SA Army Fittest Senior Soldier Award went to Lieutenant Colonel A. Nziweni, the Officer Commanding of 3 SA Infantry Battalion.

FLTR: Chief of the SA Army, Lieutenant General S.Z. Shoke and  Officer Commanding of 3 SA Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel A. Nziweni

NATO Reserve Military Skills Competition

The NATO Reserve Military Skills Competition was held in Norway in August 2010. Lance Corporal G. Myeko from Cape Town Highlanders was a member of the international team that won this competition and he was awarded a medal.

During the Awards evening the symbolic handing over of the Boxing Gloves also took place.

SA ARMY FOUNDATION, MAXI CREDIT SOLUTIONS AND TITLE SPORTS EQUIPMENT will be the official sponsor of boxing accessories and attire for the Delta Company Amateur Boxing at Infantry School.

The symbolic handing over of the Boxing Gloves was done by Major General L.M. Dlulane (Chairperson of the SA Army Foundation Board of Control), Mr Johan Delport (Managing Director of Maxi Credit Solutions) and Mr Angel Ramphele (representing Title Sports Equipment).

Maj Gen L.M. Dlulane, boxers and representatives

The guests attending the Awards Evening and the Gala Evening were entertained by a musical programme paying tribute to the different corps of the SA Army. The SA Army is the primary contributor to the landward defence of our country. The entertainment programme was dedicated to the brave men and women of the different corps who, when operating in an integrated manner, enable the SA Army to execute its mission.

Lance Corporal Thapelo Molusi  performing '0Nessun Doma'

Music was performed by the South African National Ceremonial Guard Band and the Army Band Kroonstad. The South African Irish Regiment and the Transvaal Scottish Pipe Band also performed a few pieces with the band. Guests were also entertained by the SANDF choir upon arrival.

SA Army Band Combined Band

Piper Band Irish Regiment

Piper Bands Irish Regiment & Scottish Regiment

One of the highlights was the extravagant performance of the 1812 Overture by Pyort Lliyich Tchaikovsky. The piece was originally written to commemorate Russia’s defence of Moscow against Napoleon’s advancing Grande Armeé at the Battle of Borodino in 1812. This musical piece is well known for its climactic volley of gunfire and ringing church bell signifying victory. The combined bands of the SA Army performed this magnificent musical piece and it was combined with G1 gunfire from the Light Artillery Regiment. The overwhelming sound of gunfire certainly enhanced the performance and the guests were astonished by the precise synchronisation of the gunshots with the musical notes.

Both evenings were concluded by Lieutenant General Solly Shoke addressing the guests. He commented that he did not have words, the visuals displayed what he wanted to say about the SA Army. “This is who we are” and “This is what we do and stand for,” said Lieutenant General Solly Shoke. He was very proud to mention that the whole venue was prepared by members of the SA Army.

Chief of the SA Army, Lieutenant General S.Z. Shoke

Guests - SA Army Gala Evening

The venue was made available to the SA Army by Denel Land Systems. Without it, this event would not have been possible. Denel Land Systems is a valued stakeholder of the SA Army in the defence-related industry, with specific reference to turret, gun and mortar systems. An exhibition of military hardware, prepared by Denel Land Systems, was displayed in the foyer area of the venue.

SA Army Gala Evening Venue

Lieutenant General Solly Shoke specifically thanked all the members from the SA Army Engineer Formation for building the stage, 3 Electronic Workshop for the lighting and sound, 101 Air Supply Unit for parachutes and manpower, Defence TV for the visuals, Visual Communication for the décor, 1 Regiment Noord Transvaal for the bar and Light Artillery Regiment for the gun crew. “Without these members, it would not have been possible to prepare this venue and to present an event of such a nature”.