Article and Photographs by Major Merle Meyer, SA Army Corporate Communication
 

The SA Army Annual Skills Evaluation took place at the SA Army Gymnasium in Heidelberg from 8 to 13 September 2012.

Pace Stick Drill teams from seven Southern African Development Countries countries participated in the Africa Trophy category.

Ten members from each rank group from the SA Army competed against one another in various categories such as theory, map reading, individual drill, drill commands, fitness, shooting and individual neatness in order to be awarded the top position in the respective rank groups.

Deputy Chief SA Army, Major General L. Rudman handed trophies to worthy winners at the Gala event on Wednesday evening 12 September.

Results

Pacesticking Competition, Africa Trophy

• Best Team, Africa
  • Third Place: SA Army Artillery Formation A.
  • Second Place: Lesotho
  • Best Pacestick Team 2012, Africa: SA Army Training Formation A.
• Best Sticker, Africa: Corporal A.M. Mojaki, Lesotho.
• Best Driver, Africa: Warrant Officer T.E. Zwakala, Lesotho.

SA Army Competition

• Best Team
  • Third Place: SA Army Infantry Formation E.
  • Second Place: SA Army Training Formation B.
  • Best Pacestick Team 2012: SA Army Training Formation A.
• Best Sticker: Staff Sergeant Hugu, SA Army Training Formation.
• Best Driver, Sergeant T.V. Dipoko, Air Defefence Artillery Formation.

Individual Skills Evaluation, Africa Trophy

• Fittest Member Africa: Sergeant L.M. Lekhoaba, Lesotho.
• Best Shot Africa: Sergeant L.C. Nethivhambe, SA Army Training Formation.
• Best Lance Corporal, Africa:
  • Third Place: Lance Corporal K. Kapata, Namibia.
  • Second Place: Lance Corporal B.H. Mabaleng, Lesotho.
  • Best Lance Corporal, Africa: Lance Bombardier R.J. Mashapahu, SA Army Artillery Formation.
• Best Corporal, Africa:
  • Third Place: Corporal K. Kgoreletso, Botswana.
  • Second Place: Bombardier T.J. Nkosi, SA Army Artillery Formation.
  • Best Corporal, Africa: Bombardier M.S. Modiba, SA Army Air Defence Artillery Formation.
• Best Sergeant, Africa:
  • Third Place: Sergeant D.F. Julius, SA Army Artillery Formation.
  • Second Place: Sergeant C. Vengai, Zimbabwe.
  • Best Sergeant Africa, Sergeant L.C. Netshavhambe, SA Army Training Formation.
• Best Staff Sergeant, Africa:
  • Third Place: Staff Sergeant A.K. Kobe, SA Army Training Formation.
  • Second Place: Staff Sergeant M. Mujeki, Zimbabwe.
  • Best Staff Sergeant, Africa: Staff Sergeant S. Sothoane, Lesotho.
• Best Warrant Officer, Africa:
  • Third Place: Warrant Officer B.M. Mqadi, SA Army Training Formation.
  • Second Place: Warrant Officer R. Sekotho, Lesotho.
  • Best Warrant Officer, Africa: Warrant Officer H.M. Maraidza, Zimbabwe.

SA Army Competition

• Fittest Member: Lance Bombardier R.J. Mashaphu, SA Army Artillery Formation.
• Best Shot: Staff Sergeant L.A. van Coller, SA Army Armour Formation.
  • Best Lance Corporal:
    • Third Place: Lance Corporal M.L. Rapetsoa, SA Army Engineer Formation.
    • Second Place: Lance Corporal S.M. Tsolo, SA Army Infantry Formation.
    • Best Lance Corporal: Lance Corporal J. Williams, SA Army Armour Formation.
  • Best Corporal:
    • Third Place: Corporal S.W. Jepson, SA Army Armour Formation.
    • Second Place: Corporal L.H. Crisp, SA Army Intelligence Formation.
    • Best Corporal: Corporal D.J.P. de Bus, SA Army Armour Formation.
  • Best Sergeant:
    • Third Place: Sergeant L.C. Netshivhambe, SA Army Infantry Formation.
    • Second Place: Sergeant M.A. Sebotsa, SA Army Infantry Formation.
    • Best Sergeant: Sergeant P.M. Mvandaba, SA Army Infantry Formation.
  • Best Staff Sergeant:
    • Third Place: Staff Sergeant K.D. Saayman, SA Army Infantry Formation.
    • Second Place: Staff Sergeant M.A. Mvelase, SA Army Infantry Formation.
    • Best Staff Sergeant: Staff Sergeant L.A. van Coller, SA Army Armour Formation.
  • Best Warrant Officer:
    • Third Place: Warrant Officer J.P. Volgraaff, SA Army Air Defence Artillery Formation.
    • Second Place: Warrant Officer F.N. Nxuthu, SA Army Infantry Formation.
    • Best Warrant Officer: Warrant Officer R. Schmidt, SA Army Armour Formation.

Grand Prize Trophies

• Africa Trophy: The winner of the Grand Prize Trophy, Africa 2012: SA Army Training Formation.
• Grand Prix Trophy: The SA Army Grand Prix Trophy, 2012: SA Army Armour Formation.

2,4 km Run	4 km Walk

Drill	Individual Drill
Inspection	Map reading
Neatness inspection	Pacestick drill
Push ups	Push ups
Run	Shooting
Shooting	Shooting
Shuttle run	Shuttle run
Sit ups	Test
Theory test	Walk
Prize giving	Prize giving