List_of_South_African_military_chiefs

List of South African military chiefs

List of South African military chiefs

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This article lists the South African military chiefs. From 1958 until the first democratic general election in 1994, the present-day South African National Defence Force was known as the South African Defence Force. From 1912 to 1958, the military was known as the Union Defence Force.

In terms of section 202(1) of the Constitution of South Africa, the military command of the Defence Force consists of[1] the Chief of the Defence Force plus the Chiefs of the combat arms (Army, Air Force and Navy) as well as

  • the Surgeon-General of the South African Military Health Service;
  • the Chief of Joint Operations of the Defence Force;
  • the Chief of Defence Intelligence;
  • the Chief of Human Resources; and
  • the Chief of Logistics.

Head of the Defence Force

The Defence Force consists of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Medical Service (which was renamed Military Health Service in 1998). The Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is the senior military commander and the chiefs of the four services, in addition to the chiefs of Joint Operations, Defence Intelligence, and Corporate Staff, report to him.[2] As of September 2018 the Chief of the SANDF is General Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS.

Chief of the UDF

The Union Defence Force (UDF) consisted initially of land forces. An aviation corps was formed in 1915 and replaced by the South African Air Force in 1920. A naval branch was added in 1922, and the South African Division of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was incorporated into it in 1942.

In 1951, the defence forces were reorganised into three distinct combat services: the South African Army, the South African Air Force, and the South African Navy. The organisation was renamed "South African Defence Force" in 1958.

The UDF had no overall commander for the first nine and a half years. From January 1922, the Chief of the General Staff, previously responsible only for the Defence Headquarters staff, was the executive commander of the UDF. The title was changed to 'Commandant General UDF' in September 1956.

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Chief of the SADF

The UDF was renamed 'South African Defence Force' in November 1958.[4] The Commandant General's title was then changed to 'Commandant General SADF'. It was changed to 'Chief of the SADF' in July 1973, after Admiral Hugo Biermann assumed the post the year before. After South Africa's first democratic election, the South African Defence Force (SADF) became the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

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Chief of the SANDF

Main article: Chief of the South African National Defence Force

The SADF amalgamated with the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), and the homeland defence forces to form the South African National Defence Force in 1994. The SANDF was based on the existing SADF structure of Army, Air Force, Navy, and Medical Service (which was renamed Military Health Service in 1998).

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Chief of the Army

The Chief of the South African Army is the professional head of the Army. There was no separate army commander until 1948. The post was called 'Director-General of Land Forces'[8] 1948–51 and 'Army Chief of Staff' 1951–66, and has been 'Chief of the Army' since 1966.

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Lieutenant General Werndly van der Riet[9]: 98  and Major General Mannetjies de Goede[12] spent some time acting as Chief of the Army.

Chief of the Air Force

The Chief of the South African Air Force is the professional head of the Air Force. The post was called 'Director of Air Services' 1920–33, 'Director of Air & Technical Services' 1937–39, 'Director-General of Air Services' 1939–41, 'Director-General of the Air Force' 1941–51, and 'Air Chief of Staff' 1951–66, and has been 'Chief of the Air Force' since 1966.

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Chief of the Navy

The Chief of the South African Navy is the professional head of the Navy. The post was called 'Officer Commanding South African Naval Service' 1922–32, 'Director, Seaward Defence Force' 1940–42, 'Director, South African Naval Forces' 1942–51, 'Naval & Marine Chief of Staff' 1951–55, and 'Naval Chief of Staff' 1955–66, and has been 'Chief of the Navy' since 1966.

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Surgeon General

The Surgeon General is the Chief of the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS), which was known as the South African Medical Service (SAMS) before 1994.

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Chief of Joint Operations

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Chief of Corporate Staff

The Chief of Corporate Staff is responsible for the provision of all staff services for the SANDF.[26]

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Sgts Major

Sergeants Major of the Defence Force
From Union Defence Force (UDF) (prior to 1957) To
1947 WO1 James Samuel Hulme[lower-alpha 2] 1950
1950 WO1 David Goldblatt [lower-alpha 3] 1953
1953 WO1 John Pelham Mundy[lower-alpha 4] 1956
1956 WO1 Thomas Benjamin Brown[lower-alpha 5] 1957
From SADF (prior to 1994) To
1961 WO1 J. A. van der Merwe 1964
1964 WO1 F. P. Marais 1966
1966 WO1 W. J. van Rensburg 1969
1969 WO1 W. R. Myburgh 1972
1972 WO1 J. C. Smit 1976
1976 WO1 J. A. Schoeman 1980
1980 WO1 J. J. Grobbelaar 1983
1983 WO1 C. J. Badenhorst 1987
1987 WO1 P. J. van der Merwe 1990
1990 WO1 W. E. W. Fourie 1991
1991 WO1 G. Moorcroft 1993
1993 WO1 J. L. Calitz 1994
From SANDF (post 1994) To
1994 WO1 J. L. Calitz 1998
1998 WO1 J. J. van Zyl 2003
2003 WO1 L. J. Green 2006
2006 WO1 M. J. Nortjé 2009
2009 WO1 P. J. Appelgryn 2010
2010 WO1 D. E. Motau 2013
2013 WO1 P. R. Masondo 2015
2015 A. G. Mashaba 2018
2018 WO1 L. M. Masemola 2021
2021 WO1 N. Maphaha 20 April 2024

Notes

  1. During this period, the Navy disposed of its ships and reduced personnel to a few administrative staff due to the Great Depression.
  2. WO1 James Samuel Hulme was the first Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force (UDF), serving from 1947 to 1950. Prior to his appointment as Sergeant Major, he had served in the British Army during World War II, where he was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in action. He later served in the South African Army until his retirement in 1950.
    As the first Sergeant Major of the UDF, Hulme played an important role in establishing the position and the responsibilities that would come with it. He was responsible for the discipline, training, and morale of the soldiers under his command, and worked closely with officers to ensure that their commands were carried out effectively. He also acted as a liaison between the enlisted soldiers and the officers, and helped to address any concerns or issues that arose.
  3. WO1 David Goldblatt was the second Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force, serving from 1950 to 1953. Prior to his appointment as Sergeant Major, he had served in the South African Army, including service in North Africa during World War II.
    As Sergeant Major, Goldblatt was responsible for maintaining the discipline and morale of the troops under his command, as well as ensuring that they were properly trained and equipped. He also played a role in the development of the South African Army's non-commissioned officer corps, and was instrumental in the creation of the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1, which became the highest rank attainable by non-commissioned officers in the South African military.
    After his retirement from the military, Goldblatt became involved in various veterans' organizations, and continued to work to improve the status and recognition of non-commissioned officers in the South African military.
  4. WO1 John Pelham Mundy was a highly decorated soldier in the South African military who served as the third Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force from 1953 to 1956.
    Mundy joined the South African Army in 1940 and served in North Africa during World War II. He was awarded several decorations for his bravery in combat, including the Military Medal, the Africa Star, and the War Medal.
    As Sergeant Major, Mundy played an important role in the development of the South African Army's non-commissioned officer corps. He was also known for his dedication to the welfare of the troops under his command, and was often called upon to mediate disputes and resolve conflicts between soldiers.
    After his retirement from the military in 1956, Mundy continued to work to improve the status and recognition of non-commissioned officers in the South African military. He also served as a mentor to many young soldiers, and was widely respected for his leadership and integrity.
  5. WO1 Thomas Benjamin Brown was a highly decorated soldier in the South African military who served as the Sergeant Major of the Union Defence Force from 1947 to 1953.
    Brown joined the South African Army in 1939 and served in North Africa during World War II. He was awarded several decorations for his bravery in combat, including the Military Medal, the Africa Star, and the War Medal.
    As Sergeant Major, Brown was responsible for the training and discipline of non-commissioned officers in the South African Army. He was also involved in the development of the South African Army's non-commissioned officer corps and played a key role in creating a professional and disciplined military force.
    After his retirement from the military, Brown remained active in veterans' organizations and continued to advocate for the recognition and welfare of non-commissioned officers in the South African military. He was widely respected for his leadership and commitment to service.

References

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    "Chapter 1 : Introductory Provisions 4A. Military Command of Defence Force". Defence Act (Act No. 42 of 2002). Parliament of South Africa. 2002.
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    Ellis, Johan (2000). "Oswald Pirow's Five-Year Plan for the Reorganisation of the Union Defence Force, 1933–1938". South African Journal of Military Studies. 30 (2).
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    "Defence Act 44 of 1957" (PDF). 1957. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
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    Hamann, Hilton (2001). "Introduction". Days of the Generals. Cape Town: Zebra Press (Struck Publishers). ISBN 1-86872-340-2.
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    Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leiers Deur die Jare (1912-1982)". Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies (in Afrikaans). 12 (2): 89–98. doi:10.5787/12-2-631. ISSN 2224-0020.
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  14. [14]
    Siphiwe Dlamini (10 December 2019). "SANDF Media Advisory; sandf announces the untimely passing away of the Chief of the Army". Pretoria: Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans, Defence Headquarters. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022.
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    "President Ranaphosa mourns passing of Chief of the Army, Lt Gen Mokhosi". 10 December 2019.
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    Maroela-redaksie (10 April 2020). "Nuwe hoof van leër aangekondig". Maroela Media (in Afrikaans). Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
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    "Fact file: Chiefs of the SA Air Force". DefenceWeb.co.za. 21 January 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
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    Guy Martin (1 October 2012). "Gagiano hands over command of SAAF". DefenceWeb.
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    "Ramaphosa names new SANDF Chief and other senior posts". DefenceWeb. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
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    "Defence Amendment Bill 2002" (PDF). Retrieved 24 November 2014.
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    "New Chief of Corporate Staff Services for SANDF". defenceweb.co.za. DefenceWeb. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
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