April - Department of Defence

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22 This soldier gave what she could By PO Dennis Ndaba “ E ducation is the great engine to personal development, it is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor; the son of a miner can become head of the mine; the child of a farmer can become the president of a great rainbow nation. It is what we make of what we have, not what is given, that separates one person from another." These words echoed by the former President, Nelson Mandela inspired the Warrant Master-at-Arms of SAS IMMORTELLE, WO1 Magriet Strydom, to accomplish what she did. Having been the first female warrant officer to carry the Naval Colours on a parade held at Air Force Gymnasium on 14 October 2002, WO1 Strydom again made headlines by becoming the first female Warrant Master-at-Arms in the SA Navy and first female RSM in the SANDF to be deployed as an RSM in the DRC. She was part of Mistral V (RSA CCSU Special Command and Contingent Support Unit) in Kinshasa, DRC, from April to November 2003. Of 197 members deployed, only eleven were female. Her responsibilities for the duration of the deployment were normal RSM duties, such as base maintenance and discipline logistics. She acted as the link between the juniors and the seniors. The contingent consisted mainly of firefighters, drivers, HQ members and cargo handlers. Under administration of the command were the medical task teams and UN specialist members. Asked how she experienced the DRC as a female, she said that S A S O L D I E R A P R I L 2 0 0 4 despite what psychologists claim, she believes that females and males are not from different planets. Actual studies show that boys and girls share a lot of characteristics. "We have the same capacity to succeed in reading, writing and dancing. For some years females have been overlooked, have even been pushed back, because men thought we needed testosterone to belong to their class." The reality today is that the Defence Force is approaching a new era of peace support and peacekeeping and so far there is absolutely no intelligent, logical or sensible reason for a woman not to be in a combat role, especially with the technological style of warfare that abounds today. WO1 Strydom believes that women have a greater chance of making a success in a combat support role because of female intuition. Women make quicker decisions, act on the spot and can foresee problems much faster than their male counterparts, in other words, women can multitasked. "I was very fortunate to serve with a great group of men who respected me and bonded with me in such a way, beyond gender. It was clearly understood that I would be there for them as they would be there for me. WO1 Magriet Strydom at work in her office in the DRC. We all have an acre of diamonds in ourselves. I have realised that there is no difference, we feel the same pain. We share the same feelings. We all missed our families and loved ones. We shared family pictures, letters and parcels. We even shared some secrets. It was through this that I have learnt a life lesson: colour, gender, religion and cultural backgrounds do not matter in times when things get tough, because we all have the same mission to complete and most importantly, we are all human beings," she added. One thing that people must not forget is that gender does not make a person a hero, no more than the colour of one's skin or the amount of money in one's pocket. It is what lies within a person's heart and character that makes him or her a hero. After a life changing conversation with a young boy named Patrick, WO1 Strydom started a project with MONUC child welfare for the street children living with HIV and the AIDS orphans. The project was
kick-started with donations from her husband, which included books, clothes and toys for the children. Ms Haydeen Britton, who was in charge of child welfare, extended an invitation to WO1 Strydom to attend all her meetings. Another mammoth task was to find accommodation for 66 street children. After receiving the blessing of her Officer Commanding, Col Godfrey Netshidongololo, the big task began. An old shoe warehouse was identified, and after many meetings with the owner (and the help of a French translator) the warehouse was donated for the use of the children. This was only the beginning and she decided to get the contingent involved, starting with the padre and the welfare officer. This quickly passed down to the lower levels and in the end the whole contingent was helping to make the warehouse more comfortable for the children. MONUC HQ gave permission for surplus food to be given to the children. They also sponsored scrap metal, wood and wire, which were used to make clothes lines, beds, etc. After noticing that a lot of young girls, some as young as eight, were selling their bodies for cash, a concerned WO1 Strydom visited the local schools and gave informal lectures on how precious their bodies were. She also highlighted the dangers of HIV/AIDS. To add value to their way of living she taught them basic sewing skills and how to plant and sell vegetables; she felt that it would empower them to improve their lifestyles. Her reason for teaching them about hygiene, the importance of education and the acceptance of their circumstances, was to give them something back. Another project that WO1 Strydom was involved in was the Bonabos Ape Sanctuary. She volunteered her free time on weekends to help wash and feed the baby chimpanzees. WO1 Strydom believes that we all have an acre of diamonds in ourselves, waiting to be discovered. She just let her imagination soar, as it is her soul's blueprint for success. "To represent my country outside the borders of South Africa as an ambassador is the biggest highlight of my career. When my family and I decided that I should take the opportunity, my mind went on a surfing spree. I wondered, will I cope, but, with my inner strength and my trust in God, I knew I was doing the right thing. Equipped with all the briefings at the Brug, my Code of Conduct, bags full of discipline and confidence, the idea to put my members first, knowledge and the will to learn, I was ready to roll," she added. As a sailor in uniform, a mother and a wife, she knew the challenges that awaited her, knew that she would be confronted with certain aspects that might not be pleasant, and knew that the only way to success was to deal with these in a professional manner. The most valuable experience that she gained from her deployment was that it made a difference to the people in the DRC. It was so ironic to see the country with its two sides: the one so untamed and with so much potential, and on the other the poverty, sickness, economic problems and the fight for survival. It was then that I could say, "I am proudly South African". To give a begging child money will only encourage him to beg for more without learning the meaning of earning the money. But to help him, improve his way of living, give him a sense of belonging, a reason for living and he will learn to understand the quality and value of life. WO1 Strydom concluded with her motto in life: "To give what I can, to share what I know, to admire those who achieve, to praise those for their efforts and to lead by example". People interested in donating clothes, books, toys and blankets can contact WO1 Magriet Strydom at tel no: (012) 339 4376 or (012) 379 2201. This project was officially registered in September 2003. Please note that monetary donations will not be accepted. They contributed to peace on our continent Welcome By Nomonde Vuthela Photo: Cpl Elias Mahuma B eing alive and in good health is everything, so what kind of person sacrifices this ultimate gift of life just so that somebody else can live. What love is this and what could possibly be bigger than such an act Are such people made differently and, if so, (Continued where do they come from A member of the SANDF once said to me her vocation was a calling. Well, I believe it! It certainly takes true commitment to enlist in the kind of business where your life is put at risk every moment you are at work. Everyday the email and fax lines of SA SOLDIER are inundated with messages and greetings from Burundi/DRC. These are sent by South Africans who have left behind all that is dear to them. They are members who will one day be able to A P R I L 2 0 0 4 home! say, "I contributed to peace on our continent". The inoculation process that one must go through before deployment to Burundi/DRC is a daunting task in its own right. Although the long queues of people waiting to be vaccinated are a means of guaranteeing protection from disease, nobody likes on page 24) S A S O L D I E R 23
Page 2 and 3: SA SOLDIER The official monthly mag
Page 4: message From the Editor's desk Go t
Page 7 and 8: To be or not to be a soldier We wea
Page 9 and 10: Committed soldiers' resolutions I r
Page 11 and 12: Hawk Lead-in Fighter Trainer will l
Page 13 and 14: The doors of the first Phidisa Clin
Page 15 and 16: President Thabo Mbeki, and his wife
Page 17 and 18: The conflicts currently taking plac
Page 19 and 20: Finding the recruitment office By N
Page 21: Battalion gained international admi
Page 25 and 26: Admiral comes to an end of an era F
Page 27 and 28: Gathering crime data much easier By
Page 29 and 30: Improve service delivery By Col Bob
Page 31 and 32: The SANDF believes in training A ne
Page 33 and 34: Celebrating Air Force Day By Nomond
Page 35 and 36: The Director has served as co-edito
Page 37 and 38: New uniforms to suit our African su
Page 39 and 40: as the Trustee for the Gold Cup Sho
Page 41 and 42: Thousands donated for cricket By Ma
Page 43 and 44: The mascot of the third Military Wo
Page 45 and 46: The flag of tennis flies high By Ma
Page 47 and 48: AAD Ad (New Material) page 47

April - Department of Defence

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