M A Y 2 0 1 2 • S A S O L D I E R - Department of Defence

2010 review of defenceOperation Litchi10 years down the lineS A S O L D I E RBy Kgabo MashamaitePhoto: Sgt Elias MahumaRosita Mabuiango (10) andher mother, Ms Sofia Chiure,were the guests of honour atthe Minister of Defence andMilitary Veterans’ budget voteon 4 May 2010 in Parliament,Cape Town, where Minister LindiweSisulu announced that the SANDF hadformally adopted Rosita, and would becontributing towards her educationalcosts and other costs related to herupbringing.On 1 March 2000 the villagers in theGaza Province in Mozambique woke upto a flood that was endangering not onlytheir village, but other nearby villagesas well. Torrential rain had resultedin the river overflowing its banks andinundating the surrounding area.Owing to a lack of capacity andresources to rescue strandedvillagers, Mozambique requested theSouth African Government to offerhumanitarian assistance. The rescuemission, called Operation Litchi, wasundertaken in response to the request.The decision to send SANDF membersto the distressed villages in GazaProvince had a positive impact onthe people being evacuated from thedeadly floods. When this missionwas broadcast and published onthe international media the worldwitnessed the bravery, humanity andempathy that the SANDF had for theless fortunate in times of difficulty. AnOryx helicopter of the SA Air Force, oneof four deployed on the Operation Litchirescue mission, was seen hovering overa tree to rescue a newborn baby and hermother.That tiny little bundle is today a bright10-year old, Rosita Mabuiango, whose33-year-old mother, Ms Sofia Chiure,made headlines after giving birth in atree during the raging floods.During the announcement in herbudget vote, Minister Sisulu said thatRosita represented something uniquelygood about the SANDF, including itshumanity, bravery, skilful techniquesand the values inculcated in themembers of the SANDF.“I am grateful for the SANDF’s helpduring the floods in our country,Mozambique. It is due to it that weare alive today.” Rosita is a clever girland excels in her schooling and enjoysPortuguese. “Her peers regard her asa national symbol and a heroine forhaving triumphed over the devastatingfloods in 2000, and it is because ofher that the world has come to knowabout our plight and that the SA AirForce assisted us,” said Ms Chiure whothanked the Government of SouthAfrica for sending the SANDF to hercountry to rescue its citizens from thefloods.(For more information please read thearticle as published in SA Soldier, June2010 edition, pages 16 and 17.)Fltr: Ms Sofia Chiure (Rosita Mabuiango’s mother), WO2 Tshifiwa Nengovhela (a SAMHS Medic), RositaMabuiango (10-year-old), Ms Lindiwe Sisulu (Minister of Defence and Military Veterans), and Lt GenCarlo Gagiano (Chief of the SA Air Force) during the 2010 Minister’s Budget Vote.M A Y 2 0 1 2 • 23