June - Department of Defence

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(Continued from page 15)Members from the SAHMS give a helping hand to formerPresident, Mr Nelson Mandela, with his wife, Ms Graca Machel,following at his side.Capt (SAN) Kesaval Naidoo (right) and Col EllenRiekert were the two senior officers who acted asaides-de-camp to the President.16stung the nation; those who could notmake it beyond the walls of thisfortress happily picnicked against itsfences. The many that did not get toPretoria faithfully watched theproceedings on television.The nation and South Africa'snumerous friends from far beyondour borders witnessed PresidentMbeki take his oath. Representativesfrom foreign countries attended theinauguration, including heads ofstate and royalty. Also in attendancewere parliamentarians, businessmen,representatives from civil society,other dignitaries and the SouthAfrican masses in full force.In his address President Mbekisaid that it was almost impossible toimagine a non-democratic SouthAfrica. He also said, "South Africabelongs to all who live in it, blackor white."Vowing to complete work alreadyS A S O L D I E R • J U N E 2 0 0 4started President Mbeki said, "Thework to create a country that wasdemocratic, peaceful, non-racial, nonsexistand prosperous had alreadybegun and would continue into thesecond decade of freedom". ThePresident continued: "The struggle toeradicate poverty has been and willcontinue to be a central part of thenational effort to build a new SouthAfrica." The President also stated thatSouth Africa would continue to play avigorous role in achieving the goal ofan African Renaissance.If it did not dazzle or stand out,then it was the wrong outfit for theoccasion: there were all kinds of hatsto suit all types of faces. The crowdseated on the lawns of the UnionBuildings was a spectacular sight,closely resembling the inside of ananthill. Everything was systematicallyarranged, so that there were veryfew hitches.But most of all a party is not aparty without the South AfricanNational Defence Force. The SANDFbegan, drove and ended the celebrations.The organisation has become acelebrated ice-breaker, every other actsimply follows suit.Our safety and security forceswere on full alert throughout the day.The whole of Pretoria was a no-flyzone. Various roads were closed offto ensure the safety of everyonecelebrating this momentous occasion.Wetting the large crowds' appetiteand bringing them to an excitedfrenzy in preparation of thePresident's arrival, the NationalCeremonial Guard did a short number,as if to say, "hear ye, hear ye".Altogether 21 motorcyclists of theMilitary Police escorted PresidentMbeki to the Union Buildings.Leading the four Chiefs of thedifferent Services, the Chief of the
SANDF, Gen Siphiwe Nyanda,guided his team and ushered thePresident and our First Lady,Ms Zanele Mbeki, onto the podium.The action was later repeated whenMr and Ms Mbeki left the ceremony.There was a resounding echo likethunder when the 21-gun salute wasfired after the President took his oath,which announced the beginning ofmore history to be made. Then threeSANDF Oryx helicopters eachcarrying big national flags, carriedout a flight in salute over the UnionBuildings in honour of PresidentMbeki. Then a fly-past of ten PilatusAstra training aircraft depicting afigure "10" formation followed.Thereafter a Cheetah fighter jet paintedin the colours of the South Africanflag did a fly-past.Altogether 4 000 soldiers representingall four Services of theSANDF, including Reserve Forcemembers, as well as several militarybands, formed part of the activities onthis historical day.The SANDF further demonstratedits allegiance to our Commander-in-Chief by means of a military paradedown Church Street. The demonstrationof power included a cavalcade ofarmoured vehicles, while in the skyabove aircraft from the SA Air Force,such as the Rooivalk attack helicopters,flew past. What an impressiveshow of fire! Col André Retief,Officer Commanding of the School ofArmour, talked the whole nationthrough the military parade duringthe live broadcast on SABC2.Occasions such as these can nevertake place were it not for the manypeople who work behind the scenes,eg members who worked odd hoursat Waterkloof Air Force Base toreceive all the dignitaries flying infrom all over the world, and securitypersonnel, drivers and militarypolice stationed at their posts at alltimes. Last but not least, SouthAfrican Military Health Servicepersonnel were deployed toguarantee an instant response to anyhealth hazards.All this from a nation that seeks tomake democracy a part of SouthAfrican culture with President Mbekiat the helm.In perfect tune.Military presence at the inauguration.Motorcyclists of the Military Police escorted the President.J U N E 2 0 0 4 • S A S O L D I E R17
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Page 8 and 9: Are we that short-staffed?Today I w
Page 12 and 13: clippingsDeceased soldier decorated
Page 14 and 15: 14S A S O L D I E R • J U N E 2 0
Page 18 and 19: eventsSouth Africa goes tothe polls
Page 20 and 21: eventsWelcome to ourthink-tanksBy M
Page 22 and 23: eventsInternal auditors maintainhig
Page 26 and 27: eventsTaking over the reinsHe belie
Page 28 and 29: Never ever fail to tryBy PO Dennis
Page 30 and 31: insightOur Navy boasts of itssucces
Page 32 and 33: insight32More than a militarythreat
Page 34 and 35: 34eventsClimbing the ladderof acade
Page 36 and 37: A new lion in the pride36By Capt T.
Page 38 and 39: insightSoldiers and theircommanders
Page 40 and 41: 40(Continued from page 39)duties, m
Page 42 and 43: insightArmy College adaptsits train
Page 44 and 45: insightEducating air powerBy Brig G
Page 46 and 47: clippingsSoldier launched areggae a
Page 48: Armscor Advert(Repeat page 48May 20

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