T - Department of Defence

S A S O L D I E Rletters to the editorDIFFERENCE BETWEEN SERVING AND WORKING - SOLDIERA soldier is a patriotic member of thecountry who volunteered to stay awakeon behalf of the President and the citizensof the country.But what?Yes there is a vast differencebetween soldiers.Our motherland is going downbecause of two classes of soldiers,namely serving members and workingmembers.Serving soldiers are crying to bedeployed, whereas working soldiers arecrying to go home.Serving soldiers are concerned aboutthe future of the SANDF, while workingsoldiers are concerned about salaryincreases.Serving soldiers know how to fold theR4 rifle, whereas the working soldiers askassistance on how to fold the R4 rifle.A trench is the living quarters for aserving soldier in the bush; a workingsoldier calls home to complain about thesituation.A serving soldier safeguards the propertyof the Government, while the workingsoldier prefers to take Governmentproperty home.A serving soldier is mostly disliked; aworking soldier entertains friends duringworking hours.A serving soldier always conforms toorders and instructions; a working soldierquestions why, what is the purpose ofthat?A serving soldier complies and complainslater; a working soldier complainsfirst and complies after disciplinaryaction.A serving soldier lifts up his or herhead to listen for the direction of thegunfire; a working soldier hides withthe intention of surrendering.A serving soldier has comrades-inarmsin uniform; a working soldier hasfriends in uniform.Same drills, same courses, but aworking soldier is considered betterthan a serving soldier!That is the difference between a"serving" and a "working" soldier.LS A.M.T. Monaheng,Protection Force: SAS SALDANHATRIBUTE - THE FACE OF THE NCG BAND IS NO MOREMany people will remember him leadingthe National Ceremonial GuardBand during prestigious events of nationalimportance, such as the Openingof Parliament, the Presidential Inaugurationand many other ceremonial events.S Sgt Nkagisang Godfrey Moremediwas born on 7 October 1969 in Sewedingvillage in Mafikeng. He completed hisschooling at Lapologang High Schoolafter which he joined the then BophuthatswanaDefence Force on 1 June 1984.S Sgt Moremedi was the drum majorof note in the National CeremonialGuard Band. Maj Shabalala of 43 SAInfantry Brigade, S Sgt Moremedi'scousin, said: "It all started when S SgtMoremedi was a toddler. He used tobreak broomsticks when he was youngand practise as a drum major. That qualifiedhim for local street Majorriegroups."SAYING THANK YOUOn 25 March 2011 the SA ArmyTechnical Service Unit held a function toexpress appreciation for all the non-Technical Service Corps (TSC) membersand for the work of the support structureof the unit and to lift the morale ofthese members as the TSC members ofthe unit received "back-pay" on theirtechnical allowance. The idea was soldto TSC members who responded in themost positive way and 82 members eachcontributed R100 to pay for this function.All the non-TSC members and thecivilian members were invited to enjoy acasual afternoon in the unit hall whereIn 1994 he was integrated into theSANDF and continued as a drum major.In 2001 S Sgt Moremedi was sent toBritain to further his art as a drum major.Sadly the post was eliminated, though hecontinued serving with distinction as thedrum major.S Sgt Moremedi was selected to bepart of a contingent to represent theSANDF in the International Tattoo thattook place in Virginia USA in 2008. SinceS Sgt Moremedi took ill in August 2010 hewas in and out of hospital. Eventually hesuccumbed to cancer on 20 February 2011.He was a very disciplined soldier whowas always available to perform any taskwith a smile. He also doubled as a busdriver for the Band.He is survived by his mother, wife,sister, two brothers, a son and threedaughters.May his soul rest in peace.they were spoilt with drinks and snackswhile they played pool, socialise andwatch the ICC World Cup Quarter Finalbetween South Africa and New Zeelandon the big screen.In his opening addressLt Col S.J. Fowler thanked all the HumanResources and Personnel members for theovertime they had to work to ensure thatthe applications for technical allowanceswere handed in on time. He alsoexpressed his gratitude to the logisticalpersonnel and the civilian members of theunit for their continued support to theTSC members in the execution of theirtask.This function was the brainchild ofROBALA KA KGOTSO MOSIKWA,MOLETA NGWEDI.Lt Col J.T. Magubane, emailS Sgt Nkagisang GodfreyMoremedi. (7 October 1969 -20 February 2011)WO2 R.D. Stack and S Sgt S.A. Loochand was organised by Maj J.L. Jansenvan Rensburg with tremendous supportfrom the Officer Commanding, ColB.A.G. Mofela, and TSC members.The TSC members all signed a bigcard on this day which will be presentedto the Director Technical Serviceswith the following inscription: "Onbehalf of all the TSC members of the SAArmy TSU we would like to expressour sincere gratitude to you and yourteam for bringing about the manychanges in the TSC". S Sgt S.A. Looch,email6• J U N E 2 0 1 1