November - Department of Defence

eventsEnhancing musketryskillsBy L Cpl Ally RakomaPhotos: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwanaAwise sportsman once said: "Iflife doesn't offer you a gameworth playing, then invent a newgame." The SA Army hostedits annual Warrant Officersand Non-Commissioned OfficersSkills Competition at theSA Army Gymnasium in Heidelbergfrom 8 to 12 September 2008. The prestigiousevent is a skill-at-arms displayin various contests, which separatethose who can from those who try.The event attracted great interestfrom the SA Air Force and the armedforces from our neighbouring countriesthat came to compete and to get the feelof the intensity of the event. During aninterview with SA Soldier, WO2 HassenJafarie, Regimental Instructor of AirForce Gymnasium, said that for theSA Air Force its first participation inthe event was a learning curve and aneye-opening experience. "We are veryenthusiastic about this prestigiousevent; come 2009 we will be waiting infull force," said WO2 Jafarie.We also caught up with WO1Julius Kamphenga of the MalawiDefence Force. He said that the formationof the SADC Brigade has givenrise to events such as these thatadvance and enhance our Force's aspirationsfor greater unity. He alsoexpressed gratitude to the SANDF forhosting this event. "Events like thesebring us together. As the SADC forceswe need to know each other, as ourcultures and customs differ. As envisagedby the African Union and SADC,we need to determine our state ofreadiness and this will also help inencouraging closer military co-operationand increase transparency andunity among our forces," said WO1Kamphenga. Sgt Victor Tautona fromthe Botswana Defence Force said: "Theskills evaluation is a test of skill, persistenceand endurance. It opens doorsfor learning, and in any competitionthere must be a winner. If one does notwin now, there is always a next time,so to lose must not dampen the spiritof unity and friendship."Individual CompetitionAFRICA TROPHY WINNERSFittest Member Africa:Cpl M.S. Mzimba (SA Air Force)Best Shottist Africa:WO2 M.T. Maphalle (TrainingFormation)28The SA Army Infantry Formation Pace Stick Team.S A S O L D I E R • NO VEMB ER 2 0 0 8