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S A S O L D I E Rstories from 2006Saluting our former andnew Surgeon GeneralsBy Lebohang Letaoana (published inSA Soldier: September 2005,page 16)Photo: F Sgt David NomtshongwanaThe SA Military Health Service community experiencedmixed feelings of pride, excitement and sadnessHe came, he saw and he conquered.After a span of 35years in the military Lt GenRinus Jansen van Rensburghanded over the reins ofSurgeon General to Lt GenVejaynand Ramlakan during a changeof command parade held at the ThabaTshwane Military Sports Grounds on 1August 2005. The SA Military HealthService community came in numbers towitness this special occasion at whichthey experienced mixed feelings ofpride, excitement and sadness.Lt Gen Jansen van Rensburg said: "I do,however, have to admit that it is withsadness that I take leave of the SAMilitary Health Service (SAMHS). Ithas been a privilege to be at the helm ofthe SAMHS for the past four plusyears. It has been an enriching experience,which I would not change foranything."There have been many developmentsand changes in the SAMHS over thepast few years under the formerSurgeon General, for example: The establishment and developmentof five formations, and their units,as well as that of the GSB ThabaTshwane. Existing directorates were expandedand staffed, but additional directorateswere also established, namelythe Directorate Physical Training,Sport and Recreation, theLt Gen Rinus Jansen van Rensburg (left) handed over the reins ofSurgeon General to Lt Gen Vejaynand Ramlakan.Directorate Occupational Healthand Safety and the DirectorateReserve Force. The introduction of the BATLSand BARTS Courses at theMilitary Health TrainingFormation. Another area of training,which has been expanded, isDisaster Management. During therecent earthquake in Algiers, aDisaster Management Team,including instructors from theMilitary Health TrainingFormation, were able to test theirskills in a real-life situation. The establishment of theUniversity Reserve Training Unit.This training unit will enable medicalstudents from the various tertiaryinstitutions to join the ReserveForce and undergo military trainingwith a view to their becoming medicalofficers within the Reserves.The outgoing Surgeon General concluded:"However, the successesachieved would not have been possible,if I had not had the support of capable,dedicated and focused chief directors,commanders, directors and staff officers.I was always able to rely on theirassistance and advice."30• M A Y 2 0 1 1
stories from 2006S A S O L D I E RThe Force Commanderin Burundi speaks outArticle and photo by F Sgt DavidNomtshongwana (an extract ofwhat was published in SA Soldier:September 2006, page 15)We are making sure that our mission is a success asfar as media coverage in Burundi is concerned.The first Commander of theAfrican Mission in Burundi(AMIB) was Maj Gen SiphoBinda. His successor, MajGen Derick Mgwebi, tookover from him under theAfrican Union (AU) flag in April2004. On 1 June 2005 AMIB changedto the United Nations Operation inBurundi (ONUB).SA Soldier and Defence TV, under thesupervision of Col Daan Boshoff andMaj Ellouis Janse van Rensburg fromChief Joint Operations, are makingsure that our mission is a success asfar as media coverage in Burundi isconcerned. Together we visited theUnited Nations HQ in Bujumbura tointerview the ONUB ForceCommander, Maj Gen Mgwebi,father of the mission.Maj Gen Derick Mgwebi, the ONUB Force Commander, salutesduring the RSA Battalion medal parade at the Modderfontein Basein Bujumbura.Maj Gen Mgwebi is a tall, silent andwell-built senior officer. He is a realsoldier and a role model of what asenior officer should be. This is whathe had to say about how it all started,the current situation, the challenges,and of course his experiences.Maj Gen Mgwebi said: "South Africaplayed a most important role in thepeace process of Burundi throughfacilitation, as requested by theregion. The former President, MrNelson Mandela, took over from thelate Dr Julius Nyerere, the formerPresident of Tanzania. He gave the roleto former Deputy President JacobZuma to continue with the processuntil it was given to the Minister ofSafety and Security, Mr CharlesNqakula."He added: "The SANDF created asecure environment for this process togo ahead, an environment in whichmutual confidence had been builtbetween the role-players in this process.Our presence has allowed politicalleaders in exile to return and startimplementing the Arusha Peace andReconciliation Agreement forBurundi. Our soldiers acted as VIPprotectors to provide a secure environmentfor those who were in exile."South Africa has played a vital role interms of confidence building as far ascombatants are concerned so that theycould go to the assembly areas wherethey agreed to be disarmed becausethey were given protection by theSANDF. The combatants were willingto be disarmed because of the trustand confidence that they had in theSouth African soldiers."M A Y 2 0 1 1 • s31
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