Vision - Chaplains service

The SANDF Military Chaplain Magazine welcomes General Solly Zachariah Shoke as the new chief of the South African
National Defence Force (SANDF). General Shoke was sworn in at a colourful military ceremonial event in Pretoria on
31 May 2011. He is taking over from General Godfrey Ngwenya who has been at the helm of the organisation since
2005.
General Shoke was born on 15 August 1956 in Alexandra Township, South Africa. He served in many roles as a member
and commander within the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), Umkhonto we Sizwe (M.K.). His latest
position within the SANDF before his appointment was that of Chief of the SA
Army, where he distinguished himself as a visionary onary and a commander par
excellence. He was the main driver behind the SA Army’s Vision 2020,
which has laid a solid foundation for the future of the SANDF.
General Shoke is well known as a humble, e, God-fearing, yet
strong leader; a strict disciplinarian and a strong supporter for
the work the chaplains are doing. Whenever er there were major
religious events like the Easter Services, he made it a point that he
led from the front by making time within his busy usy schedule to be in
attendance personally.
It will not be an exaggeration to say that he hardly ardly missed a single SA
Army Chaplains’ conference. Once there, he would always express his
sincerest gratitude for the hard work that chaplains lains are doing. He would
motivate, encourage and even fi eld individual questions from chaplains
to ensure that all their concerns were addressed. ed.
His latest extraordinary decision was to order er 55 new sedan
vehicles for the use by SA Army chaplains throughout
the country. Chaplains are on standby 24 hours.
They respond to distress calls from members rs within
unit lines and at their homes. They do hospital pital and
family visits to members that are not well. l. They
conduct military funerals and marriages. All of the
above and more require chaplains to always have
access to transport. It is in the above context t that
the Chief’s response must be understood.
As part of the SANDF social responsibility, ity,
General Shoke has donated more than 100 00
computers, printers and other valuable e
items to schools in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal al
and other areas around the country. At the e
moment, the chaplains in the SA Army are
fi nalising the orphanage programme, which is
likely to come into effect at the beginning of
2013.
The SANDF Military Chaplain Magazine
wishes the Chief well in the new role that he
has to fulfi l and God’s blessings over him
and his team going forward.
FOCUS ON CHIEF OF SANDF
The SANDF Military
Chaplain Magazine Welcomes
the New Chief of the SANDF
Article by Col (Rev) Kingsley Masemola, SSO Religious Communication and Liaison
Gen S.Z. Shoke
Chief SANDF
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