Generaal Jannie Geldenhuys – Hoof van die SAW (Foto – HBH)
ELEKTRONIESE BEDIENING: “GOD WEET ALLES VAN ONS”
Nongqai se Kapelaan: Pastoor Koot Swanepoel (082-041-9123)
Psalm 139:1-5: Die Lewende Bybel: “HERE, U ondersoek my lewe en U weet alles van my af. U weet van elke beweging wat ek mark en U ken my gedagtes deur en deur. U gaan al my doen en late na waar ek ook al is – by die huis of êrens op reis. Here U weet selfs wat ek gaan sê nog voordat ek my mond oopmaak. U is orals rondom my en hou U hand oor my.”
God doen dit nie omdat Hy ons nie kan vertrou nie. Hy doen dit alles omdat Hy ons liefhet. Ons moet kennis dra dat ons niks hoef weg te steek vir God nie. God is beter as die beste GPS wat daar is op die Internet. God stel baie belang waar ons gaan en wat ons doen. Hy weet wat ons gaan sê, voordat ons praat. Vra Hom dus om jou die regte woorde te gee. Om te dink God hou gedurig Sy hand oor ons. Ons het niks te vrees nie, want as God vir ons is wie kan teen ons wees!
Die 1953 vertaling van Ps. 139:5 lees soos volg: “U sluit my in van agter en van voor, en U lê U hand op my.” Van albei kante word ons beskerm deur die HERE en dan maak Sy hand ons ook toe. Dit is wonderlik om dit te weet. En in Joh. 10:28sê Jesus dat niemand ons uit Sy hand sal ruk nie. Weerstaan vrees en onsekerheid wetende jy is behoorlik beskerm deur jou hemelse Vader.
Omdat God alles weet van jou sal Hy ook voorsien in al jou behoeftes en by Hom is daar geen tekort nie. (Fil. 4:19) Wat jou nood ook al vandag mag wees, vertrou die Here en moenie twyfel nie. Jak. 1:6,7: “Hy wat twyfel, is soos ‘n golf van die see wat deur die wind gedrywe en voortgesweep word. Want dié mens moenie dink dat jy iets van die HERE sal ontvang nie.”
God weet van jou.
Hy ken jou by jou naam en sal ‘n wakende oog oor jou hou. Verlustig jou vandag in die HERE deur aan Hom lof te gee.
Die Ratel van die SAW – voorblad ontwerp deur kol (Afgetree) William Marshall.
Hieronder verskyn die tegniese data van die ratel deur kol Marshall.
WELCOME & FOREWORD | VOORWOORD & WELKOM
Hennie Heymans
Welkom Welcome
Hartlik welkom by hierdie besondere uitgawe –besonder as gevolg van ons lesers se deelname met artikels en foto’s
A warm welcome to this special edition –especially because of our readers’ participation with articles and photos.
Nongqai is ‘n opvoedkundige en kultuurhistoriese tydskrif wat sy inhoud vir die nageslag bewaar. Dit is slegs komende geslagte wat ons na behore kan evalueer
Bykomende Nongqai’s wat die maand verskyn het:
Nongqai is an educational and culturalhistorical magazine that preserves its content for posterity. Only future generations can properly evaluate it.
Op voorblad genl-maj Sharon Schutte – Vroueredakteur Sarie van Niekerk.
Special Edition on Capt DS Moodley by Col Logan Govender.
Special Edition on Col JH van Dyk by Col Logan Govender.
“The Men Speak” – Prof Fanie Cloete shares his experiences.
“NONGQAI, being dedicated to preserving the proud history of South Africa’s forces, has a natural tendency to view and present our country’s history from a security perspective. This may inadvertently lead to a perpetuation of the “silo visions” that had so often plagued strategic decision making on the government side during the era of the “armed struggle”, leading up to the eventual negotiated constitutional settlement.
It is therefore with great appreciation that we welcome the contribution made in this Special Edition of “The Men Speak” by Prof Dr Fanie Cloete of Stellenbosch, towards enabling a broader understanding of the spectrum of viewpoints that had reigned during that time. What Prof Cloete does by sharing his recollections (he was Chief Director of Constitutional Planning during the eighties) is to highlight how the “civilian” departments – in other words, not part of the security and intelligence establishment – had with great clarity identified the need for fundamental change and had proposed plans to achieve that. Such as the “Skrik vir Niks” (fear nothing) proposals of 1987, signed off by twenty-one civilian departments. Only to have their efforts stymied, in their view, by the then “security establishment” as dominated by PW Botha and the “total onslaught” adherents in the military. Whose suffocating grip was only overcome when FW de Klerk came to power” - WPS.
Die drie generaals word intussen op verpligte verlof geplaas.
Ek is nie vooraf oor hierdie besluit ingelig nie en het dit deur die media verneem. Dit was vir my ’n skok omdat ek mnr. De Klerk nog kort tevore nadruklik daarop gewys het dat daar nie op regsgronde teen die generaals opgetree kon word nie.
Ek het dadelik met mnr. Hernus Kriel geskakel en hom ingelig dat nóg hy nóg mnr. De Klerk die bevoegdheid het om die drie lede op verpligte verlof te plaas. Ingevolge die Polisiewet en Regulasies is die kommissaris die enigste persoon wat die regsbevoegdheid het om teen die drie op te tree. Mnr. Kriel het daarop aangedring dat ek in daardie geval die drie lede onmiddellik op verpligte verlof moet plaas. Ek het hom daarop gewys dat die Polisiewet en Regulasies glad nie voorsiening maak vir verpligte verlof nie. Ek het reeds die hele saak indringend en herhaaldelik met die regsafdeling
van die Polisie bespreek en hulle is dit volkome eens met my dat daar geen getuienis is op grond waarvan ek teen die drie generaals kon optree nie. Mnr. Kriel het my toe gevra om te kyk of ek nie die saak op ’n ander manier kon beredder nie.
Op 24 Maart het mnr. Kobie Coetsee bekend gemaak dat ʼn ondersoekspan onder leiding van dr. D’Oliveira aangestel is en uit die volgende lede bestaan: adv. A. Chaskalson, SC, mnr. J. Aubrey, Franse polisiekommissaris, assistent-kommissaris F.B. Mapuranga van die Zimbabwiese polisie, en genl.maj. M.J. Nel van die Polisie se Handelstak.
Ek het dadelik samesprekinge met dr. D’Oliveira gevoer en hom ons heelhartige samewerking belowe. Ek het die volgende beklemtoon:
• Alle partye en organisasies is dit eens dat daar voorsiening gemaak moet word vir amnestie vir dade wat met ʼn politieke oogmerk in die konflik van die verlede gepleeg is, hoewel geen ooreenkoms nog daaroor nog bereik is nie.
• Die Goldstone-verslag bevat beweringe wat met sodanige dade verband hou, wat myns insiens uiters onbillik en eensydig is. Soortgelyke ondersoeke teen die ANC/SAKP-alliansie is in opdrag van mnr. De Klerk ná klagtes van mnr. Mandela gestaak. Dit bots met alle beginsels van gelykheid voor die reg dat ondersoeke teen lede van die veiligheidsmagte voortgesit word.
• Sekere onregmatige dade in die verlede het in opdrag van of met die medewete van mnr. P.W. Botha, mnr. Adriaan Vlok en my geskied en ek kan nie toelaat dat lede van die veiligheidstak daaroor vervolg word nie. Ek het die Khotso- en Cosatuhuis-voorvalle genoem as voorbeelde waarby Eugène de Kock en ander lede van die Vlakplaaseenheid betrokke was. Ek het ook na Japie Maponya, wat in die Goldstone-verslag genoem word, verwys as ’n geval wat klaarblyklik met ʼn politieke oogmerk in die konflik van die verlede gepleeg is.
Dr. D’Oliveira het kennis daarvan geneem en ek was onder die indruk dat hy daarmee akkoord gegaan het.
Ek het ook die posisie van die drie generaals met dr. D’Oliveira bespreek en daarop gewys dat die getuienis in die Goldstone-verslag vaag en sonder enige regsgrondslag was en dat ’n mens nie op grond daarvan kan optree nie. Dr. D’Oliveira het nog nie die verslag ontvang nie en kon dus nie oor die meriete oordeel nie. Hy het egter gesê dit sal sy taak vergemaklik as die drie generaals hulle vrywillig aan diens sou onttrek.
Ek het daarna weer die situasie met die generaals bespreek in oorleg met adv. Louis Kok van die Polisie se regsafdeling. Genl. Smit het sy eie regsverteenwoordiger gehad. Ons het tot die slotsom
gekom dat dit in die beste belang van die drie generaals sou wees om hulle vrywillig aan diens te onttrek om dr. D’Oliveira en sy span kans te gee om vas te stel of daar enige waarheid in die beweringe teen hulle steek.
Ek het mnr. Kriel ingelig dat ek dit goedgekeur het dat die drie generaals hulle van 26 Maart 1994 tot 5 April 1994 (ses weke) vrywillig aan diens onttrek. As dr. D’Oliveira en sy span in dié tyd daarin slaag om getuienis in te win om die beweringe te staaf, sal ek verdere stappe oorweeg. Andersins sal hulle hul diens hervat omdat dit hoogs onwaarskynlik is dat bewyse daarna aan die lig sal kom.
Die aard van die beweringe is in elk geval van so ʼn aard dat ʼn ervare ondersoekbeampte binne ʼn week behoort te kan bepaal of daar enige gronde daarvoor bestaan.
Ek het alle moontlike hulp aan dr. D’Oliveira en sy span verleen, dokumente beskikbaar gestel en gereeld met dr. D’Oliveira geskakel om te hoor of enige verdere hulp nodig is. Teen die sperdatum het dr. D’Oliveira en sy span nog geen getuienis opgediep nie. Dr. D’Oliveira het gevra dat hy en sy span nog twee weke kans gegun moet word. Ná oorlegpleging met die drie generaals is die versoek toegestaan, maar ek het dit nadruklik aan dr. D’Oliveira gestel dat ek in belang van geregtigheid en billikheid geen verdere uitstel kan toestaan nie.
KOL BOESMAN BASSON EN MEV BRONWYN BASSON (OPERASANGER)
Barry Taylor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZ03Y7709I
Dis Boesman Basson se vrou, Bronwyn, wat hier sing – (dr) Wouter en Marius se ma.
Kommentaar deur HBH
Kol Boesman Basson was ‘n bekende speuroffisier hier in Pretoria gedurende die 1970’s. Hy was ook ‘n groot gees in SAP Rugby,
HBH
• Luise in die kaserne
Eendag kla die manne van King’s Rest – daar is luise in die kaserne! Dit was nadat die SAP van Wentworth na ‘n groot woonstelblok (Sandown) op die Durban se strandfront getrek het. Tydelikemajoor Boshof was die kaserne-opsigter. Die onderste twee vloere was die ongetroude kaserne en daar bokant, die res, was die getroude kwartiere!
‘n Ongesonde toestand as daar een was. Polisievoertuie van oor die hele Durban metropool kom haal hul manne en laai manne af voor die gebou. Spitstye van 5 vm tot 7vm; tussen 1 en 2.30 en dan weer van 9 nm tot ongeveer 10.30 nm.
Durban is ‘n hawestad en van die stil Wentworth waar daar net ‘n kantien en kaserne was na die strandfront met al sy dames kon die owerhede mos etlike probleme voorsien het. Met die tydelikemajoor ‘in-bevel’ van die kaserne het die morele probleme gou begin. In die ou dae was vrouens taboe in kasernes. (Die eerste SAP vrouens is eers in 1972 in diens geneem.) Meisies van die nag word maar ingesmokkel. Na ‘n drankie was almal maar mooi! Die manne van King’s Rest kla oor weeluise. Op ‘n klop die majoor en die manne van DOW aan my kollegas se deur. Hulle kom die luise van kant maak. Daar is meisies in die kamer hoe gemaak?
Om ‘n departementele verhoor vry te spring steek hulle die meisies weg. Die majoor kom in en DOW begin regmaak om die luise te berook. Almal uit en die majoor en DOW is weg, toe spring hulle vinnig. Deure en vensters oop! Bad vol water. Meisies uit die kaste en word in die bad gelawe! Dit was die laaste keer dat hulle gekla het oor luise!
• Amptelike ‘Mistaken Identity’
Tydens ‘Ou Mof’ se bewind doen hy aansoek by DOW dat die stasie vergroot moet word aangesien ons uit ons nate bars. Eendag hou daar ‘n vragmotor stil en laai sand, stene en dies meer daar af. Waarvoor? vra Mof. Ons kom ‘n getuie wagkamer bou – iets soos ‘n bushalte se beskermde wagplek word opgerig.
Ons stasie is baie oud, was nog deel van die ‘Mounted Rifles’ se geboue opset.
Op Kingsley in Noord-Natal naby Bloedrivier gee DOW uitvoering aan ‘Ou Mof’ se versoek. Kingsley het vir ‘n getuie skuilplek gevra, maar ‘n groot polisiestasie gekry!
Jare later as kaptein te veiligheidstak, Natal, het ek Kingsley besoek wat so alleen staan tussen die mielielande. Daar was kantore te kus en te keur! Die sersant het sommer twee gehad! Ek het lekker gelag oor die fout.
Hoe het hulle so ‘n fout weggesteek?
• T/A/O During
T/A/O During1 het ons tydens teetyd vermaak met baie stories uit die “ou dae”.
Met teetyd het hy graag ‘n storie van die ‘ou dae’ vertel. Wat ek nog onthou is die stories van onluste in Johannesburg gedurende die 1920’s. Hulle het oproermakers en stakers met pikstele in die vorm van berede knuppels uiteengedryf. Die pikstele het aan ‘n riempie om hul pols gehang.
Hy vertel dat toe hy een aand die stasie besoek kom die patrolliewa ook by die stasie ingery, en tot sy verbasing vind hy dat sy seun (later generaal Roy During) wat op skool is, die wa vir die polisieman aan diens bestuur. Eers jare later het ek die voorreg gehad om die seun, toe brigadier en afdelingskommissaris Wes-Kaap, in Tafelbaai-hawe op ‘n Taiwannese oorlogskip te ontmoet.
Ook het hy vertel dat ‘n polisieman nie oorywerig ‘over zealous’ (oorywerig) moet wees nie.
My Vader vertel daar was eendag gedurende WO2 ‘n staking in Browns Ave, Punt. Die distrikskommandant van Durban, was destyds kaptein Albert John Smart. Kaptein Smart het d.m.v. ‘n tolk met die stakers gepraat.
Toe die tolk is Zulu sê: “Die man hier voor julle is kaptein Smart, hy is die groot-groot sersant van Durban ...” Onmiddellik word die tolk van sy amp onthef en Smart roep toe sersant During, ‘n man wat vlot Zulu gepraat het, nader en laat hom verder tolk. Kapt Smart het nie van die metafoor dat hy as ‘n sersant beskryf word, gehou nie.
Smart het as vrygesel in die Durban Klub gewoon. Na sy aftrede het hy op Hillcrest by Grundy Francis, te Hillcrest, gaan woon.2
• Durban Klub
Talle van ons ou Brits-gesinde offisiere was klub-mense soos kapt Smart. Kol HF Trew skryf baie oor sy besoeke aan die “Civil Service Club” in Kaapstad en die “Pretoria Club” in Pretoria waar genl Smuts ook lid was. Die klub bestaan steeds.
1 Die vader van genl ‘Roy’ During.
2 Persoonlike mededeling deur AF Heymans op 30-03-2005.
• Rand Club (wikipedia)
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE: TRAINING COLLEGE: PLATOON 25, AUGUST 1976 TO FEBRUARY 1977: WENTWORTH: DURBAN
Source: Sergeant Ahmed Mahomed [Mohanraj]
Members Identified
First row, left to right, 7th I Mohanraj (Sergeant Ahmed Mahomed [Mohanraj])
Rear row, left to right, 10th Vinod Singh, 1st from right
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE: PINETOWN: STATION COMMANDER AND STAFF: DURBAN: KWAZULU-NATAL: 1989
Source, Lieutenant-Colonel (Advocate) Jay Govender
STATION COMMANDER AND STAFF SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE PINETOWN, DURBAN 1989
Front row, seated, left to right, 1st Cst Adele Botha; 2nd unidentified; 3rd W/O Moodley (not my dad); 4th Lt Scholtz; 5th Major Van Wyk; 6th Lt Marais; 7th W/O Krish Govender; Cst Jay Moodley, (Lieutenant-Colonel [Advocate] Govender – [LG])
Second row, left to right, 1st Cst Baldwin; 2nd Cst W Coetzer; 3rd Cst Van Onselen; 4th Cst James Duke; 5th Cst Baldwin 6th Cst Mnikathi; 7th Cst Seelan Reddy; 8th Cst Kevin Naidu; 9th unidentified; 10th Cst Priscilla Kaloo (Now Naidu); 11th Cst Maphela.
Rear row, left to right, 1st Cst Visagie; 2nd Cst Dave Baker; 3rd Cst Camphor; 4th Cst Van Vuuren; 5th Cst Hein Neveling; 6th Sgt Wayne Smith; 7th Cst Danny Govender; 8th Cst Selvan Naicker; 9th Sgt Gangaram; 10th Sgt Reddy; 11th Cst Alec Moodley.
Logan Govender
D/Sergeant Sivalingam Pillay
(Source, D/Sergeant Sivalingam Pillay)
The previous photograph was not clear, herewith improved quality copy for preservation. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Member Identified
Rear row, left to right, 4th from left Constable Sivalingam
Logan Govender
1914 – 1918: VISUELE GESKIEDENIS: DIE SAP IN DIE REBELLIE EN DSWA
Hennie Heymans
So loop ek tussen die ou boeke deur, by die NG Kerk Queenswood se basaar en prof Alex Duffey bring die volgende boek onder my aandag wat ek dadelik koop:
THE CAPTURE OF DE WET
The South African rebellion 1914
PJ Samson
London: Edward Arnold, 1915
Ek deel met u die volgende historiese foto’s:
Genl Louis Botha – eerste uniale eerste minister. Die BO van die Magte. Die Rebellie was vir hom iets verskrikliks.
Krygswet: Pretorianers doen aansoek vir permitte om huis toe te gaan. Ooral is wagposte opgerig en sonder permitte kan hulle nie huistoe gaan.
Dames met vuurwapens wat hulle by die polisiestasie wil ingee
Vlnr: Kol TG Truter (Kommissaris van polisie), genl Louis Botha en kol Collyer (Hoof van Staf –UVM). Kol Truter was president van die krygshof te velde wat kmdt Jopie Fourie verhoor het.
Skanse om die stadsaal te Harrismith
SABS en SAP tussen Bethlehem en Reitz
Hoofkonstabel (AO) Bench se holster: Geveg te Nooitgedacht waar kmdt Jopie Fourie gearresteer was
‘n Baie bekende foto: SAP Ventersburg na genl De Wet die polisiestasie aangeval het.
Genl CR de Wet na sy arrestasie
Dit is ‘n hoofkonstabel in die SAP wat die vlag in Windhoek gehys het.
• Die aanklag teen kmdt Jopie Fourie en sy fusillering
‘n Foto van hoofkonstabel F Bench
Reon Coetzee (Switserland)
• 1933: No 15522 (B) MJ Coetzee
My grootvader, Matthys Jacobus Coetzee, magsnommer 15522(B) gedurende 1933
• Grey Greyling skryf:
Hy was te Springs gestasioneer in 1960’s toe ek aangesluit het. Speurder Thys Coetzee het drank aangeleenthede hanteer. Sy seun Johnnie was ‘n uniform lid te Springs - judo mannetjie - is later na Amanzimtoti - hondeman gewees. (Kommentaar HBH – ek het destyds sers Johnnie Coetzee van ‘Toti geken).
• W89218M Reon Coetzee
Die appel het net lank gevat om te val – No W89218M maak van my 'n blougat lol.
• 60418T Thys Coetzee
Sommer 'n klomp appels. Dis my oupa. Reon is my neef. My pa se nr. was 30135F, my sussie W405210E, en myne 60418T.
• 30135F Sersant Johnny Coetzee
Reon Coetzee skryf en stuur foto van sers Johnny Coetzee: 30135F Sers Johnny Coetzee (08.11.1936 - 02.12.2020) seun van Matthys Coetzee.
• Mattys Coetzee
Seun van Johnnie Coetzee en kleinseun van MJ Coetzee
30135F Sersant Johnny Coetzee Mattys Coetzee
JP Botha
ONVERDROTE YWER: NO 17379 (B) PJS SLABBER:
Lt-genl Nico Slabber
Uittreksel uit Magsorders (Magsorders 10 van 1946).
My Pa was gedurende 1946 in die depot verhoor. Hy was 5-sjielings (50 sent) beboet omdat hy die staldeur slegs op slot gesit het, maar nie gesluit het nie. DAAR WAS NIE EERS ‘N PERD IN DIE STAL NIE! Groete
DIE BOKSKAMPIOEN*
(Chris Botha)
Hierdie tyd van my lewe is vreemd, en soms nogal verwarrend. Partymaal is ek veronderstel om van iets te weet maar kan ek werklik niks van die gebeurtenis onthou nie. Dis asof dit sommer net weggeraak het, iewers heen, en ek het eenvoudig nie saamgegaan nie. Ander kere weer, onthou ek elke deeltjie van ‘n voorval, al die detail in die fynste besonderhede, maar die hele ding ontwyk almal wat onder normale omstandighede die gewone verdagtes in die gebeurtenis sou gewees het.
Neem byvoorbeeld die storie van die bokskampioen in die kroeg van die Victoria Hotel aan die bopunt van Paul Krugerstraat in Pretoria.
Ek weet presies wat gebeur het daardie aand, en ek gaan dit hier neerpen in volle geheue-glorie. Vermoedelik is sommige van die karakters in die storie reeds oorlede. Ek kan hulle dus nie vra of hulle daar was nie en sal my geheue moet vertrou. Tog het ek ‘n klompie ander karakters wat nog in die lewe is gebel om te hoor of hulle hierdie voorval waaroor ek hier skryf kan onthou. Dit het immers iewers rondom 1974-75 plaasgevind – dis mos maar net so vyftig jaar gelede, dan nie? Helaas, niemand anders onthou die storie nie.
Liewe leser, u moet my dus nou maar toelaat om te vertel wat ek weet, of dink ek weet, wat ander nie weet nie, of dink hulle weet (dat hulle nie weet nie).
In die ou Polkol, die spreektaalnaam van die Polisiekollege in Pretoria-Wes, het die drilinstrukteurs die standpunt gehuldig dat dit nie ‘n drilinstrukteur betaam om die nuwe maand in te gaan met die ou maand se geld nog in besit nie. ‘n Ou maand se geld moes uit sodat die drilinstrukteur elke nuwe maand nuut kon aanpak. Dit het immers sy eie uitdagings gehad en weinig van die vorige maand se ervaringe sou van enige nut wees. Dus sou oorblygeld ook nie van nut wees nie.
Hierdie denke was die resultaat van die unieke aard van die drilinstrukteur se werk. Die drilinstrukteur was in wese die peloton se sersant, en as pelotonsersant (was ons geleer) gaan jy getoets word want jy is nie ‘n sielkundige, sosioloog, predikant, maatskaplike werker, bieg-envergifnisvader, mediese dokter, apteker, huweliksberader, en nog verskeie ander dinge nie. Jy is
gewoon ‘n meestal ongetroude jong man wat jouself nog in die wêreld probeer vind en posisioneer. Elke maand was dus nuut, waardig om bederf te word met nuwe geld.
Op die laaste dag van die ou maand dan, het ons die ou geld gevat en kantien toe geloop vir ‘n bier of wat. Die geld was meestal kleingeld van die koper- of brons soort en daar was nooit genoeg tyd vir die hofmeester aan diens om ‘n hoop daarvan te tel nie. Ons hofmeester, Snoekerstok Sandberg (nie sy regte naam nie, sy vrou leef nog en sy was op haar dag die land se vroue-swaargewigjudokampioen) het gevolglik die munte met sy twee hande in ‘n vierkant geblok op die toonbank, aan die bokant gelyk gemaak, teruggestaan sodat hy kon fokus (hy het nooit by die kantien gaan werk met sy bril op sy oë nie, mens weet nooit wat daar kan gebeur nie) en dan ‘n aanbod gemaak van twee of drie of hoeveel ook al biere vir die hoop geld. Mens kon wel so ‘n bietjie redekawel, maar meestal het ons maar Snoekerstok se waardering van die hopie kleingeld aanvaar.
Natuurlik was die geld, en dus die bier, dan ook gou-gou op en sou ‘n lang droeë nag dan ‘n man se voorland wees.
En dis toe op so ‘n nag van droewige vooruitsigte dat Spoorloos Stander (nie sy regte naam nie –ek het hierdie persoon genader maar hy sê hy weet van niks …Ek meen egter ek is hier korrek, dit was beslis hy), ‘n senior sersant met meer geld as ons vir Snoekerstok, ook vir my en dan nog een man uitnooi om saam met hom bietjie die stad in te vaar. Hy het ‘n perd van hom teen ‘n groot wins verkoop en hy koop vir ons ‘n ietsie, iewers. En dis hoe ons by die Victoria Hotel opeindig –Spoorloos Stander, Snoekerstok Sandberg, Leeuwelpie van Vuuren, en ek.
Die ‘Vic’, soos die hotel by ons bekend gestaan het, was op die hoeke van Paul Kruger- en Scheidingstrate, oorkant die groot ou Pretoria spoorwegstasie. Ons het Spoorloos se bakkie (wat hy nodig gehad het om sy horsebox te sleep) oorkant Scheidingstraat parkeer en deur die kroegdeurtjies skuins oor die hoek van die gebou gestap. Binne was daar nie baie mense nie en ons bestel. In die hoek, naby die pyltjiebord, sit daar ‘n vreemde verskynsel. Hierdie man was netjies aangetrek: netjiese langbroek, das, sportbaadjie, mansjetknope aan die hempsmoue. Sy hare was netjies gekap en gekam, en het net genoeg haarolie opgehad om netjies te vertoon sonder om soos een van daardie motorfietse (een van die Engelse soort, jy weet mos) te lek. Ek sien daar staan ‘n spaar dubbel brandewyn in ‘n kort glas voor hom terwyl hy hom besig hou met die een in sy hand. Hy het ‘n blikkie van die swart koeldrank wat mense saam met brandewyn drink ook daar byderhand.
En daar maak Snoekerstok sy merk. Hy stap nader, vat die netjiese man se spaar-drankie, gooi ‘n bietjie van die man se koeldrank by, en sluk dit af sonder om eens tussenin asem te haal. Die
netjiese man kyk op, wink dan vir die kroegman vir nog ‘n ietsie, en sit rustig, besig met sy eie gedagtes. Ook hierdie nuwe drankie word, by aankoms, ewe nonchalant deur Snoekerstok geannekseer en afgesluk. Weereens kyk die man, en bestel maar weer. Snoekerstok word nou redelik dapper, en ons waarsku, maar daar is geen keer nie. Met die afsluk van die vierde drankie staan die netjiese man op, knoop die boonste knoop van sy baadjie toe, en nooi vir Snoekerstok galant na die sypaadjie sodat hulle die geskil tussen hulle kan besleg.
Ons troep nou maar almal uit en kyk hoe Netjiese Man sy baadjie uittrek en oor ‘n halfmenshoogterommeldrom wat daar staan, drapeer. Hy haal sy mansjetknope af en sit dit in een van sy broeksakke. Sy das word losgetrek, die knopie losgemaak, en die das tussen die tweede en derde hempsknoop ingedruk. Sy moue word netjies opgerol, tot net hier onder die elmboë. Terwyl sy teenstander met al hierdie dinge besig is, is Snoekerstok aan’t opwarm. Hy skaduboks so hier en daar in die lug, beweeg sy voete, verander van hot- na haarklou, en dan weer terug, en so aan.
Ons so gaan staan die twee opponente voor mekaar. In wat vir my onheilspellend soos ‘n laaste vraag klink, ooit, vra Netjiese Man vir Snoekerstok: “Jy kan dit natuurlik anders hanteer, nê?”.
Snoekerstok se antwoord was so ‘n reguit-regter, presies in die rigting van Netjiese Man se neus. Dit was ook die laaste hou wat hy daardie aand sou slaan. Netjiese Man se hou het ek nie eens gesien nie. Ek het net gesien hy tree terug. Snoekerstok het reguit agteroorgeslaan, netjies uitgelê op die sypaadjie. Soos ‘n lyk.
Netjiese Man begin sy hempsmoue afrol toe Spoorloos aan hom verduidelik dat hy, wat Spoorloos is, nou ons eer sal moet red. Hy slaan egter nie aan ‘n man wat hy nie ken nie. Mag hy dus Netjiese Man se naam vra? Waarop Netjiese Man antwoord, terwyl hy rustig sy mansjetknopies vasmaak. “Natuurlik meneer, die naam is Hottie van Heerden”.
Ons is toe maar huistoe, Snoekerstok rustig op die naat van sy rug tussen myen Leeuwelpie agterop die bakkie … (Hartenbos, 24 Februarie 2025).
*Min polisiemanne en -vroue sal van hierdie storie weet. Ek is nie eens seker of Netjiese Man wel Hottie van Heerden was nie. In die harwar het ek nie daaraan gedink om weer te vra nie. Dalk was dit ‘n ou wat met die gebruik van die grote naam sy kundigheid met die vuiste wou beklemtoon. Maar dat dit ‘n kampioen-vuishou was, is seker.
Hoe dit ook al sy, dalk laat die lees hiervan iewers ‘n Baby Boomer polisievrou of -man glimlag …
DURBAN: BOROUGH POLICE | CITY POLICE | GEMEENTELIKE
PORT ELIZABETH: CONSTABLE ON BEAT: BAAKENS RIVER BRIDGE
Sergeant left and he is visiting th Constable on beat
POLISIEMAGTE IN SUID-AFRIKA | REPUBLICAN POLICE FORCES IN SOUTH AFRICA
ZAR OFS
Berede Zarp
Const. Jones of the Edgar incident
DIE ONTWIKKELING VAN ‘N EIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE INTELLIGENSIEKUNDE (AGTIEN): ONTPLOFFING OP JOHANNESBURG-STASIE: Die herarrestasie van Abram Fischer
Henning van Aswegen
Op 25 Januarie 1965, na ’n lang verdaging van die hofsaak waartydens Abram Fischer op borgtog was, het hy versuim om by die hof op te daag. Fischer het egter ’n brief aan sy advokaat, H. Hansen,
geskryf waarin hy verklaar dat hy weier om deur die hof verhoor te word. Ook dat hy voortaan ondergronds gaan werk, maar wel in die land sal wees. Adv. Hansen het Fischer se brief, wat Fischer oornag op Hansen se tafel in sy kantoor langs die hof gelaat het, aan ’n geskokte hofsaal voorgelees. Adv. Hansen was woedend vir Fischer en het net nadat hy die brief aan die hof voorgelees het, as Fischer se regsverteenwoordiger bedank. Adv. Vernon Berrangé, ’n Kategorie D-gelyste kommunis, het Hansen as Fischer se regsverteenwoordiger vervang en Fischer se verdediging teen die staat se klagstaat verder hanteer. Omdat vermoed is dat Fischer steeds in Johannesburg of die onmiddellike omgewing van die Goudstad verkeer het, is die hele Witwatersrand deur Republikeinse Intelligensie en die Veiligheidspolisie in blokke verdeel en gefynkam. Bram Fischer was egter nêrens te sien nie, omdat hy in die Rustenburg-omgewing in ’n tuinwoonstel van ’n mediese dokter, Raymond Milindton, geskuil het. Deur harde spanwerk, genadelose selfdissipline en onselfsugtige opoffering, het polisielede bykans tien maande lank alles in die stryd gewerp om Fischer op te spoor. Ondertussen is Fischer deur ’n vroulike lid van die Kommunistiese Party na ’n afgesonderde plaas naby Rustenburg geneem waar hy ’n algehele voorkomsverandering ondergaan het. Hy het ’n streng dieet en ’n fiksheidsprogram gevolg, sy hare met ’n diep bles geskeer en ’n snor en baard laat groei wat hy swart gekleur het. Fischer het ’n ronderaambrilletjie begin dra en letterlik ’n persoonlike metamorfose ondergaan. Bykans drie maande na sy verdwyning het hy as ’n afgetrede sakeman, Douglas Black, na Johannesburg teruggekeer. Hy het in Corlettrylaan 215, naby Bramley se sakesentrum gaan woon. Drie vroue, Gabrielle Veglio de Castelleto (wat die alias Ann Getfliffe gebruik het), Violet Weinbergh en Leslie Schermbrucker, wat die eggenotes van die kommuniste Eli Weinbergh en Ivan Schermbrȕcker was, het as skakels tussen Fischer en die buitewêreld opgetree. Al hierdie tussengangers was ook lede van die nuutaangestelde Sentrale Komitee van die SAKP.
Republikeinse Intelligensie het nie geslaap nie
RI was nie aan die slaap nie en het met ’n proses van uitskakeling begin, sodat hulle na enkele maande seker was van die persone wat gereelde skakeling met Fischer gehad het. ’n Vierde vroulike SAKP-lid, Pat Davidson, het onbewustelik die polisie tot by Fischer se rooidakwoning in Corlettrylaan, Bramley, gelei. Issy Heyman, wat gereeld tyd in polisieselle deurgebring het as gevolg van sy ondergrondse kommunistiese bedrywighede, was agterlosig en het tydens ondervraging uitgeblaker dat as die polisie vir Bram Fischer soek, hulle vir Violet Weinbergh moet vra. Violet Weinbergh is op 8 November 1965 gearresteer en het tydens aanhouding gesê sy kan nie “sê” waar adv. Fischer destyds geskuil het nie. ’n Lid van die Spoorwegpolisie se Veiligheidsafdeling het toe vir haar ’n pen in die hand gestop en papier gegee. “Skryf dit, as jy dit nie kan sê nie!” Sy het geknak en die adres waar Fischer geskuil het so aan die polisie bekend gemaak. Die herarrestasie van Abram Fischer
Ná Violet Weinbergh se betraande bekentenis, is Fischer se wegkruipplek in Bramley en sy enkele inwoner vir weke dopgehou, totdat daar absolute sekerheid rakende Fischer se identiteit was. RI wou ook vasstel wie Fischer se kontakte en ondergrondse netwerke is, veral omdat Fischer van tussengangers en akkommodasie-adresse gebruik gemaak het om met mede-SAKP-lede te kommunikeer. Op 11 November 1965 verlaat Fischer sy huis en in sy motor wat toevallig enkele maande tevore nog aan ’n konstabel Botha van Clevelandpolisiestasie behoort het. Fischer het na ’n nabygeleë poskantoor gery om vyf briewe te pos, terwyl hy onbewus was dat hy deur talle lede van die Veiligheidstak omring was. Eers toe Fischer se motor van die pad af gedwing is, het hy gelate besef dat sy speletjie verby was. Fischer is deur Roelf van Rensburg en Kalfie Broodryk aangekeer. “Roelf het my die hele verhaal vertel van die arrestasie wat deur hom en wyle Kalfie Broodryk uitgevoer is. Hy het Bram fisies gearresteer in die teenwoordigheid van Kalfie Broodryk. Genl. Mike Geldenhuys, hoof van RI in Johannesburg, was direk na die arrestasie gou op die toneel. Kalfie Broodryk het Bram Fischer positief op die toneel uitgeken aangesien hulle mekaar goed geken het.” Genl. Van den Bergh het Fischer se arrestasie, wat wêreldwyd media-opslae gemaak het, soos volg opgesom: “Toe Fischer weggeraak het, het hy gedink hy het die Veiligheidspolisie om die bos gelei. Hy het gedink hy het met ’n klomp bobbejane te doen gehad. In werklikheid was dit net andersom. Ons kon op hom toegeslaan het, maande voor ons dit gedoen het.”
Benewens regeringsreaksie op die kommunistiese aanslag teen Suid-Afrika vanuit ANC- en SAKPgeledere, het daar in Augustus 1964 ’n siviele organisasie, die Nasionale Raad teen Kommunisme (NRK), in Johannesburg tot stand gekom.
Die voormalige kommissaris van polisie, genl. Mike Geldenhuys, het aan Hennie Heymans vertel dat Bram Fischer se jaarlange wegraak in 1965 by baie die gedagte gelaat dat hy die polisie uitoorlê het. In werklikheid het die RI sy loop- en lê-plekke lank in die oog gehou, maar deur doodhouergogga te speel, het hulle tegelyk op ’n paar van Bram se maats se spoor gekom. Toe die speletjie lank genoeg aangehou het, is bevel gegee om toe te slaan. “In daardie tyd het ons Bram al so goed leer ken soos een van ons eie manne,” was genl. Geldenhuys se veelseggende kommentaar.
Hy is ook skuldig bevind aan sameswering om sabotasie te pleeg. Abram Fischer is in Mei 1966 tot lewenslange tronkstraf gevonnis, net ses weke nadat H.F. Verwoerd en die Nasionale Party die algemene verkiesing van 30 Maart 1966 met ’n oorweldigende meerderheid wen. Na afloop van Fischer se skuldigbevinding en tronkstraf het ’n grootskaalse hergroepering in die SAKP plaasgevind met die verkiesing van ’n nuwe Sentrale Komitee. ’n Nuwe groep jong kommuniste het te voorskyn gekom om Dadoo, Fischer en Slovo se plekke in te neem en by die drie Johannesburgse selle van die SAKP aangesluit, onder andere Sylvia Neame, Florence (Flo) Duncan, Molly Doyle en Lewis Baker. In Februarie 1974 word Fischer met kanker gediagnoseer en sy broers, Paul en Piet, nader die leier van die opposisie, sir De Villiers Graaff, om as tussenganger met die minister van justisie, John Vorster, op te tree. Vorster, wat Fischer as jong
man geken het, omdat hulle albei as advokate lede was van die Johannesburgse balie, het ingestem dat Fischer om menslikheidsredes in die sorg van sy broers vrygelaat kan word. Fischer het in Maart 1974 by sy broers, dr. Paul Fischer en Piet Fischer (terloops, ’n Jehova-getuie), in Bloemfontein gaan bly. In April 1975 is hierdie eens briljante advokaat en geharde kommunis aan kanker oorlede.
In 2011 is Ludi se ’n boek, The communistisation of the ANC, oor sy spioenasiebedrywighede en ondervindinge gepubliseer. Die vier jaar wat Ludi gewy het aan die infiltrasie van die SAKP is deur een joernalis vergelyk met ’n James Bond-verhaal. Hy is ook bestempel as “the state’s star witness in the case against Bram Fischer” en selfs as Suid-Afrika se “super spy” beskryf. Hoewel sommige meen dat Ludi die belangrikste én suksesvolste Westerse agent in die infiltrasie van die SAKP was, is ander nie oortuig daarvan nie en beskou dié spioen bloot as ’n verraaier wat selfs sy eie vriende versaak het. Nadat Ludi in Fischer se hofsaak getuig het, was sy identiteit as spioen ontbloot. Die werk van RI het na die suksesse by Rivonia en in die Bram Fischer-saak voortgegaan, met diepte-ondersoeke na sy hoof intelligensieteikens, die ANC, SAKP en die PAC. “Infiltration by spies and informers, constant surveillance, bugging of offices and houses, tapping of telephones and the interception of post became commonplace.” Met inligting uit sy ondersoeke in pag, arresteer die Veiligheidstak in 1964 drie SAKP-lede wat nie by Rovonia teenwoordig was nie en die bedrywighede van MK voortgesit het. Mac Maharaj, later pres. Zuma se segsman, word saam met David Kitson en die nuwe opperbevelvoerder van MK, Wilton “Bri-Bri” Makwayi, gearresteer en van terrorisme aangekla. Tydens die “Klein Rivonia-saak” in Pietermaritzburg, besluit twee senior MK-lede, Bruno Ndlovu en Stephen Mtshali, om staatsgetuienis teen hulle medepligtes te lewer, waarna Bily Nair, Ebrahim Ismail en David Ndawonde skuldig bevind en gevonnis word ingevolge die Sabotasiewet. Genl. Van den Bergh som die sukses van die Rivonia-klopjag op die SAKP en MK-opperbevel in sy boek, No Ships in the Harbour, soos volg op:
“In July 1963, the South African Police raided a farm just north of Johannesburg and captured the “National High Command” of the Spear of the Nation. The raid also produced a fascinating document, “Operation Africa Mayibuye” (freely translated, this means Operation for the Return of Africa). This document contained a detailed plan, worked out by Fidel Castro during the Communist revolution in Cuba, for thousands of trained terrorists to trigger a violent uprising in South Africa, followed by an armed invasion by military units of foreign powers. Within three years, the vast Communist infrastructure so painstakingly built up in South Africa by Moscow’s agents over several decades, had been smashed and radical leaders, both black and white, either behind bars or in exile. The country itself was on the road to unprecedented economic advancement and multi-ethnic development. Of all Soviet setbacks in Africa during the 1960s, those suffered in South Africa were by far the most severe.”
In 1964 vertrek genl. Van den Bergh op die eerste van twee geheime besoeke aan die VSA, wat hy as ’n vriend van Suid-Afrika beskou. Van den Bergh ontmoet James (Jim) Angleton, hoof van die CIA se Chief Directorate Counter-intelligence en vestig skakelverhoudinge met die CIA wat met die Angolese oorlog vanaf 1975 van onskatbare waarde vir Suid-Afrika was. Daardie skakelvehoudinge tussen die intelligensiedienste van die VSA en Suid-Afrika duur vandag nog voort. Van den Bergh ontmoet ook vir John Foster Dulles, kleinseun van genl. John Foster wat sekretaris van buitelandse sake was in die administrasie van pres. Benjamin Harrison. Aan die einde van 1964 besoek Van den Bergh Washington DC vir ’n tweede keer, vergesel van Mike Geldenhuys, Piet van Wyk en Willie Willers, wat agterbly om ’n basiese intelligensiekursus by die CIA by te woon. Ná die opleiding word Willie Willers na die Suid-Afrikaanse Ambassade in Massachusetts Avenue teruggestuur en open so die RI-kantoor in die VSA. RI knoop ook skakelverhoudinge met die Portugese Intelligensiediens, PIDE, aan en ontvang toestemming om ’n RI-kantoor in Luanda, Angola, te open. RI slaag daarin om ’n lid onder dekking in Swaziland te plaas, nadat die land in Februarie 1964 volle onafhanklikheid van Brittanje verkry. Swaziland word kort hierna ’n belangrike deurgangsroete vir ANC/SAKP/MK-lede wat Suid-Afrika vanaf Mosambiek probeer infiltreer. Ten spyte daarvan dat MI6 met republiekwording skakelverhoudinge met die SAP-VT beëindig het, gaan skakeling met MI5 voort deur skakelmateriaal uit te ruil. RI bekom in 1964 inligting (wat hy met die Britte deel) dat ’n groep van ongeveer 300 Suid-Afrikaners, onder aanvoering van Joe Modise, Moses Mabhida en Joel Klaas, in Odessa in die Sowjetunie aangekom het waar hulle opleiding in guerrilla-oorlogvoering van die Russe ontvang. Die opleiding word deur Oliver Tambo, J.B. Marks, later leier van die SAKP, en Moses Kotane, algemene sekretaris van die SAKP, vanuit die ANC se kantoor in Dar es Salaam gereël en gekoördineer.
* In DIE BURO: Genl. Lang Hendrik van den Bergh en die Buro vir Staatsveiligheid, wat deur Imprimatur Uitgewers gepubliseer word, is daar ware Suid-Afrikaanse spioenasieverhale wat die waarde van agente en spioene illustreer (HUMINT), en ook die enorme skade wat hulle somtyds aanrig, onder die soeklig plaas. Die enigste werklike meetinstrument van die sukses van ’n spioenasiediens is die mate waarop hy of sy die geskiedenis beïnvloed het, of nie. Die Buro vir Staatsveiligheid het ’n invloed op die Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis gehad en verdien om onthou te word. Indien enige van ons lesers oor relevante inligting oor die ontwikkeling van spioenasie in SuidAfrika, beskik, word u hartlik uitgenooi om enige inligting en fotos aan intel@nongqai.org te stuur.
* Die artikelreeks Intelegere bevat 982 bronverwysings en voetnotas, wat op aanvraag van die skrywer bekom kan word. ‘n Verkorte weergawe van die verhaal van Dieter Felix Gerhardt en Ruth Johr verskyn in die boek Spioenmeesters, wat op Amazon verkrygbaar is.
* Word in die volgende Nongqai vervolg.
* Voorafbestellings vir DIE BURO kan by Imprimatur Uitgewers geplaas word:
https://www.imprimatur.co.za/kontak/
WAT IS INTELLIGENSIE?
Johan Mostert
‘n Huldeblyk ter nagedagtenis aan die voormalige hoof van die nasionale Intelligensiediens (NI), dr. Niël Barnard, deur my en die oud-joernalis Jan-Jan Joubert, het uit die bloute tot ‘n heftige kontroversie aanleiding gegee. Baie skewe persepsies oor NI is die wêreld ingestuur. Talle van die opmerkings wat gemaak is, toon ‘n gebrek aan insig oor wat intelligensie is. Daarom die vreemde opmerkings oor NI in die sosiale media. Ek wil vervolgens poog om beter begrip oor wat intelligensie is te skep. Ek wil dit kort hou, daarom veralgemeen ek baie en probeer om sover moontlik nie vaktaal te gebruik nie. Hierdie is dus nie ‘n wetenskaplike inset nie.
Die eerste wanpersepsie wat die nek ingeslaan moet word, is dat intelligensie gelyk is aan spioenasie. Intelligensie is baie meer as dit. Spioenasie is slegs ‘n onderafdeling van intelligensie. As intelligensie nie spioenasie is nie, wat is dit dan?
In die akademiese wêreld is daar voortdurend debatte oor die definisie van intelligensie. Ek gaan my egter nie in dié debat begewe nie en gebruik die eenvoudige definisie van die intelligensieveteraan, Mark Lowenthal:
• Intelligensie is die proses waardeur ‘n spesifieke soort inligting van belang vir nasionale sekuriteit versoek, ingesamel, vertolk en aan beleidmakers voorsien word; die produk van daardie proses; die beveiliging van die proses en die inligting deur teeninligtingsaktiwiteite; en die uitvoer van operasies soos opgedra deur die wettige gesag.
Lowenthal se definisie bevat vier elemente van intelligensie: beveiliging, insameling, verwerking en produksie, en operasies:
Die doel van teeninligting is (a) die handhawing van sekuriteit, wat beteken die beskerming van bates van sekerheidsbelang (dit kan insluit sekerheidsklarings van personeel, beveiliging van dokumentasie, sekerheid van geboue, ens.), en (b) teenspioenasie, met ander woorde, om die staat te beveilig teen vreemde dienste (kortweg, om spioene te vang) of om ander spioenasiedienste te penetreer ten einde te wete te kom hoe hulle te werk gaan om óns geheime te bekom.
2. Die Proses
a. Insameling (Collection)
Hier kyk ons na een deel van die proses van intelligensieproduksie, naamlik, insameling. Die ander deel, verwerking, volg onder die hoof Proses/Verwerking hieronder.
In kleiner lande bestaan daar hoofsaaklik drie hoofelemente van insameling: die gebruik van geheime menslike bronne (met ander woorde, die “oorsprong” van intelligensie - spioenasie), elektroniese insameling (om deur middel van elektroniese hulpmiddelle inligting te bekom (onder meer radio-onderskeppings, meeluistering, ens.) en oop inligting. Internasionaal staan hierdie dissiplines bekend as HUMINT (human source intelligence), TECHINT (technological intelligence), en OSINT (open-source intelligence). Spioenasie, HUMINT, is dus slegs een van die insamelingsdissiplines.
In die jare na 1990, het intelligensie ‘n radikale ommeswaai beleef. Tradisioneel was aanvaar dat intelligensie uit 80% geheime inligting bestaan het en 20% uit oop bronne. In die negentien negentigs het dit begin swaai na 80% oop inligting en 20% geheim. Die rede daarvoor was onder meer die val van die USSR en die ontwikkeling van die internet. Na die ineenstorting van die Sowjet Empaaier, het groot dele van die wêreld wat eens geheim was, oopgegaan en was eens verbode terreine en inligting makliker bereikbaar. ‘n Nuwe en oper internasionale orde het aangebreek en in die VSA is selfs betoog dat die CIA toegemaak moes word. Kort daarna breek die gevegte in die
Balkan uit en inligting oor wat agter die linies aan die gang was, kon nie maklik bekom word nie. Die CIA is behou en uitgebou.
Die internet wat eers na 1990 momentum gekry het, het ook ‘n wesenlike invloed gehad op intelligensie. Enorme hoeveelhede inligting was met die klik van ‘n muis beskikbaar. Spesialis “lesers” het van uiterste belang geword. Vandag is die helde van spioenasie nie net meer hulle wat gevaarlike missies teen die opposisie of vyand onderneem nie, maar ook daardie stil figure wat agter die rekenaar sit en die opposisie se rekenaars penetreer. Elektroniese inligtinginsameling is vandag ‘n komplekse en hoogs gespesialiseerde bedryf.
2. Die Proses
b. Verwerking (Production)
In die intelligensiebedryf word die insameling van inligting geskei van die verwerking. Internasionaal word na die verwerkers verwys as analiste. In NI was hulle navorsers genoem. Dit was die analiste se taak om die inkomende inligting uit bronne, soms van oor die hele wêreld, om te skakel na intelligensie. Intelligensie is dus verwerkte inligting. Die prosesse is onder meer dié van evaluasie en vertolking. In ‘n volgende aflewering sal in groter detail oor die verwerking van inligting gesels word.
3. Produk (Product)
Voortspruitend uit die voorgaande prosesse, word ‘n wye reeks produkte saamgestel. Dit kan wissel van ‘n enkele berig oor ‘n gebeurtenis van onmiddellike en uiters dringende belang, tot ‘n weldeurdagte studiestuk van tien, twintig bladsye. Streng kwaliteitskontrole is deurgaans gehandhaaf. Hieroor meer later.
4. Operasies (Dirty tricks)
Talle intelligensieorganisasies in die wêreld beskou hierdie element as ‘n integrale deel van die definisie van intelligensie. Hierdie aspek word dikwels na verwys as “dirty tricks”. Die KGB was veral bekend vir hulle “active measures” wat sogenaamde “wet jobs”, om dood te maak, ingesluit het.
NI se filosofie het egter nie hierdie vierde been ingesluit nie. NI se hoof, dr. Niël Barnard, het opdrag gegee dat dit gedurende opleiding by studente ingeskerp moet word. Daar was ‘n baie goeie rede voor: die beskerming van die integriteit van intelligensie. Betrokkenheid by operasies steek ‘n lyn oor. Operasies se doel is nie om ‘n objektiewe intelligensiebasis daar te stel nie, maar om die situasie op die grond te manipuleer. In ‘n latere inset sal hier kwessie verder uiteengesit word. (Opmerking: die woord operasies kan soms misverstaan word. ‘n Projek om inligting in te samel
staan bekend as ‘n inligtingsoperasie, maar Lowenthal se bedoeling hierbo is dié van manipulasieoperasies.)
Omdat dit in gesprekke op sosiale media ter sprake gekom het, is dit nodig dat dit onomwonde gestel moet word: NI se wettelike opdrag het nie voorsiening gemaak vir deelname aan binnelandse klandestiene manipuleringsoperasies nie (anders as byvoorbeeld die CIA). NI se mandaat was beperk tot die beskikbaarstelling van intelligensie. Die Waarheid- en Versoeningskommissie (WVK) het bewerings ondersoek dat ‘n sogenaamde Afdeling Z of Afdeling K by onwettige uitvoeringsaksies betrokke was, maar die WVK kon geen bewys daarvoor vind nie.
Hoekom die woord intelligensie?
Dit word soms gesê dat intelligensie die tweede oudste beroep in die wêreld is. Dit het begin as spioenasie. Deur die millennia heen is spioene gebruik om vir hulle meesters inligting oor hulle vyande, werklik of vermeend, in te win. Reeds eeue voor ons huidige jaartelling is daar melding van spioenasie-operasies in geskrifte soos The Art of War (Sun Tzu) en die Bybel. Teen die einde van die negentiende eeu, met die opkoms van nasionale state en maatskaplik-ekonomiese ontwikkelinge soos die industriële revolusie, het wêreld baie meer kompleks geraak. Die opdraggewer/kliënt van spioenasie is oorweldig deur volume en kompleksiteit. Vir daardie doel het nasionale state organisasies geskep om inligting op ‘n meer omvangryke skaal in te win en ook om dit te vertolk. Daardie vertolkingsfunksie het aan intelligensie sy benaming gegee. Volgens die Merriam-Webster ensiklopedie is een van die betekenisse van intelligensie: “the act of understanding: COMPREHENSION”. Die doel en funksie van intelligensie is dus om dit wat van veiligheidsbelang vir ’n regering is, “verstaanbaar” te maak.
Doel
Die doel van intelligensie is dus die produk, nie spioenasie nie. Spioenasie is een van die metodes wat ingespan word om die uiteindelike produk te lewer. Daar is al baie geskryf oor die doel van intelligensie, maar die volgende greep uit die internet gee ‘n algemene indruk van wat die doel van intelligensie is:
The primary purpose of intelligence agencies is to gather, analyze, and disseminate information to policymakers, providing them with critical insights to understand and address potential threats to national security, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding foreign policy, military operations, and domestic security issue.
Intelligensie in die 1980s
Met dit wat voorgaande gesê is, hoe het dit in die Suid-Afrika van die 1980s tereg gekom?
Daar was drie dienste verantwoordelik vir die bedryf van intelligensie: die Nasionale Intelligensiediens (NI), Militêre Inligting (MI) en die Veiligheidstak (VT) van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie. Buitelandse Sake was ‘n gekoöpteerde lid. Die militêre en polisie se mandaat was die ondersteuning van hulle onderskeie departemente se lynfunksies. NI se mandaat was die bedryf van nasionaal strategiese intelligensie, wat beteken het dat hy nie ‘n spesifieke departement gedien het nie, maar die regering van die dag. Hoe die verhoudings uitgespeel het, word in meer besonderhede bespreek in Barnard se boek, Geheime Revolusie, en ‘n artikel, 1980s: Interdepartementele Intelligensie: Die TNV, in die veiligheidstydskrif Nongqai, vol. 12, nr. 12 van 2021. In die artikel word die interdepartementele bedryf van intelligensie uiteengesit en die inskakeling by die Nasionale Veiligheidsbestuurstelsel (NVBS) verduidelik.
In gevestigde demokrasieë word die verskillende komponente van intelligensie deur afsonderlike organisasies bedryf. In Brittanje is MI5 (Security Service) verantwoordelik vir binnelandse intelligensie met die klem op teeninligting, en MI6 (Secret Intelligence Service, SIS) verantwoordelik vir buitelandse insameling. Die tegniese insameling (TECHINT) word weer onderneem deur die Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) wat veral bekendheid verwerf het weens die ontsyfering van die Duitse elektroniese kommunikasies gedurende die Tweede Wêreldoorlog. Die agentskappe word gekoördineer deur die Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC). In die VSA is die Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) verantwoordelik vir buitelandse insameling, en die Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) vir binnelandse teeninligting. Die National Security Agency (NSA) is verantwoordelik vir die insameling en basies verwerking van elektroniese data (TECHINT). Oorhoofs word hulle, tesame met die groot verskeidenheid departementele intelligensieorganisasies, gekoördineer deur die Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
In Suid-Afrika is die nasionale dimensie van die drie elemente van intelligensie alles onder een dak deur NI bedryf terwyl die lynfunksionele departemente, Polisie en Weermag, hulle eiesoortige
strukture gehad het. Hierdie instansies is gekoördineer deur die Koördinerende Intelligensiekomitee (KIK). Die vierde element van intelligensie, koverte operasies, is nooit daar bespreek nie.
PART 2: THE HISTORY OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA
Henning van Aswegen
Part 2: The Red Flag. Abstract: The CPSA, Communist Party of South Africa, Communism in South Africa, Marxism, Trotskyism, Leninism, Socialism, Stalinism.
Mineworkers remove the bodies of strikers wounded in the 1922 Mineworker's Strike. Following the introduction of Vladimir Illich Lenin to our story, the growth of Communism in South Africa took a turn for the worse in 1919 when a group of striking municipal workers led by J.T. Bain, used violence and force to usurp a Johannesburg City Council meeting. Bain and his Communist
comrades ruled Johannesburg for a few days by means of a worker's "soviet" - a cell in the Russian language. The Union Jack was lowered and replaced by The Red Flag and sounds of the Internationale droned through the Council building.
Fearing more violence and the loss of life, bewildered Johannesburg City Councillors and government officials surrendered unconditionally to the Communists' threats and terms. News of the Johannesburg mini revolution spread like wildfire, and for a while J.T. Bain and his extremist Johannesburg Communist League (JCL) comrades were the toast of South Africa's working classes (also known as proletarians).
Under one Red Flag
After the First Congress of the Third International in Moscow in 1919 and the Johannesburg mini revolution, the South African chapter of the International Socialist League was galvanised into action. In 1920 in Cape Town, the ISL and the JCL joined forces to form the embryo of the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA). The JCL's application to join the Third International was rejected because the ISL's application was already accepted, leading to the formal amalgamation of the two groups during the CPSA founding meeting in Johannesburg. During July 1920 the Third International issued a 21-point policy declaration, declaring that the CPSA would be the only representative group of the South African proletariat. Groups like the Social Democratic Federation (SDF), the Jewish Socialist Society (JSS), the Durban Maexis, Club (DMC), the Cape Communist Party (CCP) and the ISL quickly disbanded to join the new Communist Party of South Africa. At the foundation congress of the CPSA on July 29, 1921, the following communists were elected to the Politburo: C.B. Tyler (Chairperson), Bill Andrews (Secretary General), S.P. Bunting (Treasurer), G. Arnold, Rebecca Bunting, T. Chapman, J den Bakker, R. Geldblum, A.Goldblum, H. Les, E.M. Pincus and R. Rabb.
A Violent Confrontation
The newly elected Politburo of the CPSA immediately became involved in the explosive mineworkers and labour situation in the Witwatersrand Mines. The CPSA correctly analysed the labour unrest as a potentially revolutionary situation. If they executed the mandate of the Third International skillfully, a general strike could instigate and lead to a Communist take-over of South Africa. There were other contributory factors to the labour unrest on South Africa's mines in 1922, inter alia a worldwide economic recession, groups of disgruntled ex-servicemen and soldiers from the First World War who could not find work in the mines, and efforts by the mine magnates and owners to make their mines more profitable by replacing white labourers with black unskilled labourers.
Casus Belli of the 1922 Mineworkers' Strike
Attempts by the mining magnates to increase the profit lines of their mines was tantamount to "waving a red flag in front of the proletariat," according to the CPSA and this issue became the casus
belli of the 1922 communist-inspired Mineworkers' Strike. Their casus belli however was not a casus fortuitus because the terminology of the CPSA's rallying banners was badly chosen. Rallying around the banners "Workers of the World Unite," and "Keep South Africa White" opened the way for criticism of the CPSA that they were racists. The slogans of the CPSA belied the fact that they were striking in support of the proletarian masses, except for the black proletarian masses. 22000 Mineworkers nevertheless responded to the CPSA's rallying cries and came out on strike on 10 January 1922.
In this unique photograph, the government deployed the SA Military Cavalry to quell labour unrest and violent clashes between rival groups.
DR NIEL BARNARD: REAKSIE AMBASSADEUR (DR) RIAAN EKSTEEN
Kommentaar deur Nongqai-redaksie
Ambassadeur (dr) Riaan Eksteen het die spesiale uitgawe oor dr LD Barnard onder oë gehad. Dr Barnard is ‘n reuse figuur in ons Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis. Eweneens is ambassadeur Riaan (Koedoe) Eksteen in eie reg ‘n reuse persoonlikheid. Hy het SuidAfrika in die vuurwarm diplomatieke loopgrawe verdedig. As senior-kollega is hy ook geregtig om kritiek op die persoonlikheid van dr Barnard te lewer. Voorts is hy geregtig om die feite – soos dit aan hom bekend is – te lewer. Sy kritiek op dr Barnard is sy eerlike opinie. Niemand is verhewe bo kritiek nie. Die agtergrond van dit waarna ambassadeur Eksteen hieronder verwys, is kortliks dat hy ‘n brief wat hy aan Die Burger gestuur het vir moontlike publikasie, terselfdertyd ook aan van sy ander kontakte gestuur het. Nongqai beskik oor ‘n wye kring van bydraers, heelparty waarvan uiteraard geweet het dat ons redaksie op daardie tydstip besig was om ‘n spesiale uitgawe oor wyle dr Barnard saam te stel. Amb Eksteen se brief het langs daardie weg onder ons aandag gekom. Waarop egter in dr (amb) Steenkamp se waardering gefokus is, was nie die brief per se nie, maar wel amb Eksteen se 2015-resensie van dr Barnard se biografie – meer
spesifiek, ‘n insident daarin vermeld wat deur Eksteen in sy resensie betwyfel is maar waaromtrent Steenkamp eerstehands kon getuig van die akkuraatheid daarvan. Nietemin, omdat dr Eksteen se brief aan Die Burger toe nooit gepubliseer is nie, is enige verwysing na die brief weggelaat in die finale weergawe van dr Steenkamp se waardering, soos dit op ons Blog te vind is. Daarin lees die betrokke greep soos volg: “I noticed that my fellow former ambassador, Dr Riaan Eksteen, stated in his critical review of Barnard's book (2015) that in his opinion this story is so highly unlikely that it could hardly be true. In his view, it rather serves as evidence of the "self-serving exaggeration" of which he accused Barnard. Again, I can personally attest that this incident did indeed happen and that it was by no means exaggerated in the book.”
Daar was geen bedoeling om “onbehoorlik” gebruik te maak van materiaal wat in goeie trou aangestuur is deur bydraers (wat dit juis gedoen het om toe te sien dat dr Eksteen se belangrike insigte ook in Nongqai gereflekteer sal word). Soos wat Nongqai se beleid is, het ons egter dadelik die teks paslik opgedateer, toe ons van dr Eksteen se kommer bewus geword het. Hier volg die materiaal soos ontvang van amb Eksteen, verbatim:
DR. WILLEM
STEENKAMP SE ARTIKEL IN NONGQAI VAN JANUARIE 2025
Riaan Eksteen 03 Februarie 2025 om 07:44
Geagte mnr Heymans,
Dr. Willem Steenkamp se artikel “N WAARDERING” in u publikasie se uitgawe van Januarie 2025 het onder my aandag gekom.
Op bl. 54-55 maak die outeur die volgende stelling ondubbelsinnig:
“Eksteen het weer verwys na sy 2015-resensie, in die brief wat hy na Barnard se afsterwe aan Die Burger geskryf het om steeds skadu te bly werp op die oorledene se bydraes”.
Omdat ek na 10 dae nog nie my brief in publikasie gesien het nie het ek by die koerantredakteur navraag gedoen of dit wel gepubliseer was. Die brieweredakteur het my daarna soos volg ingelig: “Die brief het nie in Die Burger se briewekolom of op enige ander platform verskyn nie. Vir Steenkamp se verwysing daarna het ek dus geen verklaring nie.”
Ek moet dus aanvaar dat die outeur my brief of dele daarvan op moontlike onbehoorlike wyse ontvang het. Die persoon wat dit oorgedra het, kon dalk in angstigheid nie wag om eers seker te maak dat die brief wel gepubliseer gaan word nie voordat die inhoud myns insiens op voorbarige wyse versprei is. Volgens my het dr. Steenkamp op onprofessionele wyse die geleentheid gebruik om die konteks van my brief heeltemal uit verband te ruk.
In my brief waarvan ek die teks hierna vir u aandag stuur, het ek dit duidelik gestel:
“Noudat dr. Barnard oorlede is, is daar geen rede vir my om kommentaar te lewer nie. Wat ek oor hom, sy eerste boek en sommige van sy optredes wou sê, het ek reeds nege jaar gelede in twee artikels gedoen en ook so onlangs as 2022 in my memoires.”
Daarna het ek uittreksels uit beide artikels aangehaal en ook hul webwerfverwysings aangestip. Ek het dus my mening oor dr. Barnard nege jaar VOOR sy dood gestel en geen enkele woord verder daartoe bygevoeg NA sy afsterwe nie.
Waar was die huidige lofsangers al hierdie jare gewees dat hulle my nie toe al aangevat het nie. Die twee artikels is gepubliseer en is volledig sedert 2015 in die openbare domein. Nie eens 'n opmerking van dr. Barnard self daaroor het êrens ooit verskyn nie. Om my nou te beskuldig dat ek NA sy dood ”steeds skadu (te) bly werp op die oorledene se bydraes” is belaglik.
Indien u publikasie wel leserreaksie plaas, is u welkom om hierdie skrywe sowel as die ongepubliseerde brief aan Die Burger daarin te plaas. Dan kan lesers hul eie gevolgtrekkings maak.
Dankie vir u aandag.
Met beste wense en groete.
Riaan Eksteen
• Brief wat nie in die Burger gepubliseer nie
Brief aan Die Burger, 14 Januarie 2025
Ek het die artikel in Die Burger van 14 Januarie 2025 (“Niël Barnard: Stil en sterk help hy SA bou”) onder oë gekry. Noudat dr. Barnard oorlede is, is daar geen rede vir my om kommentaar te lewer nie. Wat ek oor hom, sy eerste boek en sommige van sy optredes wou sê, het ek reeds nege jaar gelede in twee artikels gedoen en ook so onlangs as 2022 in my memoires.
Wat ek hiernaas aanstip, kom netso uit die eerste artikel: “Geskiedenis deur die oë van ’n ego” (Netwerk24 van 30 April 2015 –(http://www.netwerk24.com/stemme/20150430geskiedenisdeurdieovannego)
Selde, indien ooit, ’n boek (“Geheime Revolusie”) gelees wat so selfgesentreerd is en van selfvoldaanheid spreek soos dié een. Soms is dit net te dik vir ’n daalder – dit hou net aan en aan! Sy voortvarendheid ken nie perke nie.
Maar die aanhoudend egoïstiese trant van die boek staan in skrille kontras met wat Barnard self in die boek verkondig: “Dit is deel van spioenasie-etiek om nie oor jou werk te praat nie.” Praat is verkeerd, maar spog en te koop loop, is blykbaar in orde. Dié eie-lof-toeswaaiery kry al vroeg in die boek die oorhand. Dit laat die leser wonder of dié nie maar net ’n heldeverhaal is wat die held graag self vertel nie. Uiteindelik is daar by die gefrustreerde leser geen twyfel dat dit inderdaad die geval is nie, want dit word tot vervelens herhaal.
In “Stellings oor PW Botha se oortuigings is teenstrydig”(Netwerk24 van 4 Junie 2015https://www.netwerk24.com/Netwerk24/Riaan-Eksteen-Stellings-oor-PW-Botha-se-oortuigings-isteenstrydig-20150604) het ek aangedui hoe standpunte van Barnard net nie versoenbaar met die werklikhede van die dag was nie.
In my onlangse memoires (“Beyond Diplomacy” op bls. 175, 178 en 258) beskryf ek die gevalle waar ek met Barnard te doen gekry het en waarom ek sy optredes as onopreg beskou het. Riaan Eksteen
(Voormalige Ambassadeur en DG van die SAUK)
• Verkorte Lewenskets van Riaan Eksteen
Riaan Eksteen was vir 27 jaar lid van Suid-Afrika se Buitelandse Diens. Hy beklee in daardie tyd verskillende poste en dien in verskillende hoedanighede in die Buitelandse Ministerie. Gedurende 1964-67 is hy in die Namibiese afdeling gemoeid met SA se betrokkenheid in die hofsaak by die Internasionale Geregshof in Den Haag; hy is ook agtereenvolgens hoof van die VN- en Namibiese afdeling (1973-76) en van Beplanning (1981-1983). Hy dien vanaf 1968-1973 by die SA Ambassade in Washington, DC. Voorts is hy vir 12 jaar ambassadeur by die VN in New York (1976-1981); Namibië (1990-1991); VN in Genève (1992-1995) en Turkye, insluitend Azerbaidjan, Kirgistan, Oesbekistan en Turkmenistan. Hierdie laaste aanstelling is deur Pres. Mandela gedoen. Hy was ook Direkteur-generaal van die Suid-Afrikaanse Uitsaaikorporasie (SAUK) van 1983 tot 1988. Outeur van “The Role of the Highest Courts of the United States of America and South Africa, and the European Court of Justice in Foreign Affairs” wat gebaseer is op sy doktorale tesis verwerf by die Universiteit van Johannesburg in 2018. Besoekende professor aan die Tashkent State University of Law, Uzbekistan. Lid van die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns vanaf Junie 2022. Dien op Raad van GIRES (The Global Institute for Research, Education and Scholarship) wat in Amsterdam gesetel is. Tans ook Senior Navorsingsgenoot by die Universiteit van Johannesburg en by die Universiteit van die Vrystaat. Sy memoires, “Beyond Diplomacy”, is in Oktober 2022 gepubliseer.
CONTRIBUTION OF BOOK: BEYOND DIPLOMACY
Eksteen's book greatly enhances our knowledge of the dynamics and inner workings of South African foreign policy. It significantly adds to the history of South African foreign policy during pivotal moments.
This study of diplomacy in action is essential. This text is the basis for the study of diplomacy and conflict resolution. A new generation of political scholars and researchers, both domestically and internationally, who seek reliable insights into some of the most significant events in South Africa's modern political history and the foundation of its foreign policy for almost 25 years will be guided by the in-depth knowledge and involvement in the Namibian issue on exhibit. The book gives scholars and other interested parties a reliable chronicle of South Africa's diplomatic past.
In addition to shedding light on some highly contentious issues, it demonstrates a method of astute foreign policy analysis and evident detachment rarely explained in official records. The true worth of Beyond Diplomacy lies in how well the author comprehends, exposes, and contextualises the critical aspects of a significant South African foreign policy issue, like the Namibian one. Its ability to accurately describe historical context by elucidating on-the-ground evaluations of events, policy implementation, and truthful public and confidential reporting is another strong point. These explanations are convincingly simple and convincing. The author's deep understanding of and involvement in the Namibian issue graphically illustrates how this guarantees that the text is fundamental for learning international diplomacy and conflict and how to negotiate away from that conflict into a lasting, peaceful solution.
The author examines when and how resentful enemies can reach peace to strengthen the book's credibility. As a result, the book offers a wealth of concepts, but its most significant conclusion is that friendships eventually replace rivalry through diplomacy rather than force. The author clearly shows that diplomacy is the most excellent method to achieve peace short of war. Therefore, one of the book's main ideas is the idea that strategic restraint is a crucial component of achieving peace. The author adds vividness to his writing by sharing stories of his encounters with local leaders, global influencers, and others in their immediate vicinity. The book recounts extraordinary glimpses of high-level diplomatic activity.
Lectures presented - 2019-2024
• “Brexit” at the Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association in Livingstone, Zambia, April 2019.
• “The Contribution of the European Court of Justice to the Methodology of International Law” to the International Law Associations Conference in Braga, Portugal, September 2019.
• “Deficiency in Foreign Policy Analysis: Role for the Judiciary in U.S. Foreign Affairs” in the Congress, the Presidency & Courts section for the 51st Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Political Science Association meeting, in Philadelphia, USA, November 2019.
• “Relationship between Domestic Affairs and Foreign Affairs.” Lecture to students completing their Contemporary Diplomacy and International Relations course at the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies of the Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan, August 2020.
• Lecture to MBA Program Students, Center for International Business Education & Research, Fowler College of Business, San Diego State University, California, USA, 15 September 2020.
• “Foreign Policy for a Company” to the class session on Global Business and Diplomacy of the Department of Management, Fowler College of Business, San Diego State University, California, February 2021.
• “Views on China and Africa, especially Namibia” to the Seminar in World Business Environment, Fowler College of Business, San Diego State University, California, 4 October 2022.
• “The Importance of the European Court of Justice” at the International Congress on Current Debates in Social Sciences (CUDES) organised by the Sakarya University in Turkey, 29-30 September 2020.
• “The Role, Relevance, and Influence of High Courts and Judiciary in Foreign Affairs.” Keynote address when joined in conversation with the former Danish Foreign Minister, Dr Per Stig Møller. Organised and presented by the Center for Science & Commercial Diplomacy (CSCD) in Copenhagen, Denmark, November 2020.
• Twelve lectures as Visiting Professor at the Tashkent State University of Law, Uzbekistan, 2021.
• Several lectures as a board member of The Global Institute for Research, Education and Scholarship (GIRES) with its headquarters in Amsterdam (www.gires.org) 2020-2022.
• Discussion with members of “The International Team for the Study of Security Verona,” an international, interdisciplinary, apolitical, cultural association dedicated to the study of international security, 2021.
• Webinar with the Youth Academy of the Center for Science & Commercial Diplomacy (CSCD) at the University of Copenhagen, 7 March 2023.
• Speaker at Center for Science and Commercial Diplomacy (CSCD) at the University of Copenhagen, 12 October 2023, with a discussion with students about “A Life in International Diplomacy”.
• Lecture to Center for International Business Education & Research (SDSU CIBER), Fowler College of Business, San Diego State University, on 24 October 2023. The subject was "BRICS Expansion and its Implications for Politics and Global Business".
• Presentation on “The Importance and Significance of South Africa’s National Day, Freedom Day”, on 18 April 2024 to employees of an international company headquartered in Amsterdam. The text is also available on https://www.riaaneksteen.com/freedom-day-the-importance-andsignificance-of-south-africas-national-day/ and also per http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.36097.26724
Articles published -— 2019-2024
• “Brexit The ECJ Conundrum for the UK” American Bar Association’s Newsletter, June 2019
• “Role of European Court of Justice in Foreign Affairs", Universitas (India) Vol. 13, (ISSN 22295542), September 2020. [Publication is circulated to all the authors, Editorial Board members, National Advisory Board, International Advisory Board, National Judicial Academy in India, faculty members of Law Schools, Universities in India and prominent persons from the Bench and the Bar in India.]
• “The Importance of the European Court of Justice”, a chapter included in Conflict & Peace In International Politics: Issues, Actors and Approaches. Edited by Kenar N. and Shaw I. London. IJOPEC Publication. (Published on 26 December 2020 ISBN 978-1-913809-102.) The co-editors of this special issue have been invited to present this chapter.
• “Diplomatic and Consular Protection with special reference to Article 46 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights”. (Published as a chapter in a Special Issue of The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union: The First Ten Years - New Challenges and Perspectives published by Laws (ISSN 2075-471X on 24 December 2020). The co-editors of this special issue have been invited to present this chapter. [At the end of December 2024, the article was viewed 4.392 times, according to the publisher.]
• “The Contribution of the European Court of Justice to the Methodology of International Law” published in The Contribution of the Case-Law of International Courts and Tribunals to the Development of International Law. Edited by Teles, Patrícia and Manuel Ribeiro, who were the organisers of the Braga Conference in September 2019.
• Interview published in Erga Omnes issued by the Weeramantry Centre for Peace, Justice and International Law, India, 6 September 2020.
• “Thoughts on Living during the Restrictive Times of Covid-19” The Namibian, August 2020.
• “The Role of the Judiciary in Foreign Affairs to be duly recognised, with special reference to the Supreme Court of the USA” Stellenbosch Law Review, October 2021.
• “Frederik W. de Klerk: Presidential Years in the International Arena”. Political Science Quarterly, December 2023.
• “The Alien Tort Statute is no longer available to Foreigners to Claim for Wrong-doings on Foreign Soil” Stellenbosch Law Review, December 2023.
• “Multifaceted Anti-Western Sentiments Embodied in BRICS" submitted for publication in December 2024.
• Following published in the Journal of Humanities (South African Academy for Science and Arts):
➢ “The Role of the High Courts of the United States of America, South Africa and the European Union in Foreign Affairs”, (March 2019).
➢ “Brexit’s political and economic consequences and historical realities” (June 2019).
➢ “The effect of domestic affairs on foreign policy, with specific reference to current events in the United States of America” (September 2019).
➢ “Brexit: Next Challenges for a New Era”, (March 2020).
➢ “The Constitutional Requirements and Processes to Remove a President of the USA from Office, with special reference to President Trump” (September 2020).
➢ “Challenges and Opportunities in practising Diplomacy Before, during and after COVID-19”, (March 2022).
➢ Book reviewed: Dr Leopold Scholtz’s Terreur en Bevryding: Die ANC/SAKP, die Kommunisme en Geweld [1961-1990], (June 2022).
➢ “Historical perspective: Reasons for and consequences of the involvement by great powers in the Suez Canal (Egypt), in particular before 1956 (Part I)” (June 2023).
➢ “Nationalisation of the Suez Canal and the International Repercussions (Part II)” (December 2023).
➢ “The Suez aftermath: Personalities and colonialism, (Part III)”, (March 2024).
➢ “The Suez aftermath: South Africa and liberation movements, (Part IV)”, (March 2024). [According to ACADEMIA, my name has been mentioned in 456 papers, books, drafts, theses, and syllabi articles.]
➢ “Reflection on Brexit: Repercussions after Eight Years (Part I and Part II)” Submitted for publication in the June 2025 edition.
• Miscellaneous
➢ Nasionale Versoening in Namibië - Historiese Perspektief, 21 Maart 2023 / National Reconciliation in Namibia - Historical Perspective, 21 March 2023. https://maroelamedia.co.za/debat/meningsvormers/nasionale-versoening-in-namibie-nhistoriese-perspektief/
➢ Opmerkinge oor dr Henry Kissinger op sy 100ste verjaardag, 27 Mei 2023, / Remarks on Dr Henry Kissinger on his 100th birthday. https://www.riaaneksteen.com/opmerkingkissinger/
➢ So onthou ek Henry Kissinger / This is how I remember Henry Kissinger/, Rapport, 10 December 2023.
Publications - 2019-2024
• The Role of the Highest Courts of the United States of America and South Africa, and the European Court of Justice in Foreign Affairs, Asser Press/Springer, July 2019, https://bit.ly/2Myozpv and https://www.riaaneksteen.com/book and reviewed in Greek Journal Public Law Journal, 5, 3-4, 2020.
• Does your company have a foreign policy and the instruments to execute it? https://www.riaaneksteen.com/webinar-presentationon-foreign-policy-for-a-company-4february-2021/
• Memoir (Beyond Diplomacy), October 2022, https://www.riaaneksteenmemoirs.com/home/ https://www.einpresswire.com/article/598959159/publication-of-riaan-eksteen-smemoirsbeyond-diplomacy?r=pamRkm8pMRNiXpJ2ot
1944: Johannesburgstasie
ANGLO BOER WAR | ANGLO BOEREOORLOG
ZA Republiek
Great Brittain
Oranje Vrij Staat
• NATAL GOVT RAILWAYS: BRITISH TROOPS TO THE FRONT
• BRITISH SOLDIERS ENJOYING HIGH TEA NEXT TO THE RAILWAY LINE
DEFENCE: NATAL COLONY
Richard van Wyk
• The Old Fort in Durban
•
1906: New Drill Hall: Durban
UNION DEFENCE FORCE: 6 SA ARMOURED DIVISION: 6TH SOUTH AFRICAN ARMOURED DIVISION IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN (
- Notes and details)
Lt-Col WS Marshall (Ret)
6 SA Motorised Infantry Platoons Sizes & Formations:
• The South African Motorised Infantry were of the same size and layout as that of the Germans. The reason is that after WW1 the South Africans employed allot of German Officers to teach the South Africans their latest Military Techniques as well as sending South African Officers to Germany to study their newest Military Techniques. And so, South Africa received the Motorised Infantry method a very useful answer to their logistics problem as South Africa being so large and moving troops around proved somewhat difficult.
Company Designations:
• The South African Companies were designated “A” to “D” Company.
Lt-Col WS Marshall
Above: Maj Gen William Henry Evered Poole, Commander 6 SA Armoured Division
• The British Companies were designated in the following way, the Coldstream Guards & Grenadier Guards were designated Company “1” to “4”, and The Scots Guards were designated “Right Flank” Company, “B” Company, “C” Company & “Left Flank” Company.
• The South African Platoons were numbered from “1” in “A” Company to “12” in “D” Company.
• During 1944 the South Africans formed South African Combat Command Company “C” for the Assault on Mt. Stanco with Col. D. Newton-King as the CIC. CCC was attached to the 11th South African Armored Brigade and comprised out of:
▪ 1x Infantry Company each from PAG, SSB, NMR & 1/11 Anti-Tank Regiment, SAA
Rhodesian Troops:
• Where there is mention of Rhodesians, the Unit may not be exclusively Rhodesian, but rather predominantly or a Strong Contingent of Rhodesians mixed with South Africans. 1400 Rhodesians fought with the 6th South African Armoured Division.
• Rhodesia supplied more Troops per Head of Population to the Allied War Effort than any other Country in the Empire.
• Noted Units Containing Rhodesian Troops:
▪ First City / Cape Town Highlander’s - B Company
▪ 1/6 Field Regiment, SAA - 3/17 Field Battery – C & D Troops
▪ 1/11 Anti-Tank Regiment, SAA - 1/22 Battery – R, S & T Troops
▪ Natal Mounted Rifles (NMR) SAAC – A, B, C Squadrons
▪ Pretoria Regiment (PR) - A Squadron
▪ Prince Alfred’s Guard (PAG) - B Squadron
▪ Special Service Battalion (SSB) - C Squadron
▪ • Southern Rhodesia Reconnaissance Unit:
▪ Southern Rhodesia Reconnaissance Unit was one of the first completely Rhodesian Units formed in October 1940. In 1941 an Armoured Fighting Vehicle School was opened in Umtali and the SRRU expanded and became the Southern Rhodesia Reconnaissance Regiment. The name was then changed to the Southern Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment and deployed to Kenya. It was redeployed to Abyssinia and also operated in the Sudan, Northern Kenya & Eritrea with Marmon Herrington Armoured Cars. The SRACR was then disbanded in 1942 but most personnel were detached to South African Armoured Units and saw service in Italy with the 6th South African Armoured Division.
• Southern Rhodesia Light Battery:
▪ Formed as a full time Unit and was responsible for Artillery training in Rhodesia. Three drafts were trained. One was deployed as 4th Anti-Tank Battery to North Africa. Further Rhodesian gunners formed the 17th Field Battery (1/6 Field Regiment, SAA) and were deployed to Italy with the 6th South African Armoured Division.
• The first Rhodesian encounter with Tiger I E Tanks:
▪ The first encounter was in early June 1944 near Cetona. Tiger I E’s shot up an Artillery AOP position forcing the AOP’s to retreat. The next day the AOP’s found the Tiger I E’s and brought down a hail of successful 25-pdr fire which managed to brew up one Tiger I E.
• The first Rhodesian Tanks to encounter Tiger I E Tanks:
▪ “A” Squadron of the Pretoria Regiment supporting the 1st Battalion, The Scots Guards encounter a Tiger I E behind a wall. They managed to manoeuvre around to the side and back of the Tiger I E and successfully hit the Tiger I E with nine shots until it was brewed up.
▪ The 1/22 Battery was also trained to use mortars and throughout the Autumn & Winter of 1944, between the Gothic Line & Bologna, they were using 4.2” mortars. They gave fire support to FC/CTH & WR/DLR in the attack on Monte Stanco.
▪ The 1/22 Battery and some
Rhodesian’s from the PR formed “Combat Command Charlie” to hold the line as Infantry during 1944.
Reserves:
• Link Battalions providing reinforcements to the 6th South African Armoured Division were to be the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Rifles, Regiment President, Transvaal Scottish for the Armoured Regiments, the Rand Light Infantry for both the Kimberly Regiment & Witwatersrand Regiment, the Cape Town Highlanders for the First City, the Regiment Botha for the Machine-gun Battalion, and the Royal Durban Light Infantry for the Armoured Cars.
DSR:
• The DSR was due to enter the front lines on 28 April 1945 but on 2 May 1945 the Germans surrendered. The DSR never saw combat.
Royal Durban Light Infantry (RDLI), SAIC:
• For Operations the RDLI was divided into two Support Groups, “A” & “B” and formed as:
▪ “A Group”: “A” Company & No. 8 Platoon “C” Company (Attached to 12th South African Motorized Infantry Brigade)
▪ “B Group”: “B” Company & No. 7 Platoon “C” Company (Attached to 24th Guards Infantry Brigade)
• On July 7th, 1944, the RDLI formed as:
▪ “A Group”: “A” Company & “C” Company (Attached to 12th South African Motorized Infantry)
▪ “B Group”: “B” Company & “D” Company (Attached to 24th Guards Infantry Brigade)
• Troops had stocks of No. 74 (Sticky Bomb) & No. 75 (Hawkins) Grenades.
South African Armoured Regiments:
• The South African Armoured Squadrons were initially supplied with one Sherman VC per Squadron HQ for practice, and eventually each Squadron was supplied with one Troop of Sherman IC Hybrid (17-pdr).
• Also of note was when the South Africans were training in the desert during 1943, all their training
was done on handed down Crusader & Grant tanks which followed the 6th South African Armoured Division to Italy were they were still used for training.
• The South African Armoured Brigade Shermans V were replaced by 76mm Sherman IIA’s and some Troops were issued with 105mm Sherman IB’s each accompanied by two Honey ammunition Carrier’s.
Vehicle Variety within the Division:
• When the South Africans arrived in Italy, most of their equipment included Dingos, Jeeps, Daimler AC’s, White Scout Cars, 15 cwt Trucks, Universal Carriers, Universal Carriers with 0.5" Brownings, Stuart Recces, Tank- Recovery Vehicles, 3/4ton Beeps & Morris C9/8 AA Trucks. In all the Division had 107 different types of vehicles of 50 different makes.
Natal Mounted Rifles (NMR), SAA:
• On June 22nd, 1944, men of the 1/12th LAA Regiment, SAAF were transferred to the NMR/SAAF Recce Battalion to act as an attached Infantry component to help counter the threat of German Panzerjäger parties & Anti-Tank ambushes.
• In November 1944, the NMR/SAAF had a temporary phase where each “Squadron” was organised with 1 Tank Platoon & 3 Infantry Platoons before converting completely to Infantry by January 17th, 1945. The NMR continued to use the term “Squadron” for each Company until the end of the War.
The SAAF Regiment:
• The SAAF’s excellent recruiting Campaign and failure of the Miles Master as a training aircraft led to a huge backlog of pupils. As a result many recruits were diverted to 30 Armoured Commando & 31 Armoured Car Commando, SAAF for Armoured Car courses. Upon the disbandment of 31 Armoured Car Commando, SAAF in May 1943, the remaining Unit became 30 Armoured Car Commando, SAAF. The Unit was renamed the SAAF Regiment on 1 August 1943, its task being the defence of airfields and the capture of enemy aerodromes
• The SAAF Regiment moved North soon afterwards and, with the gradual loss of enemy air superiority in 1944, airfield defence became less of a priority. On 17 January 1945 the SAAF Regiment merged with the Natal Mounted Rifles to become the NMR/SAAF, a liaison which lasted until the end of World War Two.
• At the end of 1943, the following Anti-Aircraft Units were in existence, 42, 43 & 44 LAA Regiments & 1/12 LAA Regiment. Up to this stage these Regiments were used as a reinforcement pool for AA sub-units intended to form part of the 6th South African Armoured Division. These LAA Regiments soon came under control of the SAAF on January 1st, 1944, and it was decided that these Units should cease to be a reinforcement pool. The SAAF would only maintain the 1/12 LAA Regiment and the SAAF portion of the NMR/SAAF Regiment.
• It was decided on 20 January 1944, that the 44. LAA Regiment was to be converted to Infantry on the same basis as the Reserve Battalions, since the Imperial Authorities needed a Security Battalion, and on 10 February 1944, the 44. LAA Regiment became the 44. Infantry Battalion, SAAF and was utilized for Security duties. It was also decided to convert the 42 & 43 LAA Regiments into General Service Units and all personnel who only signed the “Africa Service Oath” were returned to SAAF Depot. By April 1944 it was also decided that all South African Artillery members of SAAF (Army) Units must become SAAF personnel. This move brought the 43. LAA Regiment up to full war establishment but left no General Service troops in Reserve. In the middle of August 1944, the 43. LAA Regiment left for Italy, leaving the 42. LAA Regiment for operational duties at the Suez Canal (But was later converted to the 42. Infantry Battalion on 16 January 1945). The 43. LAA Regiment as an AA Unit ended upon arrival in Italy, since it was converted to the 43. Infantry Battalion
(Motorised Battalion). The 1/12 LAA Regiment arrived in Italy on 20 April 1944 with the rest of the 6th South African Armoured Division and continued in its intended role.
Regiment Botha/Regiment President Steyn (RB/RPS):
• Armoured Car Commando. In March 1945 the RB/RPS formed 2 Heavy Companies, one each for the 12th South African Motorized Infantry Brigade & 13th South African Motorized Infantry Brigade. Imperial Light Horse/Kimberley Regiment (ILH/KimR):
• CHQ were equipped with sawn off “Honey” Stuarts.
4/22 Field Regiment, SAA
• Some Gunner Units originally began as Infantry, such as the Pretoria Highlanders - later to become
1st Anti-Tank Regiment, and the South African. Irish, who, after they were badly cut up at Sidi Rezegh in November 1941, later to become 11th Field Battery, 4th Field Regiment but later became 22nd Field Regiment South African. Irish. They combined to fight in Italy as 4/22nd Field Regiment.
76th (Shropshire Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, R.A:
• The Regiment landed at Taranto, Italy, by December 9th, 1943. The 112 Battery had 5.5” Howitzers at this time and the 113 Battery had OQF 4.5” Howitzers, but shortly after landing, the 112 lost its 5.5” Howitzers to another Yeomanry Regiment, receiving OQF 4.5” Howitzers in exchange. 166th NFLD (Newfoundland) Field Regiment, RA:
• 166th NFLD (Newfoundland) Field Regiment, RA joined the 6th South African Armoured Division to replace the 23rd (Army) Field Regiment, RA.
6th South African Armoured Divisional Provost Company, SACMP:
• A little-known fact is that a “Springbok” MP solved the first murder of an Allied Soldier (Chibiamar, a French Algerian Soldier) in Italy. The investigating Officer was Sgt JD Sowter of 19th Detachment, 2nd Line of Communications Provost Company (Volunteer), and the details were later published in the South African Forces newspaper “SPRINGBOK” on August 13th, 1944: Sgt JD Sowter’s first assignment was to track down the murderer of a French soldier. The trail led to a village South of Naples. After five weeks Sgt JD Sowter found the instrument of death – an ornamental knife recognized by villagers as one that used to hang on the wall of the local tavern. The Tavern-keeper admitted it was his. Within 24 hours Sgt JD Sowter had arrested the tavern-keeper’s son who confessed that he had murdered the Frenchman for his army payroll.
South African Engineer Corps (SAEC):
• The First SAEC Unit to set foot on the European Continent during WW2 was Maj. G.E. Marriot with his 46th Survey Company on October 8th, 1943 at Salerno.
• With the exception of 3rd Squadrons the majority of Engineers were employed in a Non-Divisional role.
• For Operations the SAEC formed as:
▪ “A” Task Force – Maj. C.E. Todd: 11th Field Company, 25th Road Construction Company, Mechanical Equipment, Pioneer & Transport Detachments.
▪ “B” Task Force – Maj. T.L. Gibbs: 13th Field Company, 27th Road Construction Company, Mechanical Equipment, Pioneer & Transport Detachments.
▪ “C” Task Force – Maj. H.C. Mullins: 1st Field Company, 31st Road Construction Company, Mechanical Equipment, Pioneer & Transport Detachments.
▪ “D” Task Force – Maj. P. Grey, RE: 857th Quarrying Company, RE, Mechanical Equipment, Pioneer & Transport Detachments.
• 62nd Tunnelling Company distinguished itself by reopening the Appenino Tunnel between Prato and Bologna - a remarkable feat of engineering, recalling the work of the 61st Tunnelling Company on the Haifa- Tropilo line.
South African Surrender (“A” Company, FC/CTH)
• On 21 June 1944, Brig. J.P.A. Furstenberg, DSO, ordered Lt. Col. O.N. Flemmer, MID, to launch a night attack with the FC/CTH on Chuisi to breach the Tranismere Line. “A” Company, FC/CTH penetrated the deepest and managed to reach the Main Square where they sustained heavy fire and took shelter within the Theatre. Here they beat back multiple attacks from German Infantry & Panzer from the Fallschirm-Panzer-Division “Hermann Göring”. Attempts to relive the encircled soldiers weren’t successful and on 22 June 1944 at 11:30 – 12:00 after sustaining multiple casualties “A” Company, FC/CTH commander Maj. F. Bartlett decided to surrender. The survivors of “A” Company, FC/CTH, were congratulated by the Commander of the Herman Goering Battalion on what he described as “a Magnificent Fight”, while regretting that so many casualties had been suffered on both sides. The South African survivors were well-treated, and the wounded were cared for.
• Since the disaster of the surrender of the 2nd South African Infantry Division at Tobruk on 21 June 1942, the surrender of South African Troops in the field had become a sensitive matter. This prompted Prime Minister J.C. Smuts, who had been meeting the British Chiefs of Staff on 21 June 1944, to divert his aircraft to Orvieto airfield on his way back to South Africa to discuss the Political & Military consequences of this event with the 6th South African Armoured Division command. 6th South African Armour Division Casualties:
• On 14 July 1945 at the Victory Parade at Monza, Maj. Gen. W.H.E. Poole gave the following Italian Campaign Statistics for South African Casualties 1944-1945: Killed: 711 (59 Officers), Wounded: 2675 (199 Officers), Missing: 157 (8 Officers) - Total: 3543 (266 Officers)
The Marzabotto Massacre:
• On 3 October 1944, German & Austrian SS Troops were ordered to purge the entire area of Monte Sole & Monte Ruminci, because the townspeople of Marzabotto, Grizzana Morandi & Monzuno were suspected of helping and supplying Italian partisans along the Gothic Line, which Hitler himself had ordered to be kept at all costs to sever south Italy and Allied forces from the industrialised and developed north. By sunset on 3 October 1944, Marzabotto’s & Monzuno’s unique population of mountain people, nearly two thousand people, were entirely exterminated. The SS then started moving into Grizzana Morandi & Monte Stanco herding the townspeople into two groups in no particular order. The first group (Half the Population) was slaughtered that night, the remaining group was to be executed the next morning. On 4 October 1944, the executions had already started, when out of nowhere a group of Allied soldiers who had been sent to patrol and scout the area, unaware of the purge, appeared and engaged the SS in combat. After a long battle they managed to drive the Nazis off well behind the Gothic Line, saving the few remaining people of Monte Sole. This group of soldiers was the 6th South African Armoured Division. They were the first Allied troops to arrive in the area; British, American, New Zealand, Rhodesian, Australian, and Indian troops arrived some three days later from the nearby American base in Livergnago (dubbed “Liver & Onions” by the soldiers) with food and supplies for the towns afflicted victims and set up Allied camps along what is today one of Italy’s most famous war commemoration sites – the Gothic Line.
• Deep in the heart of Italy’s Apennine mountains between Bologna and the Po valley, in the communities of Castiglione dei Pepoli, Monte Stanco, Grizzana Morandi and the surrounding area, local people gather annually not only to celebrate their towns emancipation from Nazi forces in the autumn of 1944 by the 6th South African Armoured Division from South Africa, but even to raise the South African flag in ceremony.
• Castiglione dei Pepoli lies in the Province of Bologna about 60 kilometres north of Florence and about 60 kilometres south of Bologna. It is situated in mountainous country near the highest point of the road connecting Prato and Bologna. The cemetery is on the west side of the road a little to the north of the town and entirely built by the South Africans. Similarly, the Italian Zonderwater Cemetery in South Africa is maintained by local communities there on behalf of Italian families who can’t visit South Africa regularly. Brig. Gen. R.J. Palmer, DSO oversaw the signing of an official commitment by the Italian Carabinieri and local communities to maintain the graves of young soldiers who fought and died so far from their own homeland. In Zonderwater, South Africa, there is an urn with soil from Castiglione dei Pepoli, and in Castiglione, there is an urn with South African soil from Zonderwater.
• Castiglione South African Cemetery was started in November 1944 by the 6th South African Armoured Division, which had entered Castiglione at the end of September and remained in the neighbourhood until the following April. Many of the burials were made direct from the battlefields of the Apennines, where during that winter South African troops held positions some 8 kilometres north of Castiglione.
In the cemetery there is a memorial building originally erected by South African troops, which contains two tablets unveiled by Field-Marshal Jan Smuts which bear the inscription in English and Afrikaans:
“TO SAVE MANKIND YOURSELVES YOU SCORNED TO SAVE”
“OM DIE MENSDOM TE DIEN HET JUL VEILIGHEID VERSMAAD”
• The cemetery contains 502 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. The majority of those buried were South Africans, the remainder belonging mostly to the 24th Guards Brigade.
• A new street connecting Castiglionei dei Pepoli and the entire area with the Bologna-Modena highway was unveiled in November 2007 named in honour of the 6th South African Armoured Division and was inaugurated in December 2007 by Col (Mrs) Elvorne Palmer (Mil Attache to Italy).
Credits: J.C. von Winterbach, Scott Sutherland, Mike Bersiks, Rex Barret and Barry Cooper, W.S. Marshall.
ARMY SIGNALS IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE STORY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN CORPS OF SIGNALS AND ITS ANTECEDENTS
PART II: SIGNALS DURING THE ANGLO-BOER WARS (1880-1881 and 1899 – 1902)
REPUBLIEK (ZAR)
Jameson Raid
The artillery camp was completely inadequately prepared to absorb the additional numbers, causing an accommodation problem and making organisation and control a challenge. The news of the Jameson Raid actually caught the Artillery slightly off-guard, with the result that the heavy guns of Cmdt S.P.E. Trichardt, officer commanding the State Artillery, arrived just in time to support the Commandos and to force Leander Starr Jameson to surrender and prevent a general uprising in Johannesburg.
Reorganisation
The most important consequence of the invasion was surely the fact that the weaknesses in the preparedness of the Corps were exposed. Whereas the Corps was very well deployed to control internal rebellionsof the natives, it would clearly be inadequate to withstand a well organised European aggressor. On 27 Jan 1896 the National Assembly decided to expand the Corps. After this the members of the Corps grew so quickly that a reorganisation was urgently needed. This reorganisasion programme was enshrined in Act No 1 of 1896 which would eventually form the framework within which the Corps would operate during the Second War of Liberation (or Second Anglo-Boer War).
The new Act made provision for seven sections within the Corps. Commandant-General P.J. (Piet) Joubert was the supreme commander of the Corps and Lieutenant-Colonel-Commandant H.P.N. Pretorius was the officer commanding, assisted by a First Lieutenant-Adjutant.
The Artillerie was under command of Maj P.E. Erasmus, Capt F.J. Wolmarans, Capt P.J. van der Merwe and five full Lieutenants, while the Field Telegraphy was under command of Lt Paff. One supervisor, an Adjutant-NCO, was also added to the ranks of the Corps. Twenty three trainee telegraphists were under command of a Senior Watch Master (Afr: opperwagmeester), three Watch Masters (Afr: wagmeesters) and three Corporals. By 1897 the Transvaal Field Telegraphy section consisted of 14 trained telegraphists, 15 recruits and 21 reservists.
When H.P.N. Pretorius passed away on 25 Januarie 1897, S.P.E. Trichardt was appointed in his place Lieutenant-Colonel-Commandant. On the eve of the Second Anglo-Boer War his title was changed to Supreme Commandant SA (Afr: overste kommandant SA).
On signing up all men had to make an oath of service, and when they were promoted to officer rank, a new oath was required. The Act of 1896 made provision for officer examinations which were invidgilated by a Commission consisting of existing active officers. In 1896 they also budgeted for the building of a wagon house and magazine on the premises of the Artillery Camp, for use by the Field Telegraphy.
Britse blokhuis
SOUTH AFRICAN MILITARY HISTORY
“We fought as one, black and white”; the South African Native Military Corps ‘at arms’
Posted by Peter Dickens
Now what is truly remarkable about this photograph? Well, it shows a bunch of armed South African soldiers during World War 2 who by all accounts never carried a firearm and by directive were not allowed too either. These are members of the South African Native Military Corps (NMC), and it’s proof positive that there is no such thing as skin colour or ‘Segregation’ legislation when under fire.
Skiptocontent
This photograph was taken by Warren Loader’s Grandfather Noel Edgar Fuller while serving with The Royal Durban Light Infantry (DLI) B Coy in North Africa during WW2. What makes this photo remarkable is the DLI L/Cpl is standing next to three armed members of the South African Native Military Corps (NMC).
So, visual proof that .303 Lee Enfields were issued to some members of the NMC, but what is the validity of this rare photograph?
Official Policy
During the Second World War the South African government of the day held out that members of the NMC could only function in non-combatant roles and were not allowed to carry firearms whereas
funnily members of the Cape Corps (Cape Coloured members) where fully armed and enrolled in combatant roles. In terms of the race politics of the day, on the arming of Black soldiers at the beginning of war, Smuts’ government had to bow to the pressures of his opposition, the Nationalists, led by DF Malan.
The Nationalists were vociferously opposed to black South Africans in the army at all, even unarmed. As Dr D.F. Malan was to be quoted in Parliament: “To every Afrikaner, the use of black troops against Europeans is abhorrent.”
Faced with all this opposition in Parliament from the official opposition bench Smuts had little choice, he needed men to fight and had to tap South Africa’s black population for resources. So he found a way by striking compromise, they could carry traditional weapons in the form of spears and knobkerries.
The president of the ANC in the war years, Dr AB Xuma, responded: “They are expected to fight aeroplanes, tanks and enemy artillery with knobkerries and assegais. What mockery.”
Arming the Native Military Corps with Spears
So, in a counter-intuitive move to the National Party’s objections and statements to the Smuts government, the Native Military Corps were trained in traditional weapons (other than firearms) which they were allowed to carry. This was a long spear, and bear in mind spears are very deadly (as the British fighting at the Battle of Isaldwana found out) – but let’s face it, spears were very out of date in the context of modern war, but they pressed on and in training the South African Native military corps even trained to charge with the spear, even though tear-gas screens.
South African Native Military Corps members charging with traditional spears into a teargas screen
Secretly arming some Native Military Corps members with Firearms
All this political segregation and racial discrimination became quite irrelevant when serving in combat areas and in many instances serving Regiments, Units and Sections of the South African Army quite quickly issued firearms to their NMC ‘support’ members – and this photo of DLI members stands testament of such practice.
Their lives – Black or White, depended on it, and logic prevailed. As is often the case in combat, the man who joins you in the fight is your brother – irrespective of the colour of his skin – in combat there is no such thing as racial segregation in a foxhole.
The caption written on Noel Edgar Fuller’s photo is “our Lance Corporal and his two native pals” Quite a lot can be seen and said to this remarkable snapshot into the attitude of the time versus the attitude of soldiers.
Job Maseko MM
Job Maseko MM
In addition to snapshots like Noel’s one, there are actual accounts of South African Native Military Corps getting into the fight at the Fall of Tobruk, and it produced one highly decorated South African from the SA NMC.
During the Fall of Tobruk, over 1200 NMC members found themselves in a frontal attack by Rommel and his Axis forces. Many of them were quickly issued rifles and ammunition and got into the fight alongside their white compatriots. Job Maseko was one and he ferried ammunition to the other NMC members who had been issued rifles and were in the thick of the fighting.
After the Fall of Tobruk (South Africa’s greatest capitulation of arms, Job found himself and other NMC members taken prisoner of war. Made of stern stuff, whilst been put to work by the Germans
on the Tobruk dock loading and off-loading Axis suppliers, Job secretly created a bomb using a condensed milk tin, cordite taken from bullets and an extremely long fuse. His intention, sink a ship!
Job placed his home-made bomb deep inside the bowels of a German freight ship (and “F” Boat) that was docked in the harbour at Tobruk. He skilfully placed it next to fuel barrels for maximum effect, lit the fuse and made good his escape. Had he been caught, as a Black POW, he would have certainly been put to death if not tortured first.
Job waited and later the ship shuddered from a huge internal explosion and sank almost immediately into the harbour.
He later escaped from Tobruk and walked, for three long weeks though the desert and through enemy lines, all the way to El Alamein, he intended joining the battle there as he had fixed an old German radio, he had found which informed him about General Montgomery’s epic and tide turning battle at El Alamein. We still await the full historical account of this remarkable man as very little is known to this day, rest assured historians are now writing it.
Sergeant Petrus Dlamini
Now consider this remarkable firsthand account of armed Native Military Corps soldiers in the thick of the fight at El-Alamein
The Germans ran away. Now we were having short magazine guns, we pushed them. They said we went 300 miles … (we were in the) 8th Army led by (British Field-Marshal Bernard). Montgomery. Those Germans never came back. We fought as one; black and white soldiers.” Sergeant Petrus Dlamini speaking about the battle of El Alamein to filmmaker Vincent Moloi After 1948 this history was held back from the ‘White’ population and to a very large degree from the ‘Black’ population for political expediency, it has only been recounted now with the very few remaining NMC members. In effect South Africans were denied the opportunity to know their own history.
All that is starting to change now. From their recollections we know that, although black soldiers left South Africa armed only with spears, when they got “Up North” (to the North and East African campaigns) many were armed with rifles. We also know now some even fought alongside white soldiers in the thick of battle.
Sergeant Petrus Dlamini spoke of being at Sidi Rezegh, Mersa Matru, Tripoli, Garowe in then Abyssinia and El Alamein before he went by boat to Italy with the South African 1st Division. He remembered doing guard duty in North Africa.
He says: “There, at Garowe, we were guarding as a sentry. We were guarding with assegai.” But just a few months later, Dlamini adds: “It was said I heard a rumour that the superiors [commanding officers] of South Africa, England and Australia said we must be given guns. Those guns were taken from the Italians in Kenya. They gave them to us and we were taught how to put ammunition and we were training with guns”.
Short Magazine .303 Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk 1, standard issue
“Then we went to El Alamein, and they took these [Italian] guns that were not right, and they gave us short magazine Lee-Enfield .303. We got them at El Alamein.” The Lee-Enfield .303 short magazine was the standard rifle issued to all British and Commonwealth troops.
This has been verified in an article in the South African Historical Journal by historian LWF Grundling, who says: “Recruits received rifle musketry training, which was seriously handicapped by the defective Italian rifles with which they were issued.”
General Sir Pierre van Ryneveld
According to this research it was General Sir Pierre van Ryneveld himself who instructed the commanding officers in North Africa to arm black soldiers with Lee-Enfield rifles before El Alamein. No small player, General Sir Pierre van Ryneveld was the Chief of General Staff (which
today is known as Chief of the South African National Defence Force) and led the South African war effort in the Second World War.
But this does not seem to have been mentioned in despatches (possibly because of the petty race political ramifications back in South Africa of the Nationalists).
Sergeant Dlamini said: “In the front line we were accompanied by whites. When we go to fight the Germans, we were mixed.”
He spoke vividly of the battles he was in. Moloi recorded his description of the battle of El Alamein.
“It was like bees, those German planes together with our planes, the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force. Many died there. Shots were like falling rain. They would hit here and here where you are sitting. When you are sleeping in your trench you would hear sounds of bombs all the time, when you wake up you would see those injured and those who are dead.” Dlamini says they were with the 8th Army. as they pushed the Afrika Korps and Axis forces out of Africa, he goes on “It [the 8th Army] pushed. Ai! Man! It was terrible, soldiers were lying dead, black and white, but the Germans were retreating and we kept following them. The Germans ran away. Now we were having short magazine guns. We pushed them. They said we went 300 miles 8th Army led by Montgomery. Those Germans never came back. They went down together with the Italians you see.”
Rare original colour photograph of a NMC Field Kitchen in North Africa campaign, note the high degree of integration of the South African soldiers represented.
Dlamini added: “We were one. We fought as one, black and white soldiers. Here in South Africa (before we went up north) we were treated differently. Blacks were sleeping this side, whites on the other side. When we arrived in Egypt we mixed. If we made a queue, in front would be a white person, behind would be a black person then a white person. We were one.”
And, perhaps explaining why he had not spoken of his experiences before, he added: “You know the heart of a soldier. Your feelings die. You are always angry.”
Besides Moloi’s interviews with Dlamini, and with several other black World War II veterans, almost no records of the wartime experiences of black soldiers exist. And as it’s probably too late now to collect more, Moloi’s transcribed and translated interviews are a national treasure.
Lucas Majozi DCM
Adding to Job Maseko’s gallantry, another NMC man was to attain hero status during the Second World War was Lucas Majozi, a man who performed a feat very similar to Pvt. Desmond Doss (who has a movie ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ made over his gallantry and US ‘medal of honour’), and like Doss, as an unarmed medic Lucas time and again exposed himself and walked into the hell of machine gun fire as an unarmed medic to rescue a large number of critically injured ‘white’ South African soldiers on the battlefield during the Battle of El Alamein, so much so he became riddled with bullets himself and eventually collapsed.
This is South Africa’s own ‘hacksaw ridge’ and movies should be made of it, Lucas Majozi should be elevated to the highest accolades of gallantry we have to offer today. He remains the NMC with the highest decoration to this day – the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Politically inconvenient ‘Sacrifice’
Lucas Majozi DCM
It’s an often-ignored fact and statistic – one which most certainly the National government after 1948 did not want widely published, lest national heroes be made of these ‘Black’ men. Simply put the ‘Black’ contributions to World War 1 and World War 2 were quite literally erased from the narrative of the war after 1948 and dismissed by the incoming Apartheid government as ‘traitors’ (a tag also suffered by their ‘White’ counterparts) for serving the ‘British’.
Bear in mind when reviewing what this actually means to the prevailing opinions by many South Africans of the war (White and Black) – approximately 40% of the standing South African servicemen in WW2 where persons of “colour”. In all more than 146,000 whites, 83,000 blacks, and 2,500 people of mixed race served in the standing forces of the Union of South Africa at this time. Mull that over for a minute.
The sacrifice of the men of the Native Military Corps no less significant – if you think that as ‘noncombatants’ this corps came through unscathed by war, also think again – this is the honour role of those NMC members who laid down their lives during the war, their sacrifice is literally quite eye-opening:
In total approximately 1655 Native Military Corps members died during World War 2, read that again – One Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty-Five ‘Black’ South African soldiers died during World War 2. That’s almost three times the number who died on the SS Mendi during World War 1, and that’s only from one ‘Corps’.
Put into context, nearly as many South Africans died during the entire 23 years of fighting during the Border War in the 70’s and 80’s when approximately 2013 South African service personnel died –from all arms of the military …. yet, here we are talking about only ‘one’ single Corps of Black South
Africans and only five years of conflict. Consider that the book shelves on South African history are stuffed full of books on the Border War and not one single book is dedicated to the history of the South African Native Military Corps in World War 2. There is also almost nothing by way of definitive work on the unit history on the internet.
In Conclusion
It must be noted that this policy of arming NMC was not a universal one and only seemed to have been actioned with certain members in front line units or when combat situations demanded it, reason finally prevailed.
It also seems that once high intensity combat operations abated these rifles were handed back. For the most part many NMC members went through the war in non-combatant roles and unarmed in roles like supply truck drivers, medics, chefs, bomb loaders, engineering labour (rail and bridgebuilding) etc.
It is unfortunate that after the war, and when the Nationalists ascended to power in 1948, that the NMC was disbanded and history scrubbed. They were excluded from national parades and would sit under a tree and tell their stories to anyone prepared to listen. Their stories really becoming fable in the Black community only, any record of NMC using weapons was generally written out the state’s historical narrative, interviews with them disregarded and these priceless historical nuggets are only starting to re-surface now in a post-Apartheid epoch.
NMC Insignia
The history of the South African Native Military Corps needs to resurface – it’s screaming out for more definitive works and information access – this featured photograph alone calls for it. We need to fundamentally rethink who and what has been sacrificed to military conflict by South Africans of
all ethnic origins, we need to completely re-dress how we honour them, and we need to take some serious perspective.
Related Work and Links:
Native Military Corps Dress and Bearing: Dress and Bearing of the South African Native Military Corps
Job Maseko; Job Maseko; one very remarkable South African war hero.
Lucas Majozi; “With bullets in his body he returned into a veritable hell of machine gun fire”; Lucas Majozi DCM
Skin colour in combat; Skin colour is irrelevant in a foxhole!
Native Military Corps honour roll; NMC Honour Roll, Delville Wood official website
Written by Peter Dickens. Image copyright of NMC members holding weapons to Warren Loader, used with his kind permission. Paintings of Job Maseko and Lucas Majozi by Neville Lewis copyright. Quotes obtained from ‘Memories of black South African soldiers who bore arms and fought in War II’ by Marilyn Honikman.
Postcard. Pretoria. Roberts Heights. Church of England Soldiers Institute. No Postmark. Estimated Early 1900s.
• JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE TO SEEK CLARITY ON DELAYED DEPLOYMENT NOTIFICATION FROM THE PRESIDENT
Parliament, Saturday, 8 February 2025 – The Joint Standing Committee on Defence seeks clarity on a delay in communication regarding the deployment and subsequent extension of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The committee noted that Section 201 of the Constitution mandates the President to formally notify Parliament of any decision to deploy SANDF troops in fulfilment of international obligations. However, the letter notifying the committee of the deployment of troops for international missions must be transparent, especially regarding potential military engagements. It needs to be submitted promptly following a deployment. The committee highlighted that such delays ultimately hamper the committee’s ability to conduct thorough oversight, thereby undermining constitutional obligations.
Committee Co-Chairperson Mr Malusi Gigaba said, “A recurring concern already highlighted in the 6th Parliament is the delay in being informed about deployments. The committee will draft a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairperson of the NCOP, requesting they engage the President on why the notification took more than seven days to reach Parliament."
The committee also met with the Office of the Military Ombud to discuss its 2024 Annual Activity Report and the status of Memoranda of Understanding between the Military Ombud and the Department of Defence.
The Office of the Military Ombud reported that 245 complaints had been lodged by SANDF members regarding their service conditions in the 2023/24 financial year. It also noted a low number of complaints from the public concerning the official conduct of SANDF members.
The committee expressed serious concerns about the Military Ombud's effectiveness and independence, citing a high number of dismissed cases. Members also raised alarm over the Ombud’s complete financial dependence on the DOD, which oversees its budget. They argued that this arrangement compromises its autonomy and ability to function independently.
The committee further criticised the ineffective implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Military Ombud and the DOD, stating that this failure hinders the Ombud’s ability to operate efficiently. Of specific concern were several interventions to implement the MOU at the ministerial level without any success. To address these issues, the committee followed up with the Secretary for Defence and called for the urgent implementation of the MOU.
Additionally, members called for increased budget allocations, allowing the Ombud to operate without financial constraints. While the committee commended the Ombud for avoiding wasteful expenditures, it raised concerns over the fact that only 50 per cent of its allocated operational budget had been utilised due to protracted procurement processes in the DOD.
The committee stressed that achieving a higher level of independence for the Military Ombud is essential for strengthening oversight, improving accountability and safeguarding the rights of both SANDF members and the public.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE COCHAIRPERSONS OF THE JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE, MR MALUSI GIGABA AND MR PHIROANE PHALA
Parliament, Sunday, 9 February 2025 – The National Assembly (NA) will tomorrow, at 14:00, hold an urgent debate on a matter of national importance on the fallen heroes of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who died in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The topic of the debate is: “The recent casualties incurred by the SANDF in the Democratic Republic of Congo and their implications for the defence force”.
• WE SHOULD HONOUR HEROIC PREGNANT SOLDIERS WHO SERVED IN DRC, SAYS COMMITTEE CHAIR
Parliament, Wednesday, 26 February 2025 – The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, Ms Jane Mananiso, has praised the two soldiers who despite being pregnant still honoured the peace-keeping commitment made by South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ms Mananiso said there is no shame attached to being pregnant on duty in any profession, including
South Africa’s soldiers and police officers. “In South Africa, pregnancy is not a shame and it is a constitutional right for women to fall pregnant when they want to. As the committee, we can only call for proper pregnancy testing of women soldiers when deployment on peace missions is undertaken,” said Ms Mananiso.
She added: “This should be done precisely to ensure that adequate and required prenatal medical care is afforded to women professionals. Importantly, if a decision is taken to deploy, pregnant women should not be placed in compromising positions. We are very proud of what the South African army has been able to do over the years and the deployments that were occasioned on us through regional mandated participation in DRC’s Kivu Province.”
On Monday, the army announced the successful evacuation and repatriation to South Africa of injured soldiers and the two pregnant women. The soldiers were part of the wider regional army placed in Goma as part of the SADC mission to the DRC.
Ms Mananiso said a rethink of the deployment strategy is necessary so as not to overburden our defence force and to address issues like pregnancy in line with South Africa’s labour laws. “There were always going to be challenges in Goma, but the South African army proved to everyone that it was still worthy, credible and a force to be reckoned with. We have integrity and we have displayed it and South African soldiers should be proud. It gives us pride to have our heroes returned to our country safest. The first point of call should be to get them the necessary medical attention while protecting their privacy and humanitarian needs,” said Ms Mananiso.
Ms Mananiso called on the media to respect boundaries and allow the injured to heal without the hustle and glare of the media. “These are people who sacrificed all for a peaceful DRC and a peaceful continent. Not many people can sacrifice as these heroes have done.”
She also said that while there is nothing wrong with raising concerns related to the actions of the defence force, these should be raised through the proper channels, including committees of Parliament and not on social media platforms. “Parliament remains open to understand from soldiers themselves any of the issues they feel need to be resolved at the political level. Other issues should be raised internally via channels that are there for that purpose in the army,” reiterated Ms Mananiso. #WomenRightsAreHumanRights #WomanRightsRHumanRights
SOUTH AFRICAN COMMONWEALTH WAR CASUALTIES BURIED ACROSS THE WORLD – PART EIGHTY-FIVE.
By Captain (SAN) Charles Ross (SA Navy Retired)
South Africans participated in almost every war theatre during the First and Second World Wars. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Casualty Data Base 7 290 (includes 607 unknown) First World War casualties and 9 986 (includes 84 unknown) Second World War casualties are buried in 1 207 cemeteries. In contrast, 2 959 First World War and 2 005 Second World War casualties are commemorated on 48 memorials. This does not include the more than 2 700 South Africans not recently commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. A new memorial, Cape Town Labour Corps has been constructed in the Gardens in Cape Town and was unveiled by HRH Princess Royal on 22 January 2025.
• Singapore Memorial - Singapore
Before 1939 the Kranji area was a military camp and at the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya, it was the site of a large ammunition magazine. On 8 February 1942, the Japanese crossed the Johore Straits in strength, landing at the mouth of the Kranji River within two miles of the place where the war cemetery now stands. On the evening of 9 February, they launched an attack between the river and the causeway. During the next few days fierce fighting ensued, in many cases hand to hand, until their greatly superior numbers and air strength necessitated a withdrawal.
After the fall of the island, the Japanese established a prisoner of war camp at Kranji and eventually a hospital was organised nearby at Woodlands.
After the reoccupation of Singapore, Kranji War Cemetery was developed from a small cemetery started by the prisoners at Kranji, by the Army Graves Service.
Within Kranji War Cemetery stands the SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, bearing the names of over 24,000 casualties of the Commonwealth land and air forces who have no known grave. Many of these have no known date of death and are accorded within our records the date or period from when they were known to be missing or captured. The land forces commemorated by the memorial died during the campaigns in Malaya and Indonesia or in subsequent captivity, many of them during the construction of the Burma-Thailand railway, or at sea while being transported into imprisonment elsewhere. The memorial also commemorates airmen who died during operations over the whole of southern and eastern Asia and the surrounding seas and oceans.
In addition to the Singapore Memorial, the cemetery also contains the following memorials:The SINGAPORE (UNMAINTAINABLE GRAVES) MEMORIAL, SINGAPORE CREMATION MEMORIAL and The SINGAPORE CIVIL HOSPITAL GRAVE MEMORIAL.
Kranji War Cemetery and the Singapore Memorial were designed by Colin St Clair Oakes. The memorial was unveiled by Sir Robert Black, Governor of Singapore, on the 2nd March 1957.
Adjoining Kranji War Cemetery is KRANJI MILITARY CEMETERY, a substantial non-world war site of 1,422 burials, created in 1975 when it was found necessary to remove the graves of servicemen and their families from Pasir Panjang and Ulu Pandan cemeteries.
Five South African casualties from World War Two are commemorated on this memorial.
111
• Brookwood Memorial 1939 – 1945 –
United Kingdom
The BROOKWOOD 19391945 MEMORIAL commemorates nearly 3,500 men and women of the land forces of the Commonwealth who died during the Second World War and have no known grave, the circumstances of their death being such that they could not appropriately be commemorated on any of the campaign memorials in the various theatres of war. They died in the campaign in Norway in 1940, or in the various raids on enemy-occupied territory in Europe such as Dieppe and St Nazaire. Others were special agents who died as prisoners or while working with Allied underground movements. Some died at sea, in hospital ships and troop transports, in waters not associated with the major campaigns, and a few were killed in flying accidents or in aerial combat. The Memorial was designed by Ralph Hobday and unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 25 October 1958.
The Memorial stands in BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY which is owned by the Commission and is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the United Kingdom, covering approximately 37 acres.
In 1917, an area of land in Brookwood Cemetery (The London Necropolis) was set aside for the burial of men and women of the forces of the Commonwealth and Americans, who had died, many of battle wounds, in the London district. This site was further extended to accommodate the Commonwealth casualties of the Second World War. There is a large Royal Air Forces section in the south-east corner of the cemetery (which also contains the graves of Czech and American airmen who served with the Royal Air Force) and the Air Forces shelter building nearby houses the register of the names of those buried in the section. A plot in the west corner of the cemetery contains approximately 2,400 Canadian graves of the Second World War including those of 43 men who died of wounds following the Dieppe Raid in August 1942. The Canadian Records building, which was a gift of the Canadian government, houses a reception room for visitors and other offices.
In addition to the Commonwealth plots, the cemetery also contains French, Polish, Czech, Belgian and Italian sections, and a number of war graves of other nationalities, all cared for by the Commission. The American Military Cemetery is the responsibility of the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Brookwood Military Cemetery now contains 1,601 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 3,476 from the Second World War. Of the Second World War burials 5 are unidentified, 3 being members of the R.A.F. and 2 being members of the R.C.A.F.
Eight South African casualties from World War Two are commemorated on this memorial.
• Nyeri War Cemetery – Kenya
Three general hospitals were built at Nyeri during the Second World War but only two were used; one by the military authorities and the other for the Italian refugees and prisoners of war held in the area. The burials in the war cemetery were made from these hospitals. Nyeri War Cemetery contains 368 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the Second World War. Four of the burials are unidentified and one soldier is commemorated by a special memorial. The cemetery also contains two non-war burials and one French war grave. Nine Italian graves have been removed.
Eight South African casualties from World War Two are buried in this cemetery.
• Thaba Tshwane Old No 2 Cemetery – South Africa
Thaba Tshwane (previously known as Voortrekkerhoogte and prior to that, Roberts Heights) was established as a garrison town by the British after the Anglo-Boer War and taken over by the South African Department of Defence after Union in 1910. It was and still is an important military town with many units and schools of the Army, Air Force and Medical Services.
No.4 South African General Hospital
and No.1 Convalescent Camp were posted at Roberts Heights during the First World War. During the Second World War, No.110 Military General Hospital operated in Voortrekkerhoogte.
Thaba Tshwane (Old No.2) Military Cemetery contains 29 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, all members of South African military or Labour Corps units. In addition, there are 165 Commonwealth burials and 1 Belgian burial of the Second World War. There are 29 First World One casualties and 165 Second World War Two buried in this cemetery.
• Oxford (Botley) Cemetery – United Kingdom
During the two world wars, the United Kingdom became an island fortress used for training troops and launching land, sea and air operations around the globe. There are more than 170,000 Commonwealth war graves in the United Kingdom, many being those of servicemen and women killed on active service, or who later succumbed to wounds. Others died in training accidents, or because of sickness or disease.
The graves, many of them privately owned and marked by private memorials, will be found in more than 12,000 cemeteries and churchyards. During the First World War, the 3rd Southern General Hospital (an Oxfordshire Territorial Unit) was housed in the Examination Schools and a number of other buildings in Oxford. Oxford (Botley) Cemetery contains 156 burials from the First World War, all in the war graves plot in section I/1.
The cemetery was designated a Royal Air Force regional cemetery during the Second World War and was used by RAF stations in Berkshire and neighbouring counties.
Practically all of the 516 Second World War burials (one of them unidentified) are in the war graves plot, which was extended from the section used during the First World War. The architectural features of the plot were designed by Edward Maufe, ARA. In addition to the Commonwealth war graves, Oxford (Botley) Cemetery contains almost 70 war graves of other nationalities. There are One First World and Two Second World War South African casualties buried in this cemetery.
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
An Identity Crisis in Rhodesia’s Counter-Insurgency War of the
1970s
Gerry van Tonder
The rattle of automatic gunfire that shattered the peaceful Centenary white farming area on the night of 21 December 1972 heralded the commencement of a new phase of the counter-insurgency war against the Rhodesian status quo.
The attack itself, staged by elements of the guerrilla organisation, ZANLA (Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army), was very brief, with only minor injuries sustained by one of the children in the house. A group of 9 ZANLA cadres, drawn from a detachment of 21 operating from their base among the tribespeople in the adjoining Chiweshe Tribal Trust Land (TTL), had walked a short distance to Marc de Borchgrave’s isolated Altena Farm and, under cover of darkness, had attacked the homestead before retreating back into the relative safety of the TTL. The detachment, under Rex Nhongo, who later became Robert Mugabe’s head of the army having reverted to the name of
Solomon Mujuru, enjoyed considerable support from the local populace, including from Chief Chiweshe himself.
Two nights later, the neighbouring homestead at Whistlefield Farm, home of Archie Dalgliesh, was also attacked. Ironically, the de Borchgraves had sought refuge here after the earlier attack on their own farm. Marc de Borchgrave and 9-year-old Anne sustained injuries in this attack. A landmine was discovered at Altena Farm, and a Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) vehicle carrying troops responding the following morning to the Whistlefield attack, detonated a further landmine, resulting in several casualties and a fatality: Corporal Norman Moore, 29, died of his injuries on 29 December 1972. This heralded another dimension to the guerrilla activities, whereby landmines were used in conjunction with attacks on soft targets. Other attacks on vulnerable farms would follow as the conflict intensified.
Government intelligence reports had been reflecting the spread of spiritual agitation by ZANLA in their anti-government campaign in the northeast. Chaminuka and Nehanda were, and still are, two of the most important Shona spirits; senior lineage members of the founding fathers of the nation. They are called on to intercede with God for rain, which is done at annual ceremonies. Their
Altena Farm bullet-riddled homestead window, Christmas 1972. (John White Collection)
mediums, usually also referred to by the name of their spirit host, are the living persons through whom the spirit converses with the living members of the community.
mediums Chipfene, left, and Chidyanauya, Centenary, 1974. (John White Collection)
Nehanda was represented by two mediums one in Mazoe and one in Sipolilo. The one in Chiweshe was married to an Internal Affairs District Assistant and supposedly ‘pro-government’. The one in Sipolilo was neutral, until abducted by a group of ZANLA and removed to Mozambique where she died. It did their cause no good at all, and government made excellent psychological use of their blunder. Mutota was very prominent and the most senior mhondoro (lion spirit) in the region. Also prominent, were the mediums at Miti Michena in Chigango’s country near Mukumbura. Of these, Parengeta was the most active.
These leading spiritual entities and perceived martyrs, having played a significant part in the Mashona Rebellion of 1896–7, were once again being used by ZANLA to further the cause of their attempts to overthrow the Rhodesian government. In December 1972, Special Branch, British South Africa Police (BSAP), issued a report listing six instances since March that year where spirit mediums had been abducted or recruited, urging its operators to pay specific attention to this issue. Jim Latham, at the time Internal Affairs (Intaf) District Commissioner (DC) Marandellas (now Marondera), was seconded sometime during early 1972 to special duties regarding the collection of information about the spirit mediums and the mhondoro and midzimu (mediums) they represented.
Spirit
He was researching the Mt Darwin district, which included what later became Centenary and Rushinga districts, as well as Sipolilo.
Basing himself at Mt Darwin, Centenary or Sipolilo, Latham was tasked with this work after he had briefed the PSYOPS Committee headed by Leo Ross, Secretary for Information, and comprising the heads of the army, police, air force and the Secretary for Internal Affairs; in effect the national JOC (Joint Operations Command/Centre) wearing a different hat.
The DC Mt Darwin, John ‘Chick’ Lewis Fowle, came under fire and was criticised for an apparent lack of intelligence from affected areas. He had reported in August in his monthly security report a build-up in the Zambezi Valley but he was not a person of whom people took much notice. When things went ‘wrong’, he was an easy scapegoat for the army who, without firm intelligence, only reacted to confirmed incidents.
Latham specifically studied the behaviour of the local spirit mediums, finding these ‘voices’ of the tribal spirits to be “stoically neutral” to the sudden eruption of war in their homes. Some, like Nehanda in Chiweshe, were pro-government. Others, like Chiwawa in the Zambezi Valley, assisted with subversion and the provision of local manpower to move insurgent equipment and stores farther
The late DC Jim Latham MLM, installing Pamuchigere as Deputy Chief Nembire, Mt Darwin, 1977. (John White Collection)
inland. While intelligence had ceased to flow in from that area, Intaf ground-coverage staff had gathered enough information that may have allowed for a pre-emptive reaction from the authorities to address the situation. Latham believes that the police and Special Branch should have taken this grass-roots intelligence, gathered by DAs whose own homes they were operating in, more seriously.
After Christmas 1972, Latham continued with the nationwide task, until it was completed with the help of DCs and their staff, forming the basis for a handbook under Top-Secret cover. Only then was he released back to district administration and appointed to Mt Darwin to replace ‘Chick’ Fowle who, ironically, had been Latham’s DC when he was a DO in Buhera in the early 1960s. The Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Head Office reacted within days of the Altena Farm attack, selecting district personnel in the adjoining areas to conduct a combined intelligence gathering and ‘flyingthe-flag’ exercise in the TTLs adjacent to the Centenary white commercial-farming areas. Latham was helping in the operations room on the night of the attack on Altena Farm, only leaving his post to spend Christmas with his family in Marandellas, before returning again on Boxing Day to the operational area.
It is interesting to record that Mt Darwin knew nothing about the Intaf delegation’s trip to the Zambesi Valley. It did not seem to have occurred to Intaf Head Office to inform those at the JOC. Chris Green, who was by that time the DC for Bindura, and one of those tasked, recalls:
Long before the dawn of 21 December 1972, Altena Farm, not very far from Centenary, was attacked by terrorists [the term used in Rhodesia when referring to armed insurgents or guerrillas]. This was not just a flash in the pan as again, late in the night of 23 December 1972, the nearby farm Whistlefield was also attacked. These two attacks heralded, I suppose, the start of the second phase and a more actively intense period of terrorist activity in Rhodesia. Memory of precise detail fades, but if I remember correctly, I received a telephone call on 24 December from Internal Affairs Head Office in Salisbury. I was asked to take a group of Internal Affairs personnel down into the Zambezi Valley floor, forthwith. We were to leave that day so we would have to jump around to get the necessary fuel, gear and provisions packed. Our task was not just to gather information where possible, but also to concentrate on engaging with, and talking to, as many tribespeople on the valley floor as possible: ‘Hearts and Minds’. We were to reassure them of government’s authority and concern for them. There were to be no doubts in anyone’s mind that aiding and abetting terrorist activity, in any form, would be dealt with very severely. We were to emphasise that the terrorist group carrying out attacks on white families near Mount Darwin and Centenary would soon be captured or dead. The terrorists were misguided and doomed, and so on.
Hearts and minds – the traditional role.
Intaf Sgt Zindoga, Urungwe District, c.1971.
(John White Collection)
The group selected to go onto the Zambezi Valley floor was made up of myself, DC Bindura, Alex Deere, District Officer (DO) Concession, and the Bindura Field Assistant, an elderly gentleman called ‘Potty’ Potgieter. There would also be four District Messengers (District Assistants, or DAs): two from Bindura and two from Concession. We were required to stay on the valley floor for as long as necessary to complete our task. We could base ourselves with the army contingent already camped at the District Commissioner’s rest camp near the base of the escarpment road. As I recall, we were to lean on the good nature of the army for passing any urgent messages to Mount Darwin. Thinking back all those years, I believe I am correct in saying we were told to proceed to Mount Darwin, where we would ‘check-in’ with the authorities before proceeding down the escarpment road onto the valley floor. No one in our group had even the most rudimentary knowledge of the Mount Darwin District. My suggestion that the DC Mount Darwin might be the obvious person to carry out this task was rejected on the grounds that he had his hands more than full and was already overstretched. I am sure he was, and I felt just a little guilty having made the suggestion. Understandably, I was not overwhelmed with enthusiasm about this trip. Christmas was upon us and I had been married slightly less than six months. I was 33 years old when I finally got married and the thought of spending our first Christmas apart was a ‘bummer’ to say the least. To make
matters worse, I felt uneasy about the trip anyway. The exercise smelled to me like a knee-jerk reaction. But ‘ours was not to reason why’.
From memory, Alex Deere rode with me in the Bindura Land Rover and ‘Potty’ Potgieter tagged along close behind, in his older and rather battered vehicle. We shared the District Messengers between us. As we left Bindura, there was not a happy face among us. But Alex Deere was a gem to have along on a trip such as this, and soon he had me laughing and feeling much more cheerful.
We arrived at Mount Darwin mid-afternoon of 24 December 1972 to find considerable activity. We could not contact the DC Mount Darwin, or the Member-in-Charge BSAP Mount Darwin, as both were in conference with army personnel. Nobody available seemed to know anything about us, but we were stopped from proceeding down the escarpment road until the ‘all clear’ was given by army engineers who were checking the road for landmines.
Fussing with impatience, we waited and waited, getting more anxious as time passed. We did not relish the idea of driving down the escarpment road in the dark. At last we were given the OK and we were off. The escarpment road is quite beautiful in many ways, and we enjoyed the view in the late afternoon light as we wended our way down the winding, sometimes steep descent. We passed nobody coming the other way. I drove in front with ‘Potty’ Potgieter close behind, keeping his wheels in my tracks, just in case. As ‘Potty’ had an old and thoroughly scarred vehicle, I had invited him to lead the way. But ever the gentleman, and in deference to my rank, he insisted that he follow in my dust, so to speak.
Intaf Offices, Mt Darwin, 1976. (Gerry van Tonder)
Landmines, typically the TM46 anti-tank mine, were a deadly and indiscriminatory weapon of the guerrillas. (Lewis Walter)
In due course, we arrived at the bottom of the escarpment road and were surprised to find a group of military personnel gathered there, and a few civilian vehicles parked up behind them. These were the army engineers, and far from having cleared the road already, they were just about to commence the exercise, moving from the bottom upwards. Our little group was not ecstatic. Nevertheless, daylight was not going to last forever, so we hurried towards the DC’s rest camp to make contact with the army contingent with whom we were to be based.
We were surprised to find the army had not used the DC’s camp at all, but had established their base about a kilometre away. No problem, we went there and I located the rather harassed officer, I think he was a major, who was in charge. Now we did have a problem. Nobody had told him to expect us. He could not have accepted us even if he had been told. There was no way he was about to include a civilian group in his army encampment. His advice was for us to leave the valley and return to Mount Darwin, but if we chose to stay on the valley floor, he suggested we utilize the DC’s Camp. He would tell his men to keep a watchful ear open for any sounds of trouble. He did not think we would be at any special risk, but if the worst came to the worst, he could be with us within minutes.
Off we went to the DC’s camp and made ourselves at home. From memory, we carried only personal weapons. I had a .303 [bolt-action] rifle, and ‘Potty’ and Alex and the District Messengers had
shotguns. Of the whole group, I was the only one with military training, and I shudder to think how sloppy I was. But we were all exhausted and nobody was keen to stand guard, so with weapons beside our camp beds, we went to sleep. The District Messengers chose to sleep together outside by the small fire they had made. I went to sleep quickly, listening to the murmur of their voices.
Combatant mismatch.
Guerrillas (ZIPRA), left, were armed with modern AK47 assault rifles and RPD machine guns. Intaf District Assistants were issued with WWII bolt-action .303 rifles.
(John White Collection)
The next morning, Christmas Day, we were enjoying a quick breakfast when the army major popped in at the camp and gave us the alarming information that a landmine had been lifted by the engineers from the centre of the escarpment road, not far from the top. Wheel-track marks of vehicles could be clearly seen straddling the landmine. Thank heaven for guardian angels. The army major warned us to be vigilant for landmines while we drove around. Terrorists were known to be carrying mines, and he pointed out that landmines are cumbersome to carry for long distances. There was an understandable tendency for terrorists to rid themselves of their load quite early in their journey. We started our work as directed and with reasonable enthusiasm, given the circumstances, and drove off to address the masses. The day started badly. We had driven only a short distance when we noticed that the DC’s Road gang had been working diligently in the area. The tracks were dotted with spots where holes had been filled in. Most repaired holes could easily have contained a landmine. Progress was initially painfully slow as we cautiously avoided all repaired spots on the
road. But as the day wore on, it became hotter and we became frustrated, tired, less vigilant and much more careless, so we drove faster and gave the repaired sections scant respect. Our first day at winning hearts and minds proved to be an operation of the utmost futility. We drove all day, not really knowing where we were at any one time but saw virtually nobody certainly no group of people to speak to. We came across the odd village, but they were all, without exception, uncannily like the Mary Celeste: inexplicably and hurriedly vacated, a few smoking fires, scratching chickens, dogs and livestock, but no Homo sapiens. Back at camp after dark and starting our second night, we mounted a poor excuse for a guard, but at least we were minimally more vigilant. Day two of our exercise proved to be as frustrating as day one. Boxing Day now, and we travelled in the opposite direction to the routes chosen the first day. The road gangs had been busy this side too, but by this time, who cared?
On one or two occasions we arrived at villages suddenly and were able to glimpse bodies fleeing into the bush. But again, we spoke to almost nobody. District Messengers calling encouragement for tribespeople to come forth for a friendly chat did not prove fruitful. It was entirely pointless continuing with the exercise. Something was obviously very much amiss in that we were not speaking to any of the tribespeople. We reasoned that they were clearly scared witless, and that it couldn’t be us that were frightening them. If there were terrorists lurking in the vicinity, and it seemed highly probable, our little group presented a tempting target, and I was acutely conscious of how vulnerable we were. So I decided to pull out the following morning. I would have gone that night, but it was too late.
“. . . we spoke to almost nobody”. (John White Collection)
After surviving a third, uneventful night at the camp, we packed the vehicles ready for our return home. We joined the small group of vehicles waiting to make the journey up the escarpment road, and started off as soon as the army engineers had combed the road and given the all clear.
At Mount Darwin, I telephoned Internal Affairs Head Office and explained how useless the exercise had been, the absence of people to talk to, and my decision to pull out. I rather expected some degree of recrimination and expression of disappointment, but there was none. Instead, we were warmly thanked for our effort and wished a speedy and safe trip to our homes.
So, with Christmas 1972 pretty well ruined, we sped home to salvage what we could. Months later, I learned from Alex Deere that Special Branch had apprehended a terrorist who, under interrogation, detailed the route that they had taken into Rhodesia. The terrorist mentioned that, after entering Rhodesia and making their way inland, they detected and avoided the army encampment near the foot of the escarpment road.
The terrorist group passed directly by the District Commissioner’s camp and noticed a group of people sleeping at the facility. That group of people was us. Apparently, the terrorist group had debated among themselves whether to attack us or not. They considered, correctly, I am afraid to
say, that we would have been ‘easy meat’ for them. On the other hand, however, they were wary of the nearby army encampment. Most important of all, the terrorist leader was reluctant to draw attention to themselves before they were properly into Rhodesia and safely ensconced in their chosen area of operation. Hooray again for that vigilant guardian angel.
At some stage after all this happened, I complained, probably very mildly as is my want, to the hierarchy of Internal Affairs. I was of the opinion that my superiors had no doubt, innocently and unintentionally, offered us as sacrificial lambs. By sending us down onto the valley floor after the Altena Farm attack, I suggested that Internal Affairs was hastily hoisting the proverbial umbrella. I suspected that the ministry had been anxious to deflect criticism, and dodge the blame-game about ‘who was most responsible’ for not warning of impending terrorist attacks. After all, the police were there and active at the sharp end, and the army was already on the valley floor.
I guessed that Internal Affairs, wanting to be seen to be actively doing something positive in a worsening security situation, had hurriedly, without thinking the idea through thoroughly, sent us down into the valley floor over Christmas. They could then say, hand on heart, that Internal Affairs had also done their bit at the time. My superiors stoutly denied that they had uncaringly or lightly
Robert Mugabe, left, head of ZANLA, speaksto some of his commanders in the field. On the extreme right is Rex Nhongo, who led the Altena Farm attack in December 1972. (John White Collection)
sent us into a dangerous situation. But the plain fact remains that we were, sadly, ill-prepared. No matter how you look at the fiasco, we were very fortunate to come up and out of the Valley in the same way as we had gone down into the Valley: alive.
Throughout its history, members of the Native Department and its successor, Internal Affairs, were bound by an intense loyalty to each other, a love of remote and lonely places, and a deep understanding of the tribal people in their charge. Their greatest strengths were individuality and self-reliance strengths that were called upon to the fullest during the rebellions of 1896–97, and again in the conflict of the 1970s. From that 1972 Christmas, Intaf underwent a rapid and uncharted conversion from the original dedicated and efficient district administration, to a paramilitary force tasked with carrying out normal administrative functions in abnormal situations.
Intaf “. . . maintained an effective government presence in the tribal areas long after other branches of government had been forced to withdraw”. (Barry Mulder)
Notwithstanding inadequate weaponry and insufficient training, Intaf maintained an effective government presence in the tribal areas long after other branches of government had been forced to withdraw. All too frequently, Intaf was the only “armed” presence there were just not enough military forces to go around. As late as 1979, many members were still armed only with old World
War Two-vintage .303 rifles. Intaf must be the only government force in modern history to have used muzzle-loading cannons (called Garden Boys) against a terrorist enemy armed with the latest automatic weapons and rocket launchers.
As the new nation of Zimbabwe came into existence in 1980, several senior staff members of Intaf, including Provincial Commissioner Alexander Stickland MBE and former Secretary for Internal Affairs, Dick Powell, started to piece together the Intaf story. Sadly, their work was never completed, but parts of their original writings remain. They have left us with a political commentary, embodied in a ‘summing-up’ statement, which is fully representative of the thinking of so many at the time:
The difficulty which faces a civilian ministry when it is suddenly required to assume military functions and to work closely with the army, are unlikely to be appreciated by those who have not suffered the same experience. There is a tendency, to a certain extent understandable, for the uniformed forces in resenting this intrusion, to adopt a patronising attitude towards their civilian counterparts. sprang, no doubt, from a misunderstanding of the situation. Those who criticised the Ministry did not realise the difficulty of being at once administrator, intelligence officer, liaison officer and untrained fighting man.
Neither did they appreciate that on the outside stations, the staff of the Ministry were unable to withdraw to a secure base after an operation had been concluded. Those who were married had their wives and children with them, not knowing when they might be attacked. Further, the ministry came last when the arms and munitions of war were being issued. It received the leftovers and with these, the discards of two world wars, its men distinguished themselves. There is no excuse for the failure to evaluate and use the information supplied by the Ministry, whose
From traditional civil service to the paramilitary. (Col Dudley Wall)
information-collecting staff worked in the African areas where they had their own contacts and informers.
One District Commissioner advised an army patrol against travelling by a certain route as it would certainly be ambushed. The officer in command of the patrol replied that he had reliable knowledge to the effect that the area was free of the enemy. The patrol was ambushed in the area predicted but was lucky to escape without loss.
The variations on this theme are disgracefully numerous. The failure of the military to recognise the value of the district administration engendered a loss of confidence in the ability of the army to defend the African areas. It was, therefore, natural that the Ministry should seek a more reliable means of defence.
All districts which report on the Administration Reinforcement Units (ARU) or on the District Security Assistants, praise them highly. We have reason to believe from what we have seen in the reports, that the course of the war might have gone more in the Government’s favour had the value of using DSAs and the ARU been recognised in high places, the units expanded and given better weapons, leadership and training.
Intaf was compelled to introduce their own fully trained and equipped infantry units to reclaim tribal areas from insurgents – the ARU.
(Top, Barry Mulder, above, Col Dudley Wall)
Increasingly, as the guerrilla war intensified in the 1970s, Intaf was the only armed presence in many operational zones. Men of the ARU were trained, equipped and kitted out to the same standard as the Rhodesian security forces. In Rhodesia’s eight provinces, they operated as task forces to seek and destroy insurgents. However, their role as combatants was never officially recognised by central government. Bizarrely, their status remained that of civil servants. As such, therefore, and in one of the greatest travesties of the conflict, ARU acts of gallantry and bravery, on par with the nation’s defence forces, were recognised with much lower-ranked civilian awards for “meritorious conduct”.
The Intaf ARU units proudly wore military-style insignia. (Col Dudley Wall)
NAMIBIAN DESK
TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT SAM NUJOMA
Riaan Eksteen, 9 February 2025
He was a part of my Namibian frame of reference for forty-four years.
I first saw him in 1976 when I went to the Security Council to hear him speak. He was intricately related to several subsequent events that solved the Namibian Independence process.
During my tenure as SA's ambassador from 1990 to 1992, he was consistently polite and engaging in our conversations. When we later met, we had wonderful conversations. There was always something to be happy about and feel sentimental over.
Intaf ARU infantrymen, not civilians. (Col Dudley Wall)
His recollection endures. He left behind an incredibly broad legacy that spans many decades. His leadership at this time has received so much praise across the nation that it will inspire future generations to never give up on pursuing their goals. If he is not sufficiently recognised for his contributions in many sectors, there will not be a fair and balanced understanding of its history over the last fifty years.
(South Africa’s first Ambassador to Namibia, 1990-1992).
NAMIBIAN PRESIDENT SAMUEL DANIEL SHAFIISHUNA (SAM) NUJOMA
(12 May 1929 – 8 February 2025)
Dr. (Amb) Willem Steenkamp
The late founding president of Namibia, the legendary SWAPO leader Sam Nujoma, may invoke conflicting memories among former members of the South African and South-West African security forces. This would be understandable, given the context of the then Border War. I can personally attest to the fact that, already during those turbulent times, there were those very same conflicting views about Nujoma, the man, present within the ranks of the then intelligence community.
I remember well an incident during a SADF brainstorming session held at Grootfontein as the seventies turned into the eighties, which I had attended upon invitation by general Jannie Geldenhuys. I was then head of the SWA/N analytical desks of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
A psychologist of Military Intelligence had just presented a rather luridly damning psycho-profile of the “communist terrorist” Nujoma, when I was asked to present the profile that the NIS had built up. We had wanted to understand the basis for Nujoma’s evident popularity as leader and as man and had learned that he was so appreciated because of the empathy and caring he demonstrated for his followers, as well as his love for children (and their natural affection for him).
When I had reached this point in my presentation, the MI psychologist jumped up to scold me for portraying Nujoma in what he deemed to be an overly humane light – general Geldenhuys then rapidly intervened, to remind all that the task of intelligence is to tell its audience what it needs to hear, and not what it wants to hear…
It is, therefore, with interest that I read the following in an obituary which the Daily Telegraph of London prominently carried: In power, he (Nujoma) stressed the need for national reconciliation and urged the country’s white population to stay; it was a wise move, and they still play a major role in farming and other areas of the economy. He championed the rights of women and children and introduced a measure forcing fathers to pay for the maintenance of their illegitimate children. It is undeniable that Namibia has seen much less racial tension than South Africa has at times experienced, which in new small measure is due to what Sam Nujoma had stressed in his first speech upon returning to the country on 14 September 1989, after 30 years in exile at the head of SWAPO: “Let us open a new page and a new chapter, based on love, peace, human rights, patriotism, respect for one another and genuine reconciliation.”
President Nujoma was sworn in on 21 March 1990. He was re-elected in election after election and served as president of Namibia till 2005.
With more than three decades having passed since the last shots were fired, a more valid historic appreciation of President Nujoma’s invaluable contribution to the peace and prosperity that Namibia has enjoyed since independence, is now possible. It behoves us all to give credit where due, and to appreciate how blessed our sub-continent was that leader who had lived through as much hardship as Mr Nujoma had, to then govern in the successful, reconciliatory manner that he did, building a Namibia founded not on a Marxist “people’s republic” model but on Western democratic and free market values.
Southern Africa has indeed been blessed to have had two founding “liberation struggle” leaders of the calibre of Sam Nujoma and Nelson Mandela, who as presidents both dedicated themselves to national reconciliation
PHOTO: PRES SAM NUJOMA
Chris Kantewa
MANAGEMENT DEFICIENCIES FROM STATION LEVEL TO NATIONAL AT THE HEART OF REPEAT AUDIT FINDINGS WITHIN SAPS
Parliament, Wednesday, 12 February 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Police has reiterated its call that strong and effective managers, from station level to national, are critical to overcoming repeated audit findingswithin the South African Police Service (SAPS), a component that iscurrently missing within the organisation.
The committee received an update on the implementation of the audit action plan of both the SAPS and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA). While the two entities assured the committee of progress in implementing those plans, history has shown that tangible results are difficult to come by.
“The reality is that many challenges centre around ineffective leadership at police station level, which renders the entire system weak and susceptible to repeat audit findings. This is one of the reasons that the Portfolio Committee has suggested a far-reaching, independent skills audit to ensure that there is adequate capacity and capability to resolve challenges throughout the system,” said Mr Ian Cameron, the Chairperson of the committee.
The committee is of the view that SAPS’ challenges will persist if an audit of senior management is not implemented, and the necessary restructuring happens. The reality is that many senior managers are ill-equipped and incapable of doing their work and must be removed.
The committee is also concerned about the lack of consequence management within the system, despite clear evidence of underperformance and dereliction of duty. For example, the committee highlighted that the Office of the Auditor General made many findings relating to supply chain and contract management in the SAPS. “This has been a longstanding finding and requires consequence management, which can be used as a deterrence against wrong-doing and inability to adhere to procurement policies,” Mr Cameron highlighted.
The unwillingness and lack of progress in addressing the ongoing challenges with the 10111 hotline remains a major concern for the committee. “Over R200 million was set aside to resolve challenges at this critical interface with the SAPS, and the unannounced visits done by members of the committee have highlighted that this continues to be a major weakness within the SAPS. We remain
unconvinced that there is a tangible plan to find solutions to longstanding challenges with the hotline,” Mr Cameron emphasised.
In addition, challenges with infrastructure within the SAPS, from the Telkom Towers bungle to the inadequate infrastructure at police station level, highlight the continued lack of collaboration between the SAPS and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to ensure a streamlined effort to save the state’s resources. Consequence management is the only tool that can ensure all departmental officials produce the kind of work that creates quality service.
With regards to civil claims, the committee called on the SAPS to present a comprehensive plan to counter the growing trend. The committee also called for accountability to prevent the abuse of state resources at taxpayers’ expense, such as the continued futile litigation on the Central Firearms Registry (CFR) barrel issue, which has no prospect of success. “It is our view that the head of the CFR should be held personally liable for the legal fees of this litigation because the prospect of success on that case was non-existent as there is no legislation supporting the requirements that were being made. These types of fruitless and wasteful expenditures should be frowned upon, and people must be held accountable,” Mr Cameron highlighted.
Meanwhile, the committee continues to criticise the delays in completely implementing IT innovations, which are frustrating the entire system, and which make it vulnerable to corruption and fraud. The committee has urged SAPS to work together with the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies to find solutions to challenges at SITA to ensure that milestones are achieved.
Meanwhile, the committee welcomed the assurance that the SAPS intends to capacitate the detective services with an additional 4 000 detectives. However, the committee believes this is a drop in the ocean, considering that this critical service remains largely understaffed and underresourced. “Detectives play a critical role in investigating crimes and the high workload undermines the capacity to effectively fight crime. Also, it is concerning that the additional capacity will take at least three years to function optimally,” Mr Cameron concluded.
The committee has called on the SAPS to move with speed to resolve many of the highlighted inefficiencies to ensure a systematic change that will ensure effective crime fighting capability. ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON. MEDIA STATEMENT
DECREASE IN CRIME STATISTICS
LAUDABLE BUT NOT REFLECTING PEOPLE’S LIVED EXPERIENCES
Parliament, Friday, 21 February 2025 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, applauded the general decrease in variouscategoriesof crime such asmurder, sexual offences, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, carjacking, and robbery of residential and business premises. While the decreases are laudable on paper, the Chairperson highlighted that the recorded decreases are contrary to the lived experiences of all South Africans who are confronted by the scourge of crime.
“While the decrease is welcomed on paper, these statistics will be meaningful when an average South African in Delft in the Western Cape, Mthatha in the Eastern Cape and Eldorado Park in Gauteng can walk the streets without fear of being a victim of crime. The recorded 9.8% reduction in the murder rate is also welcomed, but the reality is that there continues to be a bloodbath in communities such as Nyanga, Delft, Inanda, and KwaMashu, where people are mercilessly killed daily,” Mr Cameron said.
The Chairperson was reacting following the release of the Third Quarter Crime Statistics, covering the period 1 October to 31 December 2024. The fact that the decrease happened during the festive season, a period normally associated with an increase in criminal activity, is laudable, but highlights the call made by the committee following the meeting of 19 February 2024 that high visibility and disruption operations by the police should be enhanced all year round, he said.
The disparity between the lived experiences and released crime statistics has been highlighted by the Victims of Crime Survey released by Statistics South Africa. Also, the Auditor-General highlighted concerns about the reliability of the crime statistics, something that needs urgent reflection and analysis. “While we don’t want to cast doubt on the veracity and dependability of the released statistics, the disparity between the statistics and daily experiences require consideration by the committee,” Mr Cameron said.
The Chairperson also highlighted the continued challenge of criminality in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, which remain the major drivers of high murder rates. A concerted effort must be made by leadership in those provinces to implement strategies to disrupt criminal activity through enhanced crime intelligence-led policing, increased visible policing, community collaboration and enhancement of leadership from police station level.
According to Mr Cameron, the weaknesses in leadership levels and the appointment of incapable senior management officers who are unable or unwilling to implement cutting-edge strategies to fight crime undermine the fight against crime. “The current shortage of trained dogs within the K9 Unit, the inadequate funding of specialised units such as the Anti-Gang unit, and the continued under capacitation of the detectives and the Crime Intelligence Unit highlights the deficiency of leadership, especially from police station level,” Mr Cameron said.
The Third Quarter Crime Statistics also highlight that while successes have been recorded, some challenges remain, including the low conviction rate of arrested criminals. The committee has been steadfast in calling for a prosecution-led approach to target violent and organised perpetrators of crime. The adoption of this approach is critical to ensuring that those arrested are prosecuted and convicted.
The committee will schedule a meeting to delve deeper into the statistics and to consider the concerns raised about the reliability of the crime statistics.
POLICE COMMITTEE APPLAUDS HIGH ARREST FIGURES BUT CONVICTION RATES REMAIN A CONCERN
Parliament, Thursday, 20 February 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Police has applauded the remarkable number of arrests of suspected criminals over the festive season but raised alarm that a worrying disjuncture remains between arrests and convictions. The committee received presentations from the South African Police Service (SAPS) management on the Safer Festive Season operation, policing extortion over the festive season and capacitating the detective services.
“It is commendable that 244 951 wanted criminals were arrested for the period between 1 October 2024 to 31 January 2025, but these arrests will be futile of they are not followed by effective prosecution. In line with this, the committee has reemphasised the importance of prosecution-led investigations that will aid prosecution. Also, the link between low conviction rates and the underresourcing of the detective services cannot be overemphasised,” said Mr Ian Cameron, the Chairperson of the committee.
The committee also emphasised the need for the roll-out of similar high visibility and disruption operations throughout the year, as, on paper, this visibility is effective. While the committee acknowledged South Africa’s fiscal challenges, it is of the view that the 6 332 festive-season operations can be replicated throughout the year.
The focus on unlicenced liquor premises is welcomed, as substance abuse is one of the causal factors of crime. The committee was informed that the SAPS closed 6 547 unlicenced premises during October to January period throughout the country, but the committee called on the SAPS together with Liquor Boards to work with communities to revisit these areas, as there is a trend of reopening these establishments after they are closed by the police.
Meanwhile, the committee acknowledged plans by the SAPS to capacitate the detective services through an initiative to recruit 4 000 additional detectives. The committee reemphasised that while this is welcomed, the reality is that this additional capacity does not address the dire capacity shortages in this critical component. Also, the additional capacity will have a minimal impact on the high docket-to-detective ratio and a comprehensive short- to medium-term plan is necessary to alleviate the pressure. The committee noted that the SAPS has made a request to National Treasury for additional funding but highlighted the need to put alternative strategies in place, especially in the context of South Africa’s current fiscal constraints.
Furthermore, the committee is concerned about the availability of tools of trade, such as vehicles and office space, for the additional capacity within the detective services. Without suitable tools the additions will not add the required value in the fight against crime. “For example,” Mr Cameron said, “members of the committee conducted an unannounced oversight to the Anti-Gang Unit in the Western Cape and the unit only has 79 vehicles with 90% of those having over 250 000 km, operate in an infrastructure that is not maintained and 210 members share two female and one male toilet. These challenges are systemic and affect the SAPS at all levels and affect the wellness and operational efficiency of the police. Additional capacity without addressing those shortcomings will only exacerbate the challenges,” Mr Cameron said.
The committee is also concerned that the recruitment of 200 detectives who had previously left the SAPS is too small a number and will lead to juniorisation of the service and lock out many experienced police officers who are willing to return. The ripple effect is that these additional new detectives will take time to acclimatise to the new environment translating into minimal impact on the detective services’ ability to fight crime.
Meanwhile, the committee welcomed the improved focus in tackling extortion case but noted that extortions continue. Nonetheless, the committee reemphasised the importance of law enforcement’s integrated efforts to prevent and combat extortion. Also, intelligence-driven operations should be the primary drivers of pro-active and combat responses to disrupt extortions. Collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority is also necessary to ensure that cases are placed before courts and that criminals are prosecuted effectively.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON.
PRESS RELEASES: ACTION SOCIETY
**Please note**
Action Society is an apolitical civil activist organisation that supports the victims of violent crimes and their families through the process of receiving justice for the horrendous crimes committed against them. Even though our name bears a resemblance to the political party Action SA, we are not affiliated in any way.
Nongqai has subscribed to Action Society’s press releases. Here are a few excerpts from press releases:
• Sentencing of rapist shows how SA parole system creates more victims - Action Society
"South Africa’s broken and indifferent justice system has produced yet another victim of sexual violence, this time in the form a 19-year-old Duduza woman who was raped while walking home from a friend’s house by Sphiwe Isaac Makula (27) who was out on parole for raping another woman. Action Society demands public access to the sexual offenders' list and a complete overhaul of our parole system. Privacy laws should protect victims, not perpetrators.
Makula was arrested for rape on November 24, 2022, at his residence and was held in custody until the sentencing. He pleaded not guilty, but Action Society commended the state prosecutor in this case for highlighting that Makula was a repeat offender and a danger to society. … ”
• Action Society ready to take on slow-moving criminal justice system in 2025
“Although 2024 was a tumultuous year for the victims that Action Society represent, our hardworking team enjoyed many victories in some of our most challenging and disturbing cases. However, we remain concerned about the slow nature of many of these cases and the general decay in our justice system that leaves too many victims without justice. The case of the
Malmesbury molester underscores just how broken our justice system is. He was accused of molesting three children three years ago, yet he evaded prosecution for two years, and it has been more than six months since he was placed on the waiting list for evaluation in a psychiatric hospital. Action Society also condemns the painstakingly slow progress in Candice Robertson’s murder case. When the case resumes, it will be four days after the 1000-day marker of her murder. “
• No justice for young Paarl woman after 560 days - Action Society demands more police protection for victims with protection orders
“Protection orders are worthless if the police don’t offer swift assistance and protection to those who need it most. The Action Society team has been supporting a teenage girl, Daisy*, since a vicious attack on 17 July 2023, where she suffered stab wounds to her head. This attack followed a previous one by the same attacker that led to nearly fatal wounds and a lengthy hospital stay. Despite the serious nature of the first attack, her attacker was granted police bail. He ignored a protection order and continued to stalk her and again attempted to take her life. Had Action Society not intervened and ensured that the police took note of the protection order, the attacker could very well have been released again.
“Almost two years have passed since Daisy was nearly stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend, who was stalking her relentlessly. For 560 days, this young woman and her family have been desperate for justice and answers, but every time they walk out of the court, they are left with more questions and wonder if they will ever see justice be done,” says Kaylynn Palm, Head of Action Society’s Action Centre. …”
• Action Society condemns court delays; calls for movement in Nosiphiwo James murder case
“The murder suspect in the case of Nosiphiwo James could soon be a free man if he has his way. This follows after continued delays in court has led to an application by the defence to grant the accused bail in terms of Section 49G(3). Action Society strongly condemns continued court delays that lead to tens of thousands of dangerous remanded prisoners awaiting for court procedures to come to a close. In this case, the accused violently stabbed Nosiphiwo in the neck with a screwdriver on 8 May 2022.
In January of this year, the suspect appeared in court, but once again the case didn’t proceed. Instead, a Section 49G(3) application was brought. Section 49G(3) of the Correctional Services Act of 1998 in South Africa states that a remand detainee must be referred to court if their detention is going to exceed a certain period. It stipulates that the detention of remand detainees should not exceed a period of two years.
“It is extremely concerning to witness how the collapse of South Africa’s court system could lead to dangerous suspects being released, posing a threat to everyone they come into contact with. It has been made far too easy for criminals to find loopholes to delay their cases indefinitely. Not only does this deny justice for victims, but it creates a culture of distrust among ordinary South Africans who are less likely to pursue legal action as they see how many people are left without justice,” said Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm. …”
• Action Society calls for urgent PPP’s to tackle war against crime - Crime Stats Q3 of 2024/25
“Action Society welcomed the Police Minister, Mr Senzo Mchunu’s invitation for stronger partnerships between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and communities in the ongoing war against crime. According to Action Society Public Private Partnerships (PPP’s) are the only way to counteract the growing levels of crime in South Africa. According to Action Society, PPP’s between SAPS and communities should include partnerships to increase investigative and forensic capacity and even special courts to provide swift justice to victims of crime.
“Action Society wants to see more resources allocated to pro-active projects against violence against women and children in all the areas that will increase conviction rates in these crimes. This includes a big investment into the investigative capacity of the South African Police Service (SAPS), forensic laboratory capacity as well as a higher number of courts and the overall prosecuting capacity. Partnering with the private sector to do so, is the only way to implement what is needed urgently” says Action Society spokesperson, Juanita du Preez. …”
• Action Society stresses update on Mia Botha murder case from SAPS Western Cape –Dedicated SAPS task force only solution for GBV justice
“Action Society has written to the Provincial Commissioner of SAPS Western Cape, Lt. Gen Thembisile Patekile, requesting a comprehensive update on the current status of the investigation into Mia Botha’s murder, clarification on the reasons for continued delays and expedition of the investigation.
Four-year-old Mia went missing two and a half years ago, on 25 September 2022, in Paarl East, from a playground close to her home. Her body was found the next day on a nearby school’s field, a plastic bag wrapped around her head and her mouth stuffed with plastic materials. Despite the passage of 883 days, several official enquiries from Action Society since 2022, and petitions from the public, there have been no arrests, justice, or answers for her family. …”
• Court Wrap: Dragging GBV investigations underline urgent need for public-private partnership with SAPS
“This week’s court wrap underlines the immense challenge victims of gender-based violence face through the South African criminal justice system. The cases of Melanie Stoffels, Aster* and Angela Koopman dragged on painstakingly long as the courts wait on further investigation. This term is used widely to refer to outstanding forensic evidence to be processed and police to continue the most basic aspects of an investigation.
In the case of Nadia Lotz, it is evident that the rights of criminals far outweigh the rights of victims. For us, it comes down to manipulating the court system because it is allowed. …”
*Pseudonyms are used to protect the identity of victims.
Comment HBH: In days gone bye we had the monthly Justice Meeting – station commanders and District Commissioner met with local Magistrates Office. Many problems were sorted out there.
Col David Reeve
If you have any info on the Kenya Police, please forward so that we can send it to the Kenya Police Archive in the UK, care of Col David Reeve – HBH.
DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL | BUITELANDSE WEERMAGTE
THE GERMAN IRON CROSS: HISTORY, DESIGN AND SIGNIFICANCE: 1813 TO 2024
Compiled by Wolfgang Witschas
Table of Contents
• Introduction
• What was the Iron Cross?
• History of the Iron Cross
• Design of the Iron Cross
• Significance of the German Iron Cross
• Characteristics of the Iron Cross
• Summary
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
• Modern Germany’s Iron Cross a New Symbol of Hope
Introduction
The Iron Cross was originally created in 1813 during Prussia's Wars of Liberation against Napoleonic France, when several German states banded together to fight against Napoleonic France. It was created by Friedrich Wilhelm III in 1813 during the War of the Sixth Coalition to honour prominent German soldiers and officers, including Karl von Borcke, the first recipient of the medal. This is when the first Iron Cross was awarded, leading to the first Iron Cross medals to have 1813 etched into them to commemorate bravery during this war.
Even though the award is no longer in use, its prominent shape has been adopted as the symbol of the modern German Army. Because so many have received the award, the Iron Cross has become a prominent cultural icon in art and media.
What was the Iron Cross?
Many countries have specific awards and commendations that have grown to become cultural symbols in their own right.
This is especially true for the Iron Cross, which is a renowned military award that originated in Prussia in the 19th century to recognize bravery and honour. The Iron Cross has been awarded to millions of German soldiers throughout history who showed bravery in adverse situations.
Over time, it evolved into a symbol of military excellence and courage, transcending its original purpose. The Iron Cross has mostly maintained this shape and design throughout its history, making it a cultural icon for Germany.
The Iron Cross has a long history, as it was a widely used military commendation from the early 19th century onward. The first use of the Iron Cross was during Prussia's Wars of Liberation against Napoleonic France. It was created by Friedrich Wilhelm III in 1813 during the War of the Sixth Coalition to honour prominent German soldiers and officers, including Karl von Borcke, the first recipient of the medal. The medal was originally offered to men of all ranks to make it an award
anyone could strive to achieve. One of the most famous Iron Cross recipients during this time was General Gebhard Blücher, who led the Prussian forces at the Battle of Waterloo.
King "König" Friedrich Wilhelm III of "Preußen" Prussia:16 November 1797 to1840 Google:/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Friederick-William-lll
Design of the Iron Cross
The design of the medal includes a black uniform cross with silver outlines and symbols etched inside the black cross. The Iron Cross traditionally bells out from the centre to be thicker at the edges than in the middle. This style was known as a "cross formy" and was common with various military monastic orders, such as the German Teutonic Knights, which settled in Prussia. The Kingdom of Prussia could directly trace its origins back to this order, which was part of the reason their black cross was chosen as the inspiration for the design of the Iron Cross by Karl Friedrich Schinkel
The Iron Cross can be recognized as Schinkel's design because of its prevalent use in his Prussian National Monument for the Liberation Wars. The Iron Cross only had minor modifications as time went on, as it retained much of the original design.
A large influence on the design of the Iron Cross was the black Teutonic Cross commonly worn by knights of the order
The Iron Cross is a prestigious military decoration with a rich history in Germany, spanning nearly two centuries. Its cultural significance stems from its association with bravery and valour in combat. Here's a brief overview:
• Napoleonic Wars (1813-1815): The Iron Cross was first introduced during this period.
• Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871): The award was reinstated and presented to soldiers for their bravery.
• World War I (1914-1918): The Iron Cross was awarded in various classes, with the most notable being the Pour le Mérite, also known as the "Blue Max."
• World War II (1939-1945): The Iron Cross was again awarded in different classes, including the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was a high honour.
The Iron Cross has never been awarded in peacetime, which adds to its significance and prestige. Its history and cultural importance are deeply rooted in German military tradition, symbolizing courage and sacrifice in times of war.
Characteristics of the Iron Cross
Throughout the Iron Cross' long history, it has had several characteristics that have become common over time, including not only its shape but also its placement and decoration. While there were different classes of the award, most Iron Crosses included the following characteristics:
• Cross formy shape
• Year of war it was earned in at the bottom
• Black cross with silver outline
• Lowest class pinned on the left side of the chest
• Higher classes hung around the collar
• Government emblem in the centre
Summary
The Iron Cross has been an iconic and enduring symbol of German military tradition, thanks to its long history and consistent design. Karl Friedrich Schinkel's original design has remained largely unchanged, featuring:
• Shape: A cross with equal arms
• Colour: Black with a silver outline
• Placement: Worn on the uniform, typically on the left chest
The Iron Cross has been awarded for bravery in wartime, making it a revered symbol of German military valour. Its recognition extends beyond the military, as it has become a cultural symbol for many Germans, representing courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.
The Iron Cross had two main classes:
• Second Class (EK II): Awarded for bravery in combat, but not necessarily involving direct combat with the enemy.
• First Class (EK I): Awarded for exceptional bravery and leadership in combat, often involving direct combat with the enemy
Later, during World War II, additional higher grades were introduced, including:
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes): Awarded for extraordinary bravery and leadership in combat.
• Oak Leaves* (Eichenlaub): Added to the Knight's Cross for further exceptional achievements.
• Swords* (Schwerter): Added to the Oak Leaves for even higher achievements.
• Diamonds* (Brillanten): The highest grade, added to the Swords for the most exceptional achievements
These higher grades were rare and reserved for the most exceptional soldiers and officers.
The Iron Cross's enduring design and significance have made it an important part of German history and identity, transcending its role as a military award to become an iconic symbol of German culture.
What is the Iron Cross known for?
The Iron Cross has been adopted as the official identifying symbol of the Bundeswehr, the modern German Federal Armed Forces. This decision acknowledges the historical significance and cultural importance of the Iron Cross, while also symbolizing the Bundeswehr's connection to Germany's military traditions.
In 1956, the Bundeswehr officially adopted the Iron Cross as its emblem, with some modifications to distance itself from the Nazi regime's use of the symbol. The new design, called the "Bundeswehr Kreuz" or "Eisernes Kreuz der Bundeswehr," features a stylized Iron Cross with a rounded edge and a red and gold colour scheme.
Today, the Iron Cross is displayed on Bundeswehr "Luftwaffe" - planes, military vehicles, uniforms, and equipment, serving as a recognizable symbol of the German military. This adoption demonstrates the Bundeswehr's commitment to honouring its country's military heritage while also promoting a sense of national pride and unity. The Iron Cross has also become somewhat of a cultural icon for Germany, like the French Cockade.
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
With the start of World War II, Adolf Hitler, as the commander-in-chief of the German armed forces, reinstated the Iron Cross in 1939. He introduced a new grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to both officers and soldiers. This move was in line with the National Socialist ideology, emphasizing unity and equality among the German people.
The Knight's Cross was a prestigious award, given for exceptional bravery and leadership in combat. It was a way to recognize and honour soldiers who demonstrated extraordinary valour and skill in battle. By awarding the Knight's Cross to both officers and soldiers, Hitler aimed to promote a sense of unity and shared purpose among the German military, reinforcing the idea that everyone was fighting for the same cause, regardless of rank or position.
This move also reflected the National Socialist emphasis on meritocracy, where individual achievement and bravery were valued over traditional social hierarchies.
Knight's Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross instituted on 01 September 1939. Its appearance was very similar to the Iron Cross. Its shape was that of a cross pattée, a cross that has arms which are narrow at the centre and broader at the perimeter. [The Knight's Cross was eventually awarded in five grades:
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds.
The Federal Republic of Germany’s Iron Cross a New Symbol of Hope
On Monday 07 July 2008 for the first time since 1945, German soldiers were awarded the Iron Cross for bravery on the field of battle. The ancient Teutonic symbol, which dates to the Crusades and was first awarded as a military medal in 1813, was pinned onto the chests of four German
servicemen who dragged wounded comrades and local children from the site of a suicide attack in Afghanistan in October 2007.
OORLOG TENDENSE (Lt. kol. Philip Malherbe [afgetr.])
Hierdie artikel is vryelik vertaal van verwysde bronne, saamgestel en geskryf deur Philip Malherbe.
Abstract Abstrak
The purpose of this article is to briefly identify new war trends. Drones' capabilities
Die doel van hierdie artikel is om nuwe oorlog tendense kortliks te identifiseer.
are briefly discussed and their advantage over armed forces is highlighted.
"V-BAT" Hommeltuig
Hommeltuie se vermoëns word opgesom en bespreek om hul voordeel bo gewapende magte uitgelig.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Moises Sandovalhttps://www.dvidshub.net/image/7808776/uss-carter-hall-tests-unmanned-aerial-systemflight-capabilities, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=132411677
Die "V-BAT" Hommeltuig het sy vermoë bewys om in swaar betwiste versteuringstelsels te opereer. Dit kan vir baie ure vlieg, werk van omtrent enige plek af en ontwikkel vinnig met nuwe vermoëns. Na verskeie suksesvolle missies in Oekraïne en in Israel in die oorlogsones, het dit betroubare effekte gelewer, ondanks die feit dat hulle in die digste elektroniese oorlogvoering geveg omgewings ter wêreld opereer.
Tydens 'n opvolg-slagveld eksperiment in die Oekraïne het dit geslaag om 'n Russiese oppervlaktot-lug-missielbatterye (SAM) op te spoor voordat dit 'n teiken in Oekraïense kon bereik. Daarna het 'n M142 "High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems" ("HiMARS") die "SAM" aangeval en vernietig
Die Oekraïne en Israel-eksperimente het duidelik getoon hoe "V-BAT" in staat is om in 'n hoogs komplekse moderne gevegsruimtes te werk met sy ingeboude kunsmatige intelligensie, wat hand aan hand werk met sy reeks sensors aanboord. As 'n pakket, bied die "V-BAT" 'n relatief goedkoop onbemande lugstelsel met aansienlike uithouvermoë wat byna oral kan opstyg en land en in samewerkende swerms kan werk om komplekse missies aan te pak. Dit sluit in intelligensie, toesig en verkenning en teiken-take in omgewings met 'n hoër bedreiging. Tenks, vuurpyle, missiele en lugafweerkanonne en ander wapentuig kan nou beskadig of vernietig word.
In die Oekraïne was daar massiewe klem op 'n vierde generasie vegvliegtuig vermoë gewees in die vorm van die F-16, maar F-16's kan nêrens naby die voorste linie kom nie as gevolg van die oppervlak-tot-lug-missiel [SAM] stelsels wat hier algemeen is.
Die "V-BAT" is in staat om sonder "GPS" (Global Positioning System) te werk in 'n vyandige kommunikasie-versteurings stelsels-omgewing. Dit kan in 'n gebied vlieg, teikens opspoor en identifiseer en missies ver voor vegvliegtuie vlieg. Histories is die onderdrukking van vyandelike lugverdediging "SEAD" (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) missie beskou as 'n rol vir vegvliegtuie, maar nou is bewys dat 'n "V-Bat" Hommeltuig in die Oekraïne in die gevaarsone kan saamspan met 'n wapen soos "HiMARS" om die missie uit te voer, wat 'n baie effektiewe strategie is.
Wat "V-BAT" uniek maak, is dat daar niks anders is wat vergelykbaar is in sy grootte kategorie nie, wat in 'n vragmotor rondgery kan word, vertikaal van omtrent enige plek af kan lanseer en sensors dra wat vergelykbaar is met dié wat op baie groter vliegtuie gedra word.
Tegnologiese vooruitgang beteken dat vragte in grootte krimp. Wat 40 jaar gelede 'n "U-2 Dragon Lady" nodig gehad het, of 20 jaar gelede 'n groot "UAS" (Unmanned Air System) nodig gewees om dit te dra, kan dit vandag geakkommodeer word deur 'n hommeltuig so klein soos die 2,743 meter lange “V-BAT.” Vanuit 'n sensor oogpunt is daar 'n wye verskeidenheid elektro-optiese en infrarooi sensors wat in die neus van die "V-BAT" gedra word. Dan kan 'n paar verskillende modelle van "Synthetic Aperture Radar" (SAR) op die buik van 'n vliegtuig, en 'n "SIGINT" (Sein-intelligensie) sisteem met antennas wat oor die vliegtuig versprei is. Dan is daar ook 'n wye-area visuele kamerasoekstelsel bekend as "Visual Detection and Ranging" (ViDAR).
"Shield" KI het ook 'n sensor loonvrag ontwikkel wat bekend staan as "Sentient Tracker", wat kunsmatige intelligensie kombineer met "Shield" KI (voorheen "Sentient Vision Systems") se
bewegende teikenaanwyser. Sy KI-geaktiveerde opsporing, stel operateurs in staat om bewegende voorwerpe outomaties binne elektro-optiese (EO) of infrarooi (IR) volgbewegingsvideo op te spoor. Tydens 'n onlangse demonstrasie het die "Shield" KI-span binne ongeveer 90 minute 'n soektog gedoen oor 'n gebied wat twee keer so groot is as Dallas. Die demonstrasie het hul in staat gestel om 'n beeld lêer van elke persoon en elke voertuig in daardie hele gebied te kry. As jy dit vergelyk met 'n bewegende teiken-aanwyser-radarbeeld, byvoorbeeld, waar jy baie klein kolletjies op 'n kaart kry, kry jy met hierdie stelsel 'n werklike beeld.
Die kameraskikking op die V-BAT voer rou data in 'n verwerkingsalgoritme wat aan boord loop. Die KI-sagteware sif die data en laai relevante inligting af na die grondstasie, saam met die koördinate, byvoorbeeld, jy kan 'n voertuig in 'n straat sien ry en met hierdie stelsel het jy die resolusie om te besluit of dit gewapen is of nie.
Meerderwaardigheid deur massa
Intelligente spanne met hommeltuie word ontwikkel om 'n reeks hedendaagse missies aan te pak. 'n Span “V-BAT's” bied nie net 'n veelsydige reeks missierolle nie, maar voeg ook 'n vlak van oorlewingsvermoë by.
"Daar is drie basiese metodes wat ons as relevant beskou in terme van oorlewingsvermoë in 'n betwiste omgewing. Die eerste is om vinniger as almal te wees, en dit is wat die SR-71 "Blackbird" gedoen het - dit kon die onderskeppers oortref. Die Weste het ook baie in "stealth"-ontwerpe belê om te verhoed dat 'n platform deur radar geteiken word, maar dit het daartoe gelei dat platforms mettertyd dramaties duurder geword het. Die derde manier, en deel van die rasionaal agter "V-BAT", is om beter as jou teenstander te wees.
As jy die kostekurwe kan klop, en die feit dat die "V-BAT" nie 'n groot vliegveld benodig nie, en ook nie 'n ingewikkelde brandstofoperasie nodig om te kom waar dit moet wees nie, is jy voor in die koor.
In die Koue Oorlog het dit alles oor massa gegaan. Toe het dit ontwikkel om oor uitstekende vermoëns te gaan. Nou het die tegnologie weer ontwikkel, en ons is weer terug by die massa, en dit is regtig moontlik gemaak deur outonomie. Die fundamentele beperkers was koste en die aantal opgeleide vlieëniers, en om nie daardie hoogs opgeleide vlieëniers in gevaar te stel nie. Vandag, met die vermoë om outonome vliegtuie te bedryf, ontsluit dit weer massa.
Die Amerikaanse Spesiale Operasies ("SOCOM") en die Amerikaanse "Marine Corps" het nou by die Amerikaanse kuswag aangesluit as 'n derde binnelandse "V-BAT"-operateur, hulle kan dit oral lanseer en dit agter op 'n vragmotor of op 'n skip ronddra.
Met al die verbeterde tegnologie, is dit ‘n resies tussen perfekte offensief en die bou van 'n beter verdediging.
Doeltreffendheid en Besparing
• Die aanwending van hommeltuie bring 'n besparing op mannekrag met gepaardgaande kostebesparing.
• Vergelykbaar is die koste van 'n hommeltuig van 'n paar honderd rand wat bv. 'n tenk van 'n paar miljoen rand buite aksie stel. Addisionele defensiewe koste moet dan aangewend word om opnuut die tenk te beskerm, teen lugaanvalle.
• Dan is die ontwrigting van olieraffinaderye, 'n sleutel fasiliteit en logistieke spilpunt vir diesel, vir voertuie en lugvaart wat deur troepe benodig word, ‘n groot terugslag.
• Die koste om hommeltuie te opereer is relatief laag in vergelyking met soldate op die grond, wat teen groot kostes vervoer moet word; salarisse ontvang; kos benodig; moontlik siek word en hospitaalbehandeling moet ontvang as hul ernstig beseer word ens.
• Hommeltuie kan in sommige situasies doeltreffender wees as handearbeid.
• Hommeltuie kan outomatiese aanvalle intyds uitvoer.
• Hommeltuie kan werk in toestande waar mense nie kan nie, soos in die donker of koue.
• Hommeltuie kan gebruik word in beplande operasies waar die ligging en tyd vooraf bekend is.
• Hommeltuie is bekend vir hul vermoë om hoë-resolusie-beelde vas te vang, wat dikwels resolusies van net 'n paar sentimeter per beeldelement bereik. Hierdie vermoë maak voorsiening vir ongeëwenaarde detail, wat die perke van die meeste satelietbeelde ver oorskry.
• Hierdie vlak verseker dat selfs die kleinste besonderhede vasgelê word, wat hommeltuie onontbeerlik maak vir take waar presisie van kritieke belang is.
• Hommeltuie bied ongeëwenaarde buigsaamheid in data-insameling, wat dit 'n goeie keuse maak vir projekte met dinamiese of onmiddellike behoeftes. Anders as satelliete, kan hommeltuie op aanvraag ontplooi word, op spesifieke hoogtes gevlieg word en geprogrammeer word om pasgemaakte vlugpaaie te volg.
• Hierdie behendigheid en responsiwiteit maak hommeltuie 'n betroubare hulpmiddel vir projekte wat onmiddellike en presiese insigte vereis.
• Onbemande lugvoertuie, andersins bekend as hommeltuie, is afstandbeheerde vliegtuie wat met missiele en bomme gewapen kan wees vir aanval missies.
Toeligting
Dit bly ‘n uitdaging om hommeltuie vir gevegte in massas te vervaardig. Russiese en Oekraïense magte ontplooi dikwels goedkoop, Chinese hommeltuie. Hierdie, goedkoper en meer volop as in die verlede, hommeltuie verander die gesig van moderne oorlogvoering, veral in die Oekraïne op die oomblik. Meeste lande gebruik hommeltuie vir gewapende aanvalle sowel as toesig, wat dit moeilik maak vir soldate om weg te kruip.
Dit is 'n deursigtige slagveld in Oekraine, dit is hoekom jy troepe diep binne in bunkers sien of konsekwent beweeg. “Stop, of sterf” is deesdae die gonswoord deur hommeltuig gebruikers. Dit beteken om 'n eenheid se voetspoor kleiner en meer beweeglik te maak, wat dit moeiliker maak om te teiken.
Akkuraatheid van missiele wat deur hommeltuie gewerp word, kan 'n groot impak op stabiliteit hê. Geveg hoofkwartier verander kort-kort van posisie. Nie meer as ongeveer 10-20 personeel is gewoonlik op enige tydstip daar nie - baie minder as in vorige veldtogte in Irak en Afghanistan, toe meer as 100 manskappe moontlik by 'n bevelspos was.
Die belangrikste is die spoed waarteen verander moet word, is die lesse wat uit die Oekraïne-oorlog gemaak is, en die weermag aangemoedig om meer buigsaam, rats en aanpasbaar te word. Lande wat hommeltuig oorloë voer se grootste frustrasies is nuwe tegnologie wat vinnig verkrygingsprosesse bespoedig. Maar die bou van hommeltuie op skaal is meer uitdagend. Met toenemende spanning tussen lande, wil niemand op 'n potensiële teëstander vir sy voorrade staatmaak nie. Bitter min lande, indien enige, het die vermoë om hommeltuie soos die Chinese te vervaardig.
Behalwe om terroriste dood te maak red die hommeltuie militêre lewens. Hommeltuie word vanaf basisse in geallieerde lande gelanseer en word op afstand deur vlieëniers bestuur, wat die risiko van beserings en dood, wat sou voorkom as grond soldate en veg vlieëniers eerder gebruik sou word. Deesdae ingevolge internasionale reg het lande die reg op "afwagtende selfverdediging", wat die reg gee om geweld te gebruik teen 'n werklike en dreigende bedreiging wanneer die noodsaaklikheid van daardie selfverdediging onmiddellik en oorweldigend is en geen keuse van middele en geen oomblik van beraadslaging laat nie."
Al-Kaïda, die Taliban en hul affiliasies het dikwels op verafgeleë en omgewings onvergewensgesinde plekke geopereer waar dit uiters gevaarlik sou wees om spanne spesiale magte te ontplooi om terroriste op te spoor en vas te vang. Sulke strewes kan ernstige risiko's vir
troepe inhou, insluitend gevegte met omliggende stam gemeenskappe, lugafweer, landmyne, geïmproviseerde ploftoestelle, selfmoordbomaanvalle, skerpskutters, gevaarlike weerstoestande en moeilike omgewings. Hommeltuig-aanvalle elimineer al die risiko's wat algemeen is vir "stewels op die grond"-missies.
Die verkryging van gewapende hommeltuie lei jaarliks tot ongeveer ses minder terreuraanvalle en 31 minder sterftes as gevolg van terrorisme. Dit kom neer op 'n vermindering van 35 persent in aanvalle en 'n afname van 75 persent in sterftes per jaar. Alhoewel gewapende hommeltuigoperasies duur kan wees - byvoorbeeld deur burgerlike ongevalle te veroorsaakversterk die bevindinge die saak dat die voordele die koste oorskry.
Hommeltuigaanvalle help lande om terreurbedreigings vir hul eie binnelandse vrede en stabiliteit te beveg - bedreigings insluitend al-Kaïda en die Taliban in Pakistan, al-Shabaab in Somalië, al-Kaïda in die Arabiese Skiereiland in Jemen, en al-Kaïda in die Maghreb in Algerië en Mali.
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Jemen en Somalië het amptelik ingestem tot Amerikaanse hommeltuigaanvalle in hul lande, omdat hulle nie terreurgroepe binne hul eie grense kan beheer nie.
In Pakistan, waar die oorgrote meerderheid hommeltuigaanvalle uitgevoer word, het hommeltuie bygedra tot 'n groot afname in geweld. Die 41 selfmoordaanvalle in Pakistan in 2011 was laer as 'n rekordhoogtepunt van 87 in 2009, wat saamgeval het met 'n meer as tienvoudige toename in die aantal hommeltuigaanvalle.
Hommeltuie beperk die omvang en ongevalle van militêre optrede.
Om Pakistan, Jemen of Somalië binne te val met stewels op die grond om relatief klein terreurgroepe vas te vang, sal lei tot duur konflik, verantwoordelikheid vir die destabilisering van die regerings van daardie lande, groot getalle burgerlike ongevalle, bemagtiging van vyande wat as 'n besettings imperialistiese mag beskou, en militêre sterftes, onder andere gevolge. Poging om Al-Kaïda en die Taliban in Afghanistan te vernietig deur die land binne te val en te beset, het gelei tot 'n oorlog wat vir 13 jaar gesloer het. Die gebruik van hommeltuigaanvalle teen terroriste in die buiteland stel lande in staat om sy doelwitte te bereik teen 'n fraksie van die koste van 'n inval in geld, mannekrag, lewens en ander politieke gevolge.
Verder ly hommeltuigvlieëniers minder as tradisionele vlieëniers, omdat hulle nie direk op die slagveld teenwoordig hoef te wees nie, 'n normale burgerlike lewe kan lei en nie die dood of ernstige beserings waag nie. Slegs 4% van aktiewe hommeltuigvlieëniers het 'n "hoë risiko vir PTSD" (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) in vergelyking met die 12–17% van die soldate wat uit Irak en Afghanistan teruggekeer het.
Die tradisionele oorlogswapens - bomme, myne, mortiere - veroorsaak meer kollaterale (onbedoelde) skade aan mense en eiendom as hommeltuie, waarvan die akkuraatheid en tegniese presisie die ongevalle meestal beperk tot vegters en beoogde teikens. Tussen 2013 en 2020 was burgerlikes verantwoordelik vir slegs 7–15% van diegene wat deur hommeltuie in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalië en Jemen vermoor is. In die Koreaanse, Viëtnam- en Balkanoorloë was burgerlike sterftes onderskeidelik ongeveer 70%, 31% en 45% van die sterftes. Burgerlike sterftes in die Tweede Wêreldoorlog was na raming 40-67% van die totale oorlogssterftes.
Kollaterale skade is baie makliker om te beperk met 'n hommeltuig as met 'n bom, of presisiegeleide ammunisie, van 'n vliegtuig af.
Dis nou so ‘n week later en 29 Junie om presies te wees en die berge om die Breëriviervallei lê wit van die sneeu en dis koud, Bolands winterkoud! Ons doelwit was om so 4000km binne ‘n week te “hike” –dis so 600km per dag as alles goed gaan - met so ‘n bietjie reserwe ingebou ingeval ons probleme langs pad optel. Onthou, die weddenskap het gegaan oor wie die verste in 7 dae kon “hike” en dus moesonsgemiddeld minstens570km per dag doen. 7 dae na mekaar. Om op ‘n Saterdagoggend te begin “hike” is nou nie juis ideaal nie maar ons wil ook nog n bietjie vakansie hou wanneer ons terugkom so ‘n Saterdag-vertrek moet dit wees. Dis kort na 06h00 die Saterdagoggend en ek en Dawid ontmoet by die ChavonnesBrandwag kruising op die ou Worcester-Ceres pad. Ons het my army balsak tussen ons twee met twee slaapsakke, ekstra kouse en onderbroeke, ekstra truie en hemde, tandeborsels en tandepasta, klein flits en ‘n paar pakkies beskuit. Dawid bring ‘n klein tas saam met biltong (met SWA op die tas in “tekkiewhite” op ons te help “hike”), droëwors, twee bekers, kitskoffie en suiker en baie belangrik, Shell padkaarte wat tot die noorde van Suidwes dek. Ek moes by Chavonnes stasie verbygaan om Dawid te ontmoet en ek het die stasiemeester gevra om my hoed te stempel met die datum daarby
om ons reis formeel af te skop en dit gee ons ook ‘n ekstra kilometer. Na ons so ‘n halfuur by die kruising gewag het en ons oë begin traan het en snotbelle van ons neuse afgehang het van die koue (en ons met skok begin besef het hoe koud ons gaan kry) tel ‘n ou omie ons op en vat ons deur tot by die pad wat Wellington toe gaan. Daar het ons nie lang gewag nie en n geleentheid gekry, weer met n ou omie in sy duidelik afgeleefde ou Ford 100 bakkie wat hy jare vantevore op ‘n SAP veiling gekoop het. Daai Ford F100s het nie n einde aan hulle gehad nie en syne het duidelik derduisende harde myle agter hom gehad. Die ou omie is ‘n gawe kêrel maar sy hele bakkie het sterk van tabak en tabakrook gestink en as jy nie kon aflei dat hy n harde roker was nie, kon jy net na sy rookgevlekte dik, geelbruin boervingers kyk wat duidelik ook nie vir plaaswerk geskrik het nie.
Toe ons in die bakkie inklim wil hy natuurlik weet waarheen ons ryloop. Ek dog hy gaan ‘n hartaanval kry toe ek hom vertel ons “hike” Grootfontein toe en draai dan dadelik om en kom weer terug. “Maar dis mos meer as ‘n duisend myl soontoe” sê hy grootoog vir ons. “Nee, O demit, julle is mos lekker befok” was sy geskokte reaksie. Toe ek hom vertel dit was alles as gevolg van n kroegweddenskap dog ek hy gaan verstik. En dit was die laaste wat ons daaroor gepraat het. Ons is duidelik van ons sinne beroof….. Dis Saterdag en hy is nie haastig nie en hy wil net gesels. Hy boer so ‘n entjie buitekant Malmesbury en wil eers ‘n draai by sy plaas gaan gooi voor hy ons weer langs die hoofpad Moorreesburg toe net buite Malmesbury sal gaan aflaai. Dis eintlik nie ideaal nie want ons gaan waardevolle tyd verloor maar ons gaan darem ook so n paar ekstra myle bykry. Gawe oubaas en getrou aan sy word, na ‘n draai by sy plasie wat getuig van swaarkry laai hy ons af langs die hoofpad buite Malmesbury, vas oortuig ons was heel bedonderd. En dis Saterdag en alle verkeer gaan in die verkeerde rigting vir ons – almal is op pad dorp toe…Malmesbury toe. Vir ‘n uur of meer gaan daar bitter min verkeer verby, rigting “Noorde toe” en ons begin sterk twyfel oor die wysheid van die kroegweddenskap. Dalk was die ou omie tog korrek en is ons regtig van ons sinne beroof.
Sowat ‘n uur en ‘n half na die omie ons afgelaai het sien ons daar kom so ‘n lang slap roomkleurige Amerikaanse motor aan en nou staan ons al amper halfpad in die pad om aandag te trek. Ons hoor die enjingeraas begin sagter word en sien toe hoe die motor stadiger begin loop en toe sien ons hulle – dit lyk soos twee dames met donkerbrille wat ons deeglik deurkyk voor hulle baie stadig verbyry en sowat 50m verder gaan stop. Dis ‘n 2de, 3de of 4de-handse 1958 Chev Impala met twee dames daarin. Op daardie stadium was ons bereid om op ons knieë te gaan vir n “lift” maar dit was gelukkig nie nodig nie. Ons vertel die drywer, die oudste van die twee, ons is op pad Suidwes toe en na hulle ons deeglik ondervra en deurgekyk het, sê sy ons kan maar agter inklim want hulle is op pad Windhoek toe en sy hoop net ons is nie reeksmoordenaars of kriminele wat uit aanhouding ontsnap het nie en as hulle n papwiel kry of iets breek is dit ons “job” om dit reg te maak of hulp te gaan soek. Dit is die “deal”. Natuurlik het ons geen probleem daarmee nie! Dis of dit of geen “lift” nie. Hulle is albei netjies aangetrek, minirokke is mos hoog in die mode en die twee se rompe lyk vir my aan die kort kant en dit nogal in die winter…..maar nou ja, daar gelaat…… en ‘n mooi been
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bly maar ‘n mooi been….. Ek en Dawid klim agter in die motor in en ons is uiteindelik weer op pad wat ook maar goed is want dit staan aan middagete se kant toe en ons het baie kilometers wat ons nog daardie dag moet aflê . Die twee dames is “hairdressers” wat “bietjie in Windhoek gaan jol” (hulle doen dit glo elke jaar). Die jong enetjie kom oorspronklik van SWA af en werk nou saam met die ouer een in Bellville en hulle het glo baie tjomme en “connections” in Windhoek en elders in SWA. Dis mos maar altyd moeilik (en gevaarlik!) om ‘n dame se ouderdom te skat maar ek sou se die oudste een is tussen 40 en 50 en die jong een so om en by 30. Diplomate wat ons is, besluit ons dis veiliger om ook nie navraag te doen oor die baie tjomme en “connections” nie…..Hulle wil weet wat ons name is, maar is bietjie onwillig om hul name vir ons te gee… Dis OK, ons soek in elk geval net ‘n “lift”….. Hoe langer ons gery het hoe meer gemaklik het ons gesels en toe begin hulle navraag doen oor Dawid se ouderdom. Is hy werklik nog nie agtien nie? Wanneer word hy agtien ens. Om die een of ander rede was die feit dat Dawid nie agtien was nie vir hulle “interessant” want hy lyk dan glo soveel ouer….Regtig?? Met ‘n goeie skof agter die rug stop onstoe by Van Rhynsdorp om brandstof in te gooi en bietjie bene te rek. Ek en Dawid moet asseblief die bande check want een het glo gelek voor hulle vertrek het en hulle moes dit laat die vorige aand laat regmaak. Dis toe ons sien hoe glad twee van die bande was, gevaarlik glad! Toe ons weer inklim sê die drywer haar jong vriend moet nou bestuur en Dawid kan voor by haar sit en ek sit agter saam met haar want sy wil nie heeltyd omdraai om met ons te gesels soos toe sy bestuur het nie. Seer nek ens… Toe sy langs my inklim kon ek nie help om te sien hoe kort daai mini werklik was en hoe lank daardie bene was nie en nou ja, eienaardige gedagtes gaan maar deur ‘n jong man se kop..… Vandag is Duitse motors mos die standaard vir gerief en luuksheid maar in daardie dae was dit die Amerikaanse motors wat bekend was vir hulle ritgemak en daai Impala was geen uitsondering nie. Die twee was ook nie skaam om voet neer te sit nie en die Impala het die kilometers met gemak opgeëet. Dis laatmiddag toe ons by Springbok verbygaan en die twee dames besluit hulle gaan deurdruk Grunau toe. Dawid weet blykbaar waar Grunau is en ek kry die indruk dis nie juis n plek waar hy wil stop nie en beslis nie in die nag nie. Ons is deur Vioolsdrif toe dit al donker was en toe was dit nog amper 140km verder Grunau toe. Dit word donker, daar is nie verkeer om van te praat nie en dit word stiller in die motor. Heelwat stiller. Ek en Dawid praat ondermekaar en begin wonder waar ons die nag gaan slaap. En toe word die besluit vir ons geneem.. Die ouer dame kondig aan hulle gaan by vriende naby Grunau oorbly en as ons nog die volgende more by die Grunau kruising is sal hulle ons weer optel en saamneem Windhoek toe, maar hulle wil ook eers ‘n draai in Keetmanshoop gaan gooi. Hulle kan ons nie ‘n tyd gee nie want hulle weet nie hoe hulle dinge gaan uitwerk nie. Ons kry ook nie eers ‘n uitnodiging om saam te gaan waar hulle gaan oorbly nie waar ons heel bereid sou gewees het om in ‘n buitekamer of stoor of afdak te gaan slaap nie. Niks nie. Dis toe dat ons besef ons was eintlik net ‘n assuransiepolis indien hulle probleme met hul motor kry. Twee van die bande
was in elk geval amper glad so ‘n bandbars was ‘n groot moontlikheid. Ons kom in die donker by Grunau aan met nie ‘n lig te sien in enige rigting nie. In 1968 was Grunau n Godverlate plek in die middel van nêrens nie waar die Karasburg pad by die hoofpad Windhoek toe aansluit. Ek weet nie hoe dit vandag lyk nie maar toe was dit verlate. Met ‘n vinnige “Totsiens” laai hulle ons sonder seremonie af en die koue donkerte op die Karasburg pad sluk gou die vinnig kleinwordende agterligte van die Impala saam met die twee “hairdressers” in en net so vinnig as wat hulle in ons lewens ingekom het verdwyn hulle weer …. Na die heerlike warmte van die Impala se verwarmingstelsel en die lekker geselskap tref die Grunau koue ons soos ‘n koue klap – dis nie koud nie, dis blerrie koud. En nou is ons sommer vies vir die twee, baie vies. Ons het R10 elk (reëls van die “hike”-weddenskap), minstens 6 dae (en nagte) se hike wat voorlê so daar is nie geld vir ‘n kamer nie en alles is in elk geval donker “Aandete” is ‘n paar “Romany Creams” en biltong. En ons is nog honger….. Ons besluit ons gaan in die sinkgeboutjie agter die petrolpompe slaap maar dis gesluit. Daar is n paar leë 44 gallon dromme agter die geboutjie en ons besluit om huisie tussen hulle te maak. Die lang gras is nat van die dou en stink vreeslik na diesel en ou olie. Ons rol ons grondseiltjies en slaapsakke uit tussen die dromme en klim in. Ritssluiters is tot bo toegetrek maar dit maak geen verskil aan die koue nie. Ons trek ons ekstra truie aan maar dit help ook nie juis nie. Dis by koud verby. Hier by 02h00 die volgende oggend het ons nog nie ‘n oog toegemaak nie en lê ons nog steeds en verkluim en nou stink ons ook behoorlik van diesel en ou olie! Ons moet vinnig iets doen anders gaan ons verkluim. Ons is net langs die hoofpad en daar is ‘n duiksloot (“culvert”) net voor die afdraaipad. Ons reken dat dit beter skuiling sal bied en waarskynlik warmer sal wees van die “hitte van die pad wat deursyfer”. Warmer? Droom voort… Met behulp van ons pieperige flitsliggie krap ons in die donker leë bottels, karton, leë melkkartonne en ander onnnoembare goed uit wat mens nie in ordentlike geselskap oor praat nie en daar is net genoeg ruimte vir ons twee om in te pas. Die duiksloot is net breed genoeg vir ek en Dawid om mekaar van baie naby te leer ken en ons twee lepel maar kry nog steeds koud. Dis toe wanneer Dawid besluit om my te sê ons moes eintlik maar bietjie meer versigtig gewees het toe ons die duiksloot skoongemaak het want daar is dodelike slange in daardie deel van Suidwes en dit sluit Mambas en Pofadders in. Ek kon hom klap dat hy nie vroeër iets gesê het nie maar ons was nou in en niks het ons gepik nie en ek het gedink die Mamba storie was in elk geval twak. Twak? Meer daaroor later. Ons lê en bibber van die koue en so elke halfuur of wat ry ‘n groot vragmotor oor en dan is ons weer van voor af wakker van die geraas. So met al die koudkryery dink ek aan Racheltjie de Beer wat in 1843 haar klere uitgetrek het en dit gebruik het om haar jong boetie, Dirkie, se lewe te red toe sy hom in ‘n uitgeholde miershoop gesit het met haar klere vir ekstra warmte en sy die ingang met haar klein lyfie geblok het om die koue uit te hou. Haar boetie het oorleef maar ongelukkig het Racheltjie met haar lewe vir haar heldedaad betaal. Dat Dawid miskien so ‘n heldedaad vir my kon doen het nogal aantreklik geklink…... Dis ‘n lang, mislike, koue nag en ons
het seker nie veel meer as ‘n uur in totaal geslaap nie en genadiglik hoor ons uiteindelik Grunau begin lewe kry. Ons klop by die nog vakerige eienaar van die vulstasie aan en hy sê ons stink van diesel en olie maar ontferm hom oor ons en gee vir ons kookwater vir ons koffie en ek en Dawid begin weer bietjie mens voel na die heerlikste koffie wat ons in ons lewens geniet het! Ons slaan ‘n groot duik in ons beskuitvoorraad en al stinkende van diesel en ou olie neem ons weer stelling in langs die B3 pad vir dag twee van ons avontuur. Nie ‘n te slegte begin nie – amper 800km agter die rug. Net 3200km om te gaan.
Deel 3 om te volg. Koos.
BOEKE | BOOKS
BOEKBEKENDSTELLING: GERT OPPERMAN – UIT GENADE, BO VERDIENSTE! Generaal-majoor (Afgetree) Gert Opperman se outobiografie bevat insiggewende besonderhede van sy baie suksesvolle Weermagloopbaan van 33 jaar (Jan 1963 - Aug 1996), gekenmerk deur ’n hele aantal baie sensitiewe en -invloedryke sleutelposte en ’n hoë openbare profiel. Hy was allerweë bekend as ’n mens van vele fasette en ’n baie suksesvolle bevelvoerder en leier, wat sy span deurlopend tot unieke prestasies aangespoor het. Sy vervroegde uitdienstreding met ’n vrywillige skeidingspakket het baie waarnemers onkant gevang, omdat van hulle hom as ’n sterk kandidaat vir verdere aanstellings gesien het. Hy lig die sluier oor wat daartoe gelei het en wat onmiddellik daarna gebeur het.
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Hy was van Maart 2000 tot Aug 2011 die hoof van die Voortrekkermonument en die Erfenisstigting en het daarna tot einde Des 2014 as hoof van die Erfenisstigting voortgegaan. Gedurende hierdie veertien jaar het hy landswyd bekend geword as ”die man wat die Voortrekkermonument gered het”. Die tydperk is gekenmerk deur ’n ongekende, positiewe ommekeer en groei van al die organisasies en standplase wat aan hom en sy wenspan toevertrou is. Hy lig ook die sluier oor wat daarna gebeur en gelei het tot ’n ander bestuursopset by die twee vermelde en verwante instansies.
Hy het sedertdien ’n baie prominente rol in militêre veterane-verband gespeel, o.a. weens die oprigting van die SAW Muur van Herinnering en die Weermag Nismuur, en sy rol as Voorsitter van die Ebo Trust in die suksesvolle opsporing en terugbring van die menslike oorskot van SAW-soldate wat in 1975 in Angola op die slagveld agtergelaat moes word. Besonderhede word ook gegee van die Ebo Trust se suksesvolle projekte in Kenia.
Hy het self 68 lande besoek, sommige van hulle tot meer as tien keer elk en in baie gevalle as die toerleier. Hy verskaf besonderhede en vertel unieke staaltjies oor van hierdie besoeke.
Hy het vriende en kennisse se aandrang dat hy ’n boek moes skryf, vir baie jare lank konsekwent weerstaan. Hy wou nie uitpraat oor die sensitiewe poste waarin hy gedien het en die gewaardeerde kollegas vir en saam met wie hy gewerk het nie. Sy uiteindelike instemming daartoe het gespruit uit die groeiende besef van hoe min die volgende geslag weet van dié sleuteltydperk in Suider-Afrika se geskiedenis en die verdraaiings waaraan hulle blootgestel word. Voorts wou hy graag getuig van en erkenning gee vir die groot bydraes en -opofferings wat deur soveel mense gedoen is. Tegniese besonderhede
Formaat : 235 x 150mm
Eerste Druk : Februarie 2025
Bindmetode: Skoonbind (PUR Bind)
Omslag : Gedruk in volkleur op 235gvm Zenith SBS Papier + Satyn (Soft Touch) Laminering Teks : 240pp geset in Times New Roman 12pte en gedruk op 80gvm Wit Bond Papier
Koste: R275,00 per eksemplaar plus versendingskoste, opsioneel indien benodig, teen R175,00 ekstra (Huisaflewering landswyd deur Postnet of Courier Guys). Die opbrengs uit verkope word in geheel ten behoewe van die Curamus Fonds vir Gestremde Soldate aangewend, om kritiese behoeftes te verlig en verdere erkenning te gee vir die groot offers wat hulle en hulle naasbestaandes op ’n blywende grondslag in landsbelang betaal het. Enige aanvullende skenkings in dié verband sal waardeer en via die Ebo Trust ten behoewe van die gestremde soldate aangewend word.
Versending van boeke: Sal na 25 Feb 2025 binne 24 uur na ontvangs van bewys van betaling van koopsom plus versendingskoste (indien van toepassing) geskied. Stuur asb bewys van betaling aan WhatsApp 083 300 4580 of e pos gerto12@telkomsa.net
Bankbesonderhede: Rekeninghouer: Ebo Trust, ABSA Bank, takkode 632 005, no 9208 178 694. Gebruik koper se voorletters en van asook “boek” as begunstigde se verwysing, asb.
Inligting benodig: Verskaf saam met bewys van betaling, die besteller se voorletters en van, asook volledige skakelbesonderhede en akkurate adres waarheen boek versend moet word.
Afhaal per hand van boeke: Kan gereël word. Skakel met die skrywer in dié verband.
NUWE BOEK: DIE BURO
Henning van Aswegen
HBH
Gesondheid
Terwyl ons koffie met beskuit drink is dit opvallend: Hoe ouer ons word, hoe belangriker raak ons Godsdiens en Gesondheid – in menslike terme is “gesondheid alles”! Vandag het ons Polmed nodig!
Karwagte
Ek kry die karwagte so jammer. In my buurt moet die arme wag eers iemand betaal voor hy kan werk – dit was laas R70-00 per skof. Dis so jammer karwagte kry nie ‘n minimumloon nie! Die arme mense word uitgebuit. Ek gee die karwag soms R5 of R10, maar ek wonder wat kan mens vir R10-00 koop? Al sit ek in die kar en my gade is in die winkel gee ek die karwag steeds ‘n donasie net omdat hy “daar” is om ‘n diens te lewer.
Is daar gelykheid voor die reg?
Die staat het sowat 19 spesiale aanklaers aangestel om ongeveer 100 oudlede van die veiligheidstak aan te kla. Die misdade en vergrype het etlike dekades gelede plaas gevind. Die beskuldigdes is reeds bejaard. In tussen is niemand vir terreurdade soos die Kerkstraatbom en die Amanzimtoti ontploffing aangekla nie... Die Zondo-kommissie het gekom en gegaan – ek weet nie van spesiale aanklaers wat aangestel is om korruptes te vervolg nie. Die lewe is nie regverdig nie en oudlede sukkel dat die staat hul verdedigings kostes (regskostes) betaal al is daar ‘n uitgewysde saak in die verband.
Plaasaanvalle
Die media rapporteer dat daar gedurende Januarie 2025 23 plaasaanvalle was waarin twee mense vermoor is.
Geskiedenis
Ons Nongqai’s word na Akademia se biblioteek getuur waar hulle vir die nageslag bewaar word. Ons het so ‘n roemryke geskiedenis. Ons was nie net “sleg, boos en onderdrukkers” nie. Ons het die wet uitgevoer en toegepas. Ons was nie perfek nie MAAR ons was oorwegend eerlik, doeltreffend en nie korrup nie. Vandag is daar honderd duisende sake wat nie ondersoek is nie en honderde duisende klagtes by 10111 wat glad nie aandag gekry het nie. Ons het vandag ‘n magdom generaals – die RSA het meer generaals en ministers as die VSA! Mens sou verwag dat ons ‘n flinke polisiediens, weermag en staatsdiens sou hê met al die toesighoudende generaals en ministers! Ek het vandag geen respek vir generaals nie – ek het my AO-stasiebevelvoerder meer gerespekteer as vandag se generaals. Respek word verdien!!!
RAND KLUB
Lt Barry Taylor
Rand Klub
Toe ek daar gaan eet het, mag geen vrou die klub besoek het nie tot Mev Trudeau (Justin se ma) toe die premier van Kanada was en Bill Nairn ‘n
Direkteur van JCI haar wou neem vir ete. Sy het reguit gesê het sy wil by die klub gaan eet en toe sê sy ook, sy gaan met die trappe oploop alhoewel sy as ‘n vrou nie toegelaat was
Barry, Prachin Buri
Thailand.
Barry het ook die volgende skakel saam gestuur: https://dailyinvestor.com/south-africa/76221/inside-south-africas-exclusive-private-club-for-theultra-rich/?utm_source=everlytic&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=businesstech
• Kommentaar deur Piet Cronjé
Dankie Barry,
Ou ‘memories”. Die Handelstak in JHB was gereeld einde van die jaar uitgenooi na die klub vir ‘n ete deur van die ouditeur firmas wat daar lede was en ek onthou jy het baie belangrik gevoel om daar te gaan eet en ook voor die tyd en na ete ‘n paar drankies te geniet in die historiese kroeg. Ek is bly daar het darem die stukkie geskiedenis behoue gebly in JHB as ek so lees van hoe die plek agteruit gaan.
• Kommentaar deur HBH
Ek het een maal saam met Craig Williamson in die Rand Club geëet. Was ‘n baie deftige plek met ‘n mooi biblioteek. Koningin Elizabeth se groot portret in die ingangsportaal is vervang met die van pres Mandela. Die omgewing rondom die klub is egter baie vervalle gewees!
BAIE GELUK
Silvio Luiz da Rocha
Geagte Meneer Heymans,
Ek wil u bedank vir die onlangse uitgawe van u elektroniese tydskrif waar u verskeie kwessies bespreek, veral Peter Comploier.
Ek is diep gevlei deur die inleiding tot die artikel, wat die gang van 'n Oostenrykse burger in die Republiek van Transvaal in detail vertel.
Jou publikasies is 'n onmeetbare bydrae tot die kultuur van nie net Suid-Afrika nie, maar die hele wêreld.
My gelukwensing en gaan voort met u briljante werk om die nagedagtenis te red van hierdie mans en vroue wat bygedra het tot die geskiedenis van die mensdom.
Die uwe
Silvio Luiz da Rocha
• Brief is in Afrikaans ontvang en onveranderd geplaas – dankie mnr Silvio Luiz da Rocha.
WONDERLIKE UITGAWES
Walter Volker
Goeie more Hennie
Dis weereens n reeks WONDERLIKE uitgawes!! Fantasties!
Ek hoop dis weer moontlik een van dae om die uitgawes in pdf te bekom!
Ek wens jou voorspoed en bedank jou vir jou toewyding!
Walter
DANKIE
Dicks Dietrichsen
Goeienaand Hennie.
Baie dankie weereens vir die NONGQAI.
Ek vertrou dat dit nou beter gaan met jou gesondheid. Ek sal een of ander tyd ‘n draai by julle moet maak om weer ‘n heerlike koppie koffie saam met julle te geniet.
Intussen: Sterkte en voorspoed vir die res van 2025.
Groete.
Dicks.
CONGRATULATIONS
Prof Tony Turton
Hi Hennie,
I congratulate you for publishing such a representative text as this one. You have encouraged all sides to have their say, thereby ensuring that Nongqai becomes a credible repository of information about our complex history.
I salute you Sir.
Dr Anthony Turton
Environmental Advisor | Speaker | Author
Nick Steele Memorial Award (South African Environmentalist of the Year) 2010
Green Globe Award (Environmental Activist of the Year) 2012
WESSA Award (Lifetime Conservation Achiever) 2016
HENNIE HEYMANS
Logan Govender
A very Happy Birthday to Brigadier Hennie Heymans. Thank you for your dedication and devotion to recording and documenting the history of the South African Police, Railway Police & Harbours,
Defence Force and other agencies. Your initiative and personal efforts have not gone unnoticed. It is appreciated and admired by all those who served and continue serving.
Thank you for initiating, recording and documenting the contributions of our Indian members past and present of the South African Police. May your dear good lady, Petro, spoil you and make it special for you as you are Special to us all at Nongqai. It is a pleasure and a privilege to contribute to Nongqai since your Facebook post in September 2019. I only wish it had come earlier. Have a blessed day Sir! Geniet die dag.
• Thank you, Logan.
BRIEF UIT THAILAND
Lt Barry Taylor
Sjina wil nie oorlog hê nie. Sjina neem die wêreld stadig maar seker oor, geduldig soos die Sjinese maar is Hulle het al die hele Suid-oos Asië begin oorneem, insluitende Singapoer
Die Sjinese is oral ingewurm met besigheid en hulle produkte. Ek wens jy kan sien hoe lyk Kambodja en Laos se hawens en nou het hulle begin met die hawe in Pakistan wat die rit na Europa met duisende km verkort.
By al die hawens is daar nou gereeld Sjinese vlootskepe en selfs Thailand het kort-kort vlootskepe hier As die VSA se skepe uitseil vaar die Sjinese in
In net vier weke het hier 900-duisend Sjinese Thailand besoek teen sê 300 per vliegtuig - werk uit hoeveel vliegtuie is dit. Kyk die foto’s van Kambodja se hawe en dis so te sê alles Sjinese containers.
Ek glo nie julle besef hoe groot is Sjina regtig nie, daar ver van alles.
Kyk die fabriek hoe werk mense hier.
En nou begin Indië met dieselfde reuse fabrieke en daar is ook 1.4 biljoen mense
Trump weet seker diep in sy hart hy het geen kans teen die twee lande Sjina en Indië en begin maar vir die nageslagte gatkruip by hulle
Het jy gesien Sjina se vloot is nou groter as die VSA se vloot en hulle bou skepe by die dosyne.
Sjina se weermag is tans groter as die van die VSA, maar dan het hulle ‘n verdere verassing vir die VSA, hulle het ongeveer 400-miljoen wat hulle as reserviste kan oproep. Trump moet maar eendag besef dat die VSA gaan tweede viool speel teen Sjina.
Guangzhou waar my kleinseun al vir ses jaar woon het ‘n bevolking van 18.1 miljoen mense in een stad en kyk hoe mooi lyk die snelweë en nie ‘n papiertjie op straat nie.
Dit pla my nie eers nie want dit is nie my probleem nie en ek kan niks daaraan doen nie. Ek leef lekker hier in eenvoudigheid en dit is al wat ek wil hê.
Rusland is ‘n onbewoonde land met so 180 miljoen mense en dis al.
Lekker Valentynsdag aan jou en Petro en gaan geniet die aand en die lewe
Barry
Prachin Buri
Thailand
BRIEF UIT OOSTENRYK
Marthinus de Lange
As gevolg van die gebeure wat tans tussen Suid-Afrika en die VSA ontvou (Absoluut niks daarvan word in die Oostenrykse nuus berig nie en niemand hier weet iets daarvan nie! Die eerste wat ek daarvan gehoor het, was van vriende in die VSA) lees ek meer SA nuusberigte as wat ek normaalweg sou doen. En nou stuur die Google-algoritme vir my foon allerhande SA stories. Onlangs het veral een nuusopskrif my oog gevang:
“Dark clouds gather over former South African international airport
The once-bustling Durban International Airport, which served as the city’s primary air travel hub for six decades, now lies abandoned, ensnared in a complex web of legal and political disputes.” https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/810309/dark-clouds-gather-over-former-southafrican-international-airport/
Ek het dit verbasend gevind en moes toe verder lees. Al is ek al 'n paar jaar uit die land uit, was ek bewus daarvan dat hulle 'n nuwe lughawe in 2010 gebou het, maar ek het aangeneem dat die ou lughawe steeds in gebruik sou bly, waarskynlik vir vragvliegtuie of kleiner vliegtuie. Om te sien hoe die verlate lughawegeboue verval en deur plakkers beset word, kan mens net hartseer maak.
Ek het baie herinneringe aan daardie lughawe, met baie verskillende emosies daaraan verbonde. My pa was lief daarvoor om per vliegtuig te reis. Ons het gereeld na Durban en Rhodesië gevlieg om vir vriende te besoek en soms het ons die reise kombineer.
As kind was die heel eerste keer wat ek ooit êrens heen gevlieg het, van Jan Smuts-lughawe na Durban-lughawe, toe Louis Botha-lughawe genoem. Ek kan onthou hoe opgewonde ek was en hoe ongelooflik dit was om by die vliegtuigvenster uit te kyk en, uiteindelik, die see vir die eerste keer in my lewe te sien. My pa het toe vir my stories vertel van hoe die “Vliegboot” seevliegtuie voorheen in die baai opgestyg en geland het. Dit het my gefassineer, maar ek was selfs meer gefassineer toe hy my vertel het hoe hulle ook van die Vaaldam af gevlieg het.
Later, toe ek ouer was, het my pa, wat baie vriende in die lugmag gehad het, vir my die storie vertel van 'n vlieënier wat in 'n vliegtuigongeluk oorlede is, kort voor die Durban lughawe se opening. As ek reg onthou was dit 'n Vampire straalvliegtuig wat neergestort het terwyl die vlieënier geoefen het vir 'n lugskou wat deel van die openingseremonie sou wees. Gelukkig kan 'n mens deesdae, met die internet, sulke goed opsoek. Dit blyk dat ek reg onthou het. Die storie kan dalk interessant wees vir sommige van die voormalige lugmaglede wat hier saam lees: https://www.fad.co.za/Resources/memoirs/beeton.htm
Ná my pa se dood het ek en my ma nog gereeld Durban (Ongelukkig het ons, weens die veiligheidsprobleme, nie meer ons vriende in Rhodesië besoek nie) toe gevlieg om by vriende te gaan kuier. Met verloop van tyd het ek Durban lughawe nogal goed leer ken en kan 'n sekere teekamer onthou wat 'n baie lekker melktert gehad het. Ek kan ook onthou hoe ek, as tiener, die mooi en deftig geklede lugwaardindames baie aantreklik gevind het en hoe my ma my daaroor geterg het. Min het ons geweet dat ek mettertyd met ’n voormalige lugwaardin sou trou!
Saam met die goeie herinneringe is daar ook hartseer herinneringe: My ma het die eerste simptome van haar siekte in Durban lughawe se wagsaal beleef. Sy het gedink dis niks nie, maar kort nadat ons na die Transvaal teruggekeer het, is sy gehospitaliseer. Tydens haar siekte, en voor sy oorlede is, het sy gereeld gepraat oor hoe ons in die toekoms weer Durban toe sou reis, ongelukkig sou dit nooit gebeur nie.
Later in my lewe het ek 'n paar keer Durban lughawe toe weens werk. Maar ’n mens sien dinge anders as jy haastig is om van A na B te kom. Ek glo die laaste keer was 1994. Ek was toe baie gestres en ek kan dit nie meer regtig onthou nie.
Nadat ek die nuusartikels gelees het, en deur my vloed van herinneringe gesit het, het ek my vrou Isabella gevra of sy kon glo dat die ou Durban-lughawe nou verlate is.
Isabella was vir 'n lang tyd 'n lugwaardin (Op die ou end het ek my eie mooi lugwaardin gekry!) en sy het vir 'n paar lugrederye gewerk. Sy was ook geskok oor die artikel en die toestand van die plek. Sy het die storie vertel oor hoe haar eerste binnelandsevlug, as lugwaardin, na Louis Botha Lughawe was. Die laaste keer wat sy daar was, was ook 1994. Ons het 'n rukkie gesels oor ons herinneringe aan die plek en die ou dae.
Nou ja, baie dinge het oor die afgelope jare verander. Hulle sê dat verandering die enigste konstante ding in die lewe is.
Mens dink nooit daaraan dat dit dalk die laaste keer is dat jy ooit 'n plek of 'n persoon sal sien. En dan skielik het alles verander en al wat mens oorbly is herinneringe en persoonlike stories. Alles net skimme van tye lank verby.
Sentimentele groete uit 'n baie koue Oostenryk
• Kommentaar deur HBH
Ek is in Durban gebore en is baie lief vir Durban se geskiedenis. Ek was gedurende 1969 stasiebevelvoerder te SAP Louis Botha-lughawe. Dankie vir ‘n mooi storie!
SUBJECT: PSA MEDIA STATEMENT | GOVERNMENT PENSIONER INCREASE TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND AN INSULT TO SENIOR CITIZENS | 18 FEBRUARY 2025
Via AP Stemmet
MEDIA RELEASE: Government pensioner increase totally unacceptable and an insult to senior citizens
DATE: 18 February 2025
EMBARGO: None
ENQUIRIES: communication@psa.co.za
The Public Servants Association (PSA), representing more than 240 000 public-sector employees, including some 207 000 (87.3%) members of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), strongly condemns the meagre 2.9%-pension increase granted by the Fund to pensioners for 2025.
The PSA is extremely concerned that this increase, despite being in line with the November 2024 year-on-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) and exceeding the 75% minimum required by the GEPF Law and Rules, is completely inadequate in the face of rising living costs. Public service pensioners, many of whom are former PSA members, dedicated their lives to public service and now find themselves struggling to make ends meet. This insultingly low increase will exacerbate financial distress amongst pensioners, eroding their buying power and making it increasingly difficult for them to cover essential expenses, including rising medical-aid costs. Many pensioners are already forced to downgrade or cancel their medical-aid plans owing to affordability constraints, creating further stress and hardship.
Against the backdrop of financial markets performing well, with a growth of 9.2% in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange All Share Index during 2024, the meagre increase, that does not even meet the average CPI increase of 4.4% for 2024 cannot be justified. This inadequate increase again raises questions on whether funds managed by the Public Investment Corporation on behalf of the GEPF are well looked after
The PSA urges the Minister of Finance, the Departments of Public Service and Administration, and the GEPF Board to reconsider this paltry increase and
instead implement a more substantial adjustment that acknowledges the financial strain on pensioners. If the GEPF is financially sound it should at least be able to match the 5.5% increase that government is prepared to grant to public servants. The PSA urges the GEPF to explore innovative solutions to provide meaningful relief to pensioners who have dedicated their lives to serving the country. The PSA remains committed to advocating for fair and sustainable pension adjustments that reflect the economic realities faced by pensioners.
DR NIEL BARNARD
Adriaan den Dulk (Australië)
Beste Hennie,
Vertrou dat dinge goed verloop met julle.
Weereens, dankie vir die puik Nongqai publikasies.
Ek het veral dr. Willem Steenkamp se artikel waardeer.
Daar is net een gedeelte rondom die NDR wat ek nie heeltemal verstaan nie (hieronder uitgedruk).
Moontlik kan julle dr. Anthea Jeffery nader vir haar kommentaar m.b.t. die ANC se beleid rondom die NDR?
Dankie vir die wonderlike werk wat julle doen.
By
voorbaat dank. Best wense, Adriaan den Dulk
• Dr Steenkamp antwoord:
Hallo Brig Hennie en Adriaan
Wat ek probeer verduidelik het rondom die ANC se dekades-oue interne verdeling en die NDR, is dat destyds korrek voorsien is dat ‘n meerderheid in die ANC om die onderhandelingstafel die idee van ‘n Marxistiese Volksrepubliek sal laat vaar in ruil vir ‘n Westerse demokratiese vryemark-model (gegewe dat hulle die mag sou bekom).
Die ANC self het wel steeds sosialisties in strewe en simpatie gebly, maar binne ‘n demokratiese konteks (soos in vele Europese lande). Dit is egter ook so dat daar altyd binne hulle geledere nog steeds die radikale faksie was wat bly mik het na die NDR as volwaardige 2e rewolusie. Dis ook waar dat die gemagtigdes ook van tyd-tot-tyd lippediens daaraan betoon het (ter wille van eenheid).
Dit het egter vir drie dekades bly verdeel, totdat Zuma-hulle uiteindelik met die nuwe MK-party weggebreek het om die NDR voorop te kan stel. Die meerderheid binne die ANC het egter steeds verlede jaar onder die gematigde vlag bly vaar, al probeer hulle nou hulle lippediens opgradeer met verdere simboliese aksies soos die nuwe maatreëls oor onteiening en BEE-kwotas (gemik daarop om steun vanaf hulle linkerkant te probeer terugklou).
As mens dus na die oorhoofse konteks van die destydse stryd kyk, dan is dit duidelik dat die Veiligheidsmagte destyds die eensmalige ANC/SAKP-strewe na die daarstel van ‘n Marxistiese Volksrepubliek suksesvol afgeweer het. Om dit te bly afweer, vandag en môre, is nou in die hande van die politici en kiesers; as MK gaan wen, dan kom daar bepaald ‘n 2e rewolusie in die vorm van hulle radikale weergawe van wat die NDR moet behels, wat baie anders sal wees as die gematigde ANC se (demokratiese) sosialistiese tendense.
Ek hoop dit help verduidelik?
Beste groete
Willem
• Adriaan den Dulk antwoord
Baie dankie Willem,
Dit is goed (en bondig) gestel, en maak heeltemal sin.
Ter ondersteuning van die stelling: “dan is dit duidelik dat die Veiligheidsmagte destyds die eensmalige ANC/SAKP-strewe na die daarstel van ‘n Marxistiese Volksrepubliek suksesvol afgeweer het”; hoef ons net na die Gukurahundi episode in Zimbabwe te kyk (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/19/mugabe-zimbabwe-gukurahundimassacre-matabeleland ).
Hopelik sal ons nageslagte die nodige erkenning aan die Veiligheidsgemeenskap kan gee, vir dat wat bereik is.
Dankie, weereens, vir julle belangrike werk om die geskiedenis van hierdie tye beskikbaar te stel, en te verduidelik.
Dit is interessant om te lees wat Greg Mills & Ray Hartley te se het.
