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Trailblazer - Vice Admiral Monde Lobese
A Journey of Dedication and Service
By Jessie Taylor
Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, the current Chief of the South African Navy, has led an extraordinary life marked by bravery, resilience, and commitment to his country and his profession.
Vice Admiral Lobese’s service to the South African Navy and his country has earned him numerous honours and awards. These include the Merit Medal in Silver (MMS), Merit Medal in Bronze (MMB), Unitas Medal, and several loyal service medals for 10, 20, and 30 years.
He also received the Good Service Medal in Bronze and the Operational Medal for Southern Africa, highlighting his commitment to his country and the broader African region.
A Lifetime of Service
Born in New Brighton, Gqeberha, Rear Admiral Lobese left South Africa in 1985, joining Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC. He began his military training in Kakulama, Angola, which led him to his exceptional navy career. While in exile, Vice Admiral Lobese trained in Germany and the former USSR and was appointed tactics instructor in the Quibaxe Camp, Northern Angola.
Upon his return to South Africa, Vice Admiral Lobese became MK’s local commander in Gqeberha and played a pivotal role in the military integration process that followed the end of apartheid. In 1994, he officially joined the South African Navy. Vice Admiral Lobese’s career in the Navy is a testament to his expertise and leadership, and he quickly moved up the ranks.
In 2001, he was promoted to Commander and appointed Deputy Project Officer for Project WILLS, overseeing the acquisition of submarines built in Kiel, Germany. In 2007, he completed the General/ Admiral Staff Programme at the German Defence Force Leadership Academy in Hamburg. Following this achievement, he was promoted to Captain and appointed as SSO Systems Manager for Command and Logistics Information Systems in Simon’s Town.
In 2015, Vice Admiral Lobese was appointed Director of Operations Support at the Joint Operations Division Headquarters in Pretoria, a post he held until his current appointment as Deputy Chief of the SA Navy. This role saw him promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, cementing his place as one of the most respected leaders in the South African military.
The SA Navy’s Needs and Challenges
As Chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Lobese is acutely aware of the challenges facing the force. Speaking at a long-service medal parade in Simon’s Town earlier this year, he emphasised the need for additional vessels to fulfil the Navy’s constitutional mandate of protecting South Africa’s vast maritime environment. With shipping routes being diverted around the Cape due to instability off the Horn of Africa and in the Red Sea, Vice Admiral Lobese believes that now, more than ever, the Navy needs to be adequately equipped.
His primary concern is the lack of ships and modern equipment, which makes it difficult for the Navy to effectively carry out it duties. While the government has procured new inshore patrol vessels, such as the SAS King Shaka Zulu and others under Project Hotel, Rear Admiral Lobese stressed that the Navy requires at least 15 inshore patrol vessels and 15 larger offshore patrol vessels to meet its obligations.
Vice Admiral Lobese remains hopeful that the constant budget cuts that have plagued the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be reversed, allowing the Navy to sail its ships and protect the country’s coastline. He believes the government is beginning to hear the Navy’s plea for more resources and is optimistic that the Navy will soon be able to operate at full capacity. Despite the challenges, Rear Admiral Lobese is committed to addressing the issues affecting morale within the Navy.
During his address at the medal parade, he acknowledged the frustrations caused by the Navy’s lack of resources but assured personnel that progress is being made. He encouraged the to take advantage of training opportunities abroad to expand their skills and contribute to the Navy’s future success.
Vice Admiral Lobese’s leadership philosophy is rooted in his personal experiences, having received training overseas and understanding the value of learning from other, more established navies. He urged Navy personnel to seize these opportunities and return with new knowledge that could be applied to strengthening the South African Navy.
As the Chief of the SA Navy, Vice Admiral Lobese remains a dedicated leader, committed to overcoming the challenges facing the Navy and ensuring that it continues to serve South Africa’s maritime interests effectively. His journey from liberation fighter to naval commander is a testament to his unwavering commitment to his country and his determination to lead the South African Navy to greatness.
