SANDF rewards hard work

The South African Army Gymnasium Heidelberg held their Step-Out Parade on November 23 for the 189 candidate officers of the SANDF who completed their six-month course.

The SANDF Officers Formative Course is designed to equip the members to be deployed with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude to complete tasks and execute duties to the best of their abilities.

Maj-Gen Sean Stratford attended the ceremony on behalf of the chief of the SANDF, Gen Rudzani Maphwanya.
Stratford handed out awards to the members who excelled in various disciplines.

The recipients of the awards and certificates are as follows:

• BB Nyanda (discipline)

• TC van Schalkwyk (best male shootist)

• N Lemekoana (best female shootist)

• T Aphane (neatest)

• VK Khoza (fittest male)

• TT Legodi (fittest female)

• TT Moiloa (best practical)

• MB Mcira (best academic)

• SD Mathedimosa (GOC trophy)

• MB Mcira (chief army trophy)

The members came into the course as candidate officers and are leaving as second lieutenants.

Stratford had a few words to say to all the members who completed the course, mentioning that the SANDF has a constitutional mandate to protect South Africa by defending and protecting the borders.

“What is important is that sacrifice takes discipline,” he said.

“Being part of the SANDF, we are here to serve.

“We must prepare to be trained to the highest military specifications and requirements. The 189 graduates had to go through a strenuous course, both practical and theoretical.”

He reminded the members they are all becoming officers and that their qualification is acknowledged and recognised internationally, and that they must use every opportunity to improve themselves.

Stratford closed his speech by quoting Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon to use to change the world.”