Brigadier General receives grand farewell after four decades of service

After four decades of superb leadership and dedication, Brigadier General Eric Modise Boihang, was recognised with a SA Army Intelligence Formation Farewell Parade that was held at the School of Tactical Intelligence in Potchefstroom on Friday, 11 August.

Brig Gen Boihang retires from the Defence Force at 40 years, 8 months and 13 days.
This esteemed general joined the Defence Force on 17 January 1983 and has gone through all ranks until being promoted to the rank of Brig Gen on 1 November 2021.

Boihang’s list of accomplishments and appointments are legendary to say the least. Highlights include being appointed as Military Attaché in Zambia and Malawi, defence advisor to Lesotho as well as being appointed as the Chief of Staff SA Army Intelligence Formation from 2016 to 2021 and General Officer Commanding SA Army Intelligence Formation from November 2021 up until his retirement.

He was also part of the South African National Defence Force delegation that established the Defence-to-Defence relations in Mali, Tunisia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Jordan, Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Congo Brazzaville and all SADC countries except Swaziland.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

He also received numerous commendations certificates and medals in his 40-year career. In his farewell speech he emphasised that him joining the Military was a calling and not a job.

“I am thankful for SA Army for giving me wonderful opportunities, work exposure as well as attaining the highest level of command of the SA Army Intelligence Formation/Corps. I will certainly miss you all and will continue to cherish the friendship and bond amongst us.”
He thanked his leadership, co-workers, sub-ordinates as well as his loving wife, Suzan. The general is also blessed with five kids, Mabosigo, Thuso, Fiki, Fentse and Amo.

“To my beautiful and dear wife. Thank you for supporting me in times of joy and sorrows. Thank you for standing side by side with me.”

The general, who is also keen football supporter and Manchester United fan, believes that his life changed for the irrevocably when he followed his calling into the military.

“I want to hunt down the head hunter who hunted me and tell him that he has managed the best ever hunt. If it wasn’t for his good eye to consider me for recruitment I wouldn’t t have been where I am today.”