Chief of the South African National Defence Force
| Chief of the South African National Defence Force | |
|---|---|
 Flag of the SANDF | |
 | |
| Department of Defence | |
| Reports to | Minister of Defence and Military Veterans |
| Seat | Pretoria, Gauteng |
| Nominator | President of South Africa |
| Precursor | Chief of the South African Defence Force |
| Formation | 27 April 1994 |
| First holder | General Georg Meiring |
The Chief of the South African National Defence Force is the most senior South African military officer and the professional Head of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The Chief is appointed by the President of South Africa.[1]: 18
The SANDF was formed in 1994 following the first democratic general election in South Africa and was created by an amalgamation of the Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) as well as the existing South African Defence Force (SADF) structure of Army, Air Force, Navy, and Medical Service (which was renamed Military Health Service in 1998).
Constitutional role
[edit]In terms of the South African Constitution the role of the Chief of the South African National Defence Force is to
- Act as the principal adviser to the Minister on any military, operational and administrative matters[1]: 20
- Maintain a military response capability[1]: 20
- Formulate and issuing military policy and doctrines[1]: 20
Chiefs of the SANDF
[edit]| No. | Portrait | Chief of the SANDF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, ORB (1939–2024) | 27 April 1994 | 31 May 1998 | 4 years, 34 days |  South African Army | — | |
| 2 | General Siphiwe Nyanda SSA, SBS, CLS, DMG, MMS, MMM (born 1950) | 1 June 1998 | 31 May 2005 | 6 years, 364 days | South African Army | — | |
| 3 | General Godfrey Ngwenya SBG, DMG, MMS, LOM (USA) (born 1950) | 1 June 2005 | 1 May 2011 | 5 years, 334 days | South African Army | — | |
| 4 | General Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS (born 1956) | 2 May 2011 | 30 May 2021 | 10 years, 28 days | South African Army | [2] | |
| 5 | General Rudzani Maphwanya SM, MMM (born 1960) | 1 June 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 176 days | South African Army | [3] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Defence Act 42 of 2002" (PDF). South African Government. 2002. Retrieved 16 January 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Chief of the SANDF, General S. Shoke". Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ Seleka, Ntwaagae (14 April 2021). "Ramaphosa announces Lt-General Rudzani Maphwanya as incoming SANDF Chief". News24. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
