Chief of the South African National Defence Force

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Chief of the of South African National Defence Force
Flag of the South African National Defence Force.svg
Flag of the South African National Defence Force
Incumbent
General Rudzani Maphwanya
since 1 June 2021
Department of Defence
Reports toMinister of Defence and Military Veterans
SeatPretoria, Gauteng
NominatorPresident of South Africa
PrecursorChief of the South African Defence Force
Formation27 April 1994
First holderGeneral 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 Defence Force and is appointed by the President of South Africa.[1]: 18 

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was formed in 1994 following the 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[]

In terms of the South African Constitution the role of the Chief of the South African National Defence Force is to

  1. Act as the principal adviser to the Minister on any military, operational and administrative matters[1]: 20 
  2. Maintain a military response capability[1]: 20 
  3. Formulate and issuing military policy and doctrines[1]: 20 

Chiefs of the SANDF[]

No. Portrait Chief of the SANDF Took office Left office Time in office Defence branch Ref
1
Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, ORB
Meiring, GeorgGeneral
Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, ORB
(born 1939)		27 April 199431 May 19984 years, 34 days South African Army—
2
Siphiwe Nyanda SSA, SBS, CLS, DMG, MMS, MMM
Nyanda, SiphiweGeneral
Siphiwe Nyanda SSA, SBS, CLS, DMG, MMS, MMM
(born 1950)		1 June 199831 May 20056 years, 364 days South African Army—
3
Godfrey Ngwenya SBG, DMG, MMS, LOM
Ngwenya, GodfreyGeneral
Godfrey Ngwenya SBG, DMG, MMS, LOM
(born 1950)		1 June 20051 May 20115 years, 334 days South African Army—
4
Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS
Shoke, SollyGeneral
Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS
(born 1956)		2 May 201130 May 202110 years, 28 days South African Army[2]
5
Rudzani Maphwanya
Maphwanya, RudzaniGeneral
Rudzani Maphwanya
(born 1960)		1 June 2021Incumbent208 days South African Army[3]

See also[]

  • List of South African military chiefs

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d "Defence Act 42 of 2002" (PDF). South African Government. 2002. Retrieved January 16, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Chief of the SANDF, General S. Shoke". Department of Defence. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  3. ^ Seleka, Ntwaagae (April 14, 2021). "Ramaphosa announces Lt-General Rudzani Maphwanya as incoming SANDF Chief". News24. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
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