Chief of the South African National Defence Force
Appearance
Chief of the of South African National Defence Force | |
---|---|
since 2 May 2011 | |
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 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
- 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
No. | Portrait | Chief of the SANDF | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, ORB (born 1939) | General27 April 1994 | 31 May 1998 | 4 years, 34 days | South African Army | — | |
2 | Siphiwe Nyanda SSA, SBS, CLS, DMG, MMS, MMM (born 1950) | General1 June 1998 | 31 May 2005 | 6 years, 364 days | South African Army | — | |
3 | Godfrey Ngwenya SBG, DMG, MMS, LOM (USA) (born 1950) | General1 June 2005 | 1 May 2011 | 5 years, 334 days | South African Army | — | |
4 | Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS (born 1956) | General2 May 2011 | Incumbent | 13 years, 96 days | South African Army | [2] |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Defence Act 42 of 2002" (PDF). South African Government. 2002. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "Chief of the SANDF, General S. Shoke". Department of Defence. Retrieved January 16, 2018.