THE AIR FORCE TRAINING WING DISPLAYS THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF TRAINING   

Article by Sgt Thomas T. Mulaudzi and photographs by WO2 David Nomtshongwana Ad Astra magazine.

The Chief Director Force Development & Support (CDFD&S), Maj Gen Johan Pelser, hailed Air Force Gymnasium (AFGym) for having completed their basic military training 2/2011 successfully. He was speaking at the basic military training (BMT) passing out parade held at the Air Force Base (AFB) Hoedspruit, Drakensig area, Limpopo province on 24 November 2011.

The Air Force Band Leading the Wing on the parade ground

Maj Gen J.D. Pelser commended the Officer Commanding AF Gym, Col Kevin Moonsamy, on a job well done. He noted the role AF Gym has been playing ever since their relocation at the Boston training wing two years ago, despite the challenges faced by them in this area.  He congratulated 363 graduates for having completed their training successfully. 

He continued by saying that graduates are no longer just ordinary citizens of the country, but military personnel who should live by the values of the SAAF: Human dignity, Excellence in all we do, Service before self, and Integrity. ‘It is these values which play an integral part of the culture and tradition of the Air Force” said the General.

The Inspection Group marching past in columns of flights

The General, further said that, recruits have now won the right to wear the blue uniform of the SAAF, with pride and dignity. Members should pledge to serve and defend the country and its people in accordance with the constitution and the law of the Republic of South Africa.

Among the graduates of the day, were the top achievers who won trophies for displaying an outstanding achievement during their training. The following trophies were awarded to the deserving recipients as per category:

A floating trophy was awarded to Amn Lizzy Khombo Sithole for being the fittest female student during the training. She achieved an average fitness of 98%. Amn L.K. Sithole was born on 11 January 1985 in Swartboom village North West.

Amn L.K. Sithole receiving a trophy for being the fittest female student, from Maj Gen J.D Pelser

She attended school at Redebone Primary, S.J. Ratsimutloa Middle School and completed high matric in Gaseitsiwe High School in 2006. She is stationed at AFB Makhado as a Human Resource (HR) practitioner.

The floating trophy for the fittest male student was awarded to Amn Heathcliffe Jacobs, who achieved an average of 91,3%.  He was born on 25 December 1990 in Port Elizabeth. He attended school at Settlers Park primary and completed his matric at Pearson high school. 

Amn Heathcliffe Jacobs receiving the fittest male student trophy from Maj Gen J.D. Pelser

Best female shottist was awarded to Amn Mogale Florah Molelemane. She achieved an average of 100% in practical and theoretical examinations in both the 9mm pistol and R5 assault rifle. Amn Molelemane was born on 19 January 1992, Polokwane in Limpopo province. She attended school in Boshega and Subiaco primary before completing her matric at St Bede’s High in 2009, Polokwane, Limpopo province. 

Amn M.F. Molelemane receiving the best female shottist trophy from Maj Gen J.D. Pelser

Amn Waldo Nathan Johnson scooped three awards on the day. The first one being the best male shottist with an average of 100% in both practical and theoretical examinations in both the 9mm pistol and R5 assault rifle.  The floating trophy was awarded to him for being the best academic student while having achieved the highest average marks of 98 % in academic assessments.

He was also awarded the overall best student with an average of 93,3%, which covered a high standard of neatness and discipline. Amn Johnson achieved an average percentage of 89% for fitness, 100% for practical shooting, and 89% for academically assessment.

Amn W.N. Johnson receiving the best overall trophy from Maj Gen J.D. Pelser 

He was born on 09 April 1991 in Robertson, Western Cape. He attended school in Vergesig Primary School and completed his matric at Langeberg High School in 2008.  Amn W.N. Johnson is stationed at the Command & Control sect, AFB Hoedspruit.

The T.J. Nel floating trophy for the best instructor was awarded to Cpl R.C. Williams. Cpl Williams was awarded this trophy on merits that he maintained a high standard of parade work, neatness on himself, general neatness of the flight, a high standard of the flight, a high standard of flight administration, general bearing and discipline.

The presentation of trophies to the recipients, created the highest mode of happiness to the parents.  Parents were joyous as they saw troops drilling, making a left turn, halt and saluting Maj Gen Pelser. To some, were experiencing this military tradition for their very first time.

According to Col K. Moonsamy, the standard of training was the highest compared to the previous one. “The recruits have been transformed from the civilian to a military life in a period of twenty weeks. The first intake of training for 2011, saw 10 pilots and 9 engineers completing their training while the second was composed of 6 pilots and 1 engineer” concluded Col Moonsamy.

Mrs Johanna Magoazi handed a gift hamper to Maj Gen Pelser on behalf of all the graduates. She also thanked all the management of the Gym for the role they played in grooming the children to become fully fledged soldiers of the SA National Defence Force.

Amn Quinton Pretorius, who was the student leader, made a pledge on behalf of all the students. He also handed back a symbol of authority, which was in the form of an eagle to Lt Col Niko Swarts. 

Most parents mainly civilians rated the event the best ever seen in their life and were satisfied with the standard of professionalism displayed by the Air Force. The SAAF band also fascinated young and old, who, among others were considering joining the SAAF as their employer of choice, Maj Zola Nombida, Corporate Communication Officer AFB Hoedspruit and Gym emphasized.

Among the guests was, the former CSANDF General Siphiwe Nyanda, senior officers of the SAAF and Defence Force, directors, officers of bases/ units and SCWO SAAF, Dan Tshabalala. Maj Gen Pelser thanked the parade commander, Lt Col Niko Swarts, parade warrant officer, SWO Roland Baadjies and the SAAF band for their sterling performance of the day.   

Ends/ ttm