Chief of the South African National Defence Force

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 

Chief of the of South African National Defence Force
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 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 SANDFTook officeLeft officeTime in officeDefence branchRef.
1
Meiring, GeorgGeneral
Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, ORB
(born 1939)		27 April 199431 May 19984 years, 34 days South African Army—
2
Nyanda, SiphiweGeneral
Siphiwe Nyanda SSA, SBS, CLS, DMG, MMS, MMM
(born 1950)		1 June 199831 May 20056 years, 364 days South African Army—
3
Ngwenya, GodfreyGeneral
Godfrey Ngwenya SBG, DMG, MMS, LOM
(born 1950)		1 June 20051 May 20115 years, 334 days South African Army—
4
Shoke, SollyGeneral
Solly Shoke OMBG, SBS, MMS, OMS
(born 1956)		2 May 201130 May 202110 years, 28 days South African Army[2]
5
Maphwanya, RudzaniGeneral
Rudzani Maphwanya
(born 1960)		1 June 2021Incumbent335 days South African Army[3]

See also

References
  1. "Defence Act 42 of 2002" (PDF). South African Government. 2002. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  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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