In October Dr JP Scherman from Stellenbosch university told the story of part of what the SANDF was doing post-1994 by telling us about Operation Mistral in An Evaluation of South Africa's Mission in the DRC, 2003 - 2010.
He started with the independence from Belgium in 1960 which had rapidly deteriorated into what became the first Congo War from 1960-64. The eastern part of the Congo is blessed/cursed with resources including gold, diamonds and a mineral which provides lithium for batteries. Apart from its sometimes friendly neighbours - Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi - there are possibly a hundred or more internal groups vying to control these resources. In a country where there are over 200 languages, which extends over an area almost as large as Europe, it has proved impossible to stop every village having its own militia in one or another form.
When the second Congo War broke out in 1998 therefore, theUnited Nations launched its largest ever Peace Keeping Mission - Mission de l'Organisation des Nations Unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUC).
South Africa was still undergoing the integration of the former SADF with the freedom fighters associated with the ANC and other groups and was reluctant to get involved despite UN pressure. It appears that only developing countries would assist, first world soldiers apparently refusing to be commanded by other nationals in a UN mission.
What started as training of groups in SA led to a deployment of an infantry brigade at a time, for 6 months tours of duty, mainly by 2 SAI and 7 SAI in rotation. After a few years other infantry brigades as well as air force and even Navy personnel were called in.
The speaker detailed the casualties - vehicle accidents, drownings and a handful due to enemy action - as well as illustrating his lecture with maps showing where each SANDF grouping was. His photographs showed the lack of roads, tropical vegetation due to extremely heavy rainfall (the Congo straddles the equator) and why supply by air limited what could be done militarily.
For example the vehicles - Mambas - were so heavy that several rural bridges collapsed under them. This lead to Toyota Land Cruisers being converted to ambulances and other support vehicles.
South Africa was also involved in UN missions in Burundi and Sudan and found itself stretched, having to call up Reserve Force units from November 2004 onwards.
As it happened, the Postal Unit was the longest serving, with its importance for troops' morale being recognised - and paid for - by the UN. Four depots in the Congo alone plus four others were tied to a postage base at Waterkloof.
Support for the 2006 elections in July and the run-off in October of that year went well and then they got involved in repatriating soldiers from the neighbouring countries.
Finishing on a high note Dr Scherman commented that the SANDF had cemented its reputation as a capable asset to MONUC and its successor, MONUSCO.
His lecture is recorded in the Society's Video Library on the website.
If you would like invitations to the ZOOMinars send an email to joan@rfidradar.com
FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS -
ZOOMINARS
Johannesburg
Thursday 6th November 2025 at 19h30 and then 20h15
Speaker: Prof Kathy Munro
Subject: Kalkheuvel ... leadership, horses, ambushes and encounters
in the Anglo Boer war 1900.
General French's westerly advance on Pretoria in early June 1900 was ambushed by a Boer Commando under Du Toit at Kalkheuvel. It was a small encounter but anticipated guerrilla tactics. The Boers fought on and the third phase of the war saw the construction of Blockhouses on the strategic points . These aspects will be discussed as a slice of AB war history. Today Kalkheuvel has a blockhouse museum.
Eastern Cape Branch (SAMHSEC) Zoominars
Monday 11th November 2025 at 19h30 and then at 20h15:
Speaker Dylan Fourie
Subject "11 November 1918 and its commemoration."
SAMHSEC RPC
The next RPC (Request the Pleasure of your Company) Zoominar will be on Monday 24th November 2025.
Details will be on the invitations
Next KwaZulu-Natal Branch Meeting
Saturday 8th November
The first short presentation will consider the 2 most important remembrance monuments in London, namely the Cenotaph, focus of main wreath laying by the Royal Family, Armed Services and Veterans, and the lesser known but very poignant Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.
The main talk by Maj Peter Williams ex-32 Bn will have the title, "Overcoming my personal adversary during the Angolan War."
The nature of modern war is such that in the end there are no true winners or losers, just survivors on all sides. Some of those survivors have a tough journey just overcoming the personal challenges of war and departing to continue civilian life in a semi-normal fashion all the while hiding the invisible scars of war. Some scars are best left behind in the recesses of memory, but Peter has decided to open up and expose the good the bad and the downright ugly side of war. As such this talk will be the personal account of a survivor who unveils the ravages of war, opening up his inner feelings, and the trials and tribulations that made him get up every day and continue the struggle with a positive attitude for 10 years.
The venue is the St Cyprians Church Hall off Umbilo Rd, with secure parking and liquid
refreshments for cash.
Entry is free and open to all, with visitors welcome, but a donation of R20 for the car
guard and gives entry into the monthly raffle is requested from all attendees.
Contact Vice-Chairman Charles Whiteing 082 555 4689 or charlesw2@absamail.co.za
JUST FOR FUN!
SAMHSEC 21 - MILITARY HISTORY IN 21 WORDS COMPETITION
In celebration of SAMHSEC's 21st Anniversary, you are invited to Write 21 words on Eastern Cape military history fact or fiction in either English, Afrikaans or Mengels for SAMHSEC's 21st anniversary (count the words!)
For example:
When the Kat River rebels occupied Fort Armstrong, the British Army had to attack their own fort to get it back (count those words too!)
You may enter as many stories as you wish.
The invitation is open to anyone, anywhere, who is interested in participating. We have decided to end the competition on 30 November 2025. Please submit your entries by WhatsApp to Anne Irwin at 072 522 8485 with the subject SAMHSEC 21. Khawulezesa!
Anne and a panel of independent judges will select a winner to be announced at SAMHSEC's 8 December zoomeeting. The winner will receive a prize. The judges' decision will be final. A selection of stories will be featured after the competition has closed.
Please contact Anne if you have any questions or suggestions.
BRANCH CONTACT DETAILS
Eastern Cape details contact Malcolm Kinghorn 041-373-4469 culturev@lantic.net
Gauteng details contact Joan Marsh 010-237-0676 joan@rfidradar.com
KwaZulu-Natal details contact Prof Phil Everitt 084-437-1636 everitt@iafrica.com
KwaZulu-Natal * NOTE* Fast mirror and backup site BOOKMARK FOR REFERENCE Main site * NOTE*