Article and photo’s by Esn T.J. Mabina and WO1 M. Gounden

South African Naval frigate, SAS ISANDLWANA has departed from Valparaiso en route home. She was in Chile for a short while as part of the Chilean Exponaval 2006 following her participation in Exercise ATLASUR VI and visits to Brazil and Argentina. Also attending were the Chief of the South African Navy, V Adm Mudimu and the Director Maritime Warfare, R Adm (JG) Higgs. The Exponaval was attended by some 26 Navies from around the globe, with visiting ships from Colombia, Mexico, Argentina and South Africa.

The South African Navy’s attendance at the Expo stemmed from President Thabo Mbeki’s visit to Chile earlier in 2006, during which Trade Agreements between the two countries were discussed. The South African Minister of Defence, Minister Lekota, later signed a Memorandum of Understanding in order to forge, amongst others, maritime trade links between South Africa and Chile. The South African Navy, and SAS ISANDLWANA was identified as the platform to provide the impetus for these trade links.

SAS Isandlwana in Valparaiso - Image: SA Navy

Read more at: www.navy.mil.za