Passage to Germany

admin — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:43:00 +0000

On 9 February 2007, while other people were preparing for the annual State of the Nation Address by the President at the Opening of Parliament, families and friends of the SAS DRAKENSBERG (DKB) crew gathered at the quayside to bid farewell to their loved ones as the DKB faced north. Once more DKB was tasked to escort a Type 209 submarine, SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE (CME), to South Africa.

On the passage to Germany the DKB paid diplomatic visits to Walvis Bay, Namibia and Luanda in Angola to strengthen the mutual relations between these countries. DKB received much good publicity, especially in Walvis Bay, and the public came in small groups to view the ship. The PRO on board, S Lt Sam Khasuli, and Padre Dukwana offered guided tours to the visiting groups.

A fourteen-day passage from Luanda via Brest in France took her to Germany and the DKB arrived in Emden, Germany, on 4 March 2007. The well awaited commissioning and naming ceremony of the last two SA Navy submarines took place in Emden on 14 March. Among the dignitaries from South Africa to attend the ceremony were the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr Mluleki George, the South African Ambassador to Germany, Mr Moss Chikane, the Sponsor of S102, Mrs Mittah Seperepere, the Sponsor of S103, Mrs Rita Ndzanga, the Chairperson of the Armscor Board, Dr Popo Molefe, the Chief of the SA Navy, V Adm Johannes Mudimu, Flag Officer Fleet, R Adm H. vE. Bester, and the Chief of Naval Staff, R Adm M. Magalefa.

During the proceedings on the day of the commissioning, Mrs Seperepere unveiled the SAS CHARLOTTE MAX- EKE and Mrs Ndzanga unveiled the SAS QUEEN MODJADJI.

Directly after the commissioning ceremony, preparations started for the long anticipated passage back to SA. The DKB, accompanied by the SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE, left Emden on 16 March for South Africa, via Rota in Spain.

The successes achieved during the deployment were varied, but one that was noteworthy was the progress of the Military Skills Development Members (MSDS) members on board. The MSDS Programme is a Government initiative to develop the youth of South Africa to become self-sustainable. On the passage to Germany the DKB had 34 members of the MSDS 06 intake on board. This is a clear indication that the MSDS Programme is indeed functioning effec- tively, because during the passage these members acquired various skills and exposure to the SA Navy. To mention just a few skills: flight deck handling, quartermasters, ships husbandry, shooting, boat crew, cooking, etc. These are skills that they can utilise in the corporate world should they not get their contract renewed after their MSDS term.

"To be on board DKB while escorting CME to SA marks the highlight of my career because when I joined the Navy I never thought I would acquire so much exposure within a period of 16 months. Within a period of 4 months I have been to Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, France, Germany and Spain. This achievement really makes me happy because it is an experience that I will always cherish. I can now proudly say indeed that the SA Navy is not only a career, but an adventure," said an elated Sea Matsolo after the MSDS photograph was taken.

DKB came alongside on 24 April 2007. The historical significance of the day is that the DKB was launched on 24 April 1986, which makes her 21 years old, but she is still going strong.

Source: SA Soldier July 2007, p. 9

The South African Navy & Marine and Coastal Management: Passage to Germany

Passage to Germany