61 MVA Journal August 2022

2022

My Voetspore van Heling

Deur - Bennie du Plessis

Omtrent Bennie du Plessis
Ek het my diensplig in 1981/82 by 8 SAI gedoen en 12 maande op die grens
deurgebring by Ruacana.Vir 35 jaar was ek in die onderwys, waarvan die
laaste 19 jaar as skoolhoof.

Daar is vinnig nuwe vriendskappe
gesmee en ou bekendes het lekker
gesels.Die MOTH’s van Windhoek
het die aand vir ons ‘n funksie ger-
eel met ‘n heerlike ete en is boonop
oorlaai met geskenke. Genl Johan
Dippenaar het hier dan ook die doel
verduidelik met die oprigting van
die Smokeshell monument, asook
Jaap Steyn met inligting oor die
toer verder. Elkeen wat in Operasie
Smokeshell of Operasie Protea was
het ‘n getekende boek ontvang van
oom Johan Dippenaar.

Hierdie artikel is ‘n persoonlike nele gebied te besoek.Maandag, 20 Die 12 voertuie van ons konvooi
ervaring wat ek beleef het die af- Junie het ek ‘n oproep ontang van het vroegoggend vertrek na Tsumeb
gelope Angolese toer wat deur die Jaap Steyn en hy wou weet of ek waar ons gekamp het by die Kupfer
61 Mech Millitêre Veterane Organi- wou saam toer.Die antwoord was Quelle Resort. Harry van Zyl het
sasie ge-reel is en daarom wil ek dit natuurlik ja en hals oor kop moes vooruit gery om vir Riana en Danie
graag met julle deel. ‘n Besonderse ek begin om alles reg te kry van van die Westhuizen, tannie Pompie
lewenservaring het voorgelê. geelkoors inenting, paspoort ens.Ek se dogter en kleinseun te ontmoet
moes egter hier uit die Weskaap nog en ook die ruitverwysing en google
‘n Jaar terug het ek nog nie geweet na Posmansburg reis met ‘n voertu- map te plot van die plek op Tsinsibis
van die 61Mech Millitêre Veterane ig van Piet Stander wat hy beskik- waar 2 Lt Danie van der Westhui-
Organisasie se bestaan nie, nog baar gestel het vir die toer. zen, sy skoonseun, Hendrik Potgie-
minder die Voorsitter, Johan Booy- ter, 2 spoorsnyers en 4 61 Mech lede
sen, voositter of Jaap Steyn verant- Die toer het vir ons begin op Sater- hul lewens verloor het op 15 April
woordelik vir projekte en toerleier dag, 3 Julie toe ons na Randfon- 1982.Daar word ook beoog om op
geken. Deur fietsry het ek hulle leer tein vertrek het om die Smokeshell
ken, asook Pierre de Jager en Sarel monument en ander gedenknaalde
Coetzee wat aan julle bekend is. by oom Paul Fouche opgetel het,
asook van sy persoonlike goed,
Op die 27 Desember 2018 het ons want hy het ook saam getoer, maar
as familie se lewens totaal verander, hy het gevlieg na Windhoek.Ons het
toe ons jongste seun op 22 sy lewe deur Botswana gereis na Windhoek
in ‘n motorongeluk verloor het. Die en die hele groep moes op Dinsdag,
skok, vrae, woede en leegheid binne 5 Julie by die Urban Camp in Wind-
my het my gedwing om die onder- hoek bymekaar kom die middag.
wys te verlaat in Maart 2021.
Vir die eerste keer het die hele
Dit was nog altyd ‘n droom gewees groep van 33 mekaar daar ontmoet
om na 40 jaar weer die Operasio- en hul pette en golfhemde ontvang.

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kom en net buite die dorp oornag.

Op Saterdag, 9 Julie het ons na die
Smokeshellterrein vertrek en onder-
handel met die hoofman waar om
die monument op te rig. Jaap en sy
span het die monument aanmekaar
gesit en die sement fondasie van die
vier pote gele. Die res van die groep
het die omgewing verken aangesien
dit die eerste keer in 40 jaar is wat
mense daar gekom het. Veral Oom
Paul Fouche, Paul Louw en HP Fer-
reira, asook ander toerlede wat op
Smokeshell was wou hulle graag
orienteer oor waar die veldslag pre-
sies plaasgevind het en die Ratel 21
uitgeskiet is waarin 13 lede van 61
Mech gesterf het en baie ernstig be-
seer is soos HP Ferreira. Die plek is
gekry met baie artefakte wat daar
rondgele het.

hierdie plek ‘n monument vir die strukture is wel nog sigbaar soos Die gedenkdiens het plaasgevind op
gestorwe lede op te rig in die nabye die watertoring. Genl Dippenaar Saterdag, 10 Julie by die mo-
toekoms.Ek het ook hier my eerste het toe sommer onder ‘n boom die nument. Die toerlede het stil die
gesprek gehad met die pastorale si- uitleg van die basis gedoen met ‘n 500m gestap na die monument. El-
elkundige, Nicole Dickson wat ons sandmodel. keen met sy eie stoel en sy gedagtes
op die toer vergesel het.Sy het hier Die nag het ons buite Ondangwa oor wat hier plaasgevind het. Genl
my storie gehoor. oornag en vroeg vertrek na Oshi- Dippenaar het die verrigtinge gelei
kango en by Santa Clara die grens en die name is voorgelees deur die
Die groep het die Otjikotomeer be- oorgesteek.Die grens was ‘n nag- toerlede wat daar was op die dag wa-
soek oppad na Omuthia, 61 Mech merrie en dit het ons 6 ure geneem arop Smokeshell plaasgevind het,
se basis hierin die Operasionele om Angola te kon ingaan met al die asook hoe elkeen van die 13 gesterf
gebied gedurende die grensoorlog. kontrolering van die voertuie se do- het. Nicole Dickson het die diens
Na lang onderhandelinge met die kumente en dan ook die verpligte gelei en elke toerlid het op gepaste
hoofman wou hulle ons nie toelaat Covid 19 toetse se uitslae. Uitgeput wyse ‘n poppie op die monument
om die oudbasis te besoek nie a.g.v en moeg het ons op Ondgiva aange- geplaas. HP Ferreira het ‘n hartro-
‘n geskil in waterregte tussen die erende huldeblyk aan sy “Boeta’s”
gemeenskap en die skool, waar 61
Mech gehelp het met die beskik-
baarstelling van water. Enkele

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wat gesterf het gelewer en gesê nou
het hy vrede.Gesigte was strak, met
trane wat oor hul wange rol.Al was
jy nie daar nie het hierdie emosies
van die veterane jou so deel van 61
Mech gemaak en hul hartseer. Hier
het ek die die eerste keer besef : “Ek
is nie alleen in my smart nie.”

“Their names and sacrifice have
not been forgotten.”

We will remember them.

Na die diens het ons na Ondjiva ver- onder andere Genl Dippenaar wat Jaap Steyn, die toerleier en ek het as
trek, ons voorade by die plaaslike terug vertrek het na Suid Afrika, toe huldeblyk aan die afgestorwe pres-
Shoprite aangevul en na Xangongo hy verneem het sy vrou is baie siek. ident van Angola, President Jose
vertrek. Langs die pad tussen Ond- Eduardo Dos Santos (8 Julie 2022)
jiva en Xangongo het ons ‘n geden- Die oorblywende 8 voertuie en 26 twee kranse gelê by die provinsiale
knaald vir Maj Fred Lötter opgerig groeplede het na Cahama vertrek, regerings kantore namens 61 Mech
wat hier gesterf het en ook een vir bekend vir sy groot lughawe en die Millitêre Veterane organisasie.
Kubaanse konsentrasie van troepe Die paaie het beter en ook besiger
hier tydens die grensoorlog.Ons het geraak soos ons noord gereis het na
gekamp by hul ou bunkers wat baie Lubango, die 3de grootste stad in
goed behoue gebly het en het ook Angola.Die stad is baie modern en
baie besig. Hier het ons die angswek-
kende Lebopas besoek wat 25 km

Kapt Louis Harmse by die aanloop- die gedenkteken besoek van waar ‘n lank is en 30 draaie het. Die Chris-
baan in Xangongo waar hy gesterf Canberra so ‘n bunker getref het en tusbeeld wat uitkyk oor Lubango,
het. Na so ‘n emosievolle dag was 10 Kubane het gesterf.’n Deel van ‘n replika van die een soos in Rio de
ek uitgeput en toe ons boonop buite die bomword in die gedenkteken Janeiro en ook die grafte en geden-
Xangongo oor die Kunenerivier ry, bewaar.Tersius Zitzke en Jandre du kteken van die Dorslandtrekkers
het dit nog meer emosievol gewees Plessis het met ‘n skyfievertoning wat hier netjies behoue gebly het.
toe ek veral my krematartboom sien die toerlede hier ingelig oor Die groep het hiervandaan op die
waar ek in die stam leë R1 doppe Operasie Protea wat in 1981 en 1982 langrit vertrek na Menongue waar
ingeslaan het as ‘n teken om dit het plaasgevind het. Ons is hier op ons vir twee nagte oorgebly het in
eendag weer te kom soek. Moeg Cahama onthaal deur die admi- Villa Menongue wat aan ‘n Suid
en uitgeput het ons buite Xangon- nstrateur van die Kunene provinsie Afrikaner Stefan van Wyk behoort.
go kamp opgeslaan. Die kamp was op eg Angolese en Portugese styl. Die kampgebied by Savate behoo-
stil en almal maar besig met sy eie ‘n Groepfoto is ook geneem by die
dinge. Die volgende oggend het ons vliegtuig gedenkteken in die dorp.
van enkele toerlede afskeid geneem,

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rt ook aan hom. Om net weer in ‘n
bed te kon slaap en lekker stort was
besonder lekker. Ons het ‘n hele dag
gebruik om Cuito Cuanavale, hul
museum, die brug en die drie Oli-
fant tenks besoek wat agter gebly
het. Die gedenkteken, museum en
gedenktuin vol voertuie en vliegtuie
wat FAPLA gebruik het is indruk-

Ons volgende stilhouplek was die nalatenskap en mooi herinneringe
by die Olifant tenk waar ons pop- en “ Remember him always.”
pies geplaas het by Ariel Hugo
se boompie wat deel vorm van 61 As ek terugkyk na hierdie besoeke
Mech se gedenkteken by die tenk. aan hulle monumente en gedenkte-
Dit was vir my ‘n hartseer oomb- kens kon jy duidelik agterkom van
lik gewees aangesien Ariel van my die drie gidse se kommentaar en
tuisdorp afkomstig is en hier skool- verhale dat hulle hul eie storie van
gegaan het. Hy is meer onlangs Cuito Cuanavale het, ver weg van
oorlede. Die ander twee tenks wat die waarheid wat werklik hier geb-
agtergelaat is, is ook besoek en die eur het.
dag is afgesluit met ‘n besoek aan
wekkend en baie netjies versorg. In die veelbesproke Cuitobrug. Hier is
die museum is daar ook plek waar ons versoek deur Nicole om ‘n pop-
Suid Afrikaanse besoekers inter- pie in die rivier te gooi vir iemand
essanthede kon agterlaat. Die val- besonders. Ek het die geleentheid
skermsoldaat, Ockie du Plessis het gehad om iets vir die groep te se so
‘n netjies opgevoude valskerm en my seun se nagedagtenis te eer. Die
kentekens hier agtergelaat. Die ge- kern van my boodskap was dat “
teerde paaie het die rit baie verge- It’s okay to be not okay.” Koester sy
maklik.

Die volgende dag het ons vertrek na
Kavango en suid na Cassinga en Te-
chamutete waar ons op die teerblad
van die ou aanloopbaan gekamp
het.Die rit op die pad was een groot
uitdaging en het die hele dag gedu-
ur. Gelukkig het al die voertuie ge-
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hou. Laat middag het die groep op wat lang skaduwees gooi van die Ons laaste nag in Angola. Die
Cassinga aangekom waar ‘n geden- krematart en mopaniebome. mooiste sonsondergange be-
kteken op gerig is vir die 4 lede van Die reis het verder geduur die vol- groet ons so oor die Kunenerivier.
2 en 3 Valskermbataljon wat die gende dag deur Cuvelei en ons het Vir oulaas word lekker gebraai en
gesterf het op 4 Mei 1978 tydens die kerkie op Mupa, die Sondag hoogte en laagte punte met mekaar
Operasie Moskou.Een van hulle, besoek en kersies voor in die kerk gedeel oor die toer. ‘n Uitsonderlike
Skillie Human se liggaam is nog nie geplaas.Die storie van hul orrel en sonsopkoms het ons ook begroet die
gevind en teruggebring Suid Afri- kruis wat weg was, maar weer ter- volgende oggend. Net weereens ‘n
ka toe nie. Ockie du Plessis het ons ug besorg is deur deur genl Roland teken van die mooi skoonheid van
toegelig oor hul sprong hier en pop- de Vries is met ons gedeel. hier het Afrika en sy natuur. Een besonderse
pies is ook hier by die gedenkteken ek ook ‘n Living sokkerbal aan die foto van Marina Breytenbach met
geplaas deur die toerlede en George sonsopkoms het net weereens ‘n
de Beer het ‘n houtkruis is hoog Boy’s and Girl’s Scouts oorhandig. bewys gewees Hy is in beheer. Die
teen die krematartboom vasgekap. Die nag oornag ons vir oulaas in laaste stop was by Mielie se Ra-
Daar is tans bouwerk aan die gang Ondjiva en doen ons laaste aankope tel, net noord van Caluequedam.
om ‘n monument hier op te rig tus- by die Shopritewinkel, veral die ge- Die Ratel is nooit herwin nie en sal
sen die Namibiese en Angolese re- wilde Cuca bier. Die tenks van die altyd as ‘n monument dien vir die
gerings. Ons is dus nie toegelaat om voertuie word vir oulaas volgemaak Grensoorlog. Ons het eers ‘n bietjie
die massagrafte te besoek nie. Die met goedkoop diesel nl. R 5, 96 ‘n verdwaal, maar tog gekry met die
gedenknaald sal egter deel vorm liter, voor ons vertrek na Xangon- hulp van ‘n PB op sy perd, wat ‘n
van die nuwe monument. go en die pad verder neem na Ru- rooi poppie in sy hand gehad het.Ek
acana. Weereens ‘n slegte pad met en Jaap het die Ratel eerste gekry en
Almal het ook hier ‘n slukkie Red groot uitdagings. Ons stop teen ske- hy het toe die ander toerlede gaan
Hearted Rum volgens tradisie ge- mer by Blackie se boom. ‘n Groot soek.
neem en Harry van Zyl het die Krematartboom wat ook by vorige
toere as kamplek gebruik is. Sekerlik die hoogtepunt van my
bekende liedjie The Ballade of toer het hier plaasgevind toe ek
the Green Beret vir die twee bats vir so ‘n halfuur alleen by die Rael
gespeel.Dit was hoog emosievol was met my eie gedagtes. Die stilte
so teen laat skemer met die son waartydens ek kon uiting kon gee
aan my emosies was kosbaar. My
gedagtes het terug gegaan na 27
Junie 1988 toe 13 SAW troepe hier
gesterf het op een dag. 9 Troepe van
8 SAI, waarvan ek ook lid was en 3

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lede in ‘n Eland pantserkar by die 2022
Caluequedam en dan 2 Lt Muller 106
Mering of Mielie soos hy bekend
was, so 20 km noord van die dam.
Die 27 ste het hier vir my nog grot-
er betekenis gekry, want my seun
het ook op die 27 ste gesterf.Ek
kon nou vrede maak met my self,
my lewe, my vrese en my Heer. Ek
het besef ek is nie alleen nie. Trane
en hartseer dae sal daar altyd wees,
maar ek het vrede in my hart. Hier
het jong seuns gesterf en hul ouers
agtergelaat sonder dat hulle kon
groet en met soveel vrae, sonder
antwoorde.

Ek dra dus hierdie toer van my op
aan die *758 soldate wat van 1966
tot 1989 operasioneel gesterf het se
ouers. Jul gemis is ook my gemis”
Rus in Vrede my makkers.” Ons sal
julle nie vergeet nie.

By die grenspos by Ruacana het
alles skielik tot ‘n einde gekom.
Die toer was verby en elkeen het
weer sy eie paadjie gevolg. Van die
toerlede het verder na Rundu in die
ooste vertrek, ander weer na die
Etoshapanne en ander huiswaarts.
So het ‘n wonderlike lewenservar-
ing aan ‘n einde gekom. Wonderlike
mense is ontmoet, elkeen ook met
sy eie storie om te vertel. Hierdie
toergroep van 2022 sal ek vir altyd
onthou en koester. Dankie aan Ni-
cole Dickson wat die gedenkdienste
behartig het en ook na die geeste-
lik en sielkundige welstand van die
veterane omgesien het.Nicole het
werklik ‘n verskil gemaak met haar
persoonlike gesprekke en onders-
teuning aan die veterane.

Nogmaals dankie aan Johan Booy-
sen, voorsitter van die 61 Mech Vet-
eranevereniging en Jaap Steyn vir
hierdie toer. Ons veterane is trots op
julle en het julle nodig.Indien enig-
sins moontlik moet veterane sulke
toere van 61 Mec MV meemaak. Dit
bring ‘n kalmte en vrede.

2022
Cahama
Tour group in Cahama, they were also lunch guests and a video from inside the bunkers at Cahama.
Amazing the goodwill between the 61MVA tour groups and the Angolans. It is special when old ene-
mies reach out to each other.

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2022
Cuito Cuanavale

Ondersteun asseblief die ondersteuners van die 61 MVV
Kindly support the supporters of 61 MVA

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The Munga Races for 61 Mech Veterans
2020 & 2021

By
Pierre
de Jager

able to do the event once more.

Pierre de Jager, former Platoon such as 3 x MUNGA, 3 x Ultra Man, Pierre successfully completed the
Commander of Alpha Company, 10 x Iron Man, 4 x ABSA Cape race in 3 days and 9 hours to finish
61 Mechanised Battalion 1982, has Epic, Berg River Canoe Marathon, 15th overall, his best. In doing so he
completed 3 x solo Munga Races Duzi Canoe Marathon, Comrades and the support team raised a lot of
and 1 x Munga Equipe. Marathon, Two Oceans Marathon, money for a good cause.
3 day stage races and many more. The 61 Mech Cycling Jersey has
Pierre, was the founder and driving become a ‘masterpiece’ and can be
force behind the Munga races for He contacted Jaap Steyn, Previous wore with PRIDE
61 Mech and this all started in 2020 Commander of 61 Mech, now an
when he decided to use his parti- EXCO member of 61 Mech Veter-
cipation in this event to raise funds ans Association, and explained his
for the 61 Mech Buddy Project. idea to compete in the 2020 Munga
Pierre has been participating in Ul- to raise money. Jaap immediately
tra Events since 1980 and has com- bought into this idea and gave all
pleted numerous endurance events the support that was needed to be

WHAT IS THE MUNGA

The Munga is an unsupported
mountain bike race over 1170km
across the middle of South Africa in
the heat of summer. This is not an
average Sunday morning ride.

This race is labelled as “THE
TOUGHEST RACE ON EARTH”
and it surely is.

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The race starts at midday on the first Loxton to Sutherland THE MUNGA EQUIPE
week in December and competitors - 214km
have 5 days to complete the total Sutherland to Ceres The Munga Equipe was staged for
distance. There are 5 Race Villages - 248km the first time in 2021 and Pierre im-
and 10 water points along the route Ceres to Wellington mediately mentioned to Jaap Steyn
where the competitors may eat and - 90km that this is the start of something
sleep. NO outside assistance from “At the MUNGA we celebrate what big. He needed 4 other willing 61
anyone is allowed along the route. is to be human. Mech Vets to take on this challenge.
Friends, Family and others may We know the fight… The Munga Equipe is a Relay race
be along the route at certain plac- We know what it means to grovel, over the same route and distance
es, but may not give the competi- to grind, and crawl in desperation to as the MUNGA, but teams of 5
tor any assistance. No-one except the light at the end of the tunnel. ride their mountain bikes from one
the competitors are allowed in the We know what it is to hang on to a race village to another. Every team
‘Race-Village’ areas as this is the thread, but claw and pull it back till member has to complete approxi-
area where competitors can refuel, it’s a tight rope, and walk the thin mately 200km and cycle the last leg
sleep and get mechanical assistance line, balancing the life and death of all together.
from the MUNGA team. dreams, till at last we lean forward
and the momentum of action carries Jaap immediately responded and
The route follows dirt roads, jeep us inexorably towards our destiny. said that he would definitely be one
track, sections of single track and a At the MUNGA, we know what it’s of the team members. The team
section or two of tarred roads over like to LIVE, but really LIVE.” consisted out of Sarel Coetzee,
the distance. The most challenging Alex Harris – Munga Race Director Jaap Steyn, Anthony Kruger, Cor-
parts of this race are the extreme dre Smith and Pierre de Jager. This
heat (up to 50 degrees and wind team made us proud by finishing
which seems to never lie down. A in 3rd place and raised more than
lot of the mid-section of this route R187 000 and helped more than 26
is over farms where one has to nav- families of 61 Mech.
igate and be able to adapt to the
loose sand, lots of gates and farm
jeep track conditions.

The race route is as follows
Bloemfontein to Vanderkloofdam
- 222km
Vanderkloofdam to Britstown
- 170km
Britstown to Loxton
- 188km

It was an astonishing feat as these
members have never trained toget-
her and met each other on the route
at every Race Village. A “Band of
Brothers” was reborn after 40 years.
These five warriors will once again
start as one of the TEAMS to com-
plete their second MUNGA
EQUIPE

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LOGISTICS This TEAM has now set the bench- nesses and individuals to help with
mark for future teams to follow. funding towards this campaign.
This year our Manager and Logis- The idea of having more teams in
tics GURU, Johan Booysen, will the field by 2022 Munga Equipe has WHAT WE INTEND TO DO ?
have an enormous task to ensure been widely accepted and four(4)
that all participants are off-loaded teams of 5 participants have indi- The first objective is to raise funds
and picked up at the various Race cated that they will be involved this by competing and completing the
Villages along the route. He will year. Munga Equipe . Further to this we
have his own crew to ensure that The provisional participants for 61 are printing cycling shirts, golf
the Munga Equipe will run smooth- Mech 2022 will be: shirts and t-shirts for members to
ly….like a fighting machine during buy. We have contacted a Wine Cel-
the Border War, Pierre de Jager, Jaap Steyn, Antho- lar in the Western Cape who will
ny Kruger, Sarel Coetzee, Cordre assist with the bottling and label-
Smith, ling of a white and red wine with
George Slabbert, Carina Burger, the 61 Mech Veterans Association’s
Jaco Prinsloo, Madeleen Coetzee, emblem on it. These wines will be
Rico Coetzee, sold to members as part of the fund
Sarel Roos, Willie Steyn, George raising towards our ‘Buddies”.
de Beer, Bennie du Plessis, Maarten
van Dalsen, The main emblem for our Cam-
Piet Stander, Leon Havenga, Louis paign …on our cycling shirts, Golf-
Knipe. and T-shirts.
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS !!!!!
HOW CAN YOU HELP / GET Pierre de Jager
INVOLVED ?

The men and women behind the Every member of 61 Mech Veter-
teams are our support and without ans Association are hereby asked to
them this journey is NOT possible. make a donation towards this “Bud-
We salute you for your time and ef- dy Project” to help those who need
fort that you put into this. funds and assistance.

We encourage each and all of you to
also get family and friends to donate
into the fund and get sponsors, busi-

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61 Mech Riders

Origins:

In 2015, four 61Mech Veterans gether with Eben Pretorius and By
went on a Motorcycle trip through during another ride, came up with Toffie
Botswana and Namibia. A won- the idea of creating a Bikers Associ- Grove
derful trip which, to this day brings ation under the Banner of 61MECH.
very fond memories to the Guys The one thing that stuck with all of First Steps:
who were involved. This trip was a us was the value of doing something After much discussion, Jan Kelvin
wonderful example of true Brother- we love with a few Mates with the and Eben came to Me and suggest-
hood among the 61 Mech Brothers same (or similar) background and ed the whole 61 RIDERS concept,
who took part. Jan Vorster, together that it became (like 61MECH) a so we sat down and started talking
with Myself, Kelvin Luke and Eben safe haven where you could truly be and designing a 61 RIDERS waist-
Pretorius were going to do this trip yourself among friends. This idea coat that would identify us and
on Motorcycles and LeBrun Ros- formed the basis of their thinking set us apart from all others in the
souw and Efpe Senekal were going around a Bikers’ Association. The Biking Fraternity. The next thing
to be the Support Crew in LeBrun’s big thing was also that they felt NO was to find someone to make these
Bakkie (a TOYOTA Bakkie with NEED to belong to a Club of any waistcoats for us and also to Design
every Bell and Whistle also known kind. Clubs have Presidents and a Code of Conduct. The Code of
as ‘OSHKOSH’). Oshkosh and MR Apprentices and rules and regula- Conduct would become a very im-
OSHKOSH later became quite fa- tions typical of the Motorcycling portant thing since we were never
mous when we did our first tour to Fraternity and they felt that every
ANGOLA (without motorcycles) in 61MEMBER qualified for abso-
2018. Due to unforeseen circum- lutely everything purely from his
stances, Mr Pretorius had to turn served time at 61 MECH. They felt
around and head back home just that 61RIDERS should be a group
before we crossed the border into for a few Men who shared the same
Botswana. passion for our organization to ride
together and promote the name of
61 far and wide.

This trip proved to us the true worth
of linking up with our Brothers from
61 Mech and even though we didn’t
know each other all that well before
the trip, we became true Brothers in
the end.
Fast-forward a year or so and Jan
Vorster and Kelvin Luke came to-

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going to be a Club and the there-
fore wouldn’t have any hierarchy
and order of discipline. We would
simply rely on the integrity of each
Member to adhere to the Code of
Conduct and carry our name with
Pride.

After searching far and wide, we Final Concept: Club Association. Subsequently
turned to Old School Leather works 61RIDERS can now ride freely on
to manufacture the initial Waist- This new RIDERS association was any roads in the country and wear
coats. They have proved them- then registered at 61 MECH vete- our waistcoats with pride with the
selves to be a cut above the rest over ran’s Association as a subsidiary of Blessings of every Club in South
the past few years since we did go 61MECH Veterans Association. In Africa. This was all made possible
through a few exercises in finding recent years 61MECH also regis- by the Chairman of 61MVA, Johan
another supplier that could deliver tered 61RIDERS as an Association Booysen.
Similar quality workmanship with a with the South African Motorcycle The waistcoat we designed was
reasonable timeframe for delivery. made to be VERY UNIQUE for
I the end we could find no-one to three good reasons:
match them for Quality, Price and
turnaround time. • Firstly, our Embroidery is done
by stitching into the leather and not
on any other material that is a so-
called ‘Patch” in the Biking com-
munity.

• Secondly we added the per-
son’s Force number on the back of
the Waistcoat (this helps to identify
someone‘s age to know if they may
have served at the same time as you)

• The third thing that sets 61RID-
ERS apart from the rest is that we
only allow the registered items on
the Jacket and nothing else. On

115

the back we only have the Name
(61RIDERS), the 61 Crest and the
person’s Force Number, and on the
front, we are only allowed to wear
Your Surname (Army style) on
the right front, together with your
61Dagger in YELLOW (only if you
have earned it while serving at 61)
or in RED if you don’t have proof of
a Yellow dagger issued to you. On
the left front we are only allowed to
wear our Medals Strip.

Each item on our waistcoats is Re- When things goes wrong with the Visas for the Angola Tour
gistered with the Department of 2018
Heraldry and belong to 61MVA,
which means that no-one else is al- Botswana - here we come.
lowed to wear any of our insignia
without prior consent from 61MVA.

We do have a Fb-site, just look for
61RIDERS MA.
Anyone wanting to become a
61RIDER can contact Toffie Grové

[email protected]

116

61 Riders FMC (Fraternal Motorcycle Club)

When Anthony Turton moved to met. This was encapsulated in a By
KZN in 2019, he took with him the simple guiding principle – how do Anthony
wonderful experience of brother- our actions dignify the role of the Turton
hood within 61 Riders Gauteng. On conscripted soldier who served in
linking up with the 61MVA KZN 61 Mech? be in Durban. To achieve this, An-
Skouerskuur group, it became evi- thony Turton was asked to be of
dent that there were no other mem- This program saw the first formal assistance, given his proximity to
bers of 61 Riders in that province. A induction of Dave Muller and Ter- the SANBCA at various levels. The
recruitment drive was launched and ry Gersbank, both Askari veterans, formal case was presented to the
very quickly enthusiasm grew. Ini- at Lake Gillits on 22 August 2020. SANBCA by Johan Booysen, with
tially there were logistical problems This was followed on 5 June 2021 Anthony Turton in support.
associated with the procurement by formally inducting Hilgaard
of waistcoats. This was solved by Coetzee and Grant Greegan. Ad- There was an enormous amount of
finding a local supplier able to meet ditional members are now waiting goodwill shown by the leadership
the precise specification for the to be inducted through the formal present. They scrutinized the waist-
waistcoat. Johan Booysen, Chair- ceremony, which will be done at coat to determine if it complied
man of 61MVA Exco, became one the next Skouerskuur event. At each with all the legal requirements of
of the first recipients of this second formal induction, the member is the SANBCA. This matter was dis-
supplier. Having two suppliers is asked to sign two certificates, one cussed in detail and the 61 Rider
also sound procurement policy as of which they keep, the other going waistcoat was formally registered.
it prevents possible allegations of on record. That certificate formally Questions were asked around the
nepotism. recognizes the member and com- legal requirements, such a constitu-
mits them to the code of conduct. tion and a code of conduct – both
It became evident that the growing important for compliance within
membership of 61 Riders in KZN While this was happening, the KZN the SANBCA – and a decision was
wanted two things. The first was a members began discovering 61 made to recognize 61 Riders under
strongly articulated desire to dig- Mech veterans in the many bikers’ paragraph 11.5 of the Protocols and
nify the wearing of the 61 Riders clubs that are registered with the Guidelines – as a Fraternal Motor-
waistcoat by holding a formal cer- SANBCA. In fact, it was discov- cycle Club (FMC), simply because
emony when it was handed over. ered that the leadership of many there is no formal definition for a
The second was legal recognition biker clubs consisted of 61 Mech Motorcycle Association (MA).
by the SA National Bikers Coun- Veterans. This informed the conver-
cil Alliance (SANBCA) as that has sation about the status of 61 Riders An FMC is legally defined as a
many unintended consequences if outside of the SANBCA. The KZN “group of people joined together by
not dealt with properly. members of 61 Riders voted unani- a common interest, belief and vir-
mously to request the formal recog- tues to preserve the excellence of
Execution of the first wish was nition of SANBCA and submitted their fraternity, and the community
done at one of the 61 MVA Skouer- a document to Exco laying out the in which they live and function”,
skuur events at a private farm in the case. Johan Booysen, a member of such as “law enforcement, military,
Mid Illovo area. That farm is often 61 Riders Gauteng, and Chairman firefighting” etc. There is no formal
used by 61 MVA members, and it of Exco, drove a decision to formal- hierarchy in an FMC, but for law
has a beautiful setting in the form ize the relationship with SANBCA, enforcement purposes, someone
of a wooden jetty going out onto given the range of legal and other must be legally accountable – the
Lake Gillits. In making the decision ramifications that were becoming SANBCA is a self-regulating body
to proceed with this ceremony, the apparent should we stay outside of recognized by the police and left
core guiding principle was that all that formal space. Formal negotia-
our actions as bikers must be con- tions were initiated with SANBCA
sistent with the Code of Conduct, by Johan Booysen, and it was de-
and at all times the mission, ethos cided that the best place to start the
and objectives of 61MVA must be formal registration process would

117

to their own devices provided they and formally recognized as honour-
follow Protocol – so that person able members of SANBCA.
will be the Chairman of Exco. He
can decide to delegate that specific Patching Parade
function to any other person if he so
wishes. Purely for safety purposes, a Highlights
member may be designated as Road
Captain, and for disciplinary pur- On 3 July we had a fantastic ride
poses someone might be designated with Megaforce MC in Amanzim-
the Sergeant at Arms. This is con- toti, as 61 Riders transitions into
sistent with Protocol and required a formally recognised FMC (Fra-
by law enforcement agencies, as the ternal Motorcycle Club) registered
police need to know who to contact with the KMA (KZN Motorcycle
when an incident is reported. Alliance) and the SA Bikers Coun-
cil. It is our intention to grow these
With this process formally complet- relationships in a healthy way so
ed, all members of 61 Riders who that we can dignify the role of the
wish to be registered with the SAN- conscripted combat veteran in all
BCA, for reasons of their own, are that we do, and are seen to be doing,
now legally able to apply. Those as bikers.
members wishing to stay outside
of the SANBCA sphere are free to ***
choose their own future. All new
members will be formally inducted
by means of a parade held at an ap-
propriate Skouerskuur event to dig-
nify the insignia and all that it rep-
resents. It is believed that 61 Riders
will grow from strength to strength
now that they are legally constituted

118

61 MVA Veterans Abroad

From Australia

The South African Military Veterans Organisation (SAMVO) pre- By
viously known as (SAMVOINT) is an international ex-servicemen John McCrum
/ women’s organisation comprising Military and Police Veterans (61 Mech
who were called up or who volunteered to serve their country, South 1987)
Africa, in the SADF / SANDF, SAP / SAPS, or the South African
Correctional Services, and who now reside in and outside of South ANZAC Day Marches
Africa. This Veteran Organisation dedicates itself, in grateful rec-
ognition and memory of their countrymen, the Immortal Dead of
South Africa, who, at the call of Duty, made the supreme Sacrifice
on the battlefields of Africa, Asia and Europe, on land, at sea and
in the air.

Arrival in Australia During one of the festivals arranged Australia honours its military vete-
by the Saffa community (a col- rans with a parade through the cen-
A little more than 13 years after loquial expression for a person from tres of its towns and cities. Veterans
leaving 61 Meg I landed in Aus- South Africa) I met a man (Garth and current serving members march
tralia with my young family. I had Pienaar) recruiting ex SADF mem- in formation and the public turnout
fallen in love, got married had chil- bers for a new organization which to cheer and support them. The An-
dren. I had a responsibility now, was gathering momentum in the zac (Australia, New Zealand Army
loves ones to protect and see to their eastern states, it was now branching Corp) marches are arranged and
welfare. After having a few friends west. Shortly thereafter I attend- run by the RSL (Returned Services
murdered, my house ransacked and ed my first meeting of SAMVOA League), an organization which
living my life behind window bars, (South African Military Veteran Or- supports military veterans and cur-
security gates and a loaded weapon ganisation of Australasia – Perth). rent defense force members (much
always close at hand, I knew it was Western Australia has a burgeoning like the 61 MVA in South Africa).
time to leave South Africa. South African population, it’s not Membership of the RSL is open to
call “Perthfontein” for nothing. Australian and former Common-
wealth Military. South African be-
I was hoping to see a familiar face ing a former part of the Common-
or meet a fellow 61 veterans, there wealth with a shared history as part
were none only me. Still, at last I of the WWI, WW2 and Korean War
had people to speak to that had an
idea of what I had been through.

119

with Australia are welcome to join. to erect cabinets where we display
Its through this connection that items of SA militaria which has
SAMVOA are invited to the march- been donated by veterans.
es and the use of the RSL facilities. Eventually through Samvoa I have
met other 61 veterans like Ewan
Morton, Troy Hosking and Clive had arranged with some of the oth-
Holt. It was also during one of these er members of 23 Charlie to catch
meetings that I received my 61 Red up for a braai at the Rietvlei Re-
“Messie” from Roland de Vries as sort. What a fantastic day catching
acknowledgement of becoming a up with the guys. I hadn’t seen in
member of the 61 MVA family. almost 30 years, even after all that
Each year Samvoa organize a for- time here was a comfortable famil-
mal mess dinner, a guest of honor iarity the conversation and jokes
is invited – usually an SADF officer flowed as if we’d never been apart.
or NCO of high standing e.g. Koos
Moorcroft, Jan Breytenbach, Wyn-
and du Toit.

Samvoa Meetings and Func- The name change from SAMVOA
tions to SAMVOINT was approved by
the CMVO on the 24th June, 2015.
The SAMVOA / SAMVOINT logo
was registered as a Trade Mark on
the 4th June, 2019.

Samvoa is an organization which In 2013 May General (Ret) Roland
honours those who fought and died de Vries was our guest of honor.
for SA and helps to keep alive the This was especially exciting for me
memories and traditions of the var as he was one of the legends of 61
ious arms of the SADF and the units Mech. Upon meeting him for the
that made up those arms. first time he immediately noticed
the 61 Operational Dagger on my
The RSL has generously allowed jacket, he enquired about my ser-
us to use their premises to hold vice, upon hearing of my involve-
our meetings (once a month) and ment in Ops Modular he sought me
out later for a catch up on our time
in Angola. 61 MVA Memorial Services –
2017
Rietvlei Catchup – 2014
In 2017, Jacqui (my wife) and I flew
In 2014 my wife and I travelled over to South Africa a for a couple
back to south Africa to visit family of days to take part in the 61MVa
for the first time in 13 years. While 30th Anniversary Memorial for Ops
there I caught up with Robert Torra- Modular. Rob arranged for me – as
ni (my brother in Arms and fellow a special treat for making the trip
61 vet) leading up to our visit he all the way from Aus – to be one of
the flag hoister’s. While there I also
managed to catch up with some of

120

the other Bravo Coy 87 members. han Pretorius – another 23C brother. hikati, Ombalantu stopping off at
Meeting up with my old comman- From there we headed to Windhoek the old 101 base the sight of the
ding officer at 1SAI Cmdt Loubser the rest of the 61 MVA party and the church inside the massive Baobab
added another highlight to the trip. official start point of the tour. tree
A visit to the 61 Mech section of the
museum was very poignant, I even The tour officially started on the We crossed the border at Ruacana
got to sit in my old seat in one of the 14th September 2019 in Windhoek stopping over night at the wreck of
ratel 20’s. Namibia, the tour kicked off with a Mielie Meiring’s ratel, shot out by a
Other 61 Mech (Bravo Coy) Mem- function hosted by the MOTHS at tank when the Cuban 50th brigade
bers in Australia: their shellhole, the tour followed a
Tory Hosking – Bravo Coy 1988 route via several of the towns & old
Frans Snyman – Bravo Coy 1987 military bases in the northern Na-
Chris Hoogenbozem – Bravo Coy mbian operational area.
1987
Andrew Hahn – Bravo Coy 1987 One of the most emotional stops
Clive Holt – Bravo Coy 1988 for me was the 61 Mech Base at
Ewan Mortan – Bravo Coy ?? Omathiya, Rob, Oosie & myself
Sean Hoffman – Bravo Coy 1987 evenmanaged to find the site where
our tent used to be.
(NZ) We carried on past Ondangwa, Os-
61 MVA Angola Tour – 2019

I decided to join my friend Tob Tor-
rani on the tour. We headed out for
Red Sands in the Northern Cape
where we would meet up with Jo-

121

moved south to the Namibian bor-
der towards the end of the Border
War.

From there we travelled to the Fapla
bunker complex at Cahama where
we spent the night. Then we carried
on with our route on to Onjiva, Ev-
ale, Mupa & Cuvelai, along the way
there were several vehicle wrecks.
The Oosthuizen brothers strand-
ing next to a T55 and an upturned

BRDM. understood there was always a
After a brief stop over in Cassinga shoulder to lean on and an under-
we carried on to Menongue where standing ear when needed.
we stayed the night at a guesthouse
owned by a former 61 Mech vet- For any veterans of the Border
eran, before travelling on to Cuito War this experience is a must for
Canavale for a commemoration cer- anyone’s bucket list I can’t rec-
emony with several Angolan dele- ommend it enough. Jaap Steyn &
gates & former Fapla veterans. Johan Booysen who ran the tour
did a fantastic job and ran things
After 32 years I eventually got to as smoothly as any military oper-
stand on the bridge across the Cuito ation (hardly
River and look across to the bat- surprising, both 61 Mech vets &
tlefields of Ops Modular where I Jaap a former unit commander.
fought with 61 Mech against Fapla
& the Cubans. Early in the New Year I will be
giving a more in depth talk at one
of the regular SAMVOA meet-
ings.

We spent our last night in Angola at
Savati another resort owned by Ste-
fan van Wyk (61 Mech vet). Before
crossing the border back into Na-
mibia at Rundu where we had our
last function as a group, the next
morning we all said our goodbyes
and with heavy hearts we all went
our separate ways.

What an amazing experience, so
many memories some good some
bad but with so many people who

122

ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE CMVO 29/05/2022

Counsel for Military Veterans Organisations

Die 61 Meg MVA was soos vorige
jare nou betrokke by die RMVO
(SA) se jaarlikse herdenkingsdiens
by die SA Weermag Muur van Her-
innering op die Voortrekker Mon-
ument Erfenisterrein. Manus My-
burgh van die 61 MVA EXCO het
met sy 61 Meg Span soos vorige
jare beheer van die kranse tafel aan-
vaar.

Die Muur van Herinnering was op I saw the Facebook post…. It read, By
25 Oktober 2009 in gebruik geneem, “All hands-on Deck, we need guys Wayne
waarna daar jaarliks gedenkdienste to volunteer to assist with this Riddell
gereel word deur die RMVO. Die year’s CMVO Voortrekker Monu-
name van meer as 2500 individue ment annual Memorial service 29
wat in diens gesterf het, verskyn op May 2022”.
die muur. Ongeveer 800 persone
wie se name met ʼn asterisk gemerk
is, het tydens operasies gesterf.

Naasbestaandes van soldate wat in I thought why not. I have attended work had already gone into the set-
diens gesterf word dan die geleent- quite a few parades in my time but up. Multiple registration gazebos,
heid gegun om kranse te lê of ‘n always as an attendee and never coffee stations, red carpets, chairs,
kruis te plant ter nagedagtenis aan from a support perspective. I replied lectern, you name it, it was battle
hul geliefdes. Die ander lidorgani- that they could count on me for it ready.
sasies van die RMVO and that was that. Final correspon-
dence was received 2 days before I was greeted at the registration ta-
SA, ander militêre veterane orga- to confirm the “Signal” of when, ble and was immediately identified
nisasies, ander organisasies en indi- where and what. that I was with 61, primary based on
viduele militêre veterane bring ook my attire. I was pointed to a section
hulde aan alle soldate wat in diens Upon arrival, I immediately saw it at the end of the red carpet. There
van hul Vaderland gesterf het. had a military hand in the organis- were a vast number of tables draped
ing. Everyone from the main gate and ready for use. We oversaw the
Alle militêre veterane word vereer until I parked the car knew where to registration and distribution of the
vir hulle opofferings wat hulle ge- send me and how to get there. My wreathes, bouquets and memorial
maak het en die prys wat hulle beta- first impressions were that a ton of
al het deur Suid Afrika onbaatsugtig
te dien. Verder word hulde gebring
aan al die vrouens en kinders wat
hulle geliefdes deurgaans getrou
bygestaan en ondersteun het.

123

items that would form part of the
formal proceedings.

I was early (normal for me) and was
quickly put to work with the regis-
tration documents and table for our
section. The rest of the 61 Exco and
volunteers arrived soon thereafter.

A system was discussed and agreed
and not too long after that the dig-
nitaries ranging from Political par-
ties, Embassies, and senior ranking
officers down to veteran representa-

of 61 did it again. Something the
unit has become renowned for.

tives and families who’s loved ones All the 61 Mech team on the day I was really impressed with the
featured on the Wall of Remem- knew their task and in true military teamwork and asked how long 61
brance started arriving. The sheer style, effortlessly jumped to it. The Mech had been doing this. One of
volume of people registering at our proceedings continued like clock- the exco said, ever since he joined
table was non-stop and by the time work and by the time the last wreath in 2017, another said, ever since
the proceedings started we were at was handed to the last dignitary, we he joined in 2012, and even then, it
well over 100 items on the table. had achieved a 100% success rate. seemed that it was not the first year
No mess, no fuss, and no cuss. Sim- back then either. Asking around
ply surgically performed. The guys more, it seems we have been in-
volved with this for as far back as
its inception.

It was an honour and a privilege to
represent the 61 Mechanised Bat-
talions Veterans Association at the
occasion and would urge my fellow
vets to put their hand up next year,
it’s not only to represent of associ-
ation but it’s well worth the experi-
ence.

124

Preservation of our History through Museum

By
Robb
Torrani

Current news about the museum 2018 tour, the tour members plant- Over the years the museum com-
would not be complete without hav- ed steel trees in the ground in front mittee has kept the museum display
ing a little history of where it has of the memorial tank outside Cuito going and the visitors book speaks
come from. The 61 MVA perma- Cuanavale. The Angolan govt ce- to how well the display is received.
nent display at the Ditsong Military mented those in and these now form Through donations from members
History Museum in Saxonworld is a part of the memorial. In 2018 on re- we have more artefacts than space
place where we hold our annual me- turning the same tour members and to display it all. With this in mind
morial parade and where during the delegates from the Angolan govern- we have started negotiations to in-
year our members and public can ment planted the same trees in front crease our floor space which will
visit and observe the units history. of the Lomba clock to unite the two help us put more out on display.
memorials. The digital technology originally
installed is also in need of some
The internal display happened later upgrading and we see it all hap-
due to permissions needed to move pening at the same time as we get
61 Mech artefacts from 1SAI to the our website upgraded. This way our
museum were acquired. This hap- digital side of the museum display
pened during course of 2011 and the would also talk to our website and
official opening was held on 23rd we would be able to give a visitor
August 2011 where General Dip- a complete history with the facts.
penaar cut the ribbon made from 61 This will also allow the possibility
stable Belt material. of the visitor being able to connect
to our website whenever convenient
to continue discovering our history.

The Memorial Needle and Lomba
clock was brought from Lohatla and
erected in 2011 with its inauguration
parade at Ditsong. It was held on
12th June 2011 in a memorial ser-
vice to Operation Sceptic. The only
change on this was in 2018, after
the Inaugural Unidade Dei Aizade
tour to Angola battlefields. On the

125

Apart from digital displays, our Galloway was auctioned. C-esq
physical displays are also in need of guys from 1987 made the hig-
upgrades in terms of space and dis- hest rbid and this ratel now has
play cabinets, we have some items the call sign 33. Ratel 33 was
in storage which are unable to go shot out on Lomba on 3rd of Oct
on display due to space constraints. 1987 During Operation Modul-
This will all be tackled when we get er, ending the life of Lt Hind and
new display area. injuring his driver and gunner.
This ratel will be handed over
and put on display on 3rd Oct
2022 which would be the 35th
Anniversary of that fateful day.

Some interesting news is at Gariep
in 2021, a 1/16 scale 20mm ratel
made by Monty Galloway was auc-
tioned. The guys from Bravo 88 bid
on the ratel and have put the call
sign 22C on it in remembrance of
their Brothers they lost on 14TH
Feb 1988. This ratel was donated
to museum and took its place in our
display section on 14th Feb 2022.

During the Gariep weekend of
2022, a ratel 90 also made by Monty

126

ʼn Besondere Bevelvoerder se Dolk 2020

Bevelsoorhandiging in ʼn een- (simbool van momentum). Die lem Modular het Maj Lotter die dolk in
heid is ʼn besondere seremonieele moes tweesnydend wees (simbool ontvangs geneem. Weens die uit-
geleentheid. Die uitgaande bevelvo- van veelsydigheid) met die 61 Meg muntende wyse waarop Kmdt Bok-
erder lê die tuig neer en sy opvolger Bn Gp se embleem soos ʼn kroon kie Smit sy subeenhede die eenheid
neem die tuig van bevelvolvoerder- direk onder die handbeskermers aangevoer het met spesifieke ver-
skap oor die eeheid oor. Deel van op die lem. Inkepe in die rigting wysing na Bravo kompanie en Ten-
die seremonie was die gebruik van van die embleem op die mes kante kafweer het die leiergroep en die
ʼn simbool wat van die een na die (simbool van ferm beheer). Die troepe kommitee eendragtig besluit
volgende oorhandig word. Omrede lem moes ʼn prominente rif in die om die dolk as persoonlike dank-
daar nie so ʼn simbool bestaan het middel of vorm (simbool vir stand- betuiging aan Kmdt Smit te skenk.
in 1987 nie het Bravo Kompanie vastigheid). Beide snykante moes Op 9 Desember 1987 tydens die uit-
en Tenkafweer besluit om die top inkurf en dan weer verwyd na die passerings parade te Tsumeb is die
mesmaker Dr. Conrad Pienaar van punt. (simbool van doelgerigtheid). geskenk aan hom oorhandig.
Bloemfontein te taak om ʼn unieke Die sub-eenheids kentekens moes
dolk te vervaardig. op die snykante geets wees. Die **
dolk moes in ʼn edelhoutkassie geb- So het 33 jaar verby gegaan. Brig
Die dolk moes aan die volgende ed word. Genl (aft) Bok Smit het besluit om
vereistes voldoen. Vervaardig van die dolk aan die 61 MVA te skenk
top kwaliteit getemperde staal met Met die terugkeer van Bra- vir vertoon in die museum.
die handskerm wat soos vlerke ar- vo Kompanie en Tenkafweer na
endsvlerke boontoe na die hef vorm Omuthiya met die afloop van Ops

127

61 MVA and Johannesburg Regiment

61 MVA at the Annual Johannesburg Regiment Association dinner

On Friday the 3rd of June a couple veteran organisations and this year By
of 61MVA members attended the particularly so. Robbert
Annual Johannesburg Regiment 61MVA managed to put together a Torrani
Association dinner. table of 8 members and a very en-
This year the event was held at the joyable evening was had by all.
Wanderers club in Johannesburg. Johan Booysen, Kevin West, Wessie
The evening consisted of some Van der Westhuizen, Jan Vorster,
speeches, a formal dinner and some Marco Carforio, Robert Torrani,
raffles to raise funds for JRA. It is al- Laurie Claase and Franz Pfafferott.
ways well attended by the different

Johannesburg Regiment (JR) en 61 Meg loop al dekades a paaitjie saam. As een van die voorste burgermag regi-
mente in Gauteng (destyds deel van 72 Brigade / 7 Divisie) het die regiment in 1980 oorgeskakel na n meg eenheid.
As gevolg hiervan is vele junior leiers en troepe na diensplig vanaf 1SAI, 4 SAI en 61 Meg oorgeplaas na JHB Regt
om hulle burgermag kampe daar te voltooi. Dit het verseker dat JR geseend was met ervare meg gekwalifiseerde
leiergroep en soldate. JR was ook bevooreg om onder leiers soos Roland de Vries te kon werk toe hy in bevel was
van 7 Divisie en by LGS. Harry

128

61 MVA Publications

Operation Askari - Teen einde 1983 het dit weer geb- en die konvensionele meg taakmag,
lyk dat SWAPO magte besig was saamgestel uit hoofsaaklik burger-
THE BOOK om te versamel en in die suide van mag eenhede onder bevel van kolo-
Angola op te bou, waarskynlik om nel Tobie van Schalkwyk, moes die
Including Operations Flamingo/ gereed te maak vir ‘n aanslag in die offensief uitvoer.
Scelera Boswilger, Egret, Magne- komende reënseisoen. Met so ‘n
to, Wallpaper/Weldmesh, Pronkert- opbou het hulle van die beskerming Die ontplooiing van 61 Meg en
jie , Drostdy, & Suiderkruis/Alpha van FAPLA mag ontplooiings en beplanning vir die operasie
Centauri basisse gebruik gemaak. 61 Meg Bataljon Groep moes wes
Compiled and edited by van die Kunene ontplooi om die
Willem Steenkamp Die doel van Operasie Askari was FAPLA magte by Cahama en verd-
om hierdie magsopbou in die wiele er noord te verhoed om in te meng
Published by 61 Mechanised Bat- te ry deur FAPLA ontplooiings te deur steekaanvalle op die Cahama
talion Group Veterans’ Association teiken. Die hoofteiken was Cuvelai ontplooings uit te voer en hulle be-
sig te hou terwyl die offensief teen
Cuvelai geloods word.
Met bogenoemde as agtergrond
was daar voldoende tyd om vir
Operasie Askari te beplan, voor
te berei en samesmelting te doen.
Beplanning vir hierdie operasie het
reeds in November 1983 begin.

Lees die volle Verhaal

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Group Veterans Association
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Universal Branch Code: 006305
Account Number: 00 329 366 1
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129

Word Art Woordkuns

The War Muse*

* A Muse is the source of artistic inspiration

Die 61 Gedenk Gedig A Legend of a Special Kind

Op die Suidpunt van ʼn donker kontinent As colonial statues crumbled
In wêreldkonflik weereens ingesuig A generation being humbled
Sou die koue oorlog argument Angola and the sub region
Van ʼn nuwe visie moes getuig
Entering a stormy season
Uit ʼn oorlog, wat dekades lank sou duur A legend to be bred
Was ʼn trotse eenheid voortgebring In our own shed
Met ongekende mannemoed en vuur A new technique
A new physique
So het die Ses-Een nalatingskap ontspring
A stallion from our stable
In slegs agt-en-twintig jaar van sy bestaan Became a super fable
Aan vele landgevegte deelgeneem
Binnelands vir demokrasie gestaan Its home as it was planned
Was Omuthiya in Ovamboland
Die ruggraat van ʼn verdediging sisteem Where a special breed of knights
ʼn Monument van voortreflikheid gebou Forged ahead to great heights
In ewigheid sal sy legende nooit verflou A conquering hero for many years
The cause and reason for enemy fears
Tot die blaas van die laaste basuin Among Russian, Angolan or Cuban
Van die vlaktes tot die hoogste kruin And perceived as super human
And when it was the end of war
Sal hy besing word in onthou
In beroemdheid toegevou Persisted with a solid core
On the flats of Northern Cape
Sy reputasie van waagmoed was uniek In more peaceful mission drape
Oor sy oorlogsetiek nooit ooit ʼn dispuut After twenty seven years disbanded

Met respek buitengewoon bejeen Its soul intact enchanted
Deur vriend en vyand iedereen A spirit that would live forever
Reminiscences of its endeavour
Uit alle korpse het Ses-Een bestaan Listen then all future generations
Sy legende sal nooit vergaan The historians of all nations

Gemeganiseerde soldate elk in sy eie reg Let’s not forget the 61 story
In een groot geheel georden om saam te veg The courage and the glory
Vir elk ʼn plek in sy edel krygershart verklaar
Never to fade
Elk ʼn ledemaat in funksie saamgeskaar Never dismayed
This ghostly brigade
Legendaries uit sy tyd With glory engraved
Legendaries van sy tyd
Legendaries na sy tyd © Dawid Lotter
Legendaries vir altyd

MOBILITATE VINCERE

©Dawid Lotter

130

Ter Nagedagtenis/ In Memorium

Huldeblyk aan Ariël Hugo

Oorlede: 19 Januarie 2022

Die nuus oor Ariël se onverwagse hom oor die weg te kom. Dit was Deur
afsterwe op 15 Januarie 2022 was ‘n nie vir hom moeilik om met mense Gert
groot skok vir ons wat hom geken aan die gesels te raak nie en hy het Minnaar
het. ook nie maklik weggeskram van ‘n
Ons twee se paadjies het in 1979 by lekker kuier af nie. Ons almal sal settende spesiale reis gewees. Die
1 SA Infanteriebataljon in Tempe, sy lekker laggie so diep uit sy maag opsoek van die ou bevelvoerders,
Bloemfontein gekruis toe ons saam onthou wanneer hy iets snaaks RSMé en ander staflede was vir hom
op Kursus 7901 was vir die meg- gevind het of homself verskriklik ‘n wonderlike ervaring gewees. Hy
juniorleierskursus wat deur majoor geniet het saam met die mense by het in daardie beginjare altyd op-
Ep van Lill aangebied is, maar ons hom. gewonde laat weet van watter nuwe
Ariël was ontsettend lief vir sy mense hy opgespoor het en hoe
het eers die volgende jaar bevriend kinders Francois, Cobus en Anmari lekker dit was om weer met hulle
geraak toe ons saam peletonbevel- gewees. Hy was bereid om vir hulle kontak te maak. Die stigting van die
voerders in kaptein Koos Lieben- alles te doen binne en selfs buite sy vereniging was ‘n groot gebeurtenis
berg se Foxtrotkompanie was. In vermoëns want hulle was vir hom vir hom gewees en hy het vir die
1981 was ons ook saam by 61 Meg kosbaar. Hulle het nie net geweet hy eerste 11 jaar die rol van sameroe-
Bataljon Groep by Omuthiya waar- was lief vir hulle nie, hulle het dit per met groot entoesiasme, toewy-
na hy by Elsenburg gaan studeer het. ook gevoel. ding en ywer vervul. Die besluit was
Nadat ons in 2006 mekaar weer op- Hy was ‘n staatmaker in sy plaaslike spesifiek om nie sy rol die van voor-
gesoek het, het daar ‘n besonderse gemeenskap gewees. Hy was by die sitter te maak nie, want hy wou hê
vriendskap tussen ons ontstaan kerk betrokke en het ‘n paar jaar dat die veterane wat betrokke raak
waar ons met diep eerlikheid ons gelede gedien as klubkaptein van die nie deur formaliteite, fieterjasies,
wel en weë met mekaar kon deel. Caledon golfklub. Hy was ontset- ampte en titels afgesit word nie.
Jy kry mense met wie jy sommer tend lief vir sy land en sy mense. Hy Hy het hierdie rol skitterend ver-
dadelik aanklank vind want hulle wou die toekoms help beter maak tolk met sy menslike benadering.
gemoedelike natuur maak dit net en het geglo dat dit slegs moontlik Sy betrokkenheid by die skryf van
so maklik. Ariël was so ‘n mens ge- sal wees as ons meer vorentoe kyk as die boek Mobility Conquers oor die
wees. Hy was net so ‘n likeable mens wat ons aanhou om in die truspieël eenheid se geskiedenis en die Ope-
gewees dat dit maklik was om met te bly kyk. Van sy briewe het in Die rasionele Werks Prosedures vir die
Burger verskyn waarin hy die mense funksionering van die 61 Meg veter-
aanspoor om die hand aan die ploeg anevereniging is van sy groot nala-
te slaan om ons land ‘n beter plek te tenskappe. Nadat hy in 2018 afge-
maak. Ariël het nie net gepraat nie, staan het van hierdie rol het hy
hy het ook gedoen. So was hy was steeds by die vereniging betrokke
die burgermeesterskandidaat van gebly om die help dat die institusio-
die Vryheidsfront Plus in Caledon nele geheue wat sedert 2009 opge-
tydens die munisipale verkiesing in bou is nie verlore gaan nie.
2021. Hy was ook lojaal aan sy ge-
liefde WP en Stormers. Dit wat hy
aan geglo het of ondersteun het, het
hy passievol verdedig en het yster-
klou in die grond geslaan as hy oor-
tuig gevoel het van sy saak.
Ariël se reis met die 61 Meg vete-
ranevereniging was vir hom ‘n ont-

131

Huldeblyk aan Jaco Olivier

Oorlede: 19 Januarie 2022

maar ek sukkel. Ons is moeg soos Deur
mens nie kan glo nie… Ons slaap Niel
miskien 4 ure ʼn aand. My enigste Bruwer
pad na 61 Meg in was as ʼn JL en ek
het baie vining besef dat dit nie so
maklik gaan wees nie.

En toe, een oggend was hy daar.
Kpl Olivier

Daar kom so baie emosie op Kpl Olivier was oorgeplaas na MLV pushupps doen dan gaan ek crack.
wanneer ek aan Jaco Olivi- toe. Jaco het van die begin af uit- En toe…..!
er dink (Ek kan nie eers glo ek gestaan met sy 61 “Flashes”. ‘Ru- Gaan jy nooit weer stryk nie? Don-
gebruik sy voornaam hier nie.) mours’ het baie vining begin rond- derweer en weerlig…Jaco se stem.
Mens noem nie sommer iemand sluip. Ons het via die grapewine ‘Ek is nou letterlik in my moer in’…
soos Jaco…”Jaco”nie. Ek noem gehoor dat Kpl Olivier in 61 Meg hulle gaan my van die kursus afgooi!
hom Kpl Olivier. My vrou, Tracy, was. Die ouens het groot oog na Kpl En toe die volgende,
noem hom Kpl Olivier en Bierdief Olivier gekyk. Ons het eers baie lat- ʼn Warm hand op my skouer.
(Nathan Bruwer) roep hom… Kpl er besef dat Jaco ʼn oorlogs held was. ‘Byt vas seun”.
Olivier. Bierdief het groot geword Daar is niks so windgat in die lewe Kpl Olivier het, in plaas van om
met stories oor Tubbies (Maj v Tu- as ʼn 1SAI Lt of Kpl nie. Hulle werk my van die kursus af te gooi die
berg), Smokey (Maj du Kock),Pyp- met skool laaities, party skaars 17… grootste motivering gegee….
ie ,the legend, Mike Burger, Doom Daar was iets baie anders aan Jaco. ’Byt vas seun’
Fanus ,RSM Snorre, Mannetjies Ons het onself bedinges as ons hom En hier sit ek nou en ek skryf hier
(Crocodile Dundee), RSM Martin, gesien het….en elke dag het die sto- die stuk.
Baas Koos en vele ander. Maar een ries oor hom gegroei, en ouens het Dankie Jaco,10 sekondes se omgee
storie wat Bierdief oor en oor wou begin wonder wat daai Geel Messie het my lewe verander.
hoor was die een oor Kpl Olivier. op sy bors was? Hector, jou pa was ʼn flippin legend
“Nath, we must go to sleep now” My persoonlike storie oor Jaco Kpl Niel Bruwer
“I Know Daddy, but just tell me begin een Saterdag middag on-
about Cpl Olivier…was he hectic geveer 3 weke in basies. Ons was
scary Daddy?” moeg, so moeg, dat jy jou een
oog toegklip het om te slaap as
die Kpl aan die ander kant was.
Na weke van 4 ure ʼn aand se slaap
per dag kry ons skielik die Saterdag
middag af. En ou Niela raak aan die
slaap. So om en by 1600 lui die si-
rene…”Tree aan julle sleg bliksems”
skree ʼn Kpl.

Jaco Olivier het altyd uitgestaan… Almal tree aan en skielik besef ek dat
Basies 89, MlV, die troepe is besig ek in my ‘overall’ aan die slaap ger-
met basies en ek is een van hulle. Ek aak het. Ek lyk soos ʼn ‘Crincle Cut’
weeg 70Kg,(Hou op lag Jannie) en en Kpl Olivier is besig om in die gel-
ek sukkel om by te bly. Maar ek het id af te beweeg. Iets verskrikliks…..
ʼn droom wat binne my brand….ʼn Ek is op my einde, ek het genoeg ge-
droom om in 61 Meg te kan dien… had.” As hy sê ek moet rondrol en

132

Ondersteun asseblief die ondersteuners van die 61 MVV
Kindly support the supporters of 61 MVA

133

In die Desember uitgawe

Deel 2 van 61 Meg geskiedenis
Die Gedenknaald en sy toer tot 2022
Dekade van Skouerskuur
In my stewels
61 Meg deur die bril van die tydskrif Paratus

Administration

Email: [email protected]
Contacts: Johan Booysen
Manus Mybrgh
Robbert Torrani

Donations

Account Name: 61 Mech Battalion Group Veterans Association
Bank Name: Standard Band SA,
Universal Branch Code: 006305
Account Number: 00 329 366 1

134