The Defence Works Formation was officially established on 1 April 2011 to provide a cost-effective solution to perform facility management and maintenance services for the Department of Defence immovable assets.
A colourful parade will take place on Friday 1st June 2012, constituting a very visible symbol identity change for the Defence Works Formation. During this parade, Lieutenant General J.T. Nkonyane will present the new Defence Works Formation flags and emblem to the Defence Works Formation. This will be the largest number of flags to be unveiled at one time since the unveiling of the SA National Defence Force Flag. In all eleven flags will be presented.
This event will start at 09h00 and is to take place at the Defence Works Formation at corner Van Riebeeck and Paul Kruger streets in Thaba Tshwane.
Description of Defence Works Feormation emblems and flags:
The Defence Works Formation resides under the Logistic Division. To reflect the membership to the Logistic Division the same green and yellow colours are in the design as well as the chain around the outside of the emblems and flags.
The central elements in the Defence Works Formation designs are inspired by the functions of the Formation:
- The spade represents earth works and construction.
- The pickaxe was inspired by the Dolabra of the Ancient Roman Legions where this tool was used not only to dig but also to fell trees and shape timber in the construction of Roman camps and fortifications. Thus representing both civilian and military construction.
- The trowel represents those functions of the Formation related to building work.
- The lightning flash represents those functions of the Formation related to electrical work.
The Defence Works Formation Headquarters Unit has the crossed swords at the top of the design, as do all SANDF Formation headquarters.
The castellated border belongs to the Defence Works Formation Construction Unit, the design was inspired by the battlements of a castle and represent the involvement in major construction works.
The rising sun represents the Works Training School providing the light of knowledge.
The Regional Works Units designs are distinguished by elements which are derived from provincial coat of arms or elements which are traditionally associated with the location of the unit.
- Regional Works Unit Eastern Cape has an elephant
- Regional Works Unit Free State has a cheetah paw print
- Regional Works Unit Gauteng has a bee
- Regional Works Unit KwaZulu-Natal has a Christmas star
- Regional Works Unit Northern Cape has the Kimberley Diamond
- Regional Works Unit Northern West has a mealie
- Regional Works Unit Limpopo has a boabab tree
- Regional Works Unit Mpumalanga has the head of a kudu buck
- Regional Works Unit Western Cape has purple grapes
