The invaluable support that the joint force in the North West gave the SADC Standby Force, during its multi-national exercise called “Exercise Golfinho” was recognised at a medals and certificate function held in Mahikeng in the North West Province, on Thursday afternoon.
Fifteen members of the North West Road Traffic Management Unit, fourteen from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and seven members of the South African Police Service were awarded medals by the SANDF’s Major General, Mdutyana at the SANDF Joint Tactical North West headquarters.
General Mdutyana in appreciating that there were no hiccups during the operation except a breakdown that was attended to speedily; encouraged cooperation to grow from strength to strength.
Mdutyana in conveying message of gratitude to the medals recipients said spin-offs of the exercise include interoperability of SADC member states, building of confidence and readiness of the standby brigade.
North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Ms Desbo Mohono, echoed Mdutyana’s gratitude and urged members to wear their “ambassadorial” medals with pride and use the gained experience to strengthen joint operations.
Thirty-six members of the joint force who were led by the SANDF’s Provincial Commanding Officer, Colonel Nobadula, received medals for safely escorting forces from eleven SADC member states from Ramatlabama Border Post through the North West Province to South African Combat Training Centre at Lohatla, in the Northern Cape Province.
Member states that participated in the Peace Support Operation Field Training Exercise held as from 1-26 September 2009 were Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambigue, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia.
The objective of the exercise was to ensure the SADC’s Standby Force’s operational readiness in accordance with the African Union’s standby force’s roadmap.
Two civilian public servants, one from the Border Control Operational Coordinating Committee (BCOCC) and the other from North West Department of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison’s Media and Communications unit were awarded certificates of appreciation for coordination and communication support.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: (018) 391 0140
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: (018) 381 0328
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
North West Joint Force recognised for supporting Southern African Development Community (SADC) Standby Force
Province
