01 January, let us pause to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
01 Jan 1964: P1/49701 Lieutenant Johannes Stephanus Steenkamp Enslin from 28 Squadron was critically injured when he accidentally fell from the 2nd floor balcony of the Edward Hotel during New Year’s Eve celebrations. He succumbed to his injuries in 1 Military Hospital later that evening. He was 41.
01 Jan 1974: 70462819BA Rifleman Stefan de Villiers from 1 SAI was killed in a private motor vehicle accident in Bloemfontein. He was 20.
01 Jan 1975: Two members from 1 Special Service Battalion were killed in a private motor vehicle accident. The casualties were:
72665851BA Trooper Leon Anthony Anderson. He was 18.
72657391BA Trooper Alwyn Albertus Lombard. He was 18.
01 Jan 1976: Sergeant Costa Da Silva from 32 Battalion died from unknown causes. He was 36.
01 Jan 1977: Rifleman Joao Joaquim from 32 Battalion was Killed in Action in a landmine explosion during operations against enemy forces in Southern Angola. He was 31.
01 Jan 1977: 69360642PE Lance Corporal Geoffrey Allan Lawrie from 1 Reconnaissance Commando (Renamed 1 Reconnaissance Regiment in 1981) was Killed in Action during Ops Seiljag 1 after receiving a single gunshot wound to the chest during an assault together with 32 Battalion Elements on a SWAPO/PLAN Base near Omunduangilo, North of Beacon 28. He was 23.
01 Jan 1977: Two members from 101 Battalion SWATF were Killed in Action during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. They were:
Rifleman Thomas Amalati. He was 26.
Rifleman Joao Mathias. He was 25.
01 Jan 1977: Rifleman P. Paulo from 32 Battalion was killed in a military motor vehicle accident near Bagani. He was 32.
01 Jan 1978: Sergeant Henry Daniel from 32 Battalion died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while stationed at Nkongo. He was 39.
01 Jan 1978: 74297636BG Rifleman Hermanus Barend Fourie from 3 SAI was killed in a private motor vehicle accident. He was 19.
01 Jan 1980: Rifleman Joaó Kambinda from 32 Battalion died from unknown causes at Buffalo Base. He was 35.
01 Jan 1981: 76258771BG Gunner Marius Jacobus Meyer from 14 Field Regiment was killed when he was knocked down by a civilian motor vehicle while walking in Botha’s Park, Mountain View in Pretoria. He was 20.
01 Jan 1983: 71357800BT Sapper David Batten from 97 Ammunition Depot collapsed and died after suffering a fatal heart attack at the Unit. He was 27.
01 Jan 1984: 79352985BG Airman Johannes Hendrik Kok from Air Logistics Command was killed in a military vehicle accident at Ondangwa Town. He was 20.
01 Jan 1991: Sergeant Willie Kruger from Air Force Base Swartkop collapsed and died after suffering a fatal heart attack. He was 26.
01 Jan 1992: 92662584PV Rifleman Paulus Malesela Matlakala from 116 Battalion was Killed in Action when he shot dead by persons unknown while standing guard duty at Messina. He was 24.
01 Jan 1994: 77657419PE Warrant Officer Class II Kiedoe Swartz from 9 SAI died from stomach cancer at his home in Eersterivier. He was 37.
01 Jan 1994: 93660173PK Rifleman Bernard Maditsi Lekalakala from 115 Battalion was Killed in Action when he was shot dead by persons unknown while manning a road block at Vosloorus. He was 20.
01 Jan 1997: Five members from 44 Parachute Regiment were killed in a Military Vehicle Accident at Isingolweni when the Mamba vehicle in which they were traveling as passengers, overturned. The casualties were:
94811718PE Corporal S.S. Maqina. He was 28.
93730984PE Rifleman Abram Welile Zumane. He was 24.
93726628PV Rifleman Matthew Damon Seekoei. He was 23.
93724722PV Rifleman R.J. Mohui. He was 25.
93728228PV Rifleman J.M. Msuthwana. He was 25.
01 Jan 1998: 87285086PV Sergeant Hermanus Johannes Jacobus Kotze from Natal Command died in the St. Augustyn Hospital in Durban after suffering critical head injuries in a private motor vehicle accident in Durban. He was 28.
01 Jan 1998: 95748737 Able Seaman M. Mazingi from Naval Base Simonstown was shot dead at Strandfontein by persons unknown. He was 23.
01 Jan 1998: 92096635 Rifleman I. Molezi from 3 SAI was killed in a military motor vehicle accident in Beaconsfield. He was 29.
01 Jan 1998: 95077897 Rifleman S. Shandu from 121 Battalion was shot dead at Kwa Mashu by persons unknown. He was 24.
01 Jan 2000: 7864631CA Mrs Carol Anne Herbst a Civilian employee employed by the SADF and working at the Umkomaas Commando was shot dead at the Unit by a disgruntled soldier using his R4 Rifle during an argument concerning a pay dispute. She was 44.
Their names and sacrifices will not be forgotten.