14 May , we pause to remember these young men and women from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
14 May 1976: 72348022BC 2/Lieutenant Lionel John Kidson from 6 SAI was critically injured when his Unimog overturned on the “Wit Pad” close to Eenhana. The 6 SAI convoy was being deployed to Nkongo when the accident occurred. He and the other injured soldiers were airlifted to the Grootfontein Hospital where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries during the night. He was 19.
14 May 1980: Three members from 8 SAI were killed and one member critically wounded after suffering multiple shrapnel wounds in an accidental M26 hand grenade explosion at Okalongo in Northern Owamboland. They were:
75560755BG Lance Corporal Andre David Naude. He was 21.
77452993BG Rifleman Frederick Engelbrecht. He was 18.
78447562BG Rifleman Willem Johannes Landman. He was 20
76375658BG Rifleman Glen Andrew Paul was evacuated to 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria but sadly Died of Wounds on 15 May 1980.
14 May 1982: 80670649KC Rifleman Andre Jodt from the South West Africa Territory Force Gymnasium was killed in a military vehicle accident. He was 29.
14 May 1986: 70557797KV Staff Sergeant Jan Carl Bergh from the Soutpansberg Commando was killed in a private motor vehicle accident while on his way to the Unit Headquarters after being called up for duty during the state of emergency. He was 42.
14 May 1987: Rifleman L. Emmanuel from 201 Battalion SWATF was Killed in Action during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents in Northern Owamboland. He was 24.
14 May 1992: 05236740PE Warrant Officer Class I William Francois Nortje from 97 Ammunition Depot collapsed and died after suffering a fatal heart attack at his home. . He was 59.
14 May 1994: 10738227KD Rifleman (Mrs) Robertha Yvonne Maritz from the Theunissen Commando was shot dead by a disgruntled soldier during an argument at the Unit. She was 49.
14 May 1994: 92679083PY Bombadier Petrus Pakiso Seretsi from the School of Artillery was killed in a private motorcycle accident on the Klerksdorp to Potchefstroom Road. He was 24.
14 May 1997: Two members from 1 Construction Regiment were killed in a military motor vehicle accident. The casualties were:
91654004PY Sapper M E Mokalodise. He was 24
90710625PY Sapper G M Motsepe. He was 26
14 May 1998: 94740966PY Signaler T R Maphathe from 1 Signal Regiment died of disease in the Baragwanath Hospital. He was 23.
14 May 1998: 10955060PY Rifleman S P Tshabalala from the 21 Battalion was killed at Vryheid after being fatally shot by persons unknown. He was 25.
Their names and sacrifices will not be forgotten.