16 December, let us pause to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
16 Dec 1963: P51393 Able Seaman Johannes Hendrik Jordaan from SAS President Steyn was critically injured in a private motor vehicle accident between Colesberg and Philippolis. He was admitted to the Bloemfontein Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. He was 23.
16 Dec 1975: 05473350E Staff Sergeant Gerhardus Rudolf Posthumus from the Administrative Services Corps attached to 81 Technical Stores Depot died from anaemia in 1 Military Hospital. He was 40.
16 Dec 1978: 78012101PE Corporal Anthony Patrick Doran from 5 Military Works Unit was killed in a private motor vehicle accident on the Ben Schoeman Highway. He was 47.
16 Dec 1979: 75573576BG Rifleman Arrie Zagarias Greyling from 5 SAI was Killed in Action when an enemy mortar bomb exploded near him during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents in Northern Owamboland. He was 20.
16 Dec 1982: 75438010BG Signaler Daniel Andries Barnard from 2 Signal Regiment was killed in a private motor vehicle accident, in Pretoria. He was 23.
16 Dec 1985: Six civilians were killed while on a game drive on a farm near Messina when their vehicle detonated a Czechoslovakian Pt-Mi-Ba-III Anti-Tank Mine laid by MK Operatives as part of Ops Cetswayo. The casualties in this incident were:
Mrs Kobie van Eck. She was 34.
Master Ignatius van Eck. His body was never found. He has no known grave and remains unaccounted for. He was 2.
Miss Nelmarie van Eck. She was 9.
Mrs Marie Denysschen. She was 59.
Master Kobus Denysschen. Critically injured and grievously burned in the explosion and died shortly afterwards. He was 3
Miss Karna Denysschen. She was 9.
16 Dec 1993: 89377501PK Lieutenant Lawrence Richard Prinsloo from Infantry School died of injuries sustained in a private motor vehicle accident on the road between Kimberley and Hopetown. He was 20.
16 Dec 1998: 94673456 Private B A Fihla from the Lentz Military Base was shot dead in Klerksdorp by persons unknown. He was 26.
16 Dec 1998: 93748176 Rifleman R S Nene from 11 SAI died of disease at Ndumu. He was 36.
Their names and sacrifices will not be forgotten.