25 September, let us pause for a minute to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
25 Sep 1964: P/18727 Corporal Johannes David Kriel, an Air Photographer attached to 22 Flight (Later 22 Squadron) was Reported Missing while documenting "Operation Flaminkdans", the welcoming of the South African Navy Frigate SAS President Pretorius into South African waters. The Westland Wasp Helicopter, Serial No. 86 in which he was flying, suffered engine failure and crashed into Table Bay, 7 miles West of Dassen Island. He has no known grave and remains unaccounted for. He was 25.
25 Sep 1981: 80670391CK Rifleman Frederick Hikab from the South African Cape Corps, attached to Sector 30 Headquarters SWATF was accidentally killed when his Buffel Troop Carrier overturned during a patrol in the Etosha Game Reserve. He was 22.
25 Sep 1985: 77526291BG Rifleman Anton Botha from Infantry School was critically injured in a private motor vehicle accident between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn on 23 Sep 1985. He was transferred to the Tygerberg Hospital where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries on 25 September 1985. He was 24.
25 Sep 1987: 85332369BG Private Adriaan Jacobus Naude from 1 Maintenance Unit was electrocuted and died instantly when he accidentally touched overhead High Tension Cables while standing on the rear of a military truck assisting to off-load supplies at the Modder River Station, South of Kimberley. He was 18.
25 Sep 1987: 86202983BG Lance Corporal Herman Adolf Oosthuizen from 1 Reconnaissance Regiment attached to Fort Doppies was killed in a military vehicle accident while engaged in anti-insurgency operations in South Eastern Angola. He was 26.
Their names and sacrifice have not been forgotten.