27 March, let us pause to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
27 Mar 1968: 01204205E Captain Andries Jacobus Mouton from the Air Operations School was killed when his De Havilland Vampire T-55 Mk II, Serial No.225 was involved in a mid-air collision with a Canadair C13L Sabre, Serial No. 358 piloted by Lt Liebenberg of 1 Squadron near Pietersburg. He was 29. The Vampire Flying instructor, Captain G.R. Whitehead successfully ejected and landed safely. The Sabre aircraft returned to Base and landed safely at AFB Pietersburg.
27 Mar 1979: Rifleman Dixon Njunge from 201 Battalion SWATF was accidentally shot dead by a fellow soldier during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents in Northern Owamboland. He was 22.
27 Mar 1981: 80630189CK Rifleman Daniel Johannes Louw from the South African Cape Corps was killed at M'pacha after suffering a fatal gunshot wound resulting from an accidental discharge of a fellow soldiers rifle. He was 20.
27 Mar 1983: Three members from the South West Africa Police Counter-Insurgency Wing: Ops-K Division (Koevoet) were Killed in Action during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents in Northern Owamboland. They were:
Special Sergeant Edward Mutuku. He was 29.
Special Constable Matheus Funet. He was 24.
Special Constable Johannes Muyongo. He was 25.
27 Mar 1986: 82557893BG Rifleman Nico Kleinloog from Infantry School was killed in a private motor vehicle accident at Verkeerdevlei. He was 19.
27 Mar 1987: 83886317SWH Rifleman Manuel Maundu from 102 Battalion SWATF was Killed in Action during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents near the Cut-Line. He was 22.
27 Mar 1989: 85413102BG Private George Frederick Leonard from the Air Force Gymnasium was accidentally killed when he was struck by the overhead train at Sun City while on a weekend pass. He was 19.
Their names and sacrifices will not be forgotten.