07 April, let us pause to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
07 April 1977: 73299117BA Rifleman Johannes Stephanus Schannell from 11 Commando Regiment was killed in a hit and run accident in Bloemfontein. He was 19.
07 April 1978: 77894186SB Rifleman Hendrik De Klerk from 41 Battalion (Later 911 Battalion SWATF) was Killed in Action during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. He was 19.
07 April 1981: 77325314BG 2/Lieutenant Henry van Niekerk from 2 Field Engineer Regiment was killed in a private motor vehicle accident on the Bethlehem to Edenberg road. He was 19.
07 April 1984: 78368115BT Rifleman Daniel Stephanus Venter from 1 Parachute Battalion was Killed in Action in a landmine explosion during anti-insurgent follow-up operations just north of the Cut-line. He was 22.
07 April 1985: Special Sergeant Sakaria Naholo from the South West Africa Police Counter-Insurgency Wing: Ops-K Division (Koevoet) was Killed in Action during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents in Northern Owamboland. He was 32.
07 April 1985: 81199878BG Rifleman Willem Jacobus Du Randt from 3 SAI Oscar Company (Mortars) was Reported Missing on 07 April 1985 while swimming approximately 1 km below the Epupa Falls. He dived into the water and it appears that he may have hit his head on submerged rocks. He surfaced for a short while before disappearing under the water again. Despite an intensive search of the area, his body was never found. He has no known grave and remains unaccounted for. He was 20.
07 Apr 1991: 90710591HH Rifleman Mzama Nelson Luke from 21 Battalion had apparently gone to visit a friend after which he disappeared. His body was later discovered near the Merafe Hostel in Soweto. He had been shot by persons unknown. He was 26.
07 Apr 1998: 97064893 Signaler M S Motlhaku from the South African Corps of Signals died of disease in 1 Military Hospital. He was 23.
07 Apr 2001: 94781920PE Lance Corporal Lizile Majova from Group 6 was found at Kortein with a self-inflicted gunshot wound using his R4 Assault Rifle. He was 31.
Their names and sacrifices will not be forgotten.