On 08 July, let us pause to remember these young men from our Generation who answered the Sunset call.
08 Jul 1961: P/8523 Air Sergeant Esias Johannes Oosthuizen from 42 Army Air Reconnaissance Squadron was grievously burned in a workshop fire at AFB Potchefstroom. He succumbed to his injuries in the Potchefstroom hospital later during the day. He was 49.
08 Jul 1979: 76340942BC Lance Corporal Gerhardus Johannes Jordaan from 2 Satellite Radar Station at Ellisras died from a gunshot wound accidentally sustained in a shooting incident at the R5 Repeater Station near Thabazimbi while on a two-week rotation to guard this National Key Point. He was 18.
08 Jul 1980: 72354061BG Corporal Pierre Babin from 1 Construction Regiment was killed after the vehicle he was driving, broke down between Omega and Chetto Base. While attempting to tow the vehicle, he lost control and the vehicle overturned, killing him instantly. He was 24.
08 Jul 1980: 76302306PE Lance Corporal Anton Renier Du Preez from Air Force Base Waterkloof was killed in a private motorcycle accident at the Waterkloof exit from the Pietersburg Highway. He was 19.
08 Jul 1981: 80880347SWH Rifleman T. Tjakuva from 102 Battalion SWATF died from Malaria contracted while serving in the Operational Area. He was 27.
08 Jul 1981: 76285311PE Sergeant Marius Havenga from 201 Battalion SWATF was accidentally killed at Epupa Falls after he dived into the water and struck his head on a submerged rock that broke his neck. His body was recovered from the river and the incident was reported two days later after one section of the patrol had returned on foot to Sodoliet. The remainder of the patrol remained with his body and only returned to Sodoliet after his body was flown back by Helicopter to the Base Surgical Hospital at AFB Ondangwa for processing. His Platoon was stationed at Sodoliet at the time of the incident and he had made a temporary TB at Epupa Falls as they were only due to resume their Patrol back to the Sodoliet Base the following day. He was 20.
08 Jul 1982: Two members of 102 Battalion SWATF were killed when their Buffel Troop Carrier overturned at Opuwa. The casualties were:
81954729SWH Rifleman Vegkurid Kuvari. He was 24.
81955924SWH Rifleman Katopora Tjiharukua. He was 25
08 Jul 1982: Two members from 201 Battalion SWATF were Killed when their Buffel Troop Carrier overturned near Omega. The casualties were:
80821200SP Rifleman T.A.S. Mesongo. He was 27
Rifleman Joas Masonga. He was 29.
08 Jul 1988: 84501352BG Rifleman Leon Volschenk from 4 SAI was critically wounded in the stomach on 30 June 1988 after being accidentally shot with a MAG Light Machine Gun during a fire and movement exercise at Oshivello. He was evacuated to 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria were he succumbed to his wounds on 08 July 1988. He was 20.
08 Jul 1998: 96066972 Corporal S Ngqaqu from 3 SAI died of disease in the Kimberley Sickbay. He was 25.
08 Jul 1998: 94828928 Lieutenant M J Ramasodi from 21 Battalion died of disease at Katlehong, He was 34.
Their names and sacrifices have not been forgotten