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1st Modern Brigade (Mechanised)

The SANDF is a force with a small, employee heavy budget and ageing equipment. The threats faced by this conventional warfare force today are different to the threats of previous decades. The South African military is moving from conventional warfare to securing national borders and fighting insurgents. In 2021 the first South African Army Modern Brigade, designed to respond to modern threats such as asymmetric warfare, conducted Exercise Ukuthula at the Combat Training Centre at Lohatla ahead of the establishment of two more Modern Brigades. Nearly 4 800 personnel from 43 SA Brigade took part in Exercise Ukuthula at Northern Cape in November 2021, providing a chance for the SA Army to assess the status of combat readiness of the newly formed 1st Modern Brigade (Mechanised). A second Modern Brigade (Motorised) was being established in Bloemfontein and a third would be based in Pretoria.

On 08 June 2021, the Chief of the SA Army Lieutenant General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha delivered an opening address during session on a series of activities on the establishment of the Modern Brigade at the South African Combat Training Centre, in Lohatlha Military Area, popularly known as “the land of diesel and dust”, in Postmansburg, in the Northern Cape. The South African Combat Training Centre is the third largest military combat training area globally, with approximately 158 000 hectares of land, the biggest training in the southern hemisphere.

The Commandant of the Combat Training Centre, Brigadier General M.P. Mofokeng under the command of General Officer Commanding SA Army Training Formation, Brigadier General M.D. Madie welcomed the Chief of the South African Army and the SA Army command cadre (including senior officers and senior warrant officers of various SA Army Formations). The opening address by the Chief of the South African Army focused predominantly on the purpose of the establishment of the SA Army Modern Brigade. He briefly gave a conceptual framework of the Modern Brigade and the fact that its gradual development shall be dominated by a detailed planning process.

The Chief of South African Army did not mince his words in emphasising that General Officers Commanding are urgently required to ensure that concerted efforts and that the planning teams have to work around the clock in order to yield the best results. This shall in all instances be based on the South Army theme for the financial year 2021/2022 that is “To define and refine command and leadership as a critical success factor for the restoration of the dignity of the SA Army to its rightful glory”.

The Chief of the SA Army gave further guidelines regarding detailed information that should be provided by the relevant commanders and the planning staff in order to ensure that appropriate costing is done. The SA Army remains optimistic that the required financial resources would be made available at an appropriate time. This process shall mainly be driven by a constant threat analysis based on the fact that the SA Army is required in terms of its mandate; that is to provide combat-ready land forces for the pursuance of national defence and the prevention of war in order to jointly achieve both national and regional security goals. Furthermore, collaboratively promote national, regional and international peace and stability in honouring international obligations.

On 06 July 2021, the Acting Chief of the SA Army Major General S.G. Hlongwa, delivered an opening address during the session that focused briefly on the comparative analysis in order to scrutinise progress made on the Modern Brigade. The Commandant of the Combat Training Centre, Brigadier General M.P. Mofokeng as the host, under the command of General Officer Commanding SA Army Training Formation, Brigadier General M.D. Madie warmly welcomed the Acting Chief of the South African Army and the SA Army Command Cadre (including senior officers and senior warrant officers of various SA Army Formations). The opening address by the Acting Chief of the South African Army focused predominantly on the progress made on the establishment of the SA Army Modern Brigade.

The Acting Chief of the South African Army commenced in terms of military protocol by stating clearly that what began as an insurmountable task had become more attainable. This significant progress is due to days and weeks of hard and smart work by determined and dedicated teams that have demonstrated commitment to going the extra mile. He did not mince his words in emphasising that General Officers Commanding have to give attention to details and move with a responsible speed towards the end-state. This had to be done in order to ensure that well-thought-out and required levels of preparation in relation to combat readiness requirements are met. This shall in all instances be based on the South Army Theme that is to “To define and refine command and leadership as a critical success factor for the restoring of the dignity of the SA Army to its rightful glory”.

The Acting Chief of the SA Army gave further guidelines regarding detailed information that should be provided by the relevant commanders and the planning staff in order to ensure that the appropriate costing is done. The SA Army remains optimistic that the required financial resources would be made available at an appropriate time. This process shall mainly be driven by a constant threat analysis based on the fact that the SA Army is required in terms of its mandate; that is to provide combat-ready land forces for the pursuance of national defence and the prevention of war in order to jointly achieve both national and regional security goals. Furthermore, collaboratively promote national, regional and international peace and stability in honouring international obligations.

In a nutshell, at the conclusion of the session, the Acting Chief of the SA Army commended and conveyed the C Army`s appreciation to the General Officers Commanding, Commanders, Staff Officers and Warrant Officers of various Formations for the concerted efforts they have put in. Indeed, it is well-deserving that the willingness and enthusiasm by members could not miss the eye.