hisPublication: defenceTHINK Issued: Date: 2006-04-07 Reporter: Leon Engelbrecht

SA Submarine Named SAS Manthatisi

 

Publication 

defenceTHINK!
Date 2006-04-07

Reporter

Leon Engelbrecht

Web Link

www.businessday.co.za

 

S101, South Africa's new submarine that arrived home on Friday, has been named the "Manthatisi" after a Batlokwa chieftainess, defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota announced on Friday.

Lekota said Cabinet decided that the submarines will be named after South African heroines.

"This year is the 50th anniversary of the Women's March against pass laws in 1956. In order to celebrate this historic occasion .. the S101 will be named 'Manthatisi'. Chieftainess Manthatisi was a gallant fighter of the Batlokwa clan. I am pleased to announce that Chief Lekunutu Mmota of the Batlokwa is with us here today to grace the occasion," Lekota said at a ceremonyy marking the end of the boat's 49-day delivery cruise from Germany.

Lekota also reminded the ship's company in particular and the Navy in general of the boat's role.

"To the Chief of the Navy and the SA Navy in general, and to the officer commanding and crew of S101 whose special day this is in particular, I would like to remind you of the following: Your readiness is key if the department is to succeed in its support to Government's diplomatic initiatives to help eradicate conflicts in the region and continent as well as contributing meaningfully to the Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA).

"As I have already mentioned, the SANDF (SA National Defence Force) is contributing a large number of its members to peacekeeping missions of the African Union and the United Nations. We do this because we are convinced that our peace, security and stability as well as our economic prosperity is linked to that of the region and the continent," Lekota said.

"Working with our neighbours in the region, South Africa is, and will always be ready, to play a role in support of democracy and democratic processes in the region and continent.

"Your commander in chief, President Thabo Mbeki, myself, the Secretary for Defence, the chief of the SA National Defence Force, General Godfrey Ngwenya, and the country, are confident that the crew will utilize the submarine .. professionally, efficiently and effectively.

"It is with these sentiments therefore that I charge you all to continue with the excellent service you have been rendering to our country. To S101, I welcome you to the fleet with the knowledge that you are fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. I commend you on your achievements thus far and wish S101 many successful deployments and a long and illustrious career in the service of both the SA Navy and the people of our country," Lekota said.

South Africa ordered three Class 209 Type 1400 MOD diesel-electric submarines together with the associated logistic support products, services and equipment including simulators, test equipment, training, documentation and spares in 1999.

In addition, in order to ensure the effective transfer of technology and the ability for the new submarines to be locally supported, a resident in-country support team will be based in Simon's Town for a five-year period.

The submarines replace three French-built Daphne class submarines in use since the 1970s and retired in 2003.

The submarines, known as the Spear class from 1999 were known as the SAS Maria van Riebeeck, SAS Johanna van der Merwe and SAS Emily Hobhouse, arguably all Afrikaner heroines.

The Manthatisi's first captain, Commander Gary Brian Kretschmer, was appointed the officer commanding of the SAS Assegaai - the former Johanna van der Merwe - on April 30, 2003.

"I had the privilege of being the last officer commanding of a Daphne class submarine and have the privilege of being the first officer commanding of the Navy's new Class 209 submarine," Kretschmer said in a Navy press release.

Kretschmer joined the Navy in 1981, initially as a rating.

He became an officer in 1988 and attended the Kommandanten Lehergang, the German Navy's submarine officer commanding's course from January 2002.

During this tough course, he had to command a German submarine and crew, with confidence, in German.

With acknowledgements to Leon Engelbrecht and defenceTHINK!