The SA Navy bids farewell to a true officer and a gentleman

Article by Cdr P.G. van den Berg
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Flag Officer Commanding Naval Base Simon’s Town. One of the most demanding commands in the South African Navy, and for close to 12 years it has been synonymous with one man, R Adm (JG) Jacobus Everhardus “Koos” Louw. On 16 July 2012 there was a change of command parade where the telescope of command was handed out to the new Flag Officer Commanding Naval Base Simon’s Town, Rear Admiral (JG) David Maningi Mkhonto.


R. Adm (JG) J.E. Louw handing over the telescope to R. Adm (JG) D.M. Mkhonto

Although the parade had to be held indoors due to the weather, hundreds of colleagues, subordinates, friends and family members was in attendance to wish both Admiral Louw well on his retirement and Admiral Mkhonto on his new command. In his speech, Admiral Louw praised the officers, warrant officers and sailors of Naval Base Simon’s Town for always going the extra mile to support the Navy’s Ships at sea. This was often done in trying circumstances and with not enough people staffed in the required posts. He also thanked his wife Joke for all her support and the way in which she raised their three sons, with him often not at home. He said to her; “My CV, is your CV, is our CV”.



R. Adm (JG) Louw being pulled past the syncrolift

R. Adm (JG) Louw being pulled through the dockyard

On conclusion of the parade the members on parade lined the roadway from the Firestation to the ICE workshop at the Drydock. Admiral Louw then took up his seat on the Ceremonial Gun Carriage and was pulled by Officers from Naval Base Simon’s Town, supported by Warrant Officers at the back. As the procession passed the various workshops in the Dockyard, he was fondly greeted by Armscor Dockyard members, some of which he has known and worked with for many years.



Inspection being conducted

Members on parade
   


R Adm (JG) Louw and his family with the portrait

The artist Captain Tim Johnson (Ret), with R Adm (JG) Louw

At the ICE workshop there was a feast prepared by the Naval Base Simon’s Town Catering Section for all guests and members who attended the parade. This was also the opportunity for the new Flag Officer Commanding Naval Base Simon’s Town, R Adm (JG) Mkhonto, to welcome the guests and to present gifts from the Naval Base to “Oom Koos”, R Adm (JG) Louw. The gifts included a Lighthouse made especially for the occasion by SANAD (thanks to Capt Riedewaan Semaar) and a painting by the renowned artist Captain Tim Johnson (Retired).

Capt Johnson (Ret) explained how he painted Adm Louw, and said that he wanted to capture the hardworking ethos of a man that was always willing to roll up his sleeves and tackle the next project. He has known Admiral Koos Louw for 37 years and was humbled to be in a position to immortalise him on canvas. Thanks must also go to Shaun Lawrence of Liberty Life who sponsored this painting on behalf of Naval Base Simon’s Town.


R. Adm (JG) J.E. Louw giving his speech

We would like to wish Admiral Louw all the best for the next phase in his life and trust that it will exceed all of his expectations. We would also like to wish Admiral Mkhonto the very best for his period in command of Naval Base Simon’s Town.

Curriculum Vitae of Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) David Maningi Mkhonto

Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) David Maningi Mkhonto was born on 05 May 1969 in Mbuzini in Mpumalanga. He joined Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) the military wing of the African National Congress in 1988. He received his training in Swaziland and Mozambique and became an internal operative. He further successfully completed the Junior Tactics, Squad Drill and Section Weapons Instructors Course in Dr Hugo Nkabinde Training Base in Goma, Uganda.

He thereafter served as an instructor in the Uganda Armed Forces until 1994 where he was deployed in the different departments within the base including Engineering and Education.

In July 1994, after the integration of the forces, he did Basic Training Orientation Course in SAS SALDANHA. Thereafter he started his apprenticeship in SAS WINGFIELD – North link Technical College and qualified four years later as a Mechanical Fitter Machinery Ships MF (MACH) SHP. He managed to achieve his National N6 Diploma in 1998.

He was drafted onboard SAS SHAKA and thereafter SAS GALESHEWE and served onboard until the end of the first quarter 2000. He started his Officers Course in April 2000 in the SA Naval College in Gordon’s Bay. Upon finishing the officer’s course, he applied to become a Naval Technical Officer in the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He started studying in 2001 and successfully obtained his National Diploma S4 in Mechanical Engineering in 2003.

In November 2003 he was appointed as an Assistant Marine Engineering Officer onboard SAS ADAM KOK until the end of 2005. During the same year he successfully completed his Junior Staff and Warfare course in the Naval Staff College in Muizenberg.

In September 2005 until December 2007, he was seconded to ARMSCOR to become the Assistant Project Officer for Project WILLS in Germany. He was appointed and delegated to head the South African Submarine Project Office in Emden where SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE and SAS QUEEN MODJADJI 1 were built.

In January 2008, he started his Joint Senior Command and Staff Programme in South African National War College in Tshwane. He successfully completed the National Diploma in: Joint and Multi-National Operations.

In February 2009, he was appointed as Officer Commanding Fleet Maintenance Unit (FMU) Simon’s Town. FMU is the SA Navy’s second line and quick reaction upkeep capability under functional control of Director Fleet Logistics.

In July 2009, he was appointed as Project Officer Project XENA. Project XENA was responsible to upgrade the equipment used by the Maritime Reaction Squadron. R Adm (JG) Mkhonto was appointed as Flag Officer Commanding Naval Base Simon’s Town on 01 April 2012.

R Adm (JG) D.M. Mkhonto holds a B-Tech Degree in Project Management; a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, a National Diploma in Joint and Multi-National Operations; a Senior Management Programme Certificate from the Tshwane University of Technology; a Certificate in Security Sector Reforms from the Peace Mission Training Centre in Tshwane and a Certificate in International Defence Acquisition from the Resource Management Program in Monterey, USA.

Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) D.M. Mkhonto has been awarded the following medals:

  • MK/APLA External Operation in the Southern Africa Medal.
  • MK/APLA Internal Operation in the Southern Africa Medal
  • Unitas Medal
  • Twenty Year Good Service Medal
  • Ten Year Good Service Medal

R Adm (JG) Mkhonto is married to Zethu Thwala. He has three children, Larry Mkhonto, Hlumisa Ncoko and Siyabonga Mkhonto.