On Friday 09 March the crew of S102
hosted a farewell function onboard SAS DRAKENSBERG (DKB).
The function was an opportunity for the OC S102, Cdr
Roland Shortt, and his crew to extend their heartfelt
appreciation to those parties involved in making S102
what she is today. Dignitaries who attended the function
included members of the German Navy, the German
Submarine Consortium, Project Wills staff members, S102
crew and invited members from DKB crew.
Cdr Shortt standing proud with his new submariners from
left PO Phaahla, Cpl Ramokgari and PO Mthethwa.
The OC DKB, Capt Charl Coetzee, opened
the function by welcoming all the members present. He
expressed his appreciation on a huge turnout of more
than 100 delegates from the various departments
mentioned above. On completion of his welcoming speech,
OC DKB handed over to Capt Jordaan, from Project Wills
to address the audience.
During his speech, Capt Jordaan stated,
“I would like to thank the crew for their hard work,
long hours and a lot of dedication during your time in
Germany. I can assure you that your hard work is only
now beginning, you now have to put into practice all
that you have learned. I trust that I can leave it to
you to hold the submarines name up high, we have a
reputation to uphold.”
A large number of delegates received
gifts from S102’s crew as a measure of showing
appreciation for the support that they have rendered
whilst S102 was in Emden. OC DKB and his crew were
thanked for sacrificing their time away from their loved
ones by escorting S102 to South Africa. OC’s DKB and
S102 exchanged ships crest thereby maintaining this
long-standing naval tradition.
The highlight of the function was
when Cdr Shortt presented three members of the S102 crew
with their Submarine Qualification Badges. No one
predicted that these members would be qualified in
Germany. This event was even more unique because for the
first time in the SA Navy’s history, a non-naval member
qualified as a submariner. This member was the SAMHS Ops
Medic, Cpl Ramokgari.
“No favors were made to qualify the
Corporal as a submariner, he went through the required
tests like any other Naval member.” said Cdr Shortt
before issuing the Corporal with a submarine badge.
Other members who qualified as
submariners were PO Pahla and PO Mthethwa. Well done to
the members for earning their submariners badges.
On Wednesday 14 March, the
commissioning ceremony of S102 will take place. On
Friday 16 March DKB and S102 will sail to Rota in Spain
for a short visit. Thereafter both vessels will head
south to Simons Town.
