The 15th of June 2004 was a major date in the
history of the SA Navy. On that day the first of the new
Type 209 submarines (S101) was launched. Later in the
day the fourth Valour Class patrol corvette, SAS
Mendi, was officially named and contractually handed
over to the SA Navy.
In a colourful ceremony that afternoon Mrs Ruth
Mompati, the mayor of Vryburg, named the fourth corvette
'SAS Mendi'. After the handover and naming
ceremony, the ship commissioned and will now commence
with sea acceptance trials and work up. The ship will
undergo a safety inspection on completion of the work
up. Provided the SAS Mendi passes the inspection,
she will depart from Germany on 20 August.
The SAS Mendi will conduct port calls at Brest
(France) to embark stores and then proceed to Spain for
rest and recreation. On 2 September the ship will sail
for Simon's Town. The expected arrival in Simon's Town
is 17 September 2004.