THE PASSING-OUT CEREMONY OF THE OFFICER FORMATIVE TRAINING COURSE OF

THE UNIVERSITY RESERVE TRAINING PROGRAMME (URTP): POTCHEFSTROOM

When several hundred curious university students attended a SANDF recruitment campaign

launched on the campuses of five universities in Gauteng and North West during 2013, they

probably did not anticipate that in 21 months’ time a number of them would become full-fledged

soldiers and proud members of the SANDF Reserve Force.

Following the recruitment campaign in April 2013, 123 applicants were selected and appointed

in the SANDF (Reserves) with the view of bringing their professional academic qualifications

and leadership skills to the SANDF. These young men and women – from the Universities of

Pretoria, Johannesburg, The Witwatersrand, North West,Tshwane University of Technology and

UNISA - have sacrificed their university recess periods to undergo military training which was

presented by Regiment Mooirivier (RMR) and the SA Army Gymnasium at 4 Artillery Regiment,

Potchefstroom.

The training culminated on 15 December 2014 when senior officers, several Regimental

Sergeant Majors and family members and friends attended the final passing-out ceremony of

the 97 remaining members of the course – all now Candidate Officers in the SANDF.

The event started at the parade ground where male and female squads individually gave a

sterling drill performance. The precision, with which these young soldiers displayed their skills in

a well-choreographed action-filled display, reflected disciplined teamwork which filled the

the sandfDepartment:DefenceREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

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Junior officers of the 2008 URTP Pilot course

observe the progress made with the programme

since the completion of their training

Relatives and friends admire the disciplined

drill display of the the URTP male and

female squads

parents and family members with pride. The joyful ululations and applause of the audience was

a clear indication of the appreciation and admiration that the spectators had for the disciplined

transformation that took place in the general bearing of these young South Africans.

Drill display by the male and female squads

and URTP members join in a mass choir

performance

The remainder of the ceremony presented by the Officer Commanding RMR, Maj Heinko Stark,

was an “in-house parade” which took place in the mess hall. The functionary at the parade was

Brigadier General (Dr) W. J. Wagner, Commandant of the SANDF COLET.

(Photo 9 & 10)

Brig Gen Wagner (Dr) presented awards for special achievements to the following members:

Honourary Sable for Best Student: CO (Miss) J.M.M. Modisenyane

Best Academic Student: CO B. None

Best Practical Student: CO C. Smit

Best Disciplined Student: CO M.N. Kuntwane

Neatest Student: CO L. Mokoena

Brig Gen A. Retief (GOC SA Army Armour

Fmn), Brig Gen A.N.C. Maminze (Dir

SAMHS Reserves) and other Senior SANDF

Officers during the reading of the Code of

Conduct

URTP members during the reading of the

Code of Conduct for uniform members

CO (Miss) J.M.M. Modisenyane (3rd year

student Bsc Actuarial & Financial

Mathematics, University of Pretoria) receives

the honorary sable as the best student on

the course

Thirty three Chief Defence Reserves Commendation Certificates were awarded to various

GOCs, Unit Commanders and individuals for the role they have played in presenting and

supporting the URTP course in Potchefstroom.

Brig Gen (Dr) Wagner then addressed the audience. Firstly he expressed his sincere

condolences to the family, comrades in arms and the regiment with the passing on of CO

Mlindazwe of the URTP course on 6 December 2014.

He inter alia said “My message today to you, future officers, is never to stop training yourself

and your soldiers. Train before a mission, train during the mission if you can and, when you

return to base, start training afresh. Remember the words of a great soldier “The best form of

welfare for the troops, is first-class training”.

In conclusion he congratulated the members on parade for the successful conclusion of the third

Officer Formative Training course of the University Reserve Training Programme and bid the

men and women on parade a successful and fruitful career as the future officers in the SANDF.

Staff members of Regiment Mooi Rivier

receive Chief Defence Reserves

Commendation Certificates from Brig Gen

(Dr) Wagner for the services they have

rendered during the presentation of the

URTP course

After the parade Brig Gen, Abel Maminze, Director SAMHS Reserves had time with his SAHMS

group updating them on SAMHS Reserve matters, the way forward and encouraging them to

persevere with their military careers.

The successful parade drew to a close with a luncheon.

The URTP is an element in the plan to transform, revitalize and rejuvenate the Reserves. The

recruitment of the university students and their appointment in the Reserves will eventually

enhance the professional capacity of the Reserve Force.

Brig Gen (Dr) W.J. Wagner (Commandant of

SANDF COLET) addresses the recipients of

awards, URTP members and guests

A proud Brig Gen A.N.C. Maminze (Dir

SAMHS Reserves) with the SAMHS

members after the passing-out ceremony.

CO B. None (right front) was awarded the

trophy for the best academic performance

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