Project Sea Shield - Promotion of the Navy Reserves to the Private Sector

Article and photos by WO1 Manny Gounden

On 11 July 2009 SAS MENDI, SAS AMATOLA and SAS GALESHEWE arrived in Durban after completing fleet force preparation exercises to support Project Sea Shield.

The purpose of Project Sea Shield was to promote the Reserve Component of the SA Navy to potential employers within the private sector, members of the public and principals and senior learners of secondary schools.

Schools from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, the business community, and prefects from Durban, Mpumalanga and Gauteng accepted the invitation to attend. The guests boarded SAS AMATOLA to spend some time at sea.


Learners, educators, principals with members of the SA Navy

Chief of the SA Navy, Vice-Admiral Refiloe Mudimu, welcomed the guests and took the opportunity to meet and greet every guest on board, which was followed by a photo opportunity.

Also on board to support the project and interact with the guests was Director Fleet Force Preparation (DFFP), Rear-Admiral (JG) Karl Wiesner, Officer Commanding SAS MENDI, Captain Jimmy Schutte, and Officer Commanding SAS SPIOENKOP, Captain Chris Manig.

In his address Vice-Admiral Mudimu said: “Distinguished guests, allow me to recount some of the South African Navy’s achievements over the past year. Since last year the South African Navy has charted its way through many highlights that have been achieved both at home and abroad. We have continued to keep our ships and submarines at sea, training and qualifying our young men and women and continued to forge our way forward in improving co-operation and relations on the international, continental, regional and national levels. All four of our MEKO VALOUR Class frigates, SAS AMATOLA, SAS ISANDLWANA, SAS MENDI and SAS SPIOENKOP have undertaken extended deployments throughout the world. They have participated in multi-national exercises and made port calls in Africa, South America, Europe and the Far East.”

Vice-Admiral Johannes Mudimu with Head Boy & Head Girl from Westville Boys and Girls High School, Shanthi Singh and Russell Clark / Vice-Admiral Johannes Mudimu, Sinenhlanhla Zondo, Nhlakanipho & the principal, Colin Neal from Alexandra High School

On the Military Skills Development System (MSDS) Vice-Admiral commented: “The MSDS programme is an excellent opportunity for young South Africans to gain valuable experience and exposure to face the challenges of the future. I invite the young guests here to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Vice-Admiral Mudimu concluded; “Enjoy your day at sea and watch what our young men and woman are capable of doing on this magnificent ship that belongs to the people of South Africa.”

Chief Director Maritime Strategy, Rear-Admiral Bernard Teuteberg, also welcomed the guests and in his address said: “Today is a highlight in our naval calendar. It is an important opportunity to forge new partnerships, and to renew and strengthen existing relationships between our Navy and the leaders of our business, industrial and educational sectors.”

Rear-Admiral Teuteberg further added that the Navy prides itself on being a “People’s Navy”, a Navy that consists of men and women drawn from every sector of our society, and representing South Africa in all its diversity.”

On the subject of team work, Rear-Admiral Teuteberg strongly emphasised the essence of team work: “Navies are team-based organizations, where the whole must always be far stronger than any of the parts, and where the whole cannot function with out the commitment of every part.”

Rear-Admiral Teuteberg introduced Rear-Admiral (JG) Ernest Penzhorn as the person who heads the Naval Reserves.

Just before SAS AMATOLA sailed, Vice-Admiral Mudimu said goodbye to everyone and disembarked.

Chief Director Martime Strategy, Rear-Admiral Bernie Teuteberg & Mr Vijay Maharaj, CEO Caxton Newspaper Group / Director of Naval Reserves, Rear-Admiral (JG) Ernest Penzhorn, interviewed by Barbara Cole of the Daily News & Zain Aberdeen of the Weekly Gazette
Cdr Prince Tshabalala addresses learners on board SAS AMATOLA / Director Fleet Force Preparation, Rear-Admiral (JG) Karl Wiesner, and Head Girl of Pinetown High School, Riola Kok

Riola Kok (17), Head Girl from Pinetown Girls High, said: “This is really new to me. I live in Pinetown and it is unheard of that the people in my community speak of joining the Navy. From the speakers here today I have learned much more of the navy than I ever imagined. The naval officers spoke with sincerity and dedication. It is an excellent opportunity for school leavers to grab this opportunity if they want gap years before going into full-time study.”

When SAS AMATOLA arrived alongside and Sinenhlanhla Zando, the Head Girl from Alexandra High, was asked if she would like to join the MSDS Programme, she said: “It is an excellent opportunity for any young boy or girl to use the opportunity. I want to say thank you to the navy for inviting us over here and to sail with the ship. I have gained a lot from this experience. For me I want to go to medical school and pursue my dream to become a doctor.”

At sea, group tours were conducted between decks for the visitors. On the upper deck the guests witnessed a crash stop by SAS AMATOLA. A replenishment at sea (RAS) exercise with a high-speed sail past by SAS GALESHEWE was an opportunity for the guests to see what our men and ships are capable of doing.

An added bonus was when the SA Airforce display pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Glen Warden, roared past in his Mirage III CZ on his way to the Durban Airshow at Virginia Airport.

Arthi Bullraj & Kimason Naidoo from Kharwastan High School / Oh! its my dream to be at sea...

Mr Vijay Maharaj, the CEO of the Caxton Newspaper group, summed up his experience during lunch on board SAS MENDI, “I leave this ship really feeling that the SA Navy is contributing to the development of the youth and affording them an opportunity to join the programme. The professionalism of Vice-Admiral Mudimu and his command cadres is a class act. I would ensure that my newspaper group would provide the coverage for the MSDS to our readership in Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng. Thank you, Navy, for inviting me.”