AFB Ysterplaat Medal Parade
Date: 27 March 2008
By Dean Wingrin
Twenty-three members of AFB Ysterplaat received medals today at a Medal Parade hosted on the base.
The aim of the parade was to ceremoniously highlight and acknowledge the continuous good work and achievements of members on the base towards the country and the SAAF.
The Tshumelo Ikatelaho Medal was awarded to 21 members who have distinguished themselves by rendering military service directly in or in support of a military operation.
A further two recipients received the Unitas Medal, which is awarded to members who were taken up into the SANDF from 27 April 1994 during the unification of defence forces and armed forces. Another three members were awarded the Good Service Medal (Bronze) for ten year service.
Brig Gen YJ Mavumbe-Melapi, Director Logistics, presented the medals. In her speech, she made reference to the various challenges facing the airforce, but that the SAAF recognised that their people remain a timeless investment. These challenges included inadequate financial resources, shortages of serviceable equipment, aging infrastructure, expertise level decline and transformation demands.
Mavumbe-Melapi said, "In order to maintain the high standard of professionalism and workmanship essential in a technologically advanced air force, the SAAF requires a genuine commitment from each air force member to strive for air power excellence. This applies to all members, being regular force, reserve force or civilians.
The air force will continue to invest in its people through proper career management, developmental training and utilisation of personnel."
"Machines do not fight wars by themselves only" Mavumbe-Melapi stated. "Without human beings, the military equipment are perpetually useless and hopeless."
AFB Ysterplaat was also thanked for its high standard of delivery. The base was recently evaluated as the Best Air Force Base of the Year, two years in succession.
