By Stephen Goodson
The South African Navy was formed on 1 April 1922 after the amalgamation of seven Royal Navy Voluntary Reserve Units.
In World War 2 it was first known as the Seaward Defence Force, and on 1 August 1942 evolved into the South Africa Naval Forces (SANF). The The SANF was responsible for operating mine sweepers, anti-submarine services, patrolling of port entrances, and the escorting of convoys. South Africa's sailors were as good as the finest in the world and established a proud fighting tradition.
In 1951 the SANF became the South African Navy (SAN), and on 1 April 1957 it acquired the naval dockyard at Simons Town from the Royal Navy (RN). It continued to maintain links through joint Manoeuvres with the RN and the very high standards it had inherited from the latter navy.
High Standards
Although hindered by sanctions from 1975 onwards, it remained one of the elite small navies of the world, and was able to compete with the best in terms of advanced weapons systems.
[The Rot Sets In]
In April 1994, after the white government had capitulated to the African National Congress (ANC), a decision was made to replace the ageing fleet with four patrol corvettes and three Class 209 submarines. Although a Spanish consortium had tendered to supply more versatile corvettes at a lower price than the R6 billion asked by the German shipbuilding firm of Blohm & Vos for each corvette, the Germans were awarded the contract. It later transpired that this higher, inflated price had been needed in order to accommodate the the bribes and commissions paid to the ANC cabinet ministers and their cohorts.
The ships were delivered, and having followed all standard operating procedures, from October 2005 onwards.
Affirmative Action
However, the following year a transformation / affirmative action programme was introduced, which in the first phase resulted in the forced retirement, with the aid of financial packages, of 384 highly-skilled artisans and technicians. Many of these servicemen had over 20 years of experience, and the transfer of on-the-job-skills came to a halt.
New recruits were sent to Kiel, Germany, in order to obtain diving certification for the submarines, but they were found not to have the capacity to complete the course. Later they were sent to India, in the hope that, being a Third World Country, it might be more lenient. The Indian Navy, to its credit, also found them incapable of completing the course. Thus the submarines, which have highly advanced and sophisticated systems on board, can only be used on the surface and not for the purpose for which they were intended [to travel UNDER the water].
Blow-out of a submarine
Nine moths ago, disaster struck when an unsupervised, unskilled seaman connected one of the submarines to a 440 volt power supply. As submarines use 110 volts, the computers and the entire internal circuitry, which consists of tens of kilometres of wiring, were blown up. Due to budgetary constraints, it has still not been decided whether to tow the submarine back to Germany or to bring in outside experts. It may well be prudent to leave the hulk as it is, because it is unlikely ever to operate below the sea surface as a submarine.
One of the key aspects of the navy is maintenance; notwithstanding the fact that none of the SAN's ships is operational. According to an engineering firm from Paarden Eiland, Cape Town, the only maintenance taking place is on the generators, providing power for the galleys of the corvettes, so that the officers can enjoy a warm midday meal.
In November 2009, the United States Navy (USN) requested that a joint exercise take place with the SAN. This was not a typical exercise in which live ammunition was used, but simply a sailing trip. In order to get the SAN's ships to sea, it was necessary to call up a large number of retired naval reserve white officers and engineers. After the “exercise", the USN set up a register in San Diego, California, so that in the event of an international emergency occurring in the South Atlantic, these retired officers and engineers could be called up.
An MK “comrade” running the SAN
Currently, morale in the SAN is very low. There is no discipline, and the few remaining white officers are frequently absent on “stress” leave. Although 20% of annual recruits may be white, very few apply because of the very low training standards.
The Chief of the Navy is Vice Admiral J. Mudimu, a former member of the liberation army, Umkhonto We Sizwe. He boasts an impressive array of qualifications, but they do not include a cerificate of seamanship or a navigation certificate.
The official website of the SAN, which contains dated information and links to several blank pages,claims that the core business and mission of the SAN is to fight and win at sea. With its ships being almost permanently moored, and with the lack of any trained crews, this must surely be rated as Mission Impossible.
Another sad saga indeed ,,, transform .. into what ??/ mmm we all know ... sad indeed ;
Once the top Navy in Africa, now reduced to A dinky toy play in the bath mob!
ThatStinks2
My Fathers first work in Africa, was based in the Simonstown Dockyards back in the late 60's.....
Lot of RN working there in those days....
Yes Mike, it is sad to say that since the terrorists have taken over Southern Africa, everything is turning into mud!!!! madashell
BEELD headlines Yesterday. The submarine mentioned in this topic is hung high and dry now for 6 years. Please God remove the ANC from Power!!!!!
@Pepe,
You're appealing to God? Didn't you know She's black?
Mmmm ,, seems our Mr Molloy has the wicked sense of humour tucked beneath the serious exterior ??? cat3
It seems to me too Sandy LOL