Bubele Mhlana

Bubele Kitie Mhlana is a South African naval officer.

Bubele Kitie Mhlana
Nickname(s)	Bravo
Born	Mthatha
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Navy
Years of service	1994 –
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands held	Flag Officer Fleet Director: Fleet Force Preparation Frigate Squadron SAS Mendi (F148) SAS Isandlwana (F146) SAS Kapa
Awards	Unitas Medal Good Service Medal, Bronze (10 Years) Tamandaré Medal of Merit (Brazil)

He was born in the Ngangelizwe township in Mthatha.[1]

Military career

He is a former Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) operative and joined the South African Navy in 1994. He assumed command of the minesweeper SAS Kapa in 2003[1][2]

In 1999 he attended the Officers Course at the South African Naval College and spent 9 months attending the International Principal Warfare Officer (A) course with the British Royal Navy.[3]

He commanded the Valour Class Frigate SAS Isandlwana (F146) in 2007[4] In 2009 he attended the United States Naval War College[5] He then commanded SAS Mendi (F148) as well as serving as Commander of the Frigate Squadron[6]

He was appointed Flag Officer Fleet and promoted to Rear Admiral in 2014[7] In 2020 he was appointed Chief of Staff for the SANDF Joint Operations Division.[8] .

Honours and awards

• Unitas Medal
• Good Service Medal, Bronze (10 Years)
• Tamandaré Medal of Merit (Brazil)

In 2012[9] he was awarded the Tamandaré Medal of Merit from Brazil.

References

1. Maclennan, Ben (Feb 22, 2007). "First black frigate captain takes command". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
2. Ndenze, Babalo (July 30, 2003). "Guerrilla leader now commands his own warship". IOL. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
3. "Historic change of command for navy frigate SAS Isandlwana". Naval News. February 26, 2007. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
4. Mangxamba, Sivuyile (February 23, 2007). "Ex-MK soldier at the helm of warship". IOL. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
5. "Graduation: US Naval War College" (PDF). US Naval War College. 19 June 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
6. Rambau, Lawrence. "Four Frigates in Service for Mandela Day". SA Navy. Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
7. Wingrin, Dean (February 3, 2014). "Navy rising to meet new challenges". Retrieved March 14, 2014.
8. "New SANDF two-stars named". Defenceweb. May 27, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
9. Zulu, LS N.C. "Seafarer bestowed Medal of Merit". SA Navy. Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.

Military offices
Preceded by Phillip Schoultz	Flag Officer Fleet 2014 – 2020	Succeeded by Musawenkosi Nkomonde