Johannes Geldenhuys

General Johannes Jacobus (Jannie) Geldenhuys, SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM (5 February 1935 – 10 September 2018)[1] was a South African military commander who served as Chief of the South African Defence Force from 1985 to 1990.[2][3]

Johannes Geldenhuys
Johannes Jacobus Geldenhuys
Born	(1935-02-05)5 February 1935 Kroonstad, South Africa
Died	10 September 2018(2018-09-10) (aged 83) George, South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Army
Years of service	1954–1990
Rank	General
Commands held	Chief of the South African Defence Force (1985–90) Chief of the Army (1980–85) South West Africa Territorial Force (1980) South West Africa Command (1977–80)
Battles/wars	South African Border War
Awards	Star of South Africa Southern Cross Decoration South African Police Star for Outstanding Service Southern Cross Medal Military Merit Medal

Early life

Geldenhuys was born in Kroonstad on 5 February 1935.[2] He would later matriculate from Hoërskool Voortrekker in Bethlehem, Orange Free State.[4]^:1

Military career

He joined the army on 4 January 1954 as a candidate officer.[5]^:19 Geldenhuys obtained a BMil from the University of Pretoria in 1956 before joining 1 Special Service Battalion.[6]^:77[5]^:19 In 1965, he was based at the South African Embassy in Luanda, Angola as a Vice-Consul, a position he held until 1968.[5]^:19 He was appointed as Army Chief of Staff Intelligence and then Army Chief of Staff Operations.[5]^:19 He went on to high command in the South African Army, serving as commander of South West Africa Command from 1977 until 1980, when he was briefly appointed as General Officer Commanding the South West African Territorial Force. Later in 1980, he became Chief of the Army. Geldenhuys was promoted to general and assumed the position of Chief of the South African Defence Force on 31 October 1985. In this role, he took part in negotiations that brought the Border War to an end in 1989, after 23 years of fighting.[3]

Death

Geldenhuys died on 10 September 2018 due to the effects of Alzheimer's Disease.[4]^:1[5]^:18 He was survived by his wife Marié, daughters Anna-Marié and Lollie, and son Bruwer. Another son, Martin, predeceased him.[4]^:1

Medals and decorations

• Star of South Africa (SSA)
• Southern Cross Decoration (SD)[5]^:19
• South African Police Star for Outstanding Service (SOE)
• Southern Cross Medal (SM)[5]^:19
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• Pro Patria Medal
• Good Service Medal, Gold (30 Years)[5]^:19
• Good Service Medal, Silver (20 Years)[5]^:19
• Permanent Force Good Service Medal
• Knight Order of Prince Henry (GCIH) (Portugal)[5]^:19
• Grand Cross of Order Military Merit (Paraguay)
• Order of the Cloud and Banner - with Grand Cordon (2nd Grade) (ORB)(Taiwan)
• Grand Star of Military Merit (Chile)

References

1. Kolberg, Kristy (September 10, 2018). "RETIRED DEFENCE FORCE LEADER DIES". George Herald. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
2. "5 February 1935: General Jannie Geldenhuys is born". SA History.org. Archived from the original on 11 February 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
3. "Senior (High Office) Officers / Offisiere". SADF Info. Archived from the original on 23 March 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
4. van der Walt, Sarel (11 September 2018). "Geldenhuys se vredesrol geloof". Beeld (in Afrikaans).
5. van der Walt, Sarel (15 September 2018). "'Nag, my generaal'". Beeld (in Afrikaans).
6. Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452–1992. Germiston: Fortress Publishers. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.

Further reading

• Geldenhuys, Jannie (2009). At the Front: A General's Account of South Africa's Border War. Johannesburg, South Africa: Jonathan Ball Publishers SA. ISBN 978-1-86842-331-6.
• Cadman, Mike. "General Jannie Geldenhuys - Missing Voices Project" (pdf).

Military offices
Preceded by Constand Viljoen	Chief of the South African Defence Force 1985–1990	Succeeded by Andreas Liebenberg
	Chief of the Army 1980–1985
Preceded by Unknown	GOC South West Africa Command 1977–1980	Succeeded by Charles Lloyd