Samuel Hlongwane

Mosiwa Samuel Hlongwane MMS MMB SAN (born 6 July 1962)[2] is a South African Navy officer, serving as the current Chief of the Navy.[3]

Mosiwa Samuel Hlongwane MMS MMB
Born	(1962-07-06) 6 July 1962 Frankfort, South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Navy
Rank	Vice admiral
Commands held	Chief of the Navy Deputy Chief of the Navy Chief of Fleet Staff
Awards	Merit Medal in Silver (MMS) Merit Medal in Bronze (MMB) Unitas Medal Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) Operational Medal for Southern Africa * Mandela Commemoration Medal (Gold)
Spouse(s)	Thandi[1]

Early life and education

Hlongwane was born on 06 July 1962 in Frankfort, Free State (Orange Free State), but he grew up in the Vaal Triangle in a small township called Bophelong (Vanderbijlpark). He started school in 1970 at Mqiniswa Combined School (Bophelong), he completed his Junior Secondary School in 1980 at Lebohang Junior Secondary School (Boipatong) where he obtained his Junior Certificate. In 1982 he completed his matric at State Senior Secondary School (Sebokeng).[1]

Career

Hlongwane joined the ANC and its Military wing Umkhonto We Sizwe in 1982 and was trained in Angola and the former USSR.[3] In August 1986, he was selected to attend the Naval Course in Azerbaijan where he specialised in Ship Navigation Command for a period of four and half years.[1] In November 1991, he successfully completed the Naval Ship Command Course in Navigation and he obtained a qualification of Diploma in Ship Navigation at the Caspian Naval Red Banner College.[2][1]

In 1991 he was appointed as Chief of Logistics of the two MK Camps i.e. Mgagawa and Kidete Camps in Tanzania. In 1993 - 1994 he participated in the Joint Co-ordinating Committee (JMCC) as a member of the Navy working group.[1]

Following integration in 1994 he attended the Bridging and orientation courses at South African Naval College and Maritime Warfare School.

On 1 January 1996 he was deployed to SAS Umgeni as a learner on board the vessel. On 1 January 1997 he re-mustered to Maritime Intelligence (Counter Intelligence Section). On 1 November 1999 he was promoted to the rank of Commander and appointed as SO1 Maritime.[1]

On 1 March 2003 he was promoted to the rank of Capt (SAN) and appointed as Senior Staff Officer Operations Counter Intelligence (SSO OPCI). On 1 March 2005 until 30 March 2008, he was appointed as the South African Defence Attaché to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) & The Republic of Congo.[1]

On 1 April 2008 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral Junior Grade (JG) and appointed as Chief of Fleet Staff at the Fleet Command Headquarters in Simon's Town.[1]

He was appointed Deputy Chief of the Navy in 2011[4]

Awards

Adm Hlongwane has been awarded the following medals:[1][5]

• Merit Medal in Silver (MMS)
• Merit Medal in Bronze (MMB)
• Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service)
• Unitas Medal
• Operational Medal for Southern Africa
• Mandela Commemoration Medal (Gold)

References

1. "Curriculum Vitae of the Chief of the SA Navy" (PDF). navy.mil.za. Navy, RSA Department of Defence. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
2. "Change of Command Parade, Chief of the SA Navy". SA Navy. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
3. Helfrich, Kim. "Hlongwane named new Navy Chief". Defenceweb. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
4. "Appointments and/or Promotions of Lieutenant Generals, Admirals and Major Generals". Department of Defence. October 2, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
5. Nedzanani, AB Phathutshedzo (7 December 2014). "Mandela Medal Parade". Navy.mil.za. Retrieved 18 February 2015.

Military offices
Preceded by Robert W. Higgs	Chief of Fleet Staff 2008 – 2011	Succeeded by Hanno Teuteberg
Preceded by	Deputy Chief of the South African Navy 2011 – 2014
Preceded by Refiloe Johannes Mudimu	Chief of the South African Navy 2014 –	Incumbent