Gilbert Ramano

Lieutenant General Gilbert Lebeko Ramano SSAS SD MMS MMM MMB (born 7 July 1939)[1] is a South African military commander.[2]

Gilbert Ramano SSAS SD MMS MMM MMB
Born	(1939-07-07) 7 July 1939 Sophiatown, Transvaal Province, Union of South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Army
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands held	Chief of the South African Army Deputy Chief of the South African Army GOC Northern Cape Command
Awards	Star of South Africa, Silver (SSAS) Southern Cross Decoration (SD) Merit Medal in Silver (MMS) Military Merit Medal (MMM) Merit Medal in Bronze (MMB) Unitas Medal Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service (40 Years) Service Medal in Gold Service Medal in Silver Service Medal in Bronze Legion of Merit (U.S.) Order of Military Merit (Brazil)
Other work	RSA Mediator to Sudan

Career

Ramano was born in Sophiatown. He completed his schooling at Madibane High School and worked as a senior clerk at the WNLA mines depot in Johannesburg from 1961 to 62.[3]

He left South Africa in 1962 to join the armed wing of the African National Congress, Umkhonto weSizwe (MK). He attended a number of military courses in Tanzania, Egypt (special operations) and the Soviet Union, including a Soviet Army Staff Course in 1971. He returned to South Africa in 1992 and attended the Zimbabwe Army Staff Course in 1994.[4]

In 1995, he attended the SANDF Joint Staff Course and was appointed General Officer Commanding Northern Cape Command in July of that year.

In May 1997 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Army and on 1 July 1998 he was promoted to lieutenant-general and appointed Chief of the Army.

Honours and awards

In 1999, Lt General Ramano was awarded the Order of the Star of South Africa[5] His awards include the following:[3]^:Photo

• Star of South Africa, Silver (SSAS)
• Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
• Merit Medal in Silver (MMS)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• Merit Medal in Bronze (MMB)
• Operational Medal for Southern Africa
• South Africa Service Medal
• Unitas Medal
• Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service (40 Years)
• Service Medal in Gold
• Service Medal in Silver
• Service Medal in Bronze
• Legion of Merit (U.S.)
• Order of Military Merit (Brazil)

See also

• List of South African military chiefs

References

1. "Interviews". SADET - South African Democracy Education Trust.
2. "SADF Info - List of Chiefs (Post 1994)". SADF Info.
3. Schobesberger, H. Col (May 2003). "From freedom fighter to Chief of the Army" (PDF). SA Soldier. 10 (5): 12.
4. "Unknown".
5. "National Orders Recipients 1999". SA History Online. Archived from the original on 2012-01-29. Retrieved 2012-10-16.

Military offices
Preceded by Reginald Otto	Chief of the South African Army 1998 – 2004	Succeeded by Solly Shoke
Preceded by Unknown	Deputy Chief of the South African Army 1997  – 1998	Succeeded by Roland de Vries
Preceded by Vos Benade	GOC Northern Cape Command 1995 – 1997	Succeeded by Aaron Ntshinga