Armour Formation Hosts the 2019 Military Skills Competition in Potchefstroom Article by: MR K. Mogoane, Defence Reserves Division (Intern)
Photographs by: Sgt N.D. Malatji, Defence Reserves Division
Competing teams from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Nigeria, the United
States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK) started to make their way through O.R
Tambo International Airport on 20 October 2019. With the opening of the 2019 Military Skills
Competition only a day away, these international teams were picked up from the OR Tambo
International Airport and transported to Potchefstroom, where they would face each other and
the teams from South Africa in a tough Military Skills Competition.
Participants of 2019 Military Skills Competition saluting Brig Gen Mbotyi.
On the 21st of October, an opening parade signalled the start of the 2019 Military Skills
Competition. The competing teams were welcomed and introduced to the spectators.
Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Mbotyi, General Officer Commanding, SA Army Armour
Formation officiated at the opening ceremony. He welcomed the Defence Reserves, the
Reserve Force Council (RFC) and all international and South African participants. This year
there were more than 300 participants and officials making this the biggest Military Skills
Competition hosted by the SANDF since its inception in 2006.
Brig Gen Mbotyi welcoming the participants and support staff during the official
opening of the 2019 Military Skills Competition.
In his speech Brigadier General Mbotyi took the time to explain the purpose of the Military
Skills Competition to the competitors and spectators. A “Military Skills Competition evaluates
the combat readiness of the participants, combining mental and physical testing, and the
competition offers combatants the opportunity to rub shoulders and foster good
relationships”. In his closing, the General encouraged participants to persist and conquer
their fears. He conveyed his appreciation to the organisers of the event and declared the
2019 Military Skills Competition open.
Brig Gen Mbotyi and representatives of various countries and the OC of 4 Arty Regt.
The teams were orientated over a two day period. On the second day of the competition the
teams were afforded the opportunity to train and familiarise themselves with the equipment
that they would be using as well as the obstacles that they would have to navigate through.
The actual competition started off on Wednesday afternoon in all earnest. All teams had to
conquer the following challenges: Water Obstacle, Land Obstacle, Grenade Throwing, Pistol-
and Rifle Shooting.
2019 Military Skills Competition participants scoring their points on R4 shooting targets.
At the Shooting Range THE RESERVE FORCE VOLUNTEER MAGAZINE editorial member
took the opportunity to speak to some of the South African participants who expressed what
a great privilege it was to represent their Units and be ambassadors for South Africa and the
SANDF. They were also expecting to improve on the previous years’ performances and said
that they were not expecting to lose the competition to their international rivals. Command
Sergeant Major Maynard of the United States Army who was competing for the first time at
the competition said his first time in South Africa was positive and he enjoyed being in the
country and acknowledged how hard the competition organisers worked to make it run as
smoothly. He also mentioned that the competition was an excellent training environment as
the competition encourages people to work hard and that his team will always fight to win as
it was the American way. Lieutenant (Lt) Fasasi of the Nigerian Army, who was also at the
competition for the first time was looking forward to the Combat Run, Land Obstacle Course
and Water Obstacles because he believed that the excellent preparation the Nigerian team
had done prepared them from the competition. Lt Fasasi also said that “this competition helps
soldiers to do well, it creates unity and mutual understanding and a learning opportunity”.
One of the highlights of the competition was in the swimming pool (Water Obstacle Exercise),
where the Nigerian participants set the fastest times for both men and women. Private
Williams Gbekemeye clocked 26.00 seconds and Staff Sergeant Felix Yeiyah 29.00 seconds.
Their female teammates Private Selekowe Tare and Corporal Feku Fadurandce set times of
35.00 and 37.00 seconds respectively.
Private Williams Gbekemeye of Nigerian Defence Force set a record in the swimming
obstacle competition.
The last event of the 2019 Military Skills Competition was the Combat Run that took place on
the morning of 26 October 2019. This 8km Combat Run was dominated by the Nigerian team
with L/Cpl Raymond Nanribet, the fastest male finishing with a time of 28 minutes and 39
seconds, Nigeria’s Private H Adewale was the first female competitor to cross the finish line
in a time of 34 minutes and 21 seconds. The Combat Run was followed by a prize giving
ceremony later that day at 4 Artillery Regiment. Chief Defence Reserves, Major General (Maj.
Gen) Andersen, served as one of the functionaries at this prestigious event, where trophies,
medals and certificates were presented to the winners as a reward for their hard work. The
international guests also took time to show their appreciation to their hosts by presenting gifts
to the competition organisers and senior SANDF members present.
Chief Defence Reserves, Maj. Gen Andersen who was delighted to be back home at 4 Artillery
Regiment where he completed his Basic Military Training in 1966, addressed the attendees
during the awards ceremony of the 2019 Military Skills Competition. In his speech Major
General Andersen gave recognition to the attaches present and all the participants. He gave
a particularly warm welcome to the international participants. He emphasised what privilege
it was to have the outgoing Chief of Staff of the SANDF, Lt Gen V.R. Masondo present at the
awards ceremony. Maj. Gen. Andersen said that “the Defence Reserves are making a serious
difference on the borders. He is proud of the positive contribution that Reserves were making
during OPS CORONA and in the Vaal. He congratulated all winning recipients and conveyed
his gratitude to the Reserve Force Council (RFC) for their role and requested all present to
travel safely to their destinations. Lt Gen V.R Masondo declared the 2019 Military Skills
Competition closed.
Maj. Gen Roy Andersen, Chief Defence Reserves enthusiastically briefed the audience and
invited guests about the Military Skills Competition and its future plans.
Maj Gen R Andersen was delighted and honoured to present the international mens’
overall winner trophy to Lt Col Zeller from Germany at the 2019 Military Skills
Competition.
Brig Gen Kamffer, Director S.A Army Reserves was delighted to present the mens’
overall trophy to a SANDF participant.
FLTR Commodore Mustapha, Maj. Gen Andersen and Brig Gen Abdullahi
presenting token of appreciation from Nigeria.
Middle, 2nd Lt Wilson-Lattimore, an MP, representing USA Defence Force during Z88 Pistol shooting competition.