Honouring the next generation of South African Naval leaders at Gordon’s Bay

The South African Navy held its passing-out parade for newly trained officers on Friday at the South African Naval College in Gordon’s Bay, a base set dramatically at the foot of the Hottentots-Holland mountain range.

The occasion, described as one of the Navy’s standout ceremonies, not only celebrated the 85 fit and newly ranked officers but also paid tribute to the historic role of the college in shaping naval and merchant cadet training.

The institution’s roots trace back to the training ship General Botha. When the ex-cruiser HMS Thames, housing the South African Nautical College General Botha, was scuttled off Simon’s Town due to its deteriorating condition, the Prime Minister approved the relocation of cadet training to Gordon’s Bay on April 25, 1948. A decade later, on December 17, 1958, the Defence Force took over the facility, and by April 1 1966, the South African Naval College officially came into its own.

The Military Training for Officers (MTO1) intensive programme commenced in February 2025, preparing the future naval leaders through months of physical, academic, and leadership training.

On Friday, Commanding Officer Captain Judy Gail Rustin-Patric addressed the graduating midshipmen, urging them to rise to the responsibilities ahead.

“It has made you better leaders,” she said of their training. “Now you go back to the fleet and be the military leaders your country needs. All of us need to work together to take our Navy to greatness.”

The ceremony was filled with moments of personal pride for the families of the graduates. Pretoria, Garankuwa resident Maggie Motsepe could hardly contain her joy as her nephew, 24-year-old Orefemetse Rafedile, received his ranking. “I am so very proud of him,” she said, calling out jubilantly as he marched past.

His mother, Norah Rafedile, echoed the sentiment, smiling broadly: “I am so proud of my son. He is very hard-working. A lot of emotions today. He is the chosen one. He is a twin, and that is why I believe he was chosen for this. He’s a lawyer by profession, and he’s choosing to serve the country.”

Chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, congratulated the new officers, praising their discipline and perseverance.

“Welcome to this historic naval occasion. My warmest congratulations. Your hard work and perseverance have brought you to this special day,” he said.

“We celebrate your achievement with honour, courage and commitment. But this is also a reminder of the responsibilities of being a naval officer. You have been found competent to be trained further in the Navy. This is only the first phase of your Naval officer career.”

Vice Admiral Lobese added a lighter note, recalling the early days of training: “On 13 May 2025, I was a bit worried about some of you because there were some who fell asleep, but afterwards I learnt everyone took my advice and maybe those who were awake told those who were sleeping,” he said, drawing laughter from the parade ground.

The group also received individual achievements for their hard work.