Godfrey Ngwenya
| Godfrey Nhlanhla Ngwenya SBG DMG MMS LOM | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
28 April 1950 Johannesburg |
| Allegiance |
 South Africa |
| Service/branch | South African Army |
| Years of service | 1994 - 2011 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held |
|
| Awards |
|
| Other work | Ambassador to Angola |
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General Godfrey Nhlanhla Ngwenya SBG DMG MMS LOM (born 1950) was a South African military commander.
Early life
General Godfrey Ngwenya was born in Johannesburg on 28 April 1950. He attended Orlando High School, where he matriculated in 1970. He joined the ANC and the ANC's Military Wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), at the height of the student uprisings in South Africa in 1976. While in exile he underwent military training in Angola and passed his further commanders' courses in the then German Democratic Republic and the Soviet Union.
Military career
He joined Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress, in 1976, and commanded MK forces in Angola from 1983 to 1989. He transferred to the South African National Defence Force when MK was incorporated into it in 1994 and he was appointed as Major General and served as Deputy General Officer Commanding of Witwatersrand Command in Johannesburg from 1994 to 1996.
From 1996 to 1998 he was General Officer Commanding of North West Command in Potchefstroom and from 1998 to the end of September 1999 Chief Director Force Preparation in the Army Office. He served as Deputy Chief of Joint Operations from 1 October 1999 to 31 December 2000. He was promoted to the rank of Lt Gen on 1 January 2001 and appointed as Chief of Joint Operations to 2005,[1] when he was promoted to Chief of the SANDF.[2]
Ambassador to Angola
After retirement from the SANDF General Ngwenya was appointed Ambassador to Angola.[3]
Awards and Decorations
In May 2010 Gen. Ngwenya was awarded the Legion of Merit by then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen[4][5]
In addition, he has been awarded the following medals and decorations:[6]
-
Star for Bravery in Gold (SBG)
-
Merit Medal in Silver (MMS)
-
Tshumelo Ikatelaho (General Service Medal)
-
Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service with 30 Year Clasp)
-
Legion of Merit (LOM) (USA)
References
- ↑ Engelbrecht, Leon (21 January 2010). "Fact file: General Godfrey Nhlanhla Ngwenya". Defenceweb.co.za. DefenceWeb. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ↑ Ndaba, CPO Dennis (July 2005). "A final compliment to a General for life" (PDF). SA Soldier 12 (7): 10–13. ISSN 1609-5014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ↑ "Sisulu bids farewell to ex-defence chief". news24.com. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ↑ http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imagery.html#guid=a04c7a0a2f7ab28b6e1f7ddefaac5a7dc3c34b52[]
- ↑ "Chiefs Shake". defense.gov. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ↑ http://www.navy.mil.za/archive/1106/110608_SANDF_new_command/CV_Ngwenya.htm[]
See also
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Unknown |
Ambassador to Angola 2011 – |
Incumbent |
| Military offices | ||
| Preceded by Gen Siphiwe Nyanda |
Chief of the South African National Defence Force 2005 – 2011 |
Succeeded by Gen Solly Shoke |
| Preceded by Deon Ferreira |
Chief of Joint Operations Division 2001 – 2005 |
Succeeded by Sipho Binda |
| Preceded by Maj Gen Jonny Coetzer |
GOC North Western Command 1996 – 1998 |
Succeeded by Brig Gen Robbie Coetsee |
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