South Africa: As part of EXERCISE VUKUHLOME’s planned activities, the Division hosted a Rock Piling Ceremony at the SA Army Combat Training Center in Lohatla on 30 October 2023.
The rock piling ceremony aims to serve as a motivation for the soldiers of the conventional forces. Before an individual can place a rock, he or she has to make a threefold promise, namely: I, as a soldier, will train myself effectively, I will take care of all equipment entrusted to him or her, I will answer the call and will not hesitate to defend freedom in our region towards a common future.
This promise is laid down before all those present at the ceremony. The planning was that, when a Formation reported for conventional training, a combined church parade would take place on the first Sunday, at the rock piling ceremony terrain.
Every member of the Unit or Formation under training, and all new members who report for training would place his or her rock so that it would later form a rock piling.
After the first democratic elections in 1994, the tradition was maintained as in the past. Keeping up with transformation and with the initiative from Brigadier General N. Mpaxa, the previously erected castle-shaped wall was replaced with a nine-point star.
A commemoration wall was also built with the South African Coat of Arms and the history of the rock piling. This also formed part of the transformed rock piling monument, unveiled by the former Chief of the South African Army, Lieutenant General S.Z. Shoke on 29 September 2008.
29 October 2023 marked a day where this history and culture was kept alive during the rock piling ceremony. The Chief of Staff of the SA National Defence Force, Lieutenant General F.M. Ramantswana was the main functionary on behalf of the Chief of the SA National Defence Force, General R. Maphwanya who could not be present due to work commitments.
The Chief of the South African Army, Lieutenant General L.K. Mbatha was also present at the ceremony with Deputy Chief Army, Major General M. Dyakopu. Other senior ranks present were members of the Army Council and Army Command Council.
The Division Commander, Major General P.N Dube took to the podium for the general salute. Thereafter, the code of conduct for uniformed members of the SA National Defence Force was read. After the scripture reading and prayer by the Division Chaplain, the solemn undertaking of the rock piling ceremony was read.
The rock piling ceremony progressed with senior members placing their rocks first followed by the forces. Thereafter, the Chief of the SA Army and the Division commander carried the Exercise VUKUHLOME 2023 stone to place on the crane.
The Division Commander, Major General P.N. Dube addressed the parade to motivate the forces on parade. When he was done with the address the National Anthem of the Republic of South Africa was played. After the National Anthem, a two-minute moment of silence was then observed for those who lost their lives in service of the Republic of South Africa.
The Divisional Commander, Major General P.N. Dube and his podium group withdrew and made way as the Chief of Staff of the South African National Defence Force, Lieutenant General M.F. Ramantswana took to the podium to deliver his address on behalf of Chief of the SA National Defence Force.
After his heartfelt address, the Chief of Staff of the SA National Defence Force and his entourage withdrew and this concluded the Rock Piling Ceremony as forces withdrew back to their respective Brigades.