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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 7 July 1939 Sophiatown, Transvaal Province, Union of South Africa |
| Allegiance |  South Africa |
| Service/ |  South African Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held |
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| Awards |
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| 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).png.webp)
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)
References
- "Interviews". SADET - South African Democracy Education Trust.
- "SADF Info - List of Chiefs (Post 1994)". SADF Info.
- Schobesberger, H. Col (May 2003). "From freedom fighter to Chief of the Army" (PDF). SA Soldier. 10 (5): 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
- "Unknown". Cite uses generic title (help)
- "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 |
Chiefs of the South African Army | ||
|---|---|---|
| Director-General of Land Forces | | |
| Army Chief of Staff | ||
| Chief of the Army | ||