61 Mech | 61 Mech

Introduction

61 Mechanised Battalion Group that has been in existence from 1979 — 2005 (27 years) established its veterans association in 2008. The initiative originated from the junior officers who served in the battalion group. In the day-to-day talk everybody refers to the 61 Mech Veterans Association. This practice emphasises mobility, which symbolises the iron fist during the border conflict years.

The 61 Mech Veterans Association is registered with the Council for Military Veterans Organisations (CMVO). The CMVO together with Umkhonto we Sizwe, Amzamla and other veterans associations form the South African National Military Veterans Association (SANMVA).

SANMVA reports directly to the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) and is responsible to execute the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011. SANMVA structure is also represented at Regional level.

The 61 Mech Veterans Association is represented by its patron, Maj. Gen. Dippenaar at the CMVO. It is important to take note of the focus of the CMVO the past year.

CMVO Strategic Planning for the Medium Term:

Maj. Gen. Dippenaar was appointed as the convener of a planning group of eight. The outcome of the activities of this planning group should be concluded by end 2012.

Briefly the issues and thoughts are as follows:
 Reconciliation of all military veterans who participate and support the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2012.
 The appropriate structure of the CMVO to ensure a future for all veterans associations.
 To develop regional structures that can cooperate with the SANMVA regional goals — the 61 Mech veterans as individuals can play a big role in this regard.
 All veterans associations should identify and report the details of veterans who are in need.
 Registration of veterans. Almost every veteran took note of the advertisement to register. The registration process was poorly handled. There are veterans who are hoping for pension pay-outs which will not materialise. 61 MVA can assist in this process and at the same time recruit and grow its membership.
 To maintain best practice standards, keep remembrance parades, remain true to your heritage and maintain a high spirit among the veterans.

61 Mechanised Veterans Association’s Achievements in 2012

61 Veterans can be proud on what have been achieved. The achievements will be dealt with under the following headings:
- Exco
- Combat Teams
- Website
- 61 Soldier stories
- Display at the museum
- Participation in veterans activities
- 61 Book

Exco

The Annual General Meetings where so many members are present is proof that we are conducting fair business. That business is transparent and that the association is functioning well. I would like to thank each member of the management teams who participate and contribute when required.

Exco — day-to-day management, with proper consultation, made decisions that enhance our mission: “to uphold 61 Mech heritages” Activities such as:
- Competition for the best 61 story
- Design and manufacturing of the 61 banner that is displayed at veteran events
- Arrange discount for members for certain events
- Approval that the 61 Memorial service on 25 August 2012 will be presented by substitute role-players in key positions as will be witness today.
- Combat team commanders who attend the management meeting. This is proof of the free, transparent and participating approach

Combat Teams — “Skouerskure”

These teams are the glue that will keep 61 Veterans motivated and positive about the future. “Skouerskure” has shown constant growth over the past three years and family members who attend “skouerskure” are increasing in numbers. We must keep this tendency growing.

We are proud of the initiative and leadership shown by combat team commanders. These are the coordinators who organise and arrange the functions. Ariel Hugo who manages these activities is doing a stunning job. Thanks you.

We are thankful towards the Moths, nationally, for the relations with us, to accommodate our members. In some instances the 61 combat teams form part of the Shellhole management. Without the support of the Moths our achievements would not have been possible.

The status of the Combat Teams is as follows:
- Western Cape: Grant and Brent Abrahamse are about to further grow the membership. During Nov 2011 a successful golf day was held.
- Port Elizabeth — Eastern Cape: Brian James set a good example to cooperate with the Moths. The combat team count 35 members with 10 regulars. They meet four times a year.
- Bloemfontein: Reg Walkerly is working with a group of about 50 veterans. He endeavoured to get a good 61 combat team routine and culture established.
- East Rand. Jaco Swanevelder has close relations with the Moths. There are 53 members of which 10 — 20 attend events regularly. An excellent golf day that was held in May 2012 which contributed R21000-00 to 61’s finances.
- West-Rand. Mike Beyl has an active group of 20 members that gather at the Moths. Mike and members of his combat team serve as a good image to 61 MVA by attending funerals of veterans and memorial services in Gauteng always dressed in the traditional veteran gear.
- Johannesburg Central (Parkhurst). We have good relations with the Moths at the Steel Helmet shell hole. We want to invite a new person to come forward to facilitate the skouerskure in this area.
- Pretoria. Due to Pierre Jacobs’ work commitments, he cannot keep the activities going. The position is available for a motivated leader. However, Pierre will be finished with his study commitments at the end of this year to take up his post again next year
- Namibia: 61 veterans Frank van Zyl and Thys Rall meet when they feel there is a need to talk about the 61 days.

Website

We are very proud of our website and want to applaud our web-master Gert Minnaar. Willem Steenkamp, a military author whose work it is to study military history, said that the 61 Mech web is the best military site in South Africa.

At present there are 820 registered members. Unfortunately they are not all paid-up members.

800 — 1200 members nationally and internationally visit our website each month.
2500 Photos and declassified military documents are available to view on the web.
61 Members and supporters wrote 225 stories which have been published. You are reminded that a second competition for stories is open until 30 November 2012.

61 Display at the museum.

The most exciting achievement is the 61 display which I am sure all of you have viewed. The 61 Veterans would like to congratulate Jan Malan and the staff of Ditsong Museum for a world class display they put together.

What you saw cost only R40 000-00. In today’s terms, this is extremely cheap.

It is necessary to mention the initiatives that came about in the development. Jan involved students of the University of Pretoria in the production of software and design of the display unit. This project with the students will continue in 2013.

Efp Senekal, a 61 member and master of many trades, produced the operational shows and inter-active display. The Ratel and other features were done by museum staff under the guidance of Susanne Blendurf

Camille Burger is the person who produced the maps and the power point presentation.

Heinrich Jansen a member of the Armour Association. He is an expert on museums and was involved from day one. He has played a major role in the development; we thank him for his attitude and commitment.

The museum is a great achievement that we are proud of. Well done.

Participation in Veterans activities.

As mentioned earlier, 61 veterans are involved at combat teams nationally.

Most remembrance parades in Gauteng are attended by 61 Mech veterans in their traditional dress. This really makes a statement and projects a true 61 spirit.

Annually the Voortrekker Monument under the guidance of Maj Gen Opperman holds a service at the Wall of Remembrance. This year about twenty 61 members attended and made a good impression.

It is appropriate to congratulate Maj Gen Gert Opperman for his efforts in preserving our military heritage.

Another achievement was the show for the first time, of the 61 Banner at the memorial serve at the Voortrekker Monument.

61 Book

The champion and major role-player who with great enthusiasm, dedication and guidance managed the writing of the 61 book, is the project leader Ariel Hugo. You have made us proud on the progress to date!

We managed to get the best and well-known writers of military history in the country to do this task. Just imagine Helmoed Romer Heitman, Willem Steenkamp and Leopold Scholtz as authors!!!

The biggest challenge for our unique bush war book is:
- True stories. This is what 61 members must produce.
- Accuracy and good writing skills. This the writers will provide.
- Printing and publishing. The 61 Exco has concluded a deal with one of the best known military publishers. Helion Publishers in London, UK. This confirms the popularity internationally of 61 Mech as a military force.
The expenses for publishing the book remain high. We need to pay the writers for their contributions and the logistics involved.

Please put money aside for your membership and a copy of the unique military book “iron fist” that will be available at the end of 2013 or early 2014.

Less exciting matters to report on:

Finances

Once piece of good news is that the Merlin Force – this is the military force who left the Bush War scene last in 1989. (61 Mech was part of this force) donated R34 000-00 to 61 MVA. This financial injection assisted in paying for the display at the museum.

The other piece of good news is that Ian Serfontein is our financial director and he has managed to get the financial administration under control and is giving his all for the 61 cause.

The sources of income:
- Projects such as golf days
- Donations
- Members that pay their annual subscription

On the latter the situation is as follows:
Members who paid in 2012 = 200
Members who did not renew in 2012 (most of these members have not visited the website in 2012)= 140
Members who visited the website but did not join =480
If everybody that visited the website decided to join, the total would be = 820

I am sure that we can afford R150-00 a year for this worthy cause. We must remind our colleagues and friends who is not here today to join and pay.

Angola tours

You all know what these tours meant to us. The experience to be on the ground where you train and fought brought back memories. There is the healing experienced by some members also.
Unfortunately, due to the current financial climate, this tour could not proceed in 2012.In future when there is enough interest the tours will be conducted again. Jaap Steyn is ready to arrange

In conclusion

To be associated with 61 Mech long after its existence is evidence of the impact it had on our lives.

Wishing you all good health and an enjoyable membership with 61 Mech.

Johann Dippenaar
25 August 2012