Masondo replaced as chief of SA Army

A 15-gun salute formed part of a change of command parade as Lt-General Lindile Yam took over from Lt-General Masondo.

Pretoria – The ceremonial 15-gun salute echoed through the vast Thaba Tshwane Military Base in Pretoria on Friday morning as the South African Army welcomed new commander, Lt-General Lindile Yam, who takes over from Lt-General Masondo.

The incumbent has been at the helm of the SA Army for more than four years after being appointed in October 1, 2011 and charged with the responsibility to command the largest military component of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

A decorated commander and militarist, Masondo has now been appointed as chief of corporate staff at Defence Headquarters in Erasmuskloof, Pretoria, with effect from February 1, 2016.

In a statement, the SA Army said Masondo hands over the command baton to Yam, who was the general officer commanding SA Army Infantry Formation since November 1, 2011.

“Lt Gen Yam ascended the highest echelon of command in the SA Army on February 1, 2016, when he was appointed and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, charged with leading the country’s land forces. This change of command parade ceremonially marks the end of Lt Gen Masondo’s era as Chief of the SA Army and chronicles the beginning of Lt Gen Yam’s tenure,” said the SA Army statement.

Born in East London, Yam joined Umkhontho we Sizwe in 1981 where he received military training and experience.

African News Agency