Vale General Military Veteran Georg Meiring SSA SD SM MMM

This message from SAMVO International Chairman, Tony Macquet:

“Vale General Georg Meiring SSA SD SM MMM, is remembered with respect and admiration by SAMVO and all its Veteran Members. We convey our sincerest condolences to his family on his passing.

General Meiring served with distinction as Chief of the Army (SADF) from 1990 to 1993 and then, as the last Chief of the South African Defence Force from 1993 to 1994, and then, as first Chief of the South African National Defence Force from 1994 to 1998. To have the responsibility of commanding over this transitional process, must have taken an exceptional person to bring this through. For this and all his service, he will be remembered and honoured.

Rest in Peace, fellow Veteran.
Lest we forget.”
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Message from SAMVOZA Chairman Colin Bowring and Vice Chairman Godfrey Giles:

"Names die SAMVOZA betuig ons simpatie, deel sterkte en seënwense aan familie van wyle Generaal Georg Meiring, SSA, SD, SM, MMM (geb 18 October 1939 - 3 September 2024 = 84), voormalige H SAW (1993-94) en H SANW (1994-98).

Saluut. RIV.

On behalf of SAMVOZA we convey condolences, share strength and blessings to family of late General Military Veteran Georg Meiring, SSA, SD, SM, MMM (born 18 Oct 1939 - 3 September 2024 = 84) former C SADF (1993-94) and C SANDF (1994-98).

Salute. RIP.

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Extract from the letter written by the late Genl. Georg Meiring, as posted in the "Nine Foxtrot" newsletter in December 2011:

"Since the early sixties members of the SA Police and SA Defence Force progressively were involved in what we commonly referred to as the Border War.
It is now almost twenty three years ago that the “war” ended and I decided that since no special letter were addressed to ex-members of the SA Defence Force expressing gratitude for the sacrifices and contribution towards peace in our beautiful country; I am doing it now.
I was the last Chief of the SA Defence Force, and as such it is my responsibility and privilege to express my intense gratitude and indebtedness to all ex members of the SA Defence Force on behalf of the SA Defence Force and the whole of the RSA for your commendable service rendered. In particular I am tremendously grateful to all the national servicemen, their parents, girls, wives, brothers and sisters. To all the troops, leaders at all levels and everyone that contributed to our successful operations, I want to emphasize that your guts and gallantry resulted in peace in South Africa and Namibia; and few realise the price of peace.
We never lost any operation! We always gave our best, we achieved success for the reason that our cause was just, there was no alternative, we had the means; our planning, preparation and execution was efficient, we all performed individually, in teams, and with astuteness; and we BELIEVED. For that reason I am proud to say that I was Chief of the best Defence Force in Africa and amongst the very best in the world.
I know that all of us frequently had to operate under very difficult circumstances, and that our involvement in the conflict cost us blood and tears on more than one occasion, however, I can assure everyone that we at the top of command structure were just as distressed and shared in these events with sympathy and compassion. Casualties were not acceptable in our culture, but conflict brings about casualties and to all the next-of-kin of ex members of the SA Defence Force that paid the ultimate price, rest assured, you now live in peace and we will never forget those that made the sacrifice.
I am very thankful that for many years now, you could make a significant contribution to society with your indispensable military background, skills and experience. I encourage you to contribute to the socio-economic development of our country with the same determination, sound judgement and perseverance as during military service. I call on you to support our veterans as and when required. I wish you success with your enterprises.

To all of you that laboured through the years, I SALUTE you.

Georg Meiring
Chief of the South African Defence Force.