Glen Waverley RSL
14th October 2017
Guest of Honour
Commandant Wynand du Toit OdMC MMM
Twelfth SAMVOA Formal Mess Dinner
14th October, 2017
Glen Waverley RSL,
Guest of Honour; Commandant Wynand du Toit OdMC MMM.
On Saturday 14th October, 2017, the National Executive of SAMVOA proudly hosted its eleventh annual formal mess dinner at the Glen Waverley RSL. There was a lot of interest in the Guest of Honour as Wynand was undoubtedly South Africa’s best-known Prisoner of War.
Wynand joined the SADF as a Permanent Force member in 1977 and did his basic training at 4 SA Infantry Battalion, Middelburg, after which he did the Part 1 Junior Leadership Course at the Infantry School in Oudshoorn, passing out as a Platoon Commander (2nd Lieutenant) in December 1977.
He was posted back to 4 SAI in 1978 and was then selected to attend the SA Military Academy in Saldanha Bay. While at the Academy he did the grueling SA Special Forces (Recce) selection course, after which he was posted to 4 Reconnaissance Commando – the “Iron Fist from the Sea.”
On 20 May 1985, after numerous successful operations, Wynand and his team were compromised during an operation to destroy oil storage facilities in Cabinda in the north of Angola, during which he was severely wounded and taken prisoner. He was finally released on 7th September 1987 after some 837 days of solitary confinement in an Angolan prison in a prisoner exchange agreement brokered by Jean-Yves Ollivier. The exchange took place in Maputo, Mozambique, where the then Captain du Toit was swapped for 2 ANC members and 133 Angolan soldiers.
In February 2014, marking the 25th anniversary of the Brazzaville Protocol he was awarded the Ordre du Merite Congolais (The National Order of Merit of Congolese) a Knightship and the highest decoration of the Republic of Congo Brazzaville for his role in bringing the Angolan bush war to an end, mandating the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola, the independence of Namibia and the release of Nelson Mandela.
During his time in captivity, he was promoted to Major and resigned from the SADF with the rank of Commandant (Lt. Colonel). Wynand has authored four books based on his experiences during the Angolan Bush War. Wynand is now an agricultural farmer in Dolisie, Congo Brazzaville. He is married to Frances and has two children, a son M J (Mostert Joubert) and a daughter, Beamari. He also has two grown up children from his first marriage, Petrus (Klippie) who lives in South Africa and a daughter Benine who lives in the Netherlands.
The Formal Mess evening began for the 77 guests with Drinks at 1930H at the downstairs reception. Mike Black, the Mess President presented the South African Sherry before the call to dinner was made by the Mess Vice President, CJ Luke. The Guest of Honour and guests were piped into the mess area by our piper, Karl Brown.
Grace was said and the Host, Veteran Tony Macquet welcomed everyone.
The menu was the following, with alternate servings.
• The Entrée was:
o Isobho Ithanga Coconut Pumpkin Soup, served with sour cream and chives.
o Isobho Kuxutshwe Minestrone Soup, served with tasty parmesan cheese.
• The Mains were:
o Karoo Lamb Shank, braised in rich tomato, rosemary and red wine sauce, served on a bed of creamy potato mash.
o Nkuku Tender Chicken Breast, marinated in preserved lemon, coriander, parsley and selected spices, served with Mediterranean style couscous, topped with tomato and chick-pea sauce and a side of hummus cream.
• Desserts were;
o Muhle Sticky Date Pudding, drizzled with butterscotch sauce and a dollop of double cream.
o Mnyama Chocolate mousse blended with Kahlua liqueur, served with whipped cream and a strawberry garnish.
• Coffee, tea and beverages from the bar.
During the proceedings, our Mess President welcomed Wynand and Frances. Wynand responded in his West Cape brogue and had everyone in fits of laughter, especially our outside visitors, who loved the way he spoke. It was a most enjoyable and very interesting presentation.
The Toasts were made:
1. South Africa, the Mother Country, wishing her peace
2. Australia, our new home, may we be worth citizens.
3. Fallen Serviceman and women, “Lest we Forget”.
Veteran Karl Brown played a very well-received medley on his pipes, which included some favourite South African tunes.
Veteran CJ Luke, as Mess Vice President, controlled the evening well and all went as planned
Attended by:
Ian and Sylvia Batholomew
Neale Bavington
Mike and Colleen Black
Adriaan and Louise Botha
Karl Brown
Ben and Merryl Burger
Denholme Chapman
Jason Cooke
George and Susan Cooney
Gordon and Val Cowie
Donovan and Christina Croucamp
Koos De Wet
Dion Driman
Wynand and Frances du Toit
Fanie Etsebeth
Bryton and Harriet Fennel
Derek and Judy Hadley
John and Val Hanlon
Ted and Judy Hayes
Marius Heymann
Patrick and Heather Honeyborne
Joe and Beverly Keyter
Barry Koch
CJ and Maggie Luke
Tony and Dee Macquet
Jaco and Karen Marais
Max and Annali Newman
Mx C Newman
Ken and Barbara Northwood
Gary Osborne
Dylan Osborne
Roy and Marietjie Pereksies
Viv and Henrietta Robey
Paul Roos
Kevin and Debbie Rother
Kevin Shaw
Derick and Vanessa Smith
Richard and Linda Southey
Glen Stander
Etienne and Tanja Theart
Pierre Truter
Gideon and Robyn Van der Westhuizen
Jacques and Elmi Van Niekerk
Carlo and Heidi Vlok
Mike and Louwna Weber
Frank White
Shaun and Nicolette Winson
SAMVOA National Chairman's Distinguished Service Awards: Veteran Tony Macquet MMM with Vice Chairman Veteran Richard Southey MMM.
Veteran Gordon Bold - In recognition of your dedication in supporting SAMVOA National in ensuring that our documentation maintains a high standard of presentation of our Constitution and Standard Operational Procedures. In addition, your representation at the National Boer War Memorial Committee, representing SAMVOA at the highest level and your service to your Region, Queensland is much appreciated by your peers.
Veteran Garth Pienaar - In recognition of your dedication and passion in building SAMVOA Western Australia to an exceptionally high level. Also in recognition for your exceptional service and devotion as National Vice Chairman, your unwavering support is demonstrated in body and in spirit, not only in the absence of the National Chairman, but has provided a solid operating foundation for the SAMVOA Executive and its Members.
Veteran Maggie Luke - In recognition of your dedication to duty and SAMVOA ideals. As Welfare Officer, your role is critical in supporting struggling members, either in health or other circumstances and keeping in touch when help is so badly needed. Your further initiative in proposing and starting the Regional Newsletter "Boshoed" has created a catalyst in which to attract new members and strengthen existing membership. Your selfless dedication has gained the respect and admiration of your Peers and is testimony to your commitment to SAMVOA and its member. We salute you, Maggie. Lest we Forget.
Veteran Colin Bowring MMM - In recognition of his steadfast support of SAMVOA, SAMVOZA and SAMVOUSA and its members as the SAMVOINT Principal Representative at the CMVO. Your enthusiasm in building SAMVOZA into the fastest growing Entity within SAMVOINT, is testimony to your passion and drive in ensuring that our organisation is accepted and respected by our peers, the veteran organisations representing the statutory forces in South Africa.
CHAIRMAN'S CUP WINNER : Victoria Region
SAMVOA Bugle Winner: Veteran Tony Macquet MMM
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