Name Solly Shoke | Years of service 1994 – current | |
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Awards Star for Bravery in Silver (SBS) Merit Medal in Silver (MMS) General Service MedalMaluti Clasp Unitas MedalMandela Commemoration Medal (Gold) Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service with 30 Year Clasp) Service Medal in Silver Service Medal in Bronze Order of Military Merit (Brazil) | ||
Defence minister thabang makwetla and sandf chief general solly shoke visited soldiers
General Solly Zacharia Shoke (born 15 August 1956) is a South African military commander. He joined Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress, in the 1970s, and served as a field commander fighting against the South African government in the 1980s. He transferred to the South African National Defence Force when MK was incorporated into it in 1994.
Contents
- Defence minister thabang makwetla and sandf chief general solly shoke visited soldiers
- SANDU calls Chief of the Defence Force Gen Solly Shoke to resign
- Military career
- Honours and awards
- References
SANDU calls Chief of the Defence Force, Gen. Solly Shoke to resign
Military career
Shoke received his education at Orlando High School, Alexandra Township, in Johannesburg. Other academic qualifications include a Diploma in Human Resources Management from Damelin, a Certificate in Defence Management from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Certificate in Personnel Management from IPM. Shoke joined Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), in the 1970s. In the 1980s he served as field commander during the liberation struggle against the South African government. He obtained his military training in Angola and completed the Brigade Commanders Course in the USSR. He became part of the underground leadership of Operation Vula in 1988. Between 1993 and 1994, Shoke followed an Intermediate Staff Course in Zimbabwe. In 1994 he was appointed as Director Personnel Planning of the SA Army.
In 1998, he commanded the South African Development Community forces during Operation Boleas in Lesotho. He was the Director Personnel Acquisition from January 1999 to October 2000 when he was promoted to the rank of Major General as the Chief Director Human Resources Support. He was promoted to Chief of the South African Army in 2004, and became Chief of the South African National Defence Force in May 2011.
Honours and awards
