Shoke takes final bow as SANDF chief
The outgoing chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Solly Shoke, has officially handed over the ropes of the defence force to Lieutenant-General Rudzani Maphwanya.
Maphwanya was recently appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and set to resume duties on July 1.
The handover ceremony took place at the Pretoria Military Sports Club in Thaba Tshwane, Pretoria on Friday morning.
Shoke (64) joined the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) the military wing of the African National Congress in the 1970s.
In 2011 he was appointed Chief the SANDF by former President Jacob Zuma.
In the handing ceremony, Shoke thanked Zuma and Ramaphosa for entrusting him in serving the nation.
"I must say am greatly humbled to stand before you as the outgoing Chief of the South African National Defence Force, never in my slighted dreams did I ever think; I'll live to see a South Africa that is free.
"Let alone to serve in uniform and ascend to the highest office and rank and be at the top of the South African National Defence Force.
"For that, I'll have to thank all of you who made it possible for us to survive and see a free South Africa."
Shoke said as he leaves office, he is confident he is leaving it in the capable hands of men and women who respect the constitution of the country.
The 64-year-old believes the SANDF, in the hands of Maphwanya, is safe and would even perform better.
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