Busy times ahead for new SANDF Logistics Chief

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Lieutenant General Morris Moadira is the SA National Defence Force’s (SANDF) new logistics boss.

He takes over the position previously held by another three star, Bongani Mbatha, who died in May last year.

As the man in the SANDF with overall responsibility for logistics, including transport, much will be expected of him as the deadline apparently imposed by Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, for acquisition of another VIP aircraft fast approaches.

Other tasks in his immediate future include the acquisition of some form of medium or heavy aircraft by the SA Air Force (SAAF) as well as a maritime patrol aircraft acquisition. Both these projects have been in the pipeline for a good number of years but demands made on the military are pushing them up the priority list again.

He will also be keeping a weather eye on announcements from Armscor as regards tender awards for seven new hulls for the SA Navy. A replacement for the ageing hydrographic vessel, SAS Protea, and three each of inshore and offshore patrol vessels are expected around mid-year and should boost the local shipbuilding sector. This is in direct support of the blue economy portion of Operation Phakisa, launched by President Jacob Zuma in October 2014. It is a job creation initiative centred on the oceans around South Africa and it maritime industry.

As with the majority of the SANDF command structure, Moadira is a former MK member, having joined the armed wing of the ANC in 1978. He underwent basic military training in Angola and became an instructor.

Among highlights of his career as Deputy Chief Logistics of the SANDF are cited the resolution of an informal settlement encroaching the Jam Kemp ammunition depot in Kimberley and the head of Project Thusano, which has seen Cuban mechanics coming to South Africa to boost local mechanical skills as well as assist in military vehicle repair.

An official CV notes: “He established Logistic Division Level 2 and acquired a headquarters building as well as ensuring effective command and control in the Logistics Division”.

Moadira holds a National Certificate in Journalism, Certificate in Business Management, Certificate in Strategic Logistics Management, Certificate in Project and Advanced Project Management, Certificate in National Cyber Security, Certificate in Supply Chain Management, Certificate in Effective Stakeholder Management and Certificate in Event Management.

Moadira served the SANDF as SO1 Staff Support from 1998 to 1999 after which he was promoted to the rank of Colonel as SSO Plan. In 2004 he was promoted to a rank of Brigadier General and appointed as General Officer Commanding SA Army Support Base Bloemfontein, and in 2011 he was then promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed as Deputy Chief Logistics. In 2015 he was appointed Acting Chief Logistics.