The head of the SA Navy is called the Chief of the SA Navy. Below follows a list of all incumbents in that post and its predecessors:
SA Navy, SA National Defence Force (1994 – present)
Chief of the SA Navy
· V Adm Refiloe Johannes Mudimu March 1, 2005 – present
· V Adm Johan Frans Retief November 1, 2000 – February 28, 2005
· V Adm Robert Claude Simpson-Anderson April 27, 1994 – October 31, 2000
SA Navy, SA Defence Force (1957-1994)
· V Adm Robert Claude Simpson-Anderson September 1, 1992 – April 26, 1994
· V Adm Lambert J “Woody” Woodburne July 1, 1990 – August 31, 1992
· V Adm Glen Syndercombe July 1, 1985 – March 31, 1989
· V Adm Andries P “Dries” Putter October 1, 1982 – June 30, 1990 (two terms)
· V Adm Ronald A Edwards February 1, 1980 – September 30, 1982
· V Adm J Charl Walters October 1, 1977 – January 30, 1980
· V Adm James “Johnny” Johnson April 1, 1972 – September 30, 1977
· V Adm Hugo H Biermann July 1, 1966 – March 31, 1972
SA Navy Chief of Staff
· R Adm Hugo H Biermann May 1, 1955 – June 30, 1966
SA Naval Service & Seaward Defence Force, Union Defence Force (1912-1957)
SA Navy and Marine Chief of Staff
· Cmdre Hugo H Biermann December 1, 1952 – April 30, 1955
· Brigadier Pieter de Waal[1] July 1, 1951 – November 30, 1952
Director SA Naval Force
· Commodore Frederick J Deane December 1, 1946 – June 30, 1951
· Commodore James Dalgleish March 21, 1941 – November 30, 1946
Director Seaward Defence Force
· R Adm Guy W Hallifax September 16, 1939 – March 28, 1941
Director SA Naval Services
· vacant
· Commander RFUP Fitzgerald June 4, 1928 – November 4, 1932
Commander Norman H Rankin April 1, 1922 – June 3, 1928
