MARK STEENBOK
"I undertake to perform my duties with dignity and diligence."
Those were the words of incoming Brigadier General Selby Moyo at the official handover parade recently hosted at the Tempe Army base in Bloemfontein. He is now the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) at the Army Support Base.
The change of command took place in good spirit on 24 April as the outgoing acting general officer Commanding Colonel John Melepe officially handed over the reins to incumbent Moyo who enters his new role with years of experience on his side.
Moyo was born and brought up in Johannesburg, Soweto. In 1976, he left the country to join the Liberation Struggle after the Soweto Uprising. He served under Umkhonto we Sizwe at different and varying capacities in different frontline countries in Africa and abroad. He joined the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and worked in the weapons systems management in 1994.
Upon completion of the senior command and staff duties course he was promoted to the rank of colonel and deployed in the infantry formation’s Supply Support and Services.
He was deployed in the Directorate Facilities Management as Staff Synchronization Officer, Facilities Programme Manager, and then deployed in the Directorate Supply Support and Services, responsible for Policy Review and Updates, Governance and Reporting.
Moyo further made a brief tour of duty to Uganda as a defence advisor in the South African High Commission before his appointment in his current post.
Outgoing Malepe was appointed as the Acting General of ASB Bloemfontein on 5 June 2014 where he served the ASB Bloemfontein with loyalty and diligence until end of term.
He told guests at the handover of reins that he was honored to have served in his role.
"I will always cherish my times here, in life there’s a beginning and an end, and today is my end," said Melepe.
He further thanked everybody for their support and wished the new General Moyo well on his new role.
"Today we enter a new chapter with a new general, today someone with new fresh ideas takes over. Once more, congratulations, General. I wish you well," added Melepe.
The main function of General Support Base Bloemfontein is to give support to all the force’s structures within its area of responsibility.
