South African National Defence Force Bands

Army Band Cape Town

The South African Army Band Cape Town is based in Cape Town and is the oldest regular force band in the country. It originated in 1915 as the regimental band of the 1st Battalion, The Cape Corps, a famous fighting unit of World War 1. When the Cape Corps was disestablished in 1919, the band continued on a part-time basis. When the Cape Corps was re-activated at the start of the Second World War, the band returned to full-time service in the regiment. Although Cape Corps was disbanded for the last time in 1992, the 42-member band was retained as one of the five regional Army bands and was renamed to SA Army Band Cape Town under the directorship of Major Chris Nicholls.

In 2006, Lieutenant Martin Chandler, the youngest qualified director in the Corps of Bandsmen, succeeded Nicholls as Director of Music. The band has won the best many narching band awards and is widely regarded as one of the foremost military bands in Africa. In 2000 the SANDF initiated a music-training program at the band's headquarters in Cape Town, to assist young recruits of the Military Skills Development System and various African countries such as Namibia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Congo and Botswana in training military musicians. The band has performed extensively at various events, including the Grahamstown National Arts Festival and the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival amongst others. The band has also received much praise for their involvement in the first Opening of Parliament and the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela in 1994.

Army Band Limpopo

The South African Army Band Limpopo, based in Polokwane, traces its roots back to the first South African Permanent Force Band, which was formed in the 1930s. The band Limpopo came into being when the former Venda Defence Force Band and the Far Northern Transvaal Command Staff Band were combined. The current Director of Music, Captain Benedict Sibande, is one of only a few South African bandsmen to study at the Royal Military School of Music in the United Kingdom.

Army Band Kroonstad

The South African Army Band Kroonstad based in Kroonstad, is the regional military band serving the Free State province. It was founded in 1977, when the excellent Correctional Services Band was dissolved as a result of re-organisation in that Department. Many bandsmen from that band were transferred to the South African Army and became founder members of the new Kroonstad Band. The band was re-formed on 1 April 1997. In 2008, it became the first South African band to visit the United States when it participated in the Virginia International Tattoo. The Director of Music of the band is Major Dawie Fourie, one of the Correctional Services founder members. The Kroonstad Band is generally regarded as one of the best military bands in South Africa.

SACB Insignias

• Musician badge
• Senior Musician badge
• Principle Musician badge
• Chief Musician badge
• Group Leader badge
• Band Master badge
• Director of Music badge
• Senior Director of Music badge

South African Navy Band

The South African Navy Band (SAN Band) supports the ceremonial activities of the South African Navy. The band was originated as the First Permanent Force Band of the Union Defence Force in 1934. Over the years it has changed its name several times before keeping its current name in December 1954. In May 1955 the band transferred to Simon’s Town from Pretoria. After the country became a republic in 1961, the South African Marines was disbanded and the band was transferred to Youngsfield under the command of the Coast Guard. In 1957 the band then moved to the Recreational Hall in East Dockyard, Simon’s Town, before they moved to Cable Hill, where they are currently stationed.

The founder of the band was R.S. "Steel" Downey, who is considered by many band members as the “Father of the South African Navy Band” He served as commanding officer until his retirement in 1958, and continued to work with the band until his death in September 1976. It is made up of 47 members who have a history of taking part in international military music festivals since 2002. This band performs anywhere between 150 and 200 musical engagements during a calendar year with its Marching Band, Concert Band, Dance Band, Marimba Group and Chamber Group.^[5][6][7]

South African Air Force Band

The South African Air Force Band (SAAF Band), formerly known as the Union Defence Force Band, is the official military band of the South African Air Force, based in Valhalla, Centurion. The band was established after World War II in 1946 by Captain Harry Philips, who was a member of the Union Defence Force Band. Since the band's inception, it has performed at major national events, most notably the unveiling of the new Coat of arms of South Africa by Thabo Mbeki in Bloemfontein. The SAAF Band has many different small groups within the band which performs at various official functions. These groups include:

• Classical Music Pianists
• Light Music Pianists
• Piano Ensemble
• Trumpet Ensemble
• Saxophone Quartet
• Brass Quintet
• Woodwind Quintet
• Jazz Trio
• Clarinet Soloist
• Dance band
• Big Band

The band's motto is Semper in Concentu (Always in Harmony)^[8][9][10]

South African Military Health Services Band

The South African Military Health Services Band (SAMHS Band) supports the ceremonial activities of the South African Military Health Service. It was formed in the late 1960s as the National Service Band under the leadership of WO1 ‘Stoney’ Steenkamp. Since the early 1980s, the band has offered full-time jobs in the band. The band also maintains a pipes and drums unit, which is commonly known as the SAMHS Pipes and Drums.