Johannes Geldenhuys
General Johannes Jacobus (Jannie) Geldenhuys, SSA, SD, SOE, SM, MMM (5 February 1935 – 10 September 2018)[1] was a South African military commander who served as Chief of the South African Defence Force from 1985 to 1990.[2][3]
Johannes Geldenhuys | |
|---|---|
 Johannes Jacobus Geldenhuys | |
| Born | 5 February 1935 Kroonstad, South Africa |
| Died | 10 September 2018 (aged 83) George, South Africa |
| Allegiance | South Africa |
| Service/ | South African Army |
| Years of service | 1954–1990 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Chief of the South African Defence Force (1985–90) Chief of the Army (1980–85) South West Africa Territorial Force (1980) South West Africa Command (1977–80) |
| Battles/wars | South African Border War |
| Awards | Star of South Africa Southern Cross Decoration South African Police Star for Outstanding Service Southern Cross Medal Military Merit Medal |
Early life
Geldenhuys was born in Kroonstad on 5 February 1935.[2] He would later matriculate from Hoërskool Voortrekker in Bethlehem, Orange Free State.[4]:1
Military career
He joined the army on 4 January 1954 as a candidate officer.[5]:19 Geldenhuys obtained a BMil from the University of Pretoria in 1956 before joining 1 Special Service Battalion.[6]:77[5]:19 In 1965, he was based at the South African Embassy in Luanda, Angola as a Vice-Consul, a position he held until 1968.[5]:19 He was appointed as Army Chief of Staff Intelligence and then Army Chief of Staff Operations.[5]:19 He went on to high command in the South African Army, serving as commander of South West Africa Command from 1977 until 1980, when he was briefly appointed as General Officer Commanding the South West African Territorial Force. Later in 1980, he became Chief of the Army. Geldenhuys was promoted to general and assumed the position of Chief of the South African Defence Force on 31 October 1985. In this role, he took part in negotiations that brought the Border War to an end in 1989, after 23 years of fighting.[3]
Death
Geldenhuys died on 10 September 2018 due to the effects of Alzheimer's Disease.[4]:1[5]:18 He was survived by his wife Marié, daughters Anna-Marié and Lollie, and son Bruwer. Another son, Martin, predeceased him.[4]:1
Medals and decorations
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- Knight
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References
- Kolberg, Kristy (September 10, 2018). "RETIRED DEFENCE FORCE LEADER DIES". George Herald. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- "5 February 1935: General Jannie Geldenhuys is born". SA History.org. Archived from the original on 11 February 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
- "Senior (High Office) Officers / Offisiere". SADF Info. Archived from the original on 23 March 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
- van der Walt, Sarel (11 September 2018). "Geldenhuys se vredesrol geloof". Beeld (in Afrikaans).
- van der Walt, Sarel (15 September 2018). "'Nag, my generaal'". Beeld (in Afrikaans).
- Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452–1992. Germiston: Fortress Publishers. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
Further reading
- Geldenhuys, Jannie (2009). At the Front: A General's Account of South Africa's Border War. Johannesburg, South Africa: Jonathan Ball Publishers SA. ISBN 978-1-86842-331-6.
- Cadman, Mike. "General Jannie Geldenhuys - Missing Voices Project" (pdf).
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Constand Viljoen |
Chief of the South African Defence Force 1985–1990 |
Succeeded by Andreas Liebenberg |
| Chief of the Army 1980–1985 | ||
| Preceded by Unknown |
GOC South West Africa Command 1977–1980 |
Succeeded by Charles Lloyd |
Chiefs of the South African military | |
|---|---|
| Chief of the Union Defence Force 1912–1957 .svg.png){kind=small} | |
| Commandant General SADF 1958–1973 .svg.png){kind=small} | |
| Chief of the SADF 1973–1994 | |
| Chief of the SANDF 1994–present | |
Chiefs of the South African Army | ||
|---|---|---|
| Director-General of Land Forces |  | |
| Army Chief of Staff |
| |
| Chief of the Army | ||
Authority control  |
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