A historic milestone for the South African Navy was marked at Naval Base Simon’s Town on Thursday 14 May when Captain Zanele Madiba made history as the first woman to command a Valour Class Frigate during the SAS AMATOLA Change of Command Parade.
The ceremony formed part of two official Change of Command parades hosted by the South African Navy for SAS AMATOLA (F145) and SAS KING SHAKA ZULU (P1572), symbolising the formal transfer of leadership, responsibility and trust between commanding officers.
Historic Command
Senior naval leadership, government representatives, defence partners and military personnel attended the parades, which highlighted the Navy’s commitment to professionalism, continuity and operational readiness.
Captain Madiba’s appointment was regarded as a significant achievement in the transformation and progression of the South African Navy taking over the reins while maintaining operational excellence within the fleet, said SA Navy spokesperson, Stacey Jonas.
The parade also marked the conclusion of Captain Dieter Jones’s tenure as Outgoing Officer Commanding of SAS AMATOLA, during which he reflected on the vessel’s remarkable turnaround from a struggling platform to a fully operational frigate capable of international deployment.
In his farewell address, Captain Jones described the early days of his command as one of the most challenging periods of his naval career.
“Members of the Navy Command Council, thank you for entrusting me with this command, providing guidance and support, no matter how insignificant, it all contributed to the success achieved by this amazing ships company,” he said.
In his speech he highlighted the challenges he encountered.
“When I assumed command, AMATOLA was dead. We were stuck with little progress or support as we were not a priority vessel. We needed to complete an EC 53 (complete engine change). Needless to say it was a challenging start.” he said candidly.
He explained that his approach from day one was to “unify the ship’s company”.
“The momentum started shifting when we forced ourselves into the Dry Dock. By now the Ships Coy knew and understood the Command Vision and our approach to our maintenance authorities and contractors was always, what can we do to help you. I managed to get to know these people well, many of them are sitting on my left today. Thank you all for what you have done to support my command vision,” he said.
Naval Milestone
Captain Madiba said she experienced an extensive journey in the navy to tackling her new role but says she hopes to take SAS AMATOLA to new heights.
She was born in Umzimkulu in KwaZulu-Natal and raised in Soweto.
“The vision for any Officer Commanding is to make sure the ship is operational and available, which is your job to get the ship at sea and fulfill the mandate of the SA Navy which is to protect our shores, to remain at sea, fight at sea and to make sure that your crew’s trained and provide the South African people with a Navy that is capable and operational,” she said.
In his speech Captain Jones recalled a special memory during his tenure with his crew was their journey from a “dead ship to crossing the Indian Ocean.” which was initially a “pipe dream”.
“This deployment was the first external deployment for the South African Navy in a decade. SAS AMATOLA visited India for participation in an International Fleet Review and Exercise MILAN, thereafter SAS AMATOLA conducted goodwill visits to China, Malaysia, Kenya and Tanzania,” he said.
Leadership Change
Captain Jones wished Captain Madiba well during her historical journey as the “first lady to command” a Valour Class Frigate.
“I am proud of the hand I could play in your development and the qualification that brings you here today. You have a challenging task ahead of you to keep AMAT operational, but I am sure you are equipped to be successful,” he said.
Jones also expressed gratitude to his family, particularly his wife Vanessa and their two sons, Marno and Reuben, acknowledging the sacrifices they made during his 24 years of service at sea.
“No one will ever comprehend the sacrifices you have made for me to serve at sea for more than 24 years,”
Captain Jones says he is looking forward to relaxing and spending quality time with his family in Fish Hoek.
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