Retired Chief Petty Officer Steven William Beerwinkle was laid to rest from St Monica’s Anglican church in Vredenburg with a semi-military funeral.
The funeral, on Saturday 15 January, was a first on the West Coast for a military veteran.
The South African Navy Military Veterans Association (Sanmva) was established 2019 in Cape Town by ex-naval cadres, and a chapter was also established on the West Coast, of which Beerwinkle was a founder member. This association was established to assist military vets with social, welfare and economic development wherever possible. The local chapter of Sanmva acknowledges certain role players for making the petty officer’s send-off a memorable one. These include Rear Admiral (JG) Joseph Dlamini for giving authority to have the semi-military funeral, also Fr ENR Fingo for officiating and the chairman of Sanmva.
Thanks too to Keith Swartz for his assistance in writing the appropriate letters and obtaining the authority required.
For the ceremonial, Warrant Officer of Naval Base Simonstown, WO1 Christie Thomas and Gunnery Instructor of SAS Saldanha WO2 Vhutshilo Mpoti for getting everything organised as per military precision.
Also, Pastor Michael Thys, Leon Moodaley, Allan Mathews and Malvern Collins.
West Coast Sanmva invites all navy veterans to join the chapter. For more information contact Allan Mathews on 084 876 4341.
