A commanding woman
SA Navy change of command
SOUTH AFRICA: Commander Lelethu Bixa became the second woman to be appointed to take command of a warship last week at a Change of Command parade held in Simon’s Town last week.
After receiving her badge from the Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, the new commander boarded the SAS King Sekhukhune 1 to take over command from Commander Jabulani Mashamba.
According to an article on the SA Navy’s Facebook page, the parade was attended by members of the Naval Command Council and Officers Commanding other military units. SAS KING SEKHUKHUNE 1 was the first of three new multi-mission inshore patrol vessels (MMIPVs) and entered into service in 2022.
Commander Bixa, who joined the SA Navy in 2009, is from Zwide, Gqebrha. After completing her training, she was first deployed to the SAS Umkomaas in 2011 as a Gunnery Officer.
In 2012, she was drafted on board the SAS Umhloti as Assistant Navigator. She joined SAS Amatola in 2013 and served in Operation Copper in the Mozambique Channel. After completing her Navigation Certificate in 2014, she was appointed Navigation Officer of the SAS Umzimkulu.
After spending some time ashore, she returned to sea in 2020 where she was appointed as First Lieutenant of the SAS Umzimkulu before becoming action Officer Commanding in 2021.
PHOTO: Vice Admiral Monde Lobese hands Commander Bixa her Command Badge and charges her with command of SAS King Sekhukhune 1. (Photo Gert Witooi)
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