"Focus on your studies 100% from day one. Grab this opportunity with both hands and never let go of it. It is your key to life, both in terms of broadening options to life and further more enabling you as a citizen of this country to make a meaningful contribution."
With this advice, Brigadier General Lawrence Mbatha, Commandant of the Military Academy in Saldanha, recently welcomed new students during the Welcoming Parade (MA18) at the Military Academy parade ground.
The Welcoming Parade and Academic Opening marks the start of the year for the Military Academy. The parade, led by the SA Army Band from Youngsfield, was attended by the Mayor of Saldanha Municipality, Mr Francois Schippers, the Chief: Human Resources, Lieutenant General Norman Yengeni as well as several high ranking South African National Defence Force officials.
In his address at the Academic Opening of the Military Academy, Prof Nico Koopman, acting Vice Rector: Social Impact, Transformation & Personnel at Stellenbosch University, said students came to the Academy to build comprehensive human security and peace in South Africa, the continent and globally.
"We make a commitment that you will grow in knowledge, values and skills for the common good of South Africa and the rest of Africa."
