Gilbert Ramano

Lieutenant General Gilbert Ramano SSAS SD MMS MMM MMB
Born	(1939-07-07) 7 July 1939 (age 85) Sophiatown, Transvaal Province, Union of South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Service / branch	South African Army
Years of service	1964 – 2004
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands	Chief of the South African Army Deputy Chief of the South African Army GOC Northern Cape Command
Battles / wars	Struggle for Liberation of South Africa
Awards
Other work	RSA Mediator to Sudan

Lieutenant General Gilbert Lebeko Ramano SSAS SD MMS MMM MMB (born 7 July 1939)[1] is a South African military commander.[2]

Career

Ramano was born in Sophiatown. He completed his schooling at Madibane High School and worked as a senior clerk at the WNLA mines depot in Johannesburg from 1961 to 62.[3]

He left South Africa in 1962 to join the armed wing of the African National Congress, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He attended a number of military courses in Tanzania, Egypt (special operations) and the Soviet Union, including a Soviet Army Staff Course in 1971. He returned to South Africa in 1992 and attended the Zimbabwe Army Staff Course in 1994.[4]

In 1995, he attended the SANDF Joint Staff Course and was appointed General Officer Commanding Northern Cape Command in July of that year.

In May 1997 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Army and on 1 July 1998 he was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed Chief of the Army.

Honours and awards

In 1999, Lt General Ramano was awarded the Order of the Star of South Africa[5] His awards include the following:[3]: Photo 

• Star of South Africa (Silver) (SSAS)
• Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
• Merit Medal (Silver) (MMS)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• Merit Medal (Bronze) (MMB)
• Operational Medal for Southern Africa
• South Africa Service Medal
• Unitas (Unity) Medal
• Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service (40 Years)
• Service Medal (Gold)
• Service Medal (Silver)
• Service Medal (Bronze)
• Legion of Merit (Commander) (LOM)
• Order of Military Merit (Grand Officer - Grande-Oficial)

See also

• List of South African military chiefs

References

1. "Interviews". SADET - South African Democracy Education Trust.
2. "SADF Info - List of Chiefs (Post 1994)". SADF Info.
3. Schobesberger, H. Col (May 2003). "From freedom fighter to Chief of the Army" (PDF). SA Soldier. 10 (5): 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2014. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
4. "Unknown".^[dead link‍]
5. "National Orders Recipients 1999". SA History Online. Archived from the original on 29 January 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.

Military offices
Preceded by Lt Gen Reginald Otto	Chief of the South African Army 1998–2004	Succeeded by Lt Gen Solly Shoke
Preceded by Maj Gen Jonny Coetzer	Deputy Chief of the South African Army 1997 –1998	Succeeded by Maj Gen Roland de Vries
Preceded by Maj Gen Vos Benade	GOC Northern Cape Command 1995–1997	Succeeded by Maj Gen Aaron Ntshinga