Parts of the Simon’s Town Naval Base will be renamed in honour of the three mariners that died at sea last week.
South African Navy Chief Vice Admiral Monde Lobese made the announcement on Wednesday at the memorial service of Lieutenant Commander Gillian Malouw Hector, Warrant Officer Class One Mokwapa Mojela and Master Warrant Officer William Mathipa.
Hector, the first woman to navigate a submarine, Mathipa and Mojela died off the coast of Kommetjie, Western Cape during a vertical transfer exercise on September 20.
“I’m renaming the submarine school to Gillian Hector training centre; the submarine squadron workshops to William Mathipa and the submarine squadron offices to Lucas Mojela Offices,” Lobese said.
Lobese’s announcement was met with loud applause and a standing ovation by hundreds of family members, colleagues and friends gathered at the Wynberg Military Indoor Sports Centre in Cape Town to pay tribute to the trio.
He praised the submariners aboard the SAS Manthatisi who braved the rough seas to assist those who had been swept off the vessel by high waves.
“I know there is nothing we can do to bring these members back. However, we can forever honour them in the following manner,” he said.
After he left the podium, Lobese shook the hands of weeping family members as he made his way back to his seat.
The navy’s top brass, colleagues, friends and family paid moving tributes to the fallen heroes.
Last week, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) announced that an inquiry into the incident would be convened in due course. However, SA Navy authorities have stressed that all safety measures had been in place on board the SAS Manthatisi.
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