The 6SAI Battalion in Grahamstown yesterday saw a change of command as Lieutenant Colonel Sivuyile Ntsunguzi took over as Officer Commanding (OC).
The handing over of command parade between Lieutenant Colonel Martin Gopane and Ntsunguzi took place at the 6SAI parade ground yesterday.
The 6SAI Battalion in Grahamstown yesterday saw a change of command as Lieutenant Colonel Sivuyile Ntsunguzi took over as Officer Commanding (OC).
The handing over of command parade between Lieutenant Colonel Martin Gopane and Ntsunguzi took place at the 6SAI parade ground yesterday.
Ntsunguzi, who believes he is the first soldier to move up from the rank of a troop to the OC in the same unit, saidafter the parade that he is “ready for the post, and will take you forward, 6SAI”.
Ntsunguzi was the second in command at 6SAI before taking over the reins. Gopane took over as 6SAI OC in 2008 and has taken part in a number of operations as part of the battalion, as well as being part of the organising committee for the SANDF Parachuting Championships in December last year.
An avid parachutist, Gopane made a dramatic entrance to yesterday’s event as he parachuted onto the parade grounds, only a few metres from the waiting parade.
In his final speech to 6SAI, Gopane wished all great success in the years to come, “keep up the good work, the sky is the limit” he said.
Gopane said that 6SAI has a number of big future plans which “may seem too difficult to continue,” but his belief in the unit is strong.
Ntsunguzi, who has worked through the ranks in 6SAI, said the only place he has not worked at is the messes. He said that while it was a dream of his to one day become OC, he did not expect to become OC at 6SAI, where he started his army career.
Ntsunguzi is no stranger to the OC post, as he was acting OC at 6SAI for a number of months last year when Gopane was away on various deployment operations.
Ntsunguzi began his military career in 1988 and among the courses he has completed include: platoon weapons, platoon commander coin (urban), mechanised operation, battalion anti-tank and military law.
