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Message from the Chairman: Mike Bosazza
On 20 September, the second anniversary of the tragedy that claimed the lives of Lt Cdr Gillian Elizabeth Hector, MWO William Malesoka Mathipa and WO1 Mokwapa Lucas Mojela, I attended the memorial service to unveil the plaques recording the incident.
The address by Chief of the Navy emphasised the role that the SA Navy plays in the lives of current serving members as well as past members and it is fitting that the memorial is in the Assegaai Submarine Museum Park – a place which the three submariners did not know, but which recognises the role played by our submariners past and present.
What struck me is that heritage is not just something from the distant past but is built up day by day. It is so important that we recognise that our Naval heritage is growing every day. But as memories fade it is vital that we keep recording the past, our history, customs and artefacts.
Assegaai Submarine Museum Park has become a very special venue and I urge you to visit the NHT office and SAS Assegaai which are both based there.
Mike Bosazza
Naval Digests (ND) and Books in the pipeline
Naval Heritage publishes a minimum of two Naval Digests each year and one book. There are number of Naval Digests being worked on by the Trustees and other writers and they will be published as they are completed. The proposed digests below are an indication of what is being planned for.
Naval Digest 40 and 41 have been posted to all members and should have been received by now. However, there were a number returned undelivered and they will be retained until the next posting in 2026. The Trust was especially proud of the Navy Band publication as it was the first time a QR code was used and provided the link to the Navy Band music on You Tube. See page 12 in News letter for the QR link.
The next two digests for publication are ND 42 and 43
Naval Digest 42. Tim Johnson
This Digest is now completed with a forward by V Adm Johan Retief and will be published in May 2026. This Digest is made up of Tim`s Oral History recorded by Glen Knox a few years ago and also includes articles by other Naval officers and friends.
Many of his paintings have also been included with kind permission of Joey Johnson.
Royal Naval Surveys in South African Waters 1793 – 1821 ND 43.
This ND has been written by Captain Mike Barritt, RN and was offered to NH as a addition to the Naval Digest collection by the Capt. The book has been completed. Capt Abri Kamfer provided the forward to the ND.
The book contains interesting and wonderful stories of the early surveys along the SA coast line with interest6ing photos of the early charts produced by the RN for marine operations along a very dangerous and unknown coast. This ND will be published in June / July 2026.
Both ND 42 and 43 will be hand delivered and posted in June 2026.
A new book of South African submariners serving on foreign submarines by MWO Dave Harrison, is nearing completion and is due for publication at the end of 2025.
Naval Digest. Voyage to the Ice – SAS Outeniqua by Marga Ley. This ND is now completed. However, Heritage is awaiting approval from the original author as her notes were used to compile the Digest. Good quality photos of the voyage were problematic however the correct photos have been inserted and ready for publication in 2027.
During the NHT monthly meeting in September the following new Naval Digest were presented and the themes approved. The actual date for each publication will depend on how fast the research and writing can be completed for each publication.
- History of SAS Protea by Cdr Leon Steyn
- Hydrography in the SA Navy by Capt (Ret) Theo Stokes assisted by Capt (Ret) Abri Kamfer and Capt Nicholette le Roux.
- Top Sportsmen and Women of the SAN 1922 – 2025 by Capt Glen Knox and MWO Dave Harrison.
- SAS Drakensberg – Ops Pullen by RAdm (JG) Arne Soderlund, Capt Chris Dooner and SAS Outeniqua – Operation White Dove by Capt Glen Knox with assistance from those serving on board at the time.
- SAS Tafelberg – Ops Gypsy with diary input from CPO Rushby and Capt Bob Harrison
- Voyage of the Dias by Capt Andrew Blake, a crew member at the time.
- The history of SAS Simonsberg by V Adm Loedlof and Cdr Leon Steyn
- Operation Savannah by R Adm (JG) Arne Soderlund and MWO Dave Harrison. With details from the SAS President Steyn, OC, Capt Sam Davis Report of Proceedings
- Sea / Naval Cadets in South Africa by Cdr Waldie Barty – nearing completion.
- Sea / Naval Cadets in Cape Town by Capt Ruper Toms. Still very much in draft form.
- Through the Periscope by MWO Dave Harrison will be updated and reprinted.
- Warships visiting SA by Capt Bill Rice. This book will cover all the naval warships that have operated around the SA Coast.
- My Life, the naval career of R Adm Nic Smit. This book will be edited and formatted by Arne Soderlund before being published.
- The family of Capt G.F. Gower have compiled a magnificent album of his life and times including letters written during WWII. Heritage will be reformatting this for a ND.
- Oral History stories of past serving naval members. A short list is being discussed as to which stories can be safely used. Permission from the surviving families will then be obtained before progressing with the stories. It is envisaged that there will be 4 Oral History stories per Naval Digest.
New Books available through Naval Heritage
Foreign Submarine Visits to South Africa and Associated Exercises 1933 – 2023.
This very interesting 198-page book on visiting submarines is still available to those interested in submarine exercises and visits.
The book contains fascinating stories on the visiting vessels. Almost every page has a photo to add to the storyline.
The book costs R150 for NH Society members and R180 retail, plus R60 for PAXI post if required.
The two-book pictorial set on SAN Divers are still available from the office. Vol 1 is R1000 and Vol 2 is R650.
The two Naval Divers books Vol 1 and 2 available from the NHT office
Veteran caps are also available from the Heritage office at R130.
Heritage Symposium
Naval Heritage will be attending the upcoming Heritage Symposium in late October 25, being arranged jointly by C Log and Stellenbosch University. Naval Heritage intends presenting a paper on the way Trust has grown over the last 31 years and the products it puts out to Heritage members and the public through Naval Digest and Books. The all-important Oral History program will also be discussed.
Feedback will be provided in the next newsletter.
NHT Office
The NHT office is operating from the ASSEGAAI Submarine Museum Park on the left side of Cole Point Parking area. Over the wall from the NSRI Station 10.
The office is open for members to visit on Mondays and Thursdays between 0930 and 1200. If you are in the area, you are most welcome to pop in for a chat. You will then be able to view the Heritage collection of books, paintings and Oral Histories in the Office.
If you wish to confirm a visit, please message Glen on 0846861384 or Chris on 0845130617
The ASSEGAAI Submarine Museum is open daily from 0930 – 1500 for the public right alongside the NHT office.
NHT Subs 2024/25
Although the yearly subs for Naval Heritage were increased as of 1 January 2024, to cover the climbing printing and postal costs, there is as yet no envisaged increase during 2025
Besides the ND`s and book projects the Trust is also involved in Oral History recordings, assistance to the Naval Museum and the Submarine Museum project. The NHT also provides prizes to 4 Nautical Students at the Lawhill Maritime school. All these events cost, and funds need to be carefully allocated to ensure the Trust can meet its Heritage goals.
There are savings for those wanting the electronic copy of a Naval Digests. Published Books will still need to be hard copies.
Naval Heritage Society Subs are as follows. Please ensure the correct amount is transferred.
- Electronic copy only, subs R180 (no hard copy posted)
- Hard copy, subs R280. This will include the cost of the Paxi Post with Pep Stores. Hand delivered publications in the Cape Town area will also fall into this category as the Trustees will be required to travel around their allocated areas delivering the publications personally. Each Trustee will then be given a small travel allowance for this duty.
- Overseas delivery, subs R380 this will include the standard overseas postage with the Post Office (appears to be working better than local postal services)
- Corporate membership will also be R280.
Any other postage will be on an individual basis through the Paxi system.
All members should let the Trust know,
- Which option they are choosing Electronic (via email) or Hard Copy,
- Which Pep Store is their desired delivery point and their correct cell number. Paxi Post will have the packages delivered within 7 days of posting. Their system is well controlled, and packages are tracked constantly.
- Hand deliveries will need correct street address, not a P.O. Box
Hand delivered publications in the Cape Town area can only be delivered to actual addresses no longer P.O. Boxes.
Notification of Pep Store delivery point or actual home address as applicable and correct Cell phone numbers should be sent to Andre Wessels at nhtmembership@gmail.com
Kindly note the the yearly subs are either R180 or R280 for local members and R380 for overseas members. There are no subs at R150 or R200.
NHT Library of Collected Books
The trust has built up a considerable collection of nautical books on the SAN and other navies. It is intended to conduct a full stock take of all books in October those books falling outside the Naval Heritage theme will be passed along to the Sea Cadet base at Zandvlei
If any member is clearing out books, please remember the Trust
Oral History Program
Every day of your life is a page of your history.
The Heritage Trusts Oral History program has continued strongly. There are now 368 completed Oral Histories
One-on-One recordings continue with both Glen and Eddie attempting to make inroads into the considerable backlog. Numerous Mini Oral Histories with the info being obtained from family members, old Navy News articles and other documents continues.
The oral histories presently being proofread include Capt Peter De Beer Strydom, Capt Chris Dooner, Capt Richard Loydell, RAdm Steve du Toit.
Oral Histories completed since the last report include:
Cdr Jakes Jacobson completed his very interesting Oral History in New Zealand and forwarded it to the Trust.
The Michael Lyras story was written up by his son and makes for interesting reading and has some amazing WWII photos.
WO1 Roy Marks continues putting his book together and Capt Gerrit Rademeyer is also working on his book of his naval career.
A trip to both the Cape South Coast and Durban areas for a recording session remains on the cards and will be programmed in once 10 candidates have been confirmed for each area. The next recording trip to the Pretoria region will be in 2026. Interested readers should contact Glen Knox to set a date.
We would encourage Society members to start writing their own Oral Histories – an hour or two each week is all it takes. However, if you would prefer a recording to be conducted as part of this important Heritage project, please get in contact with Glen Knox on his email glenknox090@gmail.com or through WhatsApp on 084 686 1384.
Membership
New members to the NHT Society are warmly welcomed and we trust you will all enjoy the publications produced and interacting with the Trust and Society members.
The new member/s since June 2025 are:
- Hanna
- A.L. Cooper
We would like to encourage all Society members to recruit amongst their own friends and other retired Naval and Defence personnel who are not yet members, to join up if they are interested in SA Navy and SA Naval Heritage. The Application form is on the SA Naval Heritage fb site and on the Heritage web page.
Membership for the Naval Heritage Society now stands at 239 paid up members. With 15 members arrears in payments.
Society members who do not respond to membership renewal emails and are non-paying for 6 months after renewal date are unfortunately removed from the Heritage data base and will not be receiving any further Naval Digests.
If you are moving home or changing your email addresses, kindly update any new addresses with Andre Wessels. Confirmation of your Email, postal address and cell numbers may be sent to the membership secretary at nhtmembership@gmail.com.
Naval Heritage Website
The Naval Heritage web page continues to be maintained by the Web Master, Nicholas Dunn. The webpage has been accessed by 22071 interested readers.
We encourage all our Society members to log on and see the additional items on display. The link for the site is www.navalheritagetrust.co.za
Type in SA Naval Heritage Trust will also link you to the page.
Additional books and Naval Digests can also be ordered through the web site.
Where can you purchase Naval Heritage books and Digests?
All our published Naval Digests and books are available at the NHT Office in Simon`s Town at the Submarine Museum Park or through the Naval Heritage web page. Remember paid up members get a big discount on all purchases bought at the office or online. Postal deliveries are worked through Pep Store Paxi at R60. Payments for the books can either be cash or card.
Other stockists include
- Enkosi Africa gift and souvenir shop, Simon`s Town.
- STADCO on Jubilee square, Simon`s Town.
- The SA Naval Museum and
- ASSEGAAI Submarine Museum Gift counter
These venues only hold a selection of the inventory and sell the publications at the full retail price.
To check out the full range of Naval Heritage titles kindly consult the NH Webpage for titles and prices
SA Naval Heritage Society Facebook Site
The NHT fb site has now grown steadily to 7300 members. This site continues to be extremely popular with many positive interactions re historic memories of the SAN. The daily Shipwreck Heritage Report from SAHRA makes for additional fascinating reading each day.
Are you a member of this Facebook site yet? If not click on it and join in the daily discussions and also encourage your friends with naval interests to join this active fb site
Naval Heritage Trust Banking details
This account can be used for all payments of yearly subs and books
Naval Heritage Trust
Standard Bank code 051001 Account number 072 102 276
SUBMARINE MUSEUM UPDATE: October 2025
Reported by Arne Soderlund
September has been quite an important month for submarine the museum and on the 15th, we completed nine months in ‘business’. The same day saw our 19000th paying visitor to the boat. A lot more have passed through as donors, naval guests or VIPs such as the Mayor of Cape Town. This means an average of 70 visitors a day which will undoubtedly increase over the school holidays.
Another important achievement is the erection and inauguration of the Submarine Memorial Wall which was unveiled by the Chief of the Navy on Saturday 20 September which is the second anniversary of the tragic loss of three senior submariners from SAS ‘Manthatisi at sea.
The Memorial Wall and the Plaque of Remembrance
A special plaque in their memory as well as one for all South African Navy submariners on ‘eternal patrol’ has been sponsored by the Naval Heritage Trust and the Assegaai Management Company. In addition, two benches have been placed at the memorial with one earmarked for memorial tallies for all the Assegaai guides who have crossed the bar.
We are also liaising with the French Defence Attaché on adding a panel in memory of the six French submariners who perished when the FS Galatée collided with SAS Maria van der Merwe in the approaches to Toulon in 1971. An aft section of Galatée holds our donor wall opposite the new memorial.
The display area is still growing and the latest acquisition is a WWII X-craft periscope. This item was used for training the operators and a number of South Africans served with distinction in X-craft during the war. Although not linked to Daphne submarines, it will serve as a working example of a periscope as the size of the Daphne periscopes precludes them being mounted in the museum.
We, unfortunately have yet not been able to acquire any of the three torpedo types carried by our Daphnes but have not yet given up as there has to be some left in the Navy!
Our busy souvenir shop helps to raise funds and is offering an increasing variety of items. One of the latest attractions is a small collection of magnificent Assegaai utility knives hand made from steel cut from Assegaai’s pressure hull when creating the two access doors on her.
So, if you have not yet visited Assegaai to see for yourself, it is time to do so as we guarantee a great ‘submarine experience’ as we are the only submarine museum in Africa and one of only six in the Southern Hemisphere!
Our Google rating of 4.9/5 says it all.
Naval Heritage Trust Board
Chairman: Mike Bosazza
Vice Chairman: Capt Glen Knox
Secretary: Capt Trunell Morom
Treasurer: Mrs Glynnis Hellemann
Trustee: RAdm (JG) Arne Soderlund
Member: Capt Chris Dooner
Trustee: Cdr Eddie Wesselo
Trustee: Cdr Mac Bisset
Member: WO1 David Harrison
Trustee: WO1 Andre Wessels
Web Master
Nicholas Dunn
Volunteer staff
WO1 Harry Croome
Next newsletter – December 2025
Let us know how you feel about the newsletter.
Those that provided feedback on the last newsletter many thanks.
Glen Knox