Retired lieutenant general Gilbert Ramano, who took command of the SA Army, the largest service in what was then the fledgling SA National Defence Force (SANDF) in July 1998, died at the weekend aged 85.
Apart from overseeing and being part of transformation not only in the service he commanded but also across the other three SANDF services, Ramano leaves a permanent and visual memory of his time in uniform in the form of the “Pride of Lions” insignia. He was the driving force behind replacing the stylised “bokkie” (springbok), which had long adorned berets, caps and other landward force flags and ceremonial regalia. Ramano’s “Pride of Lions” debuted in 2003, a year before he exited service as a three-star general.
Tribute in the form of a South African Department of Defence (DoD) statement has it Ramano, who spent six years as landward chief after taking over from another three-star (Reg Otto), was “a revered freedom fighter, military commander, and diplomat who served South Africa with honour, distinction, and integrity”.
Ahead of taking command of the largest SANDF service, Ramano was active in the integration process which saw what was the SA Defence Force (SADF) integrate with what the statement terms “liberation armies” as well as the former TBVC (Transkei Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei defence forces) to become the SANDF.
“His leadership during this critical transformation period,” according to the statement “helped lay the foundation for a unified and professional defence force in a democratic South Africa”.
It notes further Ramano’s career saw him “contribute immensely to the transformation and modernisation of the SANDF”. He later served his country with equal dedication in the diplomatic service and leaves “a legacy of patriotism, courage and unwavering commitment to building a peaceful and democratic nation”.
Condolences and expressions of sympathy to the Ramano family, friends, comrades and “all members of the defence community who served alongside him” came from Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga; Acting Secretary for Defence Secretary Thobekile Gamede; SANDF Chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya and “the entire DoD”.
Born on 7 July 1939 in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, General Ramano passed away on 8 June at 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria.
Before 1994, Ramano was a leading figure in the armed liberation movement, having left South Africa in the 1960s to join uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in exile. He received advanced military training in Tanzania, Egypt, and the Soviet Union, emerging as a respected strategist and mentor to many young cadres across ANC military camps.
