Johannes Geldenhuys
Encyclopedia
General Johannes Geldenhuys, SSA, SD
, SOE, SM
, is a former South African military commander who served as Chief of the South African National Defence Force
between 1985 and 1990.
Born in Kroonstad
, Orange Free State
on 5 February 1935, Geldenhuys' military career began when he joined the South African Army
in 1954, serving in the infantry
. Later he went on to higher command in 1977, serving as commander of South West Africa Command, a post he held until 1980, when he served in the position of General Officer Commanding the South West Africa Territory Force. After this he became Chief of the Army, before being promoted to the position of Chief of the South African Defence Force in 1985. In this role, he took part in negotiations that brought the Border War
to an end in 1989, after 23 years of fighting.
Southern Cross Decoration
The Southern Cross Decoration was a South African military decoration. It was instituted on July 1, 1975, and was awarded to officers of the South African Defence Force, for outstanding service of the highest order, and utmost devotion to duty. In practice, it was usually a requirement that the...
, SOE, SM
Southern Cross Medal
The Southern Cross Medal was a South African military decoration that was in use from 1952 to 2003. There were two distinct versions.The first type, introduced on 6 April 1952, was awarded for outstanding devotion to duty...
, is a former South African military commander who served as Chief of the South African National Defence Force
South African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
between 1985 and 1990.
Born in Kroonstad
Kroonstad
Kroonstad is the third-largest town in the Free State province of South Africa, and lies two hours drive from Gauteng. In the 1991 census it had a population of 110,963...
, Orange Free State
Orange Free State
The Orange Free State was an independent Boer republic in southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century, and later a British colony and a province of the Union of South Africa. It is the historical precursor to the present-day Free State province...
on 5 February 1935, Geldenhuys' military career began when he joined the South African Army
South African Army
The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...
in 1954, serving in the infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
. Later he went on to higher command in 1977, serving as commander of South West Africa Command, a post he held until 1980, when he served in the position of General Officer Commanding the South West Africa Territory Force. After this he became Chief of the Army, before being promoted to the position of Chief of the South African Defence Force in 1985. In this role, he took part in negotiations that brought the Border War
South African Border War
The South African Border War, commonly referred to as the Angolan Bush War in South Africa, was a conflict that took place from 1966 to 1989 in South-West Africa and Angola between South Africa and its allied forces on the one side and the Angolan government, South-West Africa People's...
to an end in 1989, after 23 years of fighting.