Solly Shoke
Encyclopedia
General Solly Shoke MMS is a South African military commander. He joined Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress
, in the 1970s, and served as a field commander fighting against the South African government in the 1980s. He transferred to the South African National Defence Force
when MK was incorporated into it in 1994.
In 1998, Maj Gen Shoke commanded the South African Development Community forces during Operation Boleas in Lesotho
. He was promoted to Chief of the South African Army
in 2004, and became Chief of the South African National Defence Force
in May 2011.
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
, in the 1970s, and served as a field commander fighting against the South African government in the 1980s. He transferred to 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...
when MK was incorporated into it in 1994.
In 1998, Maj Gen Shoke commanded the South African Development Community forces during Operation Boleas in Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
. He was promoted to Chief of 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 2004, and became 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...
in May 2011.