Fabian Msimang

Fabian Zimpande Msimang
Nickname(s)	Zakes
Born	September 1, 1960 Johannesburg, South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Air Force
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands held	Chief of the South African Air Force Chief Director Air Policy and Plans[1] Director Helicopter Systems OC Air Force Base Bloemspruit OC Helicopter Flying School
Relations	Afrika Msimang (Wife) Mendi Msimang (Father)

Lieutenant General^[2] Fabian Zimpande "Zakes" Msimang (born 1 September 1960,^[3] Johannesburg) is a South African military commander and the Chief of the South African Air Force.

He left South Africa with his family at the age of 6 months and went into exile.^[3] He completed his secondary schooling in India. In 1983 he was sent to Tanzania to assist with the opening of the ANC Development Centre.^[4]

Air Force career

He received his flying training at Frunze 1 Central Officers Training Center - Kirghizstan, in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from 1986 to 1991. He graduated from the institution with a diploma in Command & Tactics of Military Aviation.^[5]

He was a member of the Umkhonto WeSizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress and saw combat in Angola in 1986. In 1994, he completed the Air Force Junior Staff Course in Zimbabwe before integrating into the South African National Defence Force.^[6]

He was appointed assistant project officer on Project Flange (the acquisition programme of the Agusta A109) in Italy where he also completed the Senior Staff Course at the Italian Air Force War School. On his return from Italy, Msimang was then appointed Officer Commanding of the Helicopter Flying School at Air Force Base Bloemspruit.^[7]

In 2005, he was appointed Officer Commanding Air Force Base Bloemspruit and promoted to the rank of Colonel. In 2006, he completed the Executive National Security Programme at the South African National Defence College. In June 2007, after a two and a half year tour as Officer Commanding Air Force Base Bloemspruit, he was appointed Director Helicopter Systems and promoted to the rank of Brigadier General at the Air Command.^[6]

In November 2010, he was appointed Chief Director Air Policy and Plans and promoted to the rank of Major General responsible for Air Force strategy, policies, capabilities and resource allocation.^[6]

Msimang became the Chief of the Air Force on 1 October 2012.^[8]

Aircraft flown

• Alouette III
• Atlas Oryx^[9]
• Mi-8
• Mi-24

Awards and Decorations

The following have been awarded to Gen Msimang:^[6]:Image

• Operational Medal for Southern Africa

• South Africa Service Medal

• Tshumelo Ikatelaho (General Service Medal)

• Unitas Medal

• Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service with 20 Year Clasp)

• Good Service Medal, Bronze (10 Years)

• Medal of Merit Santos Dumont (Brazil)
• Commander Order of Military Merit (Brazil)

Proficiency Awards

Pilots Wings (0-500 hrs) badge

References

1. "Msimang new CAF". DefenceWeb. 2012-06-18. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
2. "LT GEN MSIMANG READY FOR TAKE-OFF". af.mil.za.
3. "New Year - New Beginnings at Air Force Base Bloemspruit" (PDF). Ad Astra (1): 13. 2005.
4. Greebe, Hanrie (2007). "The driving force behind a successful base" (PDF). Ad Astra. 1: 7.
5. "Appointment of new Chief of the South Africa Air Force". Af.mil.za. 2012-06-19. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
6. "Chief of the Air Force". South African Air Force. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
7. "NEW AIR FORCE CHIEF APPOINTED". e-tools.co.za. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
8. "Lt General Msimang Takes Over Command Of SAAF".
9. Helfrich, Kim (19 June 2012). "Helicopter Pilot and ex-MK cadre appointed new SA Air Force chief". The New Age.