Upcoming Speakers
15 October 2026
Our speaker for the evening will be R ADM (JG) A.G. SÖDERLUND, SM, PS*, MMM* SA Navy Rtd. The presentation on the book ‘Iron Fist from the Sea’ covers the then, Top Secret, part played by the SA Navy and Special Forces, particularly 4 Recce Regiment, in the Border War with Angola as well as Mozambique between 1978 and 1988. It also covers the early history of the participating units and runup to over 40 seaborne operations against both landward and sea targets and infrastructure. Some led to delays and finally the cancellation of the Cuban led advance on Mavinga.
As little open-source documentation or information was available, the book was based on five years of interviews with various participants and research as well as the personal experience of the authors. The South African edition has been listed as a classic by the publishers as is still in print and on book shop shelves some eight years after being first published.
Rear Adm (JG) Arnè Söderlund is a retired SA Navy officer born in 1948, who served from 1966 to 2006 in a wide range of command, intelligence, training and liaison roles. He was deeply involved in strike craft operations, maritime intelligence, and later high‑level fleet preparation. After retirement, he became a military historian, museum volunteer, vexillologist, and prolific author — including Iron Fist from the Sea and South Africa’s Navy. He also curates a large private collection and contributes significantly to naval heritage projects such as the SAS Assegaai submarine museum. He was instrumental in the design of the current SA Navy uniforms introduced in 2003 as well as many of the Navy’s ship and unit badges since 1980 and the naming of the four Valour class frigates.
Recent Speakers (July to Sept 2026)
24 September 2026 (public holiday) – The Story of The Border War
Told by Veterans after nearly 40 years. Leon de Bruin, a National Serviceman and part-time soldier, gave a riveting presentation and his reflections on the Border Wars. A summary of his talk appears in the September 2026 Newsletter. As a Heritage Day special, the SA Legion pub opened after the lecture.
The Pro Patria Museum is requesting voluntary donations to assist with their museum.
17 September 2026 DECLASSIFIED – The Secret World of Military Intelligence
Speaker, Walter Volker. will be sharing the inside story of Military Intelligence in South Africa and provide the audience with a general overview of the secret world of military intelligence of the SADF, including its origins, role, organisation and key figures. It will zoom in on the specific aspects of “intelligence operations” and “special tasks”, which will include their role in supporting rebel movements like UNITA, Renamo, Super-ZIPRA, the Lesotho Liberation Army, Inkatha, and more.
For the first time the veil will be lifted somewhat on the Top Secret world of Military Intelligence in the form of a comprehensive history covering all aspects of this important Staff Division of the SADF, stretching from the early 1960s to the 1990s. The series is entitled “The Owls and the Shadow War” as the Owl has been adopted as the official symbol – depicting vigilance, wisdom, alertness, and the ability to swoop on its prey silently and under cover of darkness. Members of the division are generally known as “Uiltjies” (Afrikaans for little owls).
The history consists of a thirteen-volume series, of which Volume VIII and IX have been published, with the rest to follow at regular intervals.
Other publications include: THE COTTON GERMANS OF NATAL. From Bramsche to New Germany: the Story of the Bergtheil Colonists and their Descendants 1848 – 2006 (published 2007) | ARMY SIGNALS IN SOUTH AFRICA. The Story of the South African Corps of Signals and its antecedents (2010) | SIGNAL UNITS OF THE SOUTH AFRICA CORPS OF SIGNALS AND RELATED SIGNAL SERVICES (2010) | 9C – Nine Charlie! ARMY SIGNALLERS IN THE FIELD. The Story of the Men and Women of the South African Corps of Signals, and their Equipment (2010) |PIET RETIEF COMMANDO. The Story of a Border Commando 1880 – 2007 (2012) | BOER WAR STORIES OF THE PIET RETIEF COMMANDO AND DISTRICT (2012) | ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PAYMENTS (2013) | The Owls and the Shadow War Volume VIII: DST West Front & UNITA | The Owls and the Shadow War Volume IX: DST East, North and Home Front, including Biafra, Seychelles, Super-ZIPRA, Lesotho Liberation Army, Renamo, Inkatha
The author, Walter Volker, has enjoyed an extensive career in banking and payment systems of over 35 years – including eighteen years at Absa/ Barclays and twelve years at PASA (Payments Association of South Africa). Walter and his wife live in Cape Town and he has published seven books – ranging from genealogy, military history to payments.
20 August 2026 Mission Improbable – The South African Pre-1994 negotiations
Our speaker for the evening was Richard Rosenthal (age 87). He has now retired from legal practice, after a career which spanned more than 65 years, offering legal services to non-profit, human rights, civil society organisations and more.
Richard served for 15 years as a member of the Council of the University of Cape Town, and was the recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s medal upon his retirement in 2008. He has consulted to various Ministries and Government Departments and has assisted in the drafting of new legislation, and in formulating policy documents.
He has authored and contributed to a number of books and other publications, including the South African section of the International Guide to Nonprofit Law (Lester M. Salamon, 1997).
In his talk to the Society, he dealt with the subject of his book “Mission Improbable: A Piece of the South African Story” (David Philip Publishers, 1998) which describes the personal initiative he undertook, with the backing of the Swiss Government, during the years 1987 to 1990, involving an independent secret personal initiative, which sought to open the way for the commencement of substantive negotiations between the African National Congress (ANC) then in exile, and the apartheid government of P.W. Botha.
In his Foreword to Mission Improbable, President Thabo Mbeki said:
“In the end, the tale that Richard Rosenthal tells speaks of the inspiring fact that we have heroes and heroines in our midst who, even now, will rise and make their own efforts to ensure that our country evolves into a society of happiness, peace and prosperity for all.
Thank God that Richard Rosenthal dared to try and that he lived to tell the story, so that each one of us may also know that to care is to dare!”
A fascinating story. Read our August newsletterfor the complete summary of Richard’s talk.
16th July 2026 Speaker: Rear Admiral (rtd) Theo Honiball – Submarines and the Angolan War
We had the pleasure of hosting Rear Admiral (rtd) Theo Honiball. Some of his career highlights included the Argentinian Navy’s around‑the‑world training course and serving at sea aboard 19 different naval ships and submarines of five navies over a 30‑year period. Theo was chosen to undergo submarine training at the Mediterranean Submarine Squadron, and this entailed going to Paris to learn French as one of the conditions.
It was the French Navy, so all the training was in French. He attended the French Naval War College in Paris for two years and was then selected as naval attaché in France for three years.
He was submarine commander of two submarines for five years and the commanding officer of the SA submarine Flotilla. Admiral Honiball was awarded the Southern Cross Medal and the Military Merit Medal while serving in France. Chosen as honorary aide‑de‑camp to the state president, he embarked on a new career by being seconded to the national intelligence service for three years. Theo shared his experiences as a submarine commander during the Border War. He was involved in the secret operations along the Angolan coast. Read our July newsletter for a summary of Theo’s talk.
You can still see Theo’s sub today as it’s preserved on land at the Submarine Museum in Simonstown. SAS Assegaai (S99, formerly SAS Johanna van der Merwe), the third of three Daphne Class submarines built in France for the SA Navy, was commissioned in 1971. She served her country well, and with the acquisition of three new Type 209 submarines, she was decommissioned in November 2003. Unlike her two sisters, which were cut up for scrap, she was retained for preservation as an exhibit at the SA Naval Museum.
Upcoming WCMHS Meetings
16 August 2026
Richard Rosenthal
Mission Improbable – The South African Pre-1994 negotiations.
17 September 2026
Walter Volker
The secret world of military intelligence.
24 September 2026
(held on the public holiday)
Pro Patria Museum
The Story of the Border War (as told by Veterans after nearly 40 years – a comprehensive insight into 23 years of conflict)
15 October 2026
Arne Soderlund
Author of the Iron Fist from the Sea
19 November 2026
Michael Schaaf
The Development of the Hydrogen Bomb
Upcoming Military Parades
Delville Wood
19 July 2026
Cape Town Gardens
Black Tot function
25 July 2026
Battledress MOTH Shellhole
El Alamein
18 October 2026
Cape Town Gardens Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
1 November 2026
Battledress MOTH Shellhole
Remembrance Day
6 November 2026
Red Cross Children’s Hospital Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
8 November 2026
Cape Town Cenotaph
Remembrance Day
11 November 2026
Royal Cape Yacht Club
Upcoming External Events
27th and 28th October 2026 – 2nd Military Heritage Symposium – Castle of Good Hope
This year, the WCMHS will once again attend the second Military History Symposium hosted by the Chief of Logistics of the Defence Force, Vice Admiral D. M. Mkhonto.
The Armed Forces Heritage Association, of which WCMHS is a proud member, will be submitting a joint abstract for presentation.
Scan the QR Code on the Poster for more details of this event.
The WCMHS will also have a presence at the Military Symposium. We are happy to have other organisations join us at our table (this does not have to be in person as we will assist with the display on your behalf ). Please contact Ronnie at WCMHS.
Past External Events
24th September 2026 (Heritage Day) – CAOSA Turns 21
Click on the Download button to download a PDF document of information about the Dutch “call-up” signal system as well as details of the towns and places where the reenactment firings will be taking place on 24th of September 2026.
Left is the front cover of CAOSA’s new book priced at R200.00. To order a copy please pay via EFT – the banking details available on request from Martin Venter via WhatsApp or Email.
Please use “CAOSA Book 3” as well as your surname as a reference.
Email your proof of payment, a PUDO address (for delivery), your name, address and phone number to:
Martin Venter, Chairman, Cannon Association Of SA
Cell : 0835987665
Fax: 0865098474
e-mail : martinventerwp@yahoo.com
19th and 20th of September from 9am to 5pm – Military Heritage Weekend – Castle of Good Hope
Over this weekend, the Castle of Good Hope’s Military Museum hosted a family-friendly Military Fair. The lineup included: presentations by guest authors, panel discussions by subject-matter experts, militaria/military memorabilia traders, reenactors in period uniforms and displays, Military Vehicles on display, Military History books sold by Ratel Books, the Naval Heritage Trust and others, and much more. An event enjoyed by all!
Click on the download button to view the Speakers and Subject-matter experts who participated in the panel discussions
81st Commemoration of VE Day – 31 May 2026
Memorial Service held at the Castle of Good Hope
Photograph courtesy of Gavin Withers