SA Navy Chief Vice Admiral Monde Lobese was one of 180 servicemen and women honoured with a long service medal on Thursday, 31 July.
Medals were handed over to officials, who spent 30 to 40 years in service, at the Chief of the South African National Defence Force Medal Parade in Gqeberha.
Lobese, who is originally from New Brighton in Gqeberha, returned to his hometown to be honoured for his four decades spent in service.
According to Navy spokesperson Commander Theo Mabina the occasion was a full circle movement for the SA Navy Chief.
“Vice Admiral Monde Lobese receiving this medal in Gqeberha added to the significance of the occasion, as this was a full circle moment,” said Mabina.
“He was born and bred in New Brighton, Gqeberha, left in 1985 to commence his military service and returned in 2025 to his hometown as the Chief of the SA Navy to be honoured for 40 years of service.”
Among those who witnessed the milestone were his family as well as learners from Kama Primary and Cowan High Schools Lobese attended as a child.
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