Rear Admiral Bubele Kitie Mhlana is the current serving Deputy Chief of the South African Navy, he was also the longest serving Flag Officer Fleet. He has had numerous Commands of South African warships including being the first black South African naval Officer to Command a Valour-class Frigate, the SAS ISANDLWANA F146, then later SAS MENDI F148.
Bubele Kitie Mhlana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | Bravo |
| Born | Mthatha |
| Allegiance |  South Africa |
| Service/ |  South African Navy |
| Years of service | 1994 – |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held |
|
| Awards |      |
Military career
editHe is a former Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) operative and joined the South African Navy in 1994. He assumed command of the minesweeper SAS Kapa in 2003[1][2]
In 1999 he attended the Officers Course at the South African Naval College and spent 9 months attending the International Principal Warfare Officer (A) course with the British Royal Navy.[3]
He commanded the Valour Class Frigate SAS Isandlwana (F146) in 2007[4]In 2009 he attended the United States Naval War College[5] He then commanded SAS Mendi (F148) as well as serving as Commander of the Frigate Squadron[6]
He was appointed Flag Officer Fleet and promoted to rear admiral in 2014[7] In 2020 he was appointed Chief of Staff for the SANDF Joint Operations Division [8] and Deputy Chief of the Navy from 1 February 2023.[9].
Honours and awards
edit
Tshumelo Ikatelaho (General Service Medal)
Unitas (Unity) Medal
Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (20 Year Clasp)
Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
Tamandaré Medal of Merit [a] (Brazil)
In 2012[10] he was awarded the Tamandaré Medal of Merit from Brazil.
Notes
edit- ^ Portuguese: Medalha do Mérito Tamandaré
References
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