Bubele Mhlana

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.

Rear Admiral Bubele Kitie Mhlana
Nickname(s)	Bravo
Born	Mthatha
Allegiance	South Africa
Service / branch	South African Navy
Years of service	1994 –
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands	Deputy Chief of the Navy Flag Officer Fleet Director: Fleet Force Preparation Frigate Squadron SAS Mendi (F148) SAS Isandlwana (F146) SAS Kapa
Awards

He was born in the Ngangelizwe township in Mthatha.^[1]

Military career

He 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

• 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 ^{[lower-alpha 1]} (Brazil)

In 2012^[10] he was awarded the Tamandaré Medal of Merit from Brazil.

Notes

1. Portuguese: Medalha do Mérito Tamandaré

References

1. Maclennan, Ben (22 February 2007). "First black frigate captain takes command". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
2. Ndenze, Babalo (30 July 2003). "Guerrilla leader now commands his own warship". IOL. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
3. "Historic change of command for navy frigate SAS Isandlwana". Naval News. 26 February 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
4. Mangxamba, Sivuyile (23 February 2007). "Ex-MK soldier at the helm of warship". IOL. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
5. "Graduation: US Naval War College" (PDF). US Naval War College. 19 June 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
6. Rambau, Lawrence. "Four Frigates in Service for Mandela Day". SA Navy. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
7. Wingrin, Dean (3 February 2014). "Navy rising to meet new challenges". Retrieved 14 March 2014.
8. "New SANDF two-stars named". Defenceweb. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
9. "Senior SANDF appointments and promotions". DefenceWeb. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
10. Zulu, LS N.C. "Seafarer bestowed Medal of Merit". SA Navy. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.

Military offices
Preceded by R Adm Monde Lobese	Deputy Chief of the Navy 2023–	Incumbent
Preceded by Maj Gen Ashton Sibango	Chief of Staff Joint Operations Division 2020–2023	Succeeded by Maj Gen Jackie Thulare
Preceded by R Adm Phillip Schoultz	Flag Officer Fleet 2014–2020	Succeeded by R Adm Musawenkosi Nkomonde
Preceded by Karl Wiesner	Director Fleet Force Preparation 2010–2014	Succeeded by
Preceded by	OC SAS Mendi 2010–2010	Succeeded by
Preceded by Karl Wiesner	OC SAS Isandlwana 2007–2010	Succeeded by