Fabian Msimang

Fabian Zimpande "Zakes" Msimang (born 1 September 1960)[3] is a retired South African Air Force officer who served as the Chief of the South African Air Force.

Fabian Zimpande Msimang
Nickname(s)	"Zakes"
Born	1 September 1960 Johannesburg, South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Air Force
Rank	Lieutenant general[1]
Commands held	Chief of the South African Air Force Chief Director Air Policy and Plans[2] Director Helicopter Systems OC Air Force Base Bloemspruit OC Helicopter Flying School
Spouse(s)	Afrika Msimang (wife)
Relations	Mendi Msimang (father)

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]

Career

He received his flying training at Frunze 1 Central Officers Training Center (now the Military Institute of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic) - 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 has been 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 of helicopter systems and promoted to the rank of brigadier general at the Air Command.[6]

In November 2010, he was appointed chief director of 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] He retired at the end of September 2020.[9]

Aircraft flown

• Alouette III
• Atlas Oryx[10]
• Mi-8
• Mi-24

Awards and decorations

The following have been awarded to 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. "LT GEN MSIMANG READY FOR TAKE-OFF". af.mil.za.
2. "Msimang new CAF". DefenceWeb. 2012-06-18. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
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. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
8. "Lt General Msimang Takes Over Command Of SAAF".
9. "Msimang to retire on Wednesday". DefenceWeb. September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
10. Helfrich, Kim (19 June 2012). "Helicopter Pilot and ex-MK cadre appointed new SA Air Force chief". The New Age.