Lieutenant General Gilbert Lebeko Ramano SSAS SD MMS MMM MMB (born 7 July 1939)[1] is a South African military commander.[2]


Gilbert Ramano

Born (1939-07-07) 7 July 1939 (age 84)
Sophiatown, Transvaal Province, Union of South Africa
Allegiance South Africa
Service/branch South African Army
Years of service1964 – 2004
RankLieutenant General
Commands held
Battles/warsStruggle for Liberation of South Africa
AwardsStar of South Africa SSAS Southern Cross Decoration SD Merit Medal MMS Military Merit Medal MMM Merit Medal MMB Operational Medal for Southern Africa ' South Africa Service Medal ' Unitas (Unity) Medal ' Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service ' Service Medal ' Service Medal ' Service Medal ' Legion of Merit LOM Order of Military Merit '
Other workRSA Mediator to Sudan

Career edit

Ramano was born in Sophiatown. He completed his schooling at Madibane High School and worked as a senior clerk at the WNLA mines depot in Johannesburg from 1961 to 62.[3]

He left South Africa in 1962 to join the armed wing of the African National Congress, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He attended a number of military courses in Tanzania, Egypt (special operations) and the Soviet Union, including a Soviet Army Staff Course in 1971. He returned to South Africa in 1992 and attended the Zimbabwe Army Staff Course in 1994.[4]

In 1995, he attended the SANDF Joint Staff Course and was appointed General Officer Commanding Northern Cape Command in July of that year.

In May 1997 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Army and on 1 July 1998 he was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed Chief of the Army.

Honours and awards edit

In 1999, Lt General Ramano was awarded the Order of the Star of South Africa[5] His awards include the following:[3]: Photo 

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Interviews". SADET - South African Democracy Education Trust.
  2. ^ "SADF Info - List of Chiefs (Post 1994)". SADF Info.
  3. ^ a b Schobesberger, H. Col (May 2003). "From freedom fighter to Chief of the Army" (PDF). SA Soldier. 10 (5): 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2014. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "Unknown".[dead link]
  5. ^ "National Orders Recipients 1999". SA History Online. Archived from the original on 29 January 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the South African Army
1998–2004
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Chief of the South African Army
1997 –1998
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Maj Gen Vos Benade
GOC Northern Cape Command
1995–1997
Succeeded by