Thalita Mxakato: Meet the 1st Black Female Chief of Defence Intelligence in SA
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the first black woman as the chief of Defence Intelligence in South Africa
- Major-General Thalita Mxakato has reportedly been part of the South African National Defence Force since its inception
- Mxakato also completed her basic training in Angola and Germany while a member of uMkhonto we Sizwe
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Major-General Thalita Mxakato has been assigned by President Cyril Ramaphosa as the Chief of Defence Intelligence for the South African National Defence Force. She is the first Black South African woman to join the SANDF echelons as Lt-General.
The African National Congress’ armed wing, uMkhonto we Sizwe, was joined by Major-General Mxakato in 1983 while she completed her basic training in Angola and in Germany.
Prior to Mxakato joining the Defence Intelligence Division in 2003 to serve in the South African Military Health Services and the Defence Inspectorate Division, Mxakato served in the SANDF since its inception in 1994.
Source: Twitter
SABC News reported that Major-General Mxakato will be the first women appointed to SANDF's, military Command once she assumes her position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.
According to IOL, President Ramaphosa stated that the appointment of Major-General Mxakato was a substantial and long overdue development in the continuous battle to advance the position of women in the country’s armed forces.
Mxakato's appointment is effective from 1 June.
Read some of the responses to the news below:
@Kay_mafgee said:
"Congratulations on your new appointment."
@jimmy80418381 wrote:
"Congratulations General."
@lindiwe_25 tweeted:
"The first woman to be appointed to the Military Command of the South African Defence Force..."
@charlie8566 quote tweeted with:
"Congratulations General. Women should lead."
Previously, Briefly News reported on Sydney Barber, who made it into history books as the first black woman to serve as a Brigade Commander in the US Navy Academy. USA Today reports that she will be the 16th woman to hold the highly esteemed position since women became welcome in the Naval Academy in 1972.
It should be noted that the first woman to hold the position was Juliane Gallina in 1992. Barber is presently studying mechanical engineering and one day hopes to become a Marine Corps officer.
The black woman said she was inspired by Jaine Mines, who was the first black woman to graduate from the academy. In response, Mines said the lady's comment really made her emotional.
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Source: Briefly News
