Monde Lobese
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Monde Lobese | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born | |
| Allegiance |  South Africa |
| Branch |  South African Navy |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands |
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| Awards |       |
Monde Lobese MMS MMB is a South African naval officer, serving as Chief of the South African Navy.[1]
He left South Africa in 1985 to join Umkhonto We Sizwe and underwent training in East Germany before being selected for naval training in the Soviet Union. He integrated into the South African Navy in 1994.[2]
In 2009, he was appointed Director Fleet Logistics at Fleet Command as a Rear Admiral (junior grade).[2] In 2015 he joined Joint Operations Division as Director Operations Support where he stayed until being appointed Deputy Chief of the Navy in September 2021[3] and served as acting Chief after the retirement of Vice Admiral Samuel Hlongwane. He was appointed Chief of the Navy from 1 November 2022.[1]
In November 2025 Lobese criticised the government for under-funding the South African Navy during a speech. In response, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga issued a statement describing Lobese's speech as "inappropriate, disingenuous and unfortunate".[4]
Awards and decorations
Merit Medal (Silver) (MMS) 
Merit Medal (Bronze) (MMB) 
Operational Medal for Southern Africa 
Unitas (Unity) Medal 
Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (20 Year Clasp) 
Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
References
- 1 2 "Lobese confirmed as new SA Navy Chief". DefenceWeb. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- 1 2 "Deputy Chief of the SA Navy". South African Navy. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
- ↑ "Lobese is new SAN Deputy Chief". Defenceweb. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- ↑ Mashamaite, Modiegi (18 November 2025). "'Our seas are not safe': SA navy chief blasts government over defence cuts". Times Live. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by V Adm Samuel Hlongwane |
Chief of the South African Navy 2022– |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by R Adm Douglas Faure |
Deputy Chief of the South African Navy 2021–2022 |
Succeeded by R Adm Bubele Mhlana |
| Preceded by Brig Gen Tersia Jacobs |
Director Operations Support, Joint Operations 2015–2021 |
Succeeded by Brig Gen R. Gorukhnath |
| Preceded by | Director Fleet Logistics, Fleet Command 2009–2015 |
Succeeded by R Adm (JG) David Mkhonto |
Senior officials in the South African Department of Defence | |
|---|---|
| Civilian officials |
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| Military chiefs |
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Chiefs of the South African Navy | ||
|---|---|---|
| OC South African Naval Service 1922 – 1932 |  | |
| Director, Seaward Defence Force 1940 – 1942 | ||
| Director, South African Naval Forces 1942 – 1951 | ||
| Naval & Marine Chief of Staff 1951 – 1955 | ||
| Naval Chief of Staff 1955 – 1966 | ||
| Chief of the Navy 1966 – Present | ||
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