Relationship with the Special Forces Brigade


The General Officer Commanding Special Forces presenting
Retired Senior Operator Mike Landman with outstanding medals
at the opening of the Special Forces School on 5 October 2002

The South African Special Forces League enjoys a close and friendly relationship with the standing South African Special Forces Brigade of the South African National Defence Force.

There is a saying in the Special Forces community in South Africa that once a person has become part of the Special Forces family, he or she remains part of that family for the rest of his or her life.

Similarly, there is a saying that once a person has become a Special Forces Operator, he remains an Operator for the rest of his life. When general discussions are held about Operators within the Special Forces League and the Special Forces Brigade there is, therefore, not reference to them as being 'retired Operators' or 'serving Operators' – there is only a reference to them as Operators. 

Many of the serving members of the South African Special Forces Brigade are members of the League, and many of the members of the South African Special Forces League serve in the Brigade on the Special Forces Reserve.

The Chairman and Key Personnel of the Special Forces League have regular meetings with nominated representatives of the Special Forces Brigade or the General Officer Commanding Special Forces, to discuss matters of relevance to both entities, or for members of the League to receive advice and guidance from the Brigade on various issues of relevance.

The General Officer Commanding Special Forces is the Honorary Patron of the Special Forces League, and a Senior Officer of the Special Forces Brigade is specifically appointed as the Liaison Officer between the Brigade and League.

Members of the League and Brigade have regular contact at the monthly meetings of the Special Forces League – which are attended by personnel from both entities as they do when members of the League who serve in the Special Forces Reserve are called-up for active service.


A Senior Special Forces Operator looking after the child of one of
his retired colleagues during the opening of the Special Forces School

The Special Forces League and Brigade also share various occasions where both organisations formally attend symbolic parades and events.

Both the League and the Brigade attend the annual Remembrance Day Service held at Special Forces Headquarters, and the annual Special Forces Open Day. Family members are able to meet and mix socially with each other and strengthen the common bonds and support systems that exist between the family members of Special Forces personnel.

For occasions of specific significance to Special Forces, each organisation will invite the other to attend as and when appropriate or applicable. The Special Forces Brigade recently invited the Special Forces League and its members to the opening of the new Special Forces School. During this ocassion the General Officer Commanding presented retired members of the League with outstanding medals and badges.

Similarly, the Special Forces League recently invited relevant Key Personnel of the Special Forces Brigade to its National Conference, in order that the Brigade may provide such input as it requires to the activities of the League and its members.

All lines of communication are open, clear and constant, and the close relationship between these two organisations continues in a mutually supportive manner.

Finally, in recent years, many of the sons of the retired first generations of Special Forces Operators have joined Special Forces, and become Special Forces Operators themselves. Taken in this context, it can truly be said that the Special Forces community in South Africa comprises a real family.


Most importantly, the South African Special Forces League and its members will, at all times, provide whatever support and assistance may be required to the South African Special Forces Brigade and its members – who continue to support and protect the government and all the citizens of South Africa to the best of their ability, and the highest possible standards.


A senior Special Forces Operator saluting the memorial plinth at the
joint League and Brigade Rememberance Day Service at Special Forces HQ