General Georg Lodewyk Meiring | |
|---|---|
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| Born | (1939-10-18) 18 October 1939 (age 84)[1] Ladybrand, Orange Free State Province, Union of South Africa |
| Allegiance | South Africa |
| Service/ | South African Army |
| Years of service | 1962–1998 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | South African Border War |
| Awards |                |
General Georg Meiring SSA SD SM MMM (born 18 October 1939)[2] is a South African military commander. He served as Chief of the Army (1990–93) and Chief of the South African National Defence Force (1993–98).
After obtaining a Master of Science in Physics from the University of the Orange Free State, Meiring joined the South African Army as a signals officer in 1962 and, in 1980, became Director of Signals of the South African Army.
Meiring served as Deputy Chief of the Army from 1982 to 1983 and as General Officer Commanding (GOC) South West Africa Territorial Force from 1983 to 1987. He was later GOC Far North Command,[3]: 99 Deputy Chief of the Army again, Chief of the Army from 1990 to 1993, the last Chief of the South African Defence Force from 1993 to 1994, and the first Chief of the South African National Defence Force from 1994 to 1998.
In February 1998, Meiring, in his capacity as the head of defence of South Africa had provided an intelligence report to President Nelson Mandela on an organisation by the name of "Front African People's Liberation Army". This report implicated many important government dignitaries on conspiracy to assassinate the president, murder judges, occupy parliament and broadcasting stations and cause mayhem in general.[4] Later, after it was investigated by a judge, the report was claimed to be fabricated.[4][5]
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| Black on Thatch beige, Embossed Rectangular bar (upright) with a black dagger and three black lightning flashes angled diagonally across the blade |
In 1998, Meiring was awarded the Star of South Africa, Gold.[6] He also received the Order of the Cloud and Banner 4th class from Taiwan.[7]
Star of South Africa (Gold) (SSAG)
Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
Military Merit Medal (MMM)
Pro Patria Medal
Southern Africa Medal
General Service Medal (South Africa)
Unitas (Unity) Medal
Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
Order of the Cloud and Banner (2nd Grade - with Grand Cordon) (ORB)
Order of the Cloud and Banner (3rd Grade - with Yellow Grand Cordon) (ORB)
Order of the Cloud and Banner (4th Grade - with Special Cravat) (ORB)
Commander of the Order of Military Merit (Jordan)| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| New title Retitled from Chief of the South African Defence Force |
Chief of the South African National Defence Force 1994–1998 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chief of the South African Defence Force 1993–1994 |
Renamed Chief of the South African National Defence Force |
| Chief of the Army 1990–1993 |
Succeeded by | |
| Preceded by | Deputy Chief of the South African Army 1989–1990 |
Succeeded by Daan Hamman |
| Preceded by | GOC Far North Command 1987–1989 |
Succeeded by Willie Meyer |
| GOC South West Africa Territorial Force 1983–1987 | ||
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Chiefs of the South African military
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| Chief of the UDF 1912 – 1957  |
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| Commandant General of the SADF 1958 – 1973  |
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| Chief of the SADF 1973 – 1994 |
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| Chief of the SANDF 1994 – present  |
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Chiefs of the South African Army
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| Director-General of Land Forces |
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| Army Chief of Staff |
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| Chief of the Army |
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