When the Chief of the Army of the South African National Defence Force, Lt Genl S.Z. Shoke issued the letter on 30 April 2010 confirming the appointment of the 61 Mech Veterans Association as the custodians of the 61 Mech Battalion Group memorabilia, it came with a few strings attached.

John Keen was the curator of the National Museum for Military History at the time, and he indicated on behalf of the museum its interest to display the 61 Mech Battalion memorabilia at the world-renowned museum in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.

The first requirement was for the Association to enter into an availability agreement with the National Museum for Military History to make the memorabilia available on loan to the museum for display purposes, with the 61 Mech Veterans Association always remaining the custodian of these memorabilia. The ownership of the memorabilia will never pass to the museum. However, if we, the current 61 Mech Association for whatever reason ceases to exist, the custodianship of these memorabilia will immediately revert to the South African National Defence Force.

James Starkey and Andre Schlemmer with the mockup Ratel 90 in the 61 Mech museum room

THE 61 MECH MUSEUM ROOM

The museum is responsible for the safekeeping and maintenance of the memorabilia, in conjunction with the 61 Mech Room committee, who have been delegated the necessary authority. Jan Malan Heinrich Janzen and Jaap Steyn, together with a number of other 61 Mech veterans played a leading role in establishing the 61 Mech Museum Room. One of the room’s primary goals is to provide an education service to members of the SANDF regarding the unit’s past. Another goal, is to provide an information service to schools, interest groups and the general public living or visiting the greater Johannesburg area.

Follow the signs when entering the museum and come over to visit us at the 61 Mech Room

The 61 Mech Museum Room is situated at the far end of the Adler Hall, and displays a short overview of 61 Mech Battalion Group’s involvement, depicting elements of its history and the role the unit played in the South African Defence Force (SADF) from 1979 to 1994, and post 1994 in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), together with some artifacts and photos representing the unit’s history. A mock-up Ratel 90 with turret forms a dominant feature with a steering wheel which invites interaction from younger visitors. Photos of the Commanding Officers and Regimental Sergeant Majors line the top of one of the walls. Specific military items, badges and insignia are stored in the display cases, with an original 61 Mech commander’s large map of Angola used during Operation Modular in 1987, as well as objects and equipment peculiar to the unit.

The room has three monitors. Two monitors screen videos containing various military operations from the Border War, interviews of soldiers who served with Battle Group Juliet and 61 Mech Battalion Group during that time and cover diverse topics ranging from Training, Military Operations, Humour in uniform, various elements of the Border War, Reflections and Background, Families and Loved Ones and even some interviews with the Former Enemy combatants. The third monitor shows photos and general information regarding the unit, it’s vehicles, equipment and snapshots of its history and actions.

Members of the 61 Ditsong museum committee, under the oversight of 61 Veteran’s Association Heritage Portfolio Committee’ leadership, together with other military veteran volunteers and family members, are involved with the regular maintenance and rotation of the displays in the 61 Mech Museum room.

THE OUTDOOR DISPLAY

Apart from the 61 Mech Memorial Needle and the Hind Memorial, the 61 Mech Veterans Association has a vested interest in three other vehicles. The very first fully functioning Ratel 20 mm Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) with serial number 0001 (also known fondly as “Sarge” named after Sarge Nel, who played a prominent role in the Ratel ICV’s development.

Secondly, an Olifant tank, and lastly a Russian BRDM armoured scout car, which was captured during Operation Protea in 1981 and brought back to Omuthiya, the 61 Mech Battalion Group’s permanent base in Ovamboland, where it was put on display for the first time.

The most prominent 61 Mech display confronts all visitors once they enter the main open air, grass quadrangle. It is known as the “61-Needle” or “61-Naald”. The design and evolution came from the original Northern Namibian base Omuthiya, where it was first erected and maintained. After spending some years at the Army Battle School in the Northern Cape, it found its home here at the 61 Mech Museum in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.

The 61-Needle had to be redesigned and updated to fit into the confined space made available by DITSONG Museums of South Africa. On the pedestal it displays the names of fallen 61 members who served the unit and is made of solid granite sourced by some dedicated military veterans, who have committed to preserving and promoting the 61 legacy and history.

The Hind Memorial Bell display commemorates 2nd Lieutenant Adrian Hind, a South African soldier from 61 Mechanised Battalion Group who died on October 3, 1987, during Operation Modular. The memorial bell was retrieved during the Battle of the Lomba in Angola.

Sarge on display at an annual memorial service