Simon's Town naval buildings named in honour of three submariners who died at sea off Kommetjie

Three submarine buildings at the Simon’s Town Naval Base were renamed on Friday 20 September, to commemorate three submariners who died on board the SAS ’Manthatisi on 20 September last year. 

Master Warrant Officer William Mathipa, Warrant Officer Class One Mmokwapa Mojela and Lieutenant Commander Gillian Malouw-Hector died on 20 September 2023, when high waves swept seven crew members of the SAS ’Manthatisi submarine overboard.

Read more: From the Archives: Badges of honour — Navy pays tribute to three fallen submariners

At the time of the incident, the SAS ’Manthatisi was en route to Table Bay from Simon’s Town for a South African Navy Festival, scheduled to take place from 23 to 25 September 2023.

The submarine was near Kommetjie when the incident occurred at around 2.30pm. Rescue operations saved the lives of five personnel.

Lucas Makwapa Mojela building

On Friday, South African Navy chief, Vice-Admiral Monde Lobese, announced that the Submarine Squadron Headquarters building — affectionately known as the Orca Building — will be renamed the Lucas Makwapa Mojela building “because of the leadership role that Mojela played in the submarine corps”.

“He was always so positive and led by example, which is a worthwhile trait for anyone who works in a leadership position in the Submarine Squadron.”

Gillian Malouw-Hector building

Lobese said the Submarine School will be renamed the Gillian Malouw-Hector building “because this is where she received nearly all her training”. 

Born and raised in Gqeberha, Malouw-Hector was heralded as the first woman in Africa to navigate a submarine. She moved up the ranks within the Submarine Squadron, where she held the post of executive officer aboard SAS ’Manthatisi at the time of her death.

“[Malouw-Hector] was often called the brightest submariner of her generation, and when the next generation of submariners attend classes here, they will be motivated to follow in her footsteps,” said Lobese. 

Malisela Mathipa building

Lobese said the Submarine Battery Workshop would be renamed the Malisela Mathipa building. 

“This building is where the submarine electricians apply their trade in a practical way, and Mathipa taught many members the finer details of their craft inside here.”

Among the relatives of the fallen submariners at the ceremony were Malouw-Hector’s mother, Bernadette Sarah Malouw; Mathipa’s wife, Raesibe Germinah Mathipa; and Mojela’s wife, Moloko Mojela. 

“There have been lots of tears cried in sadness and anger during this past year,” said South African Navy chief Vice-Admiral Monde Lobese on Friday morning.  

“Although the Navy shares your grief, we also acknowledge that our grief cannot compare to yours. We may have lost a friend, but you lost a wife, a husband, a daughter, a son and a son-in-law. Although we understand all this, we are also still here to help you where we can,” he said. 

In his speech, Lobese touched on the board of inquiry probe into the incident. A summary of the inquiry’s findings was released on 6 September. 

Malouw-Hector’s husband, Commander Romero Hector, was not present at the ceremony. News24 reported previously Romero had initiated legal action against the SA Navy after he read about the inquiry’s findings in a press statement. 

Read more: Questions remain a year after disaster claimed lives of three SA Navy submariners

“We understand that this process was quite long, but we had to make sure that we followed the correct process,” said Lobese. 

“I would like to repeat that this board of inquiry found no person responsible for this tragedy. At the end, it was nature, working through the wind and waves, that had the final say. Indeed, each time the witness statements were read and analysed, it was very evident that the crew members who risked their lives to try and save these members, were also heroes of the highest order,” he continued. 

Bravery medals 

Lobese also announced on Friday that the remaining crew members who survived the disaster have all been nominated for bravery medals. 

“I cannot think of a better example of the embodiment of the code of conduct for uniformed members of the SANDF, which reads: ‘I will carry out my mission with courage and assist my comrades-in-arms, even at the risk of my own life.’” 

“It is thus fitting that Commander Charles Phokane, Lieutenant Melinyani Gobinca, Warrant Officer Class One Brendan Daly, Warrant Officer Class Two Charles Kriel, Warrant Officer Class Two Ayanda Mahlobo and chief petty officer Rophiwa Maphari have all been nominated for bravery medals. We trust that the approval process to award these medals will be concluded swiftly, and we can award these most deserving medals,” he said. DM