The South African Navy (SAN) is the naval warfare branch of the South African National Defence Force. The role of the navy is to prepare for and to conduct naval operations in defence of the South African state, its citizens and interests and to carry out peacetime operations in support of other national objectives.
The South African National Defence Force's rank system is largely based on the British system, with the Air Force sharing the Army rank titles. Rank titles changed over time as did the insignia.
George John Dufek was an American naval officer, naval aviator, and polar expert. He served in World War II and the Korean War and in the 1940s and 1950s spent much of his career in the Antarctic, first with Admiral Byrd and later as supervisor of U.S. programs in the South Polar regions. Rear Admiral Dufek was the director of the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia after his retirement from the Navy in 1959.
The South African Naval Museum is a maritime museum in Simon's Town, South Africa. It contains collections and artefacts related to the maritime history of South Africa and the South African Navy.
Vice Admiral Refiloe Mudimu is a former South African military commander, who served as the Chief of the Navy before his retirement in 2014.
Vice Admiral Glen Syndercombe was a former Chief of the South African Navy.
Mosiwa Samuel Hlongwane is a South African Navy officer, serving as the current Chief of the Navy.
Hanno Teuteberg is a retired Rear Admiral in the South African Navy, formerly serving as the Deputy Chief of the Navy.
Rear Admiral Allan Kendall du Toit, is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy, who served as Australia's Military Representative to NATO and the European Union from 2013 until his retirement in 2016. Du Toit previously served as the Commander Border Protection Command until being succeeded by Rear Admiral Tim Barrett in February 2010.
Fleet Command is the South African Navy's single type command and controls all vessels and units of the South African Navy, besides Naval Headquarters. The commander of Fleet Command is a Rear Admiral and referred to as Flag Officer Fleet (FOF). The post was previously known as Chief of Naval Operations.
Rear Admiral(ret) Robert William Higgs was a South African Navy officer, who served as Chief of Naval Staff from 1 November 2010 to 31 August 2016.
Rear Admiral Hennie Bester is a retired South African Navy officer who served as Flag Officer Fleet from 2005 to 2008, when he retired.
Rear Admiral Laura Janse van Vuuren is a South African Navy officer and the second woman to reach flag rank.
Anthony Neville Howell is a retired Rear Admiral of the South African Navy. After completing school at Fish Hoek High School he joined the Navy in 1965. He completed a B. Mil degree at the South African Military Academy in 1968 and then volunteered for submarines. He commanded the submarine SAS Maria van Riebeeck from 1981 to 1983. He was the Officer Commanding South African Naval College from 1989–1992. In 1993 he was promoted to Commodore and appointed Chief of Naval Staff Plans. In 1998 he was appointed Director Naval Acquisition before being promoted to Rear Admiral on 1 April 1999 with appointment as Chief Director Maritime Warfare. He retired from the Navy on 31 July 2001
Rear Admiral Arne Söderlund is a retired South African Navy officer and author.
Rear Admiral Patrick Duze is a South African Navy officer currently serving as Director Force Preparation at the Joint Operations Division
Rear Admiral Rendani Masutha is a retired South African naval officer, currently serving as Deputy Military Ombud.
Rear Admiral Nomonde Gogi-Gumede is a South African naval officer, currently serving as Director Maritime Intelligence.
Rear Admiral Ralph Ndabambi is a retired South African naval officer.
