Rudzani Maphwanya

General Rudzani Maphwanya SM MMM
Born	(1960-11-23) 23 November 1960 (age 64)
Allegiance	South Africa
Branch	South African Army uMkhonto we Sizwe
Years of service	1978–present
Rank	General
Unit	Special Forces Brigade
Commands	Chief of the South African National Defence Force Chief Joint Operations GOC Infantry Formation (2016–2019) GOC Special Forces Brigade (2006–2015)
Awards
Spouse(s)	Masindi Mulayo Maphwanya [1]

General Rudzani Maphwanya SM MMM (born 23 November 1960) ^[1] is a South African military commander who served as Chief of Joint Operations from 2019 till May 2021. He was appointed Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on 1 June 2021. ^[2]

Military career

Maphwanya served in the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) in Angola and integrated into the SANDF in 1994. He served as SO1 Operations, SSO Operations Special Forces Brigade, CoS Special Forces Brigade, GOC SA Army Infantry Formation, Chief Joint Operations Division. He was appointed as the SANDF Chief of Joint Operations on 1 November 2019. ^[3]

Controversies

General Rudzani Maphangwa has submitted his report about his trip to Iran. ^[4]

Awards and decorations

Medals

• Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• South Africa Service Medal ( Umkonto we Sizwe )
• Tshumelo Ikatelaho (General Service Medal)
• Unitas (Unity) Medal
• Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (30 Year Clasp)
• Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
• Service Medal (Bronze) ( Umkonto we Sizwe )
• Order of Military Merit (Grand Officer - Grande-Oficial) ( Brazil )

Military Qualifications

SA Special Forces Operator's Badge (Qualification) Black on Thatch beige, Embossed Dagger enclosed with a laurel wreath [a]

Paratrooper Basic (Qualification) Basic, Static Line Black on Thatch beige, Embossed Small Black wings

Academic Qualifications

1993 (1993)

Junior Command and Staff Course at the Zimbabwe Staff College

1994 (1994)

Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the University of the North

2000 (2000)

Senior Command and Staff Course at the Kenyan Staff College

2003 (2003)

Certificate in Total Quality Management at the University of South Africa (UNISA)

2004 (2004)

Executive National Security Programme at the South African National Defence College

2005 (2005)

Strategic Management Programme at the University of Pretoria

2012 (2012)

Post Graduate Diploma in Security Management at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)

2015 (2015)

Master of Management degree at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)

Notes

1. This was an Honorary award based on his posting

References

1. "CV of General Rudzani Maphwanya". DefenceWeb. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
2. Seleka, Ntwaagae (14 April 2021). "Ramaphosa announces Lt-General Rudzani Maphwanya as incoming SANDF Chief". News24. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
3. "New chiefs of SA Army, Joint Operations, SAMHS announced". Defence Web. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
4. Pillay, Byron (21 August 2025). "General Rudzani Maphwanya Submits Report on Iran Visit to Defence Minister, SA Has Mixed Feelings - Briefly.co.za". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 21 August 2025.

Military offices
Preceded by Solly Shoke	Chief of the SANDF 2021–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Barney Hlatswayo	Chief of Joint Operations 2019–2021	Succeeded by Siphiwe Sangweni
Preceded by Lindile Yam	GOC Infantry Formation 2016–2019	Succeeded by Njabulo Dube
Preceded by Krubert Nel	GOC Special Forces 2006–2015	Succeeded by Steve Maloma
Preceded by Renier Coetzee	Chief of Staff Special Forces 2003–2006	Unknown