Major Esau, SA's First Air Force member, makes history in logistics

A South African Air Force member is making history as the first to complete the Senior Officer Training Practical course at the Department of Defence School of Logistics Training.

Born in 1979 in Scottsville, Kraaifontein, Major Ferdinand Clive Esau joined the Air Force in 1997.

According to the South African National Defence (SANDF), Esau has reached a historic milestone.

“Major Esau is the first and only Air Force member amongst various Divisions, Formations and Army members on the Senior Officer Training Practical course, which is a historic achievement under the leadership of his Officer Commanding, Colonel Patrick Sawyer,” they stated.

“Major Esau is now a proud Logistics Instructor at the Department of Defence School of Logistics Training in Cape Town and is also enrolled for the completion of his degree in Education, Training and Development.”

Esau matriculated at Scottsville Senior Secondary School in 1996 at the age of 16 and joined the South African Air Force the following year in July 1997, where he completed his Basic Military Training at the old Swartkop Gymnasium in Pretoria.

“His career kicked off at Air Force Base Overberg as a Material Supply Clerk in the Supply Support environment, where he worked from the rank of Airman to Sergeant. Completed all his functional courses in the Logistics environment until he was transferred to Air Force Base Ysterplaat in 2005 to fill the position of Uniform Maintenance Clerk,” they stated.

They added that in January 2015, he successfully completed his Officers Forming Training to the rank of Lieutenant, and he started his career as a Stores Officer at the Mobile Deployment Wing in Pretoria. 

“Major Esau was then called up to serve as the Personal Assistant (PA) to the Former Chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant General Z. Msimang (Retired).

From there, his expertise was utilised at various Air Force units within the Pretoria region, which included 5 Air Servicing Unit at Air Force Base Waterkloof, 68 Air School and SA Air Force Procurement Unit at the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing,” they explained.

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