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Preface
| PREFACE BY BRIG GEN B.C. GILDENHUYS, GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING SA ARMY ARMOUR FORMATION |
| Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu once said: "The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without even having to fight them". This excellence can only be expected from a well-motivated army with real character - character that derives from a prominent, well-established culture. |
 | Customs and traditions form the cornerstone of the culture of any particular group. Culture, I believe, is the cement for building the future of society. Military culture, a sub-culture of society at large, which is practiced in a disciplined environment, is based upon, inter alia, pride in the uniform, emblems and insignia, and particular customs and traditions. A unique military culture is in the process of development in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and in the SA Army in particular.
The South African Armoured Corps (SAAC) has a history of more than half a century. Members of the SAAC, past and present, take pride in this illustrious history. It has been a remarkable period in the annals of the SA Army. The Armoured Corps has produced leaders and soldiers of exceptional quality in this relative short period of time. These men and women were, and still are, all committed to the upholding of their Armour traditions, thus forming the special bond that exists within the Corps.
Although a more specific culture has emerged over the years through the active participation of the Reserve Force in the activities of the SANDF, and this culture has also been projected in the SAAC through its Reserve Force Units, the SAAC's traditions only got stimulus in the early 90's. The then command cadre at the School of Armour created an environment in which customs and traditions were exercised frequently and executed with the necessary pomp, dignity and ceremony. I hereby pay tribute to those leaders of the School of Armour who gave form to the customs and traditions and also to those who are now taking the unselfish task upon themselves to record these traditions and thereby preserving it for future SA Armour generations.
This commendable effort also coincides with the early years of building on and creating a new military culture subsequent to the formation of our new National Defence Force a mere decade ago. Tradition is certainly an important building block in the creation of our distinct Armour culture. It should therefore be all-inclusive. It should be accepted by all and practiced by all. The Armour again takes the lead in building bridges based on sound and healthy human relations.
I express the wish that the traditions of the Armoured Corps, as recorded in this booklet, will continue to serve as a force multiplier in building relations and living the culture. It is without doubt a morale booster in our endeavours to prepare the force, an excellent force, for whatever future challenge.
May the Flame of the Armour burn forever!
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