Major General TT Xundu And Robert Skosana Appointed To Top South African National Defence Force Leadership Roles

Major General TT Xundu and Robert Skosana named in latest SANDF leadership reshuffle as South Africa refreshes its senior military command for 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 6:10 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from DefenceWeb

Top Tier Leadership Transition in Pretoria

The South African National Defence Force is preparing for a significant transition in its command structure as Lieutenant General Michael Ramantswana, the current Chief of Staff, prepares for retirement later this year. According to a Department of Defence appointments bulletin released on March 26, Major General TT Xundu has been designated to succeed him. Xundu, who currently operates out of the SA Army Headquarters at the Dequar Complex, will be elevated to the substantive rank of lieutenant general and relocate to the Armscor Building. This move positions him as the second highest ranked uniformed officer, serving directly under General Rudzani Maphwanya to oversee the force's administrative and operational backbone.

A New Era for South African Military Health

In September, the South African Military Health Service will undergo its own leadership change as Major General Robert Skosana is promoted to lieutenant general to serve as the new Surgeon General. Skosana, the current deputy chief of the SAMHS and former head of 1 Military Hospital, will take over from Lieutenant General Ntshavheni Maphaha, who has led the medical branch since late 2021. This appointment is critical for the management of the military’s healthcare infrastructure and comes alongside the appointment of a new director of nursing, ensuring a full refresh of the Surgeon General’s command staff as the outgoing leadership exits active service.

Strategic Shifts in the South African Air Force

The South African Air Force is set for a nearly immediate change in command, with Major General Carl Moatshe scheduled to succeed Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo as Chief of the SAAF effective April 1. Moatshe, a veteran C-130 Hercules pilot and former commander of Air Force Base Waterkloof and AFB Ysterplaat, brings extensive experience in force preparation to the role. His promotion to three star rank is accompanied by several other SAAF adjustments, including the elevation of Brigadier General CM Make to major general as Chief Director of Force Development and Support, a post that has remained vacant until this cycle.