Major-General Fabian Zimpande Msimang

Major-General Fabian Zimpande (Zakes) Msimang was appointed Chief of the South African Air Force in September 2012. A former member of Umkhonto weSizwe, he was engaged in combat in Angola in 1986. He then underwent flying training from 1986 to 1991, in the former Soviet Union. In 1994, he completed the Air Force Junior Staff Course in Zimbabwe. Major-General Msimang was integrated into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in 1994 where he served as an operational pilot. During his career he has flown the Mi 8, Mi 25, Allouette III and Oryx helicopters.

In 2000, he was appointed assistant project officer on the acquisition of the Agusta A109E helicopter in Italy, where he also completed the Senior Staff Course at the Italian Air Force War School. On his return in 2003, he was appointed officer commanding of the Helicopter Flying School at Air Force Base Bloemspruit. A year later, he completed the Executive National Security Programme at the SANDF College. In 2007, he was appointed Director Helicopter Systems and promoted to brigadier-general at the Air Command. In 2010, he was promoted to major-general and appointed Chief Director Air Policy and Plans.