by J H Thompson
– Andy, age 18
Glossary
101 Battalion: originally consisted primarily of Ovambo troops and white NCOs and officers
1 Mil: 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria
2,4: the ‘two comma four’ was a distance frequently run and a standard test of fitness
2IC: second in command
32 Battalion: formed in 1975 and originally called Bravo Group, this formidable unit of former FNLA troops was led by Commandant Jan Breytenbach
AFB: Air Force base
afkak: extreme physical exertion; literally ‘shit off’
AK-47: Avtomat Kalashnikova Obrazets, an assault rifle designed by Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov in 1947
Alouette: a French-designed helicopter gunship
Antonov: a Soviet-manufactured transport aircraft used to supply the Cuban and Angolan (FAPLA) forces with weapons and ammunition
Armscor: Armaments Corporation of South Africa
AWOL: absent without leave
babalaas: hangover
balkie: corps colours worn on a beret below the unit headdress badge
ballas bak: lazing around, doing nothing; literally ‘ball baking’
balsak: large cylindrical canvas or nylon kitbag
Basics/Basic Training: a conscript’s first three months of orientation and physical training
bataljon aantreeparade: forming up of a battalion on a parade ground
befok: mad, fucked
Berede: mounted infantry
bevelvoerder: Officer Commanding
Black Is Beautiful, aka Black Beauty: an oily camouflage paste
Black Widow: type of anti-personnel landmine
Bloem: Bloemfontein
blou: blue
blougat: a troop that was no longer a roof but not yet an ou man
Boertjie: slang term for an Afrikaner; literally ‘little farmer’
boet: usually a friendly or affectionate term of address; literally ‘brother’
bokkop: the head of a springbok and the insignia for the Infantry
boma: a recreational area, either an enclosed outside area with no roof or a thatched outdoor area
bone: method of shining boots or shoes by applying spit and polish in small circular movements
Border, the: South West Africa’s northern border with Angola and Zambia
Border tour: usually a one- or three-month spell in northern South West Africa
bosbefok, bos, bossies: bush crazy
Bosbok: Reconnaissance airplane
bosbus, bossie: (a) ‘opfok’, in which troops run after an instructor who shouts commands from a vehicle, telling them where to run; (b) ‘bush bus’: tying the enemy to the bonnet of a vehicle and driving through thick, preferably thorny, bush
bos oupa: a soldier who has completed two Border tours
Bots: Botswana
Buffel: an anti-mine troop carrier
Bungalow Bill: a representative of a bungalow who liaised with officers and NCOs on behalf of National Servicemen (e.g. communicating their complaints) and called troops to attention
buster power: term used by fighter pilots for full power or maximum thrust
C-130: a four-engined Lockheed Martin, commonly known as a ‘Flossie’
C-160: a two-engined Lockheed Martin, commonly known as a ‘Flossie’
casevac: casualty evacuation
Casspir: armoured personnel carrier used primarily by the SAP forces and designed in conjunction with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). ‘Casspir’ is an anagram of these two organisations’ names
CB: confined to barracks, punishment that lasted between one and two weeks
CC: Coloured Corps
CF: Citizen Force – men who had completed National Service, who were eligible for at least one camp per year for the next 12 years
civvies: civilian clothes, or general public not serving in the military
civvy street: civilian life
clicks: kilometres
COIN: counter-insurgency
Com Ops: Communication Operations
comms: communications
cuca: a trading store on the Angolan border, usually African-owned; named after Angolan beer first encountered by the SADF in 1975
dagga: marijuana
Dak: Dakota transport aircraft, DC-3
DB: detention barracks
dems: demolitions
diknek: insult implying stupidity; literally ‘thick neck’
dixie: metal containers that fitted into one another, used for cooking and/or eating
dof: stupid
doibie: green plastic inner lining of steel helmet. A red doibie signified that the wearer was undergoing punishment. Also known as a mosdop
dominee: Dutch Reformed Church minister
donderbuis: thunderflash
donner: strike forcefully; drive fast and recklessly; swine, bastard
doodsakker: killing ground
dooies: dead
doos: derogatory term for female genitalia; stupid person; literally ‘box’
dop: drink
doppie: cartridge
DSB: deep sea boat
Dutchman: derogatory term for an Afrikaans-speaking male
ECC: End Conscription Campaign
eenvormigheid: uniformity
eis: own
Eland: an armoured car also known as a Noddy Car
Engelsman: Englishman
Esbit: a paraffin tablet used to heat food or drink
FAPLA: Forças Armadas Populares de Libertação de Angola (People’s Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola)
firing-in: technically means to physically set sights on a weapon by firing it, but the term also applies to a base firing its weapons into the bush at dusk so that the enemy knew the base was alert and armed
Flossie: a C-130 or C-160 transport airplane
fluitjie: whistle
FNLA: Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola (National Front for the Liberation of Angola)
fok: fuck
FW: FW de Klerk, a National Party cabinet minister, and State President from 1989 to 1994
G1K1: medical term declaring a soldier healthy and fit for active duty (gesondheid 1, kondisie 1)
G4K4: medical term declaring a soldier unfit for active duty. This classification often guaranteed a non-physical position, e.g. as a clerk
G5: medical discharge; South African–manufactured towed gun-howitzer
G6: South African–manufactured self-propelled gun-howitzer
gatvol: fed up
gesondheid: health
gippo guts: runny tummy; diarrhoea
goeiemôre: good morning
gogga: a phase during the SAAF Officer’s Course where candidates undergo an extended period of physical exercise and sleep deprivation; literally ‘insect’
goolies: balls
grondseil: ground sheet
grootjas(se): great coat(s)
gunship: Alouette helicopter with a floor-mounted gun
gyppo: beat the system; avoidance of duty or unorthodox modification
haak-en-steek: type of thorn bush
HAG/HAA: Helikopter Administrasiegebied/Helicopter Administration Area
HE: high-explosive round
Honoris Crux (diamond): highest medal awarded for valour
hoofhek: main gate
hot area: an area with confirmed enemy activity or presence or where opposing forces engage in combat
houding: character, attitude
Impala: Italian-designed, South African–manufactured medium fighter aircraft
Inkatha: Inkatha Freedom Party
intel: intelligence
intreetoetse: entry tests
jati: a long strip along the Border that was cleared by bulldozer
Jiffy bags: body bags
Jirra: from the Afrikaans Here, the Almighty, Jesus or God
JLs: junior leaders; Junior Leadership Course
jol: party; have fun
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br /> jollie patrollie: recreational, relaxing, non-dangerous patrol or drive
July intake: there were two intakes of National Servicemen per year, one in July and another in January
jumpers: special heavy boots worn by Parabats or jump-qualified troops
jy’s niks: you’re nothing
kaffir: offensive word for African
kafferboetie: literally ’kaffir lover’
kak: shit
kak houding: bad attitude
kak off: shit off
kakgat: a latrine; literally ‘shit hole’
kaplyn: a cleared border area between two countries or a cut line cleared specifically for the purpose of picking up tracks
kaptein: captain
kas(te): steel cupboard(s); slang for jail
kay: kilometre
kla aan/on: to be charged for contravening the military disciplinary code (MDC)
klap: hit
klaar: finish
klaar in: to report for duty
klaar uit/out: to finish National Service or to clear out of a unit
Koevoet: initially a South African Police COIN unit, which then fell under South West African Territorial Force (SWATF); literally ‘crowbar’
koffiemoffie: slang for a homosexual flight steward
kondisie: condition
kontak: contact
korporaal: corporal
lag: laugh
langarm: a dance style where two people clasp one another around the waist with one arm with the other arm extended out – generally considered conservative; literally ‘long arm’
lekker: good, nice
links: left
LMG: light machine gun
loadies: uniformed SAAF load masters
looi: thrash; bomb; get the better of
loopgraaf: trench
luitenant: lieutenant
MAG: a 7,62-mm belt-fed automatic machine gun
magsnommer: a number allocated to every person in the SADF; literally ‘force number’
mal: mad
manne: men
Mills sight: an accuracy and removable sight for firing mortars
min dae: literally ‘few days’ – either to complete National Service or to return to the RSA after a Border/bush tour
Mirage: fighter jet
MLOS/MAOT: Mobiele Lugoperasiespan/Mobile Air Operations Team
moer: hit
moer in: mad, angry
moerse goed: very good, excellent
MP: Military Police
MPLA: Movimento Popular da Libertação de Angola (People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola)
muntus: offensive word for Africans
MVL/MRL: multipelvuurpyllanseerder/multiple rocket launcher
NAAFI: no ambition and fuck-all interest
nagapie: bush baby, a small nocturnal mammal with large eyes
Nasrec: National Recreation Centre
NCO: non-commissioned officer
NDP: Nasionale Dienspligtige (National Serviceman)
necklacing: placing a car tyre around a person’s neck and setting it alight
NG Kerk: Dutch Reformed Church
niemand: nobody
Noddy Car: an Eland 90
nogal: what’s more
NSM: National Serviceman
Nyala: armoured personnel carrier
OC: Officer’s Course or Officer Commanding
oke: guy
olifant ore: air filters on a helicopter; literally ‘elephant ears’
omkeer: about-turn
one-liner: lance corporal
oortjies: little ears
op die looppas: double time
opfok, oppie: fuck up, usually through excessive physical activity
ops: operations
ops medic: a medic with additional training in treating trauma and combat wounds/injuries
ou manne: varying conscription lengths meant the time varied, but this was usually a National Serviceman with less than three, six or twelve months’ National Service remaining
pa: father
packed out swastikas: ran (arms and legs pumping)
pakkie: package or parcel
paraat: prepared; also slang for someone who is extremely eager
Parabat: a Parachute Battalion member; paratrooper
PE4: plastic explosive
perdeparade: horse parade
Personeeldiens: Personnel Services
persoonlik: personal
PF: Permanent Force
piemp: rat on
pikstel: compact cutlery set with a fork and spoon that slid into the knife handle
PKM: Russian machine gun
plaaslike bevolking (PBs): local population
plat pote: flat feet
pluk: state of bliss usually induced by drugs
poes: derogatory term for female genitalia; also used as an insulting name
POM-Z: a type of mine
posparade: parade where mail was dispensed
potjiefakkels: trip flares used for perimeter protection
Pro Patria medal: issued to soldiers who saw active service on the Border for 55 consecutive days or 90 cumulative days. It was also known as the ProNutro medal because so many were awarded
PSS/PDK: Personnel Services School/Personeeldienskorps
PT: physical training
PTI: physical training instructor
PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder
Pukke: University of Potchefstroom
Puma: a medium workhorse helicopter used primarily for troop deployment, extraction and casevacs
PW: PW Botha, a National Party cabinet minister, Prime Minister from 1978 to 1984, and State President from 1984 to 1989 under the new dispensation
R1: 7,62-mm assault rifle
R4: 5,56-mm assault rifle, a smaller replacement for the R1
Ratel: an infantry combat vehicle capable of carrying up to 11 troops. It has a 20-mm cannon and three Browning machine guns. Very quick and lethal, they were named after the honey badger, renowned for its ferociousness
rat pack: ration pack
rats: rations
re-rat: re-rationing: supplying food to troops in the field
Recce: a member of the Reconnaissance Unit
Red-eye: BM-21 missile
regs: right
regsom: right turn
RENAMO: Resistëncia Nacional Moçambicana (Mozambique National Resistance)
revetment: a fortified retaining wall
Rinkhals: armoured, mine-proof ambulance
RLI: Rhodesian Light Infantry
rondfok: to mess a troop around with seemingly pointless activity; literally ‘fuck around’
roof(s): new recruit(s), inexperienced soldier(s)
rooi: red
Rooi Gevaar: Communist threat
rooikat: caracal
rooinek: a derogatory term for an Englishman; literally ‘red neck’
RPD: Russian machine gun
RPG: rocket-propelled grenade
RSA: Republic of South Africa
RSM: regimental sergeant major
RTU: return to unit
SAAF: South African Air Force
SACC: South African Coloured Corps
SADF: South African Defence Force
SAGDOS: Suid-Afrikaanse Geneeskundige Opleidingsentrum (South African Medical Services Training Corps)
SAI: South African Infantry (Battalion)
sak: drop (for push-ups)
SAM-7: a portable hand-held surface-to-air missile
Samil: large 4 x 4 general-purpose truck
Santa Marias: voluminous army underpants
sarmies: sandwiches
SAWI/SADFI: Suid-Afrikaanse Weermagindustrie/South African Defence Force Industries
shona or oshona: local name for a dry open area created by a seasonal lake or large pool in Angola
sjambok: whip
skaapdra: carrying a heavy weight during training or carrying one’s buddy over one’s shoulder
skietbalkie: a shooting proficiency badge
skiet piet: infantryman; nickname for a (rural) commando member
skrapnel: nickname for bully beef; literally ‘shrapnel’
slang: snake
snoepie: small shop/tuck shop
snotneus: 40-mm grenade launcher (the American M79 grenade launcher)
snuffel tiffie: slang for member of Intelligence Corps
sokkiejol: town dance
soutpiel: derogatory name for an English-speaking man residing in South Africa. He has one foot in England, the other in South Africa and his penis hangs in the ocean; literally ‘salty dick’
spook en diesel: brandy and Coke
SSB: Special Services Battalion, Panzer or Armour Corps
S&T: daily allowance for subsistence and transport
staaldak: steel helmet
staan op: stand up
Stalin Organ/Orrel: truck-mounted multiple rocket launcher
stand to: the period at sunrise and sunset when operational units were on full standby against attacks
States, the: Republic of South Africa
steerable: type of parachute
stompie: cigarette butt
stopper group: deployed with an attack group, usually behind the enemy to prevent escape
streef: strive
strek: a way of acknowledging higher rank, involving straightened, stiffened arms to the side when walking or standing, and to the knees when seated. An NCO of higher rank would always be strekked (not saluted), and an officer would be strekked if the lower-ranking soldier was not wearing headgear
stryk: iron
Superfrelon: large French-manufactured helicopter
SWAPO: South West African People’s Organisation
Swart Gevaar: threat of black power or rule
Tampax tiffy: medic
tannie: a term of respect for an older woman; literally ‘aunty’
taxis: soft, non-abrasive form of protection worn over shoes or socks on a polished floor
TB: temporary base/tydelike basis
terr: terrorist