Maj Gen Cedric Masters, Mr Dumisani Dladla, Abrie van der Walt, CEO of Denel Overberg Test Range, Maj Gen Gerald Malinga, R Adm (JG) Sagaren Pillay and R Adm (JG) Cobus Visser.

Denel Overberg Test Range is a unique facility even when compared to facilities in Europe and needs to be guarded jealously. This was the message of the Deputy Chief of the South African Air Force, Maj Gen Gerald Malinga at the recent “Show and Tell” event hosted by the Test Range.

From 20 – 21 August 2014, a very successful "Show & Tell" was presented to the main clients and stakeholders of Denel Overberg Test Range. Once again the key role of the Test Range as a strategic flight test facility in South Africa was confirmed.

It has become customary in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Armscor that organisations with major contracts to deliver products and services to the SANDF, host an opportunity to display their capabilities and new developments to their clients and influential stakeholders. This is commonly known as a "Show and Tell".

In his opening address Mr Abrie van der Walt, Chief Executive Officer of Denel Overberg Test Range highlighted the importance of this year’s event. "The year 2014 is a special year for us since we are celebrating 20 years of freedom and democracy and I am very proud of the major strides that we have made during the past 20 years," he said. Accomplishments highlighted include: the Test Range is today a well-established world class test facility for both local and international defence industries; an impressive client base was established; the Test Range kept up with technology advancements, and the Test Range is today a transformed organisation. "The 'Show and Tell' provides us with the opportunity to interact with our stakeholders in person and is an important event on our calendar," said Mr van der Walt. He also stated that that he is very proud of what is happening at the Test Range and expressed the hope that the delegates will experience the “can do” attitude of the Test Range’s people.

This year's occasion was attended by more than 40 guests, including representatives from the Department of Defence (DoD), SANDF, Armscor, Air Force Base Overberg, the defence industry, other state departments, as well as Denel Corporate Office. The event was hosted over two days, with a formal function on the first evening, which proved to be an excellent networking forum.

Presentations and demonstrations on various aspects of the activities of the Test Range were delivered by enthusiastic Test Range employees. Interesting topics covered varied from an overview of test support provided during the past two years, to projects like the upgrading of the command destruct system, the trackmount and the infrared capabilities, the replacement of the synchronized time code generator and technology renewal projects on the tracking radar. Impressive video clips were shown to enlighten some of the projects and were thoroughly enjoyed by the guests. All the presentations were of an exceptionally high standard and were very well received.

During Maj Gen Malinga's speech at Die Herberg on 20 August 2014, he also expressed his pride at being associated with the Test Range. “I am very proud to be associated with this facility. I am also positively touched to the see the youngsters in this facility and that they have a future here,” Maj Gen Malinga said.

Mr Jan Wessels, Group Chief Operational Officer at Denel, emphasized the importance of the support of the Department of Defence (DoD) to the Test Range. "Denel is well aware of the fact that the first 50% of our income comes from the DoD and we would like to thank the DoD for this very important support,” he said. He also said that he knows the Test Range is in good hands and that he is extremely proud of what the Test Range has achieved.

During her speech at the closing of the event Ms Vuyelwa Qinga, Group Head: Corporate Communications at Denel, commented on the importance of the "Show and Tell" in strengthening relations between Denel and its stakeholders. "Taking care of our clients as partners will contribute to ensuring that Denel grows from being Good to Great," she said.

Everybody who attended the event was impressed with the presentations, arrangements, friendliness and overall efficiency of the Test Range and overwhelmingly positive feedback was received from various attendees.

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