Monde Lobese

Vice Admiral Monde Lobese MMS, MMB
Born	New Brighton, Eastern Cape
Allegiance	South Africa
Branch	South African Navy
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands	Chief of the South African Navy Deputy Chief of the South African Navy
Awards

Monde Lobese MMS MMB is a South African naval officer, serving as Chief of the South African Navy.^[1]

Military career

He left South Africa in 1985 to join Umkhonto We Sizwe and underwent training in East Germany before being selected for naval training in the Soviet Union. He integrated into the South African Navy in 1994.^[2]

In 2009, he was appointed Director Fleet Logistics at Fleet Command as a Rear Admiral (junior grade).^[2] In 2015 he joined Joint Operations Division as Director Operations Support where he stayed until being appointed Deputy Chief of the Navy in September 2021^[3] and served as acting Chief after the retirement of Vice Admiral Samuel Hlongwane. He was appointed Chief of the Navy from 1 November 2022.^[1]

In November 2025 Lobese criticised the government for under-funding the South African Navy during a speech. In response, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga issued a statement describing Lobese's speech as "inappropriate, disingenuous and unfortunate".^[4]

Awards and decorations

• Merit Medal (Silver) (MMS)
• Merit Medal (Bronze) (MMB)
• Operational Medal for Southern Africa
• Unitas (Unity) Medal
• Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (20 Year Clasp)
• Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))

References

1. "Lobese confirmed as new SA Navy Chief". DefenceWeb. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
2. "Deputy Chief of the SA Navy". South African Navy. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
3. "Lobese is new SAN Deputy Chief". Defenceweb. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
4. Mashamaite, Modiegi (18 November 2025). "'Our seas are not safe': SA navy chief blasts government over defence cuts". Times Live. Retrieved 23 November 2025.

Military offices
Preceded by V Adm Samuel Hlongwane	Chief of the South African Navy 2022–	Incumbent
Preceded by R Adm Douglas Faure	Deputy Chief of the South African Navy 2021–2022	Succeeded by R Adm Bubele Mhlana
Preceded by Brig Gen Tersia Jacobs	Director Operations Support, Joint Operations 2015–2021	Succeeded by Brig Gen R. Gorukhnath
Preceded by Philiswa Mkayise	Director Fleet Logistics, Fleet Command 2009–2015	Succeeded by R Adm (JG) David Mkhonto