Wilson Nqose, (Born Zolile Nqose), is a former chief of Service Corps in the South African National Defence Force, and a former founding member of the African National Congress's military wing, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK).


Wilson Nqose

(Rtd)
Nickname(s)Wilson Msweli
Bornc. 1943
Retreat, South Africa
Allegiance South Africa
Service/branch
Years of service
  • 1961–1994 (MK)
  • 1994–2005 (SANDF)
RankMajor General
Commands heldChief of Service Corps (2002–2005)
AwardsOperational Medal for Southern Africa ' South Africa Service Medal ' Unitas (Unity) Medal ' Service Medal ' Service Medal ' Service Medal '

Military career edit

General Nqose joined MK in 1961, being one of the youngest members to join and receive military training in the Soviet Union. In 1964, he was briefly based at Tanzania, before moving to Zambia in preparation for the Wankie battle. Nqose was part of the Wankie Sipolilo Campaign[1] in 1967, alongside Lennox Lagu, Zola Skweyiya and Chris Hani that fought and lost against the South African and Rhodesian Armies.[2] He escaped imprisonment and returned to Zambia

He later joined the South African National Defence Force, when MK was integrated into it in 1994, as a brigadier. Nqose was promoted to major general in the late 1990s, before replacing Andrew Masondo as the chief of the Service Corps in 2001.

He retired in 2005.[3] Dawn: Journal of Umkhonto we Sizwe, Souvenir Issue, 1986

Honours and awards edit

References edit

  1. ^ Hani, Chris. "The Wankie Campaign - The O'Malley Archives". omalley.nelsonmandela.org. Retrieved 11 April 2023. originally published in Hani, Chris (January 1986). "The Wankie campaign". Dawn Souvenir. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  2. ^ Goldberg, Denis. "Chapter 14 Out of prison: 28 February 1985 as a free person". South African History Online. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Roll Of Honour" (PDF). South African History Online. pp. 10–13. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of SANDF Service Corps
2001–2003
Succeeded by