The South African Army is gearing up for Exercise Vuk’uhlome 2025, a large-scale, division-level exercise held at the SA Army Combat Training Centre (CTC) in the Northern Cape. Scheduled to run from 7 September to 30 November, the exercise will see troops arriving from across the country from September, with the main operational phase planned for November.
Under the leadership of Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, preparations are well underway, including stabling parades for prime mission equipment (PME), induction training, and marksmanship sharpening. The PME inspections ensure that units and formations are fully equipped and ready for the exercise, reinforcing operational confidence.
Supporting the Army’s efforts, Lieutenant General Ntshavheni Maphaha’s SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) has established a level one base hospital at the CTC, providing medical support throughout the exercise.
Headquarters 43 SA Brigade oversees PME at Lohathla, maintaining readiness not only for training exercises but also for rapid response to national threats. Thousands of troops arriving from units nationwide are undergoing induction and familiarisation training to ensure seamless integration during operations.
Vuk’uhlome 2025 will showcase the full breadth of the South African Army’s capabilities across the 158,000-hectare training area, from combat-ready landward forces to military police, technical units, and maintenance and repair services. The exercise aims to enhance soldier readiness, sharpen operational skills, and prepare troops for real-world scenarios.
Following the PME inspections, Lt Gen Mbatha addressed formation commanders and staff officers, emphasising the importance of discipline and organisation:
“A disciplined, well-prepared soldier maintains their equipment, follows procedures, and demonstrates military professionalism at all times.”
Now in its fourth iteration, Exercise Vuk’uhlome continues to cement its status as the South African Army’s flagship exercise, demonstrating operational readiness, capability integration, and commitment to training excellence.
