The Chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, is hosting his Angolan counterpart, General Virginia Da Cunha Pinto, in South Africa as part of efforts to strengthen defence diplomacy and advance bilateral military relations. The Angolan delegation arrived at Air Force Base Waterkloof on 29 September 2025 for a goodwill visit focused on enhancing cooperation and safeguarding shared interests between the two air forces.
During the visit, General Da Cunha Pinto and his delegation toured Air Force Base Ysterplaat, where they were warmly received by Colonel E.M.T. Wilson. The delegation was briefed on the history and role of the base, exchanged gifts, and engaged in discussions to share experiences and best practices.
Speaking on the sidelines in Cape Town, Major General Carl Moatshe, Chief Director Force Preparation, highlighted the purpose of the visit:
“The visit is purely based on common interests and friendship between these organisations, guided by binding protocols. South Africa and Angola are key role players within SADC, and continued visits of this nature strengthen the ties between our nations.”
Colonel Mario Tyimbungu of the Angolan Air Force reflected on the visit, noting that lessons learned from the South African Air Force would help his team focus on local solutions to challenges rather than looking overseas.
The visit is ongoing, with further engagements planned to consolidate defence cooperation and promote stronger diplomatic relations between the South African and Angolan defence establishments.
