Gilbert Ramano

Lieutenant General Gilbert Leboko Ramano SSAS SD MMS MMM MMB (born 7 July 1939 in Sophiatown) is a South African military commander.

He completed his schooling at Madibane High School and worked as a senior clerk at the WNLA mines depot in Johannesburg during 1961/62.

He left South Africa in 1962 to join the armed wing of the African National Congress, Umkhonto weSizwe (MK). He attended a number of military courses in Tanzania, Egypt (special operations) and the Soviet Union, including a Soviet Army Staff Course in 1971. He returned to South Africa in 1992 and attended the Zimbabwe Army Staff Course in 1994.

In 1995, he attended the SANDF Joint Staff Course, and was appointed General Officer Commanding Northern Cape Command in July of that year.

In May 1997, he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Army, and on 1 July 1998 he was promoted to lieutenant-general and appointed Chief of the Army.

In 1999 Lt General Ramano was awarded the Order of the Star of South Africa His awards include:

• Star of South Africa, Silver (SSAS)

• Southern Cross Decoration (SD)

• Merit Medal in Silver (MMS)

• Military Merit Medal (MMM)

• Merit Medal in Bronze (MMB)

• Operational Medal for Southern Africa

• South Africa Service Medal

• Unitas Medal

• Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service (40 Years)

• Service Medal in Gold

• Service Medal in Silver

• Service Medal in Bronze

• Legion of Merit (LOM) (USA)

• Order of Military Merit (Brazil)