Angela Xoliswa Lungile (29)

MY love for the defence force was triggered by the stories that my grandmother used to tell me. She told me her father, Tikane Lungile, served in World War II. Although I did not have a real relationship with my late father, I am told that he was a member of the South African National Defence Force.

My late mother, Nikiwe Lungile, passed away in 2005 and at the time she was working for the SANDF as a human resource officer. I can say that I have defence force blood. Honestly, I have always known that I would be a soldier one day. I love this job.

My joining of the defence force was a funny story. A friend of mine, Kgomotso Matome, approached me one morning and told me to accompany her to some place. She was a bit secretive about it and did not want to say where we were going. I joined her and later realised that she was taking me to an army base in Rustenburg, not very far from where we lived.

When we got there, we were told that those who had submitted forms earlier should stand in one queue while those who had not submitted forms should stand in another queue.

I was in the queue for those who had not submitted the forms while my friend was in the other queue. Strangely, I was admitted to join the force while my friend was rejected. After my six month basic training, I have done several other courses in various places. I am currently based in Springs where I work as a welder in the defence force. I love what I do. I love the discipline in the force. The defence force is an area for countless careers. What ever you dream career is, chances are that that career can be found in the defence force.