Gert Opperman | Uit Genade, Bo Versienste!

INTRODUCTION OF MAJOR GENERAL (RETIRED) GERT OPPERMAN’SBOOK, "UIT GENADE, BO VERDIENSTE"

Opperman’s book provides insightful details about his highly successful 33-year military career (January 1963 – August 1996), marked by several highly sensitive and influential key positions and a prominent public profile. Widely known as a man of many facets and a highly successful commander and leader, he continuously inspired his team to achieve exceptional accomplishments. His early retirement, through a voluntary separation package, caught many observers off guard. he lifts the veil on what led to this decision and what happened immediately afterward.

From March 2000 to December 2014, he was the head of the Voortrekker Monument and the Heritage Foundation. This period was characterized by unprecedented positive transformation and growth in all the organizations and locations entrusted to him and his dedicated team.

Since then, he has played a prominent role in military veterans’ affairs, particularly in the establishment of the South African Defence Force (SADF) Wall of Remembrance and the Military Memorial Wall. He also served as Chairman of the Ebo Trust, contributing to the successful recovery and repatriation of the remains of SADF soldiers left behind on the battlefield in Angola. Details of the Ebo Trust’s successful projects in Kenya are also included.

Opperman has visited 68 countries - some of them more than ten times. In many cases, he led the tours. The book includes details and unique anecdotes from some of these visits. In 2014, he and his wife, Ria, were honoured guests of SAMVOA during an unforgettable trip to Australia.

For years, he resisted persistent calls to write a book. His eventual decision to do so stemmed from the growing realization of how little the next generation knows about this key period in Southern Africa’s history—and the distortions they are exposed to. Additionally, he wanted to acknowledge and bear witness to the significant contributions and sacrifices made by so many individuals.

The book was launched in February 2025 with great success. In just over three months, nearly 450 copies have been sold, and the fifth edition has just been released

BEKENDSTELLING VAN GENERAAL-MAJOOR (AFGETREE) GERT OPPERMAN

SE BOEK “UIT GENADE, BO VERDIENSTE”

Opperman se boek bevat insiggewende besonderhede van sy baie suksesvolle Weermagloopbaan van 33 jaar (Jan 1963 - Aug 1996), gekenmerk deur ’n hele aantal baie sensitiewe en -invloedryke sleutelposte en ’n hoë openbare profiel. Allerweë bekend as ’n mens van vele fasette en ’n baie suksesvolle bevelvoerder en leier, het hy sy span deurlopend tot unieke prestasies aangespoor. Sy vervroegde uitdienstreding met ’n vrywillige skeidingspakket het baie waarnemers onkant gevang. Hy lig die sluier oor wat daartoe gelei het en wat onmiddellik daarna gebeur het.

Hy was van Mrt 2000 tot Des 2014 die hoof van die Voortrekkermonument en die Erfenisstigting. Die tydperk is gekenmerk deur ’n ongekende, positiewe ommekeer en groei van al die organisasies en standplase wat aan hom en sy wenspan toevertrou is.

Hy het sedertdien ’n baie prominente rol in militêre veterane-verband gespeel, o.a. weens die oprigting van die SAW Muur van Herinnering en die Weermag Nismuur, en sy rol as Voorsitter van die Ebo Trust in die suksesvolle opsporing en -repatriasie van die menslike oorskot van SAW- soldate wat op die slagveld in Angola agtergelaat moes word. Besonderhede word ook gegee van die Ebo Trust se suksesvolle projekte in Kenia.

Hy het 68 lande besoek, sommige van hulle tot meer as tien keer elk. In baie gevalle was hy die toerleier. Besonderhede en unieke staaltjies oor van hierdie besoeke word gegee. Hy en sy eggenote, Ria, was in 2014 eregaste van SAMVOA, tydens ’n onvergeetlike besoek aan Australië.

Hy het die aandrang dat hy ’n boek moes skryf, vir baie jare lank konsekwent weerstaan. Sy uiteindelike instemming daartoe het gespruit uit die groeiende besef van hoe min die volgende geslag weet van dié sleuteltydperk in Suider-Afrika se geskiedenis en die verdraaiings waaraan hulle blootgestel word. Voorts wou hy graag getuig van en erkenning gee vir die groot bydraes en -opofferings wat deur soveel mense gedoen is.

Die boek is in Feb 2025 met groot sukses geloods. Daar is in net meer as drie maande reeds amper 450 kopieë verkoop. Die vyfde druk daarvan het pas verskyn.

The following links are also provided for anybody who would like to have more background

a. Discussion on Legacy Series - Genl-maj Gert Opperman (Aft) "Uit Genade, Bo Verdienste"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o21ltBDvsOI

b. Discussion on Klipouers Series - Bosoorlog - Episode 3 Generaal-majoor Gert Opperman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF4SE829CsU

c. Private video - Book Release in Pretoria - "Gert Opperman: Uit Genade, Bo Verdienste": Boekbekendstelling te Pretoria op 3 Mei 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZmdmw_FpeA