Gerrit Opperman

Major General Gerrit Nicolaas Opperman (Gert) SD SM MMM SAStC was a General Officer in the South African Army.

Major General Gerrit Nicolaas Opperman SD SM MMM
Nickname(s)	Gert
Born	(1945-07-27) 27 July 1945 (age 79) Johannesburg
Allegiance	South Africa
Service / branch	South African Army
Years of service	c. 1966 – August 1996[1]
Rank	Major General
Commands	OC Northern Transvaal Command OC Sector 70 (Eastern Caprivi)
Awards

Early life

General Gert Opperman was born on 27 July 1945 in Johannesburg.^[2]

Career

He served as spokesman for the Malan family on the death of Magnus Malan.^[3]

Courses

• Escuala de Defensa National (Joint Warfare qualification) Completed 1975^[2]
• Escuela de Estado Mayor (Command and Staff qualification) Completed 1975^[2]

Posts held

Gen Opperman has held the following posts:^[2]

• 2005 – present: Chief Executive Officer – The Research Trust
• 2003 – present: Managing Director – VTM Projects (Pty) Ltd, Pretoria
• 2003 – present: Executive Trustee – Voortrekker Monument Trust, Pretoria
• 2003 – present: Council Member – Voortrekker Museum
• 2002 – present: Chief Executive Officer – Heritage Foundation
• 1998 – 2000: Member – Gert Opperman Consulting cc
• 1996 – 1998: Managing Director – Guards Division, Coin Security Group
• 1994 – 1996: Chief Director – Corporate Communication, SANDF
• 1988 – 1993: OC Northern Transvaal Command, SANDF
• 1987 – 2000: Executive Chairman/Convenor, Club Gerbera
• 1983 – 1988: Military Secretary – DOD

Awards

Maj Gen Opperman has received the following awards during his career:

Medals and decorations

• International Orders
• Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
• Southern Cross Medal (1975) (SM)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)
• Pro Patria Medal
• Southern Africa Medal
• General Service Medal (South Africa)
• Unitas (Unity) Medal
• Good Service Medal (Gold (30 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
• Order of Military Merit (Grand Officer II) (Brazil)
• Chilean Star of Military Merit