SA Armour Museum

12/09/2026

SA ARMOUR MUSEUM – 30TH ANNIVERSARY

The South African Armour Museum was officially established on 13 September 1996 and proudly commemorates its 30th anniversary in 2026.

This milestone coincides with the 80th anniversary of the South African Armoured Corps, which will be celebrated from 2 to 6 December 2026. The commemorative programme will include a night shooting exercise at the Genl De Wet Training Area on 4 December, followed by an Open Day at the School of Armour on 5 December 2026.

The South African Armour Museum extends its sincere appreciation to all past and present members, personnel and supporters who have contributed to the Museum’s establishment, development, preservation and continued maintenance over the past three decades. Their dedication has helped ensure that the history, traditions and heritage of the South African Armoured Corps are preserved for future generations.

The Museum remains committed to preserving, protecting and promoting the history and heritage of the South African Armoured Corps. Several projects and developments are currently underway as part of the Museum’s continued growth, with further information to be shared as these initiatives progress.

As the Museum marks 30 years of preserving South African armoured heritage, it looks forward to celebrating alongside the South African Armoured Corps and all those who have contributed to its history and enduring legacy.

30 Years of Preserving Armour Heritage | 1996–2026

11/09/2026

High Ping Hero kicks off his new vehicle season with a visit to the SA Armour Museum.

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This is the T-72M1 — the base model came cramped, blind, and prone ...

01/07/2026

🇿🇦 Congratulations to Col B.D. Madolo on His Promotion and New Appointments

The SA Armour Museum proudly congratulates Colonel Bonakele David Madolo on his promotion and his appointment as the Officer Commanding School of Armour, effective 1 July 2026. We also warmly welcome him as the new Chairman of the SA Armour Museum.

Born on 7 May 1977 in Dewetsdorp, Free State, Col Madolo joined the South African National Defence Force in 1997 through the Voluntary Military Service programme. After completing his Basic Military Training at 1 Special Service Battalion, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in 2000 following the successful completion of the Officer Formative Course.

Throughout an exceptional military career spanning nearly three decades, Col Madolo has served with distinction in numerous leadership appointments, including Troop Commander, Liaison Officer, Adjutant, Squadron Commander, Regimental Second-in-Command, Wing Commander, Second-in-Command of the School of Armour, and, most recently, as Officer Commanding 1 Special Service Battalion from 2021 to 2026.

His appointment as Officer Commanding School of Armour is a testament to his unwavering dedication, professional excellence, and commitment to the development of the South African Army and the South African Armour Formation.

We wish Col Madolo every success in his new role and look forward to his leadership as Chairman of the SA Armour Museum.

At the same time, we extend our sincere gratitude to the outgoing Chairman, Colonel D.L. Romain, for his invaluable service and dedication to the SA Armour Museum. We thank him for his many contributions and wish him every success in his new appointment as Chief of Staff at the SA Armour Formation.

Congratulations, Col Madolo, and thank you, Col Romain!

15/06/2026

1998 Bottle of Diesel & Dust

This bottle of Diesel & Dust was produced for the Armour “Shot Action” held at the Directorate Armour, Pretoria, on 19 March 1998. The event was hosted by Director Armour, Colonel H.P. Grobler.

During the occasion, Colonel Chris du Raan presented the bottle to Lieutenant General Jack R. Dutton, the first President of the SA Armour Association, for his signature.

On 15 May 2026, Chris Du Raan presented the bottle, together with two SA Armour Association ties, to the association, which elected to preserve these items in the SA Armour Museum.

The bottle label also provides an early example of the South African Armoured Corps insignia (adopted on 1 October 1996), designed by Col Ewald Beneke, reflecting the Corps’ evolving identity during the post-1994 transformation period.

22/05/2026

Exciting News from the SA Armour Museum! 🛡️

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with The Track Shack (https://trackshack.shop/) – a fantastic South African brand creating high-quality, military-inspired apparel and merch that celebrates our armoured heritage!

From "Be Like Ratel" and Olifant Park parodies to Centurion and classic tank designs, their range perfectly captures the spirit, pride, and history of South African armour.

Every purchase helps support the museum and the preservation of our unique collection of vehicles.

Special Offer: Use the discount code SAARMOUR at checkout to receive 10% off your order!

👉 Head over to trackshack.shop and show your support today!

Tag us in your new gear photos — we can’t wait to see them rolling in!

29/04/2026

The School of Armour and the SA Armour Museum share a long-standing and distinguished association with the Bloem Show, reflecting decades of commitment to public engagement and the preservation of military heritage. This relationship dates back to 1966, when the School of Armour, during its inaugural participation, received formal recognition for its outstanding contribution to the exhibition.

At the 2026 Bloem Show, the SA Armour Museum once again demonstrated excellence in exhibition standards. The Museum received a Gold Award and was further honoured with the prestigious Double Purple Floating Trophy, presented to the exhibitor that demonstrated the greatest improvement from the previous year. This achievement reflects the Museum’s continued commitment to enhancing the quality, professionalism, and public impact of its displays.

Such recognition is made possible through the dedicated efforts of personnel working diligently behind the scenes. It is therefore fitting to acknowledge the contributions of Maj D.F. Swanepoel, MWO M.P. Mokebe, WO1 W.A. Liebenberg, WO2 W.A. Wilke, Sgt F.J. Motapanyane, and Cpl I. Ras. Through their professionalism, commitment, and attention to detail, they ensured the delivery of a refined, informative, and engaging exhibition that continues to uphold the esteemed reputation of the SA Armour Museum.

25/04/2026

It’s that time of the year again... Bloem Show 2026!

Visit our exhibition at this year’s Bloem Show. Engage with our staff, scan our War Thunder banner QR code, learn something new about the Rooikat MTTD, and explore our memorabilia and book corner.

We look forward to seeing you there!

17/04/2026

**SA Armour Museum Closure Notice During Bloem Show (23 April to 2 May 2026)**

The SA Armour Museum will be attending the Bloem Show over the period 23 April 2026- 2 May 2026 and will closed for the public over this period. Visitors can start booking for visits from 4 May 2026.

17/04/2026

The SA Armour Museum once again had the privilege of hosting the Reach for a Dream Foundation on 14 April 2026 to help grant a special wish to a young dreamer.

Fourteen-year-old Onalenna Lesia, whose dream is to one day become a soldier, spent time at the museum engaging with the tank simulators. During his visit, Onalenna demonstrated impressive aptitude, showing strong potential both as a tank driver and as a gunner. His focus, enthusiasm, and natural ability stood out throughout the experience.

The SA Armour Museum extends its best wishes to Onalenna and his family for the journey ahead, with confidence that he has a bright future before him.

10/04/2026

The SA Armour Museum and its personnel are preparing to attend the annual Bloem Show, taking place from 23 April 2026 to 2 May 2026. The museum team looks forward to engaging with the many visitors expected at this well-known regional event.