Eulogy Maj Gen Lou Oosthuizen SD, SM, MMM  (SA Army)

“Oosie”: A Tribute by Brig Gen Tony Savides (SA Army, Retired)

I am deeply saddened by his passing, but I am also humbled that it had been my privilege to have known him, to have worked with him, learnt from him, and have him as a mentor and friend. There is also a tinge of regret that I had not maintained more frequent contact with him over the recent past.

How does one describe to others who Lou Oosthuizen was and what his enormous contribution to the SADF and the SA Army, and his impact on the Border War had been? Specifically, to those who had never even heard his name before and those who have no knowledge or understanding of the environment in which he operated?

While not directly involved in the Border War itself, Oosie operated in the supporting war, the war of SADF projects and acquisition programmes, budgets, user requirements and satisfaction thereof. It was also a brutal war, where battles were fierce and victories often small. Primarily, it was about finances (budget) – for new equipment and capabilities, for upgrading existing systems, for satisfying the needs of the forces.

He was eccentric, enthusiastic, not afraid to speak his mind, and driven by a passion to be of service.He strode this battlefield like a true warrior. The Loggies and Project Officers delivered the goods but, in this war, Oosie was Rommel, he was Patton, and he was even Sun Tzu! As one of his contemporaries put it, “Lou was a unique person.”

His appearances at SADF Finance Committee meetings under the chairmanship of Lt Genl Ian Gleeson (Chief of Defence Staff) and Vice Admiral Aart Malherbe (Chief of Staff Finance) was Oscar-worthy as he presented the SA Army’s Operating and Project budgets. His passion for motivating the budgets, while sometimes giving rise to mirth, impressed the decision makers as he was always well prepared, and seldom, if ever, tripped up by awkward questions. His knowledge too of the operational environment of the time, and his grasp of priorities was such that it was never, as far as I recall, necessary to call operational personnel to these meetings to further motivate urgent financial requirements.

His ability to scan over columns and columns of figures with his frying pan-sized hands sweeping like a mine detector and pointing to anomalies and errors was legendary, as was his ability to exploit the financial regulations to the full extent, using every legal trick in the book to maneuver funds to where they were most needed. Perhaps he sometimes sailed a mite close to the wind, but project officers and programme managers knew where to go for assistance when funds were needed, especially when so-called “Red Castle” operationally urgent requirements emerged.

He was one of the few individuals with whom I had the privilege of working over the years, who was both intelligent and clever.

Above all, Lou Oosthuizen was the epitome of “The Staff is the Servant of the Troops” – a commitment which he entrenched in his own staff. This was his motivation.

Oosie must have ruffled feathers during his career and was often overlooked for promotions or posts where many of us knew he would deliver even better service. He was disappointed yet philosophical about such things and accepted them as part of “the exigencies of the service”. He did not let them deter him in the execution of his tasks.

How then to explain this in today’s world where memories of the Border War are fading, veterans answer the Sunset Call in increasing numbers, and knowledge of Oosie’s war is limited?

Oosie was an armour man in career, in spirit and in effect, brushing aside trivialities and heading straight for the objective, side-stepping and re-routing as the situation dictated, but never losing sight of the objective. He fought for the good guys, cutting corners, ruffling feathers, going for the proverbial jugular, making a difference, but never seeking recognition.

Quite simply, to the SA Army and its personnel and requirements, Lou Oosthuizen was Jack Reacher!*

*Note: Not the cute little Tom Cruise version with a cheeky grin and tussled hair but the Alan Richson version: big, hulking, with cut lip, bruised cheek, enormous presence, and not averse to pushing limits and boundaries – but with a passion for rock and surf fishing!