Job Maseko

Who was Job Maseko?

Job Maseko or Job Masego MM was a South African soldier during World War II, serving in the Native Military Corps.

Maseko worked as a delivery man in the South African town of Springs before volunteering for service in the Native Military Corps. After completing his basic training, he was sent to North Africa with the South African 2nd Infantry Division.

He became a prisoner of war on 21 June 1942 when Major-General Hendrik Balthazar Klopper, surrendered to Field Marshal Erwin Rommel at Tobruk with 32,000 men, including 10,722 South Africans of the 2nd Division.

While a prisoner, he constructed a bomb, using a milk tin, cordite and a fuse and, with the help of fellow prisoners Andrew Mohudi, Sam Police and Koos Williams, managed to hide the device on a German cargo boat at the docks of Tobruk. The boat was destroyed in the explosion later that afternoon. He was later presented with the Military Medal by Major-General F H Theron.

According to Neville Lewis, the first official South Africa war artist during World War II, Maseko was recommended for a Victoria Cross but, being considered "only an African", he was awarded the Military Medal instead. He attained the rank of lance corporal during his service.