Fabian Zimpande "Zakes" Msimang (born 1 September 1960)[3] is a retired South African Air Force officer who served as the Chief of the South African Air Force.

[5] He has been a member of the Umkhonto WeSizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress and saw combat[citation needed] in Angola in 1986.

On his return from Italy, Msimang was then appointed Officer Commanding of the Helicopter Flying School at Air Force Base Bloemspruit.

[7] In 2005, he was appointed officer commanding Air Force Base Bloemspruit and promoted to the rank of colonel.

In June 2007, after a two-and-a-half-year tour as officer commanding Air Force Base Bloemspruit, he was appointed director of helicopter systems and promoted to the rank of brigadier general at the Air Command.