Shoke received his education at Orlando High School, Orlando Township, in Johannesburg.
Other academic qualifications include a Diploma in Human Resources Management from Damelin, a Certificate in Defence Management from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Certificate in Personnel Management from IPM.
Shoke joined Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), in the 1970s.
In the 1980s he served as field commander during the liberation struggle against the South African government.
He obtained his military training in Angola and completed the Brigade Commanders Course in the USSR.
He became part of the underground leadership of Operation Vula in 1988.
Between 1993 and 1994, Shoke followed an Intermediate Staff Course in Zimbabwe.
In 1994 he was appointed as Director Personnel Planning of the South African Army.

In 1998, Shoke commanded the South African Development Community forces during Operation Boleas in Lesotho.
He was the Director Personnel Acquisition from January 1999 to October 2000, when he was promoted to the rank of major general as the Chief Director Human Resources Support.
He was promoted to Chief of the Army in 2004, and became Chief of the South African National Defence Force in May 2011.
Shoke received his education at Orlando High School, Orlando Township, in Johannesburg. Other academic qualifications include a Diploma in Human Resources Management from Damelin, a Certificate in Defence Management from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Certificate in Personnel Management from IPM. Shoke joined Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), in the 1970s. In the 1980s he served as field commander during the liberation struggle against the South African government. He obtained his military training in Angola and completed the Brigade Commanders Course in the USSR. He became part of the underground leadership of Operation Vula in 1988. Between 1993 and 1994, Shoke followed an Intermediate Staff Course in Zimbabwe. In 1994 he was appointed as Director Personnel Planning of the South African Army.
In 1998, Shoke commanded the South African Development Community forces during Operation Boleas in Lesotho. He was the Director Personnel Acquisition from January 1999 to October 2000, when he was promoted to the rank of major general as the Chief Director Human Resources Support. He was promoted to Chief of the Army in 2004, and became Chief of the South African National Defence Force in May 2011.
Solly Shoke