Department of Defence Annual Report 2008-2009

| Department of Defence |
Foreword by the Honourable Minister of Defence
and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, MP
The year under review marked the end of the Third
Term of the democratic government, therefore the
period – FY 2008/09 – was a period which saw the
department engaged in assessing its success and
challenges that still need to be addressed by this new
administration. The alignment of our programmes
with the South African foreign policy objectives, and
the continued implementation and renement of
both the Military Strategy and the Human Resource
Strategy 2010 to rejuvenate the South African
National Defence Force (SANDF), remained the
main objectives of the year under review.
In aligning to the Government’s Programme of
Action, the Department ensured that it delivered on
its set objectives. Most signicant for the period
under review, was the work accomplished in terms
of the APEX priorities. The Department, through
the Defence Legal Services Division (DLSD), made
remarkable progress in the fullment of APEX
Priority 19, wherein the cases backlog was reduced
by 28%, while the overall reduction of cases was
pegged at 30%. Sound progress was made with
regard to APEX Priority 24, where 7 357 Military
Skills Development System (MSDS) members were
brought into the ranks of the SANDF at the end of
the nancial year.
Owing to the MSDS programme, youth, skills and
leadership development have continued to grow in
support of the rejuvenation of the SANDF and the
alleviation of the poverty objective. Furthermore,
the revitalisation of the Reserves saw an increased
number of forces deployed, both internally
and externally. Gender issues continued to be a
priority in the Department’s agenda. The Gender
Conference and workshops to determine progress
in the implementation of the United Nations (UN)
Resolution 1325, which focuses on representation
of women at all decision-making levels, were
successful.
The UN nominated South Africa as one of the
countries to pilot the implementation of this
resolution.
Government’s intent captures the requirement to
strengthen its own economic base, to the benet of
the African continent. The roles and tasks of the
SANDF were thus focused on establishing those
conditions, in a multilateral manner, of safety, peace
and security.
During the period under review, Support for the
Government’s Commitment to Stability, Peace and
Security in the Region and the Continent, dominated
the Department’s business. The Department
continued to win respect for its role in enhancing
regional, continental and global security, through
peace-support operations and collaborations with
the African Union (AU) and the UN. Throughout
the year, our members served the region with pride
and dignity in their areas of deployment.
Once more, the Department carried out many
demanding tasks in support of other state
departments and the people of South Africa.
Humanitarian support was provided in various
difcult instances, with particular attention to the
xenophobic predicament, prevention in the spread
of cholera, evacuation during oods and res, and
preparations for future international events. All
internal deployments were executed with diligence
and essential safety, reducing risk to lives and
property.
The Military Veterans’ Association was launched
during the period under review. Subsequent to
the launch, a workshop was held to advance the
immense work that needs to be executed to ensure
that there is progress in matters that have been
deliberated on.
| Foreword by the Honourable Minister of Defence |
xi Annual Report FY 2008 - 2009