M A Y 2 0 1 2 • S A S O L D I E R - Department of Defence

2010 review of defenceMinister Sisulu visitedASB Western CapeS A S O L D I E RBy Chaplain (Rev) HannesSteenkampPhoto: S Sgt L.E. DlovaWhen the soldiers atArmy Support BaseWestern Cape andsurrounding militaryunits went to work on17 December 2009, theywere unaware of the opportunityand privilege they would havelater that day to meet the Ministerof Defence and Military Veterans,Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, in person. Shehas decided to visit some unitsinformally towards the end of eachyear to convey her festive seasongreetings in person and to thankthe soldiers for the hard work doneduring the year. This time it wasCape Town’s turn.Ms Sisulu was accompanied by theDeputy Minister of Defence andMilitary Veterans, Mr ThabangMakwetla, the then Chief of theSA Army, Lt Gen Solly Shoke (nowChief of the SANDF), and theGeneral Officer Commanding of theSA Army Support Formation, Maj GenStephan Marumo.The visit kicked off with a presentationby the Officer Commanding ASBWestern Cape, Col Peter Kobbie, on theactivities, successes and challenges ofthe base. The Minister took a specialinterest in the working and livingconditions of the soldiers and statedthat the upgrading of military facilitiesto an acceptable standard was apriority as it was a means of improvingthe commitment and productivity ofthe members of the DOD.The next stop was a meeting withabout 600 soldiers from differentServices and units in the WesternCape. An atmosphere of expectation,especially with regard to the salaryincreases, was tangible when shestepped into the hall. She did notdisappoint those present and, toenthusiastic applause, announcedthe pay increases in detail. Shealso explained the decision not toThe Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, andher Deputy Minister, Mr Thabang Makwetla, at the meeting held atArmy Support Base Western Cape.award performance incentives to afew members in 2009, but rather todistribute them equally among allsoldiers who had upheld the Codeof Conduct for Uniformed Personnelof the SANDF. It was done in thismanner to show the Department’sgratitude to all soldiers who had donetheir duty well.She emphasised that the payincreases were but the first phasein the improvement of the serviceconditions of soldiers. She is workingon the establishment of a permanentcommission along the lines of thePublic Service Commission. She statedthat die DOD was different from therest of the Public Service and neededits own dispensation. A draft billproviding for this commission hasbeen prepared for submission to theCabinet.In her speech she also announcedthat the SANDF would take overthe protection of the borders in 2010from the SA Police Service because itwas the constitutional mandate ofthe SANDF to protect the country.HIV positive members will in futurealso be deployed on peacekeepingmissions provided that they or othersare not put at risk.Ms Sisulu urged members to workwisely with the resources andfunds of the DOD. The financialmanagement of the Department mustimprove to address the repeatedlyraised concerns of the AuditorGeneral. If the Department canobtain unqualified audits, this can bea basis for securing more funds fromthe treasury. Every soldier must dohis or her part to achieve this goal.She ended her address by wishingeveryone well during the festiveseason and the coming year andreminded those present: “We carefor you!”(For more information please read thearticle as published SA Soldier, March2010 edition, page 12.)M A Y 2 0 1 2 • 17