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

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S A S O L D I E R2011 review of defenceThe Interim National DefenceForce Service CommissionreportBy Lufuno NetshirembePhoto: Sgt Elias MahumaThe Minister of Defenceand Military Veterans, MsLindiwe Sisulu, announcedthe release of the InterimNational Defence Force ServiceCommission (INDFSC) reportat the Union Buildings in Pretoria on25 November 2010.In a short space of time after MinisterSisulu was appointed by PresidentJacob Zuma as the Minister ofDefence and Military Veterans itbecame apparent that the SANDFhad many problems that needed to besolved. Some of these problems werehighlighted when a small numberof soldiers demonstrated theirdiscontent at the Union Buildings.The immediate response of the DODwas to find an “avant-garde modusoperandi” to address grievances.The problems in the SANDF werenot going to be easy to solve, but MsSisulu was equally determined todeal with these problems effectivelyand efficiently.In October 2009 the INDFSCwas established to deal with thefollowing: (1) the unique challengesof the SANDF that fall outside theambit of the Public Service; (2) toadvise on a regulatory framework forunique service dispensation; and (3)to investigate and provide advice orrecommendations on conditions ofservice for members of the SANDF.The Minister highlighted the fourcategories that the recommendationsby the interim commission fell under:(i) recommendations that requiredCabinet approval (ie budgetaryconsiderations and executiveresponsibilities that needed tomigrate from one department to theother) (ii) those that the Ministercould attend to as part of her workand responsibilities as a member ofthe Executive (iii) those that couldFltr: The then Minister of Public Works, Ms Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, and the Acting Chairperson of the Interim NationalDefence Force Service Commission, Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana,listen to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms LindiweSisulu, during the question and answer session.be addressed by either or both theSecretary for Defence and the Chief ofthe SANDF, and (iv) those that relatedto the Military Service Commission.The ten-member commission waschaired by Judge R. Bosielo with MrA. Ismail as the Deputy Chairperson.Other commission members were LtGen (Ret) L. Moloi, Maj Gen (Ret) B.H.Holomisa, Mr P.J. Groenewald, Ms H.C.Mgabadeli, Dr A. Mokgokong, BishopM.M. Mpumlwana, Prof R.L. Christieand Mr Z.T. Ngcakani.The Acting Chairperson, BishopMpumlwana, announced that theCommission had handed its finalreport to the Minister on 16 November2010, one month earlier than thescheduled date of delivery. Amongother issues that the Commission hadto deal with were issues relating tothe Defence Budget, infrastructure,Health Service Support, a grievancemechanism, Military SkillsDevelopment System (MSDS)recruitment and military careers.The then Minister of Public Works,Ms Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde,confirmed that the Department ofDefence and Military Veterans hadrequested an overhaul of the militaryfacilities. She said her departmentwas giving soldiers’ accommodationpriority attention.Since the INDFSC was establishedsome of its recommendations wereimplemented immediately and theresults of the commissioners’ tasksand recommendation have indeedbrought much needed change to thelives of South African soldiers.(Previously published in SA Soldier,January 2011 edition, page 16.)30 • M A Y 2 0 1 2
2011 review of defenceArmed Forces celebratedS A S O L D I E Rdisappointed when called upon todischarge their duties at home. Heapplauded the SANDF’s unwaveringdedication to the country and itspeople.He mentioned that there was a needfor SANDF members to exercisediscipline, commitment, reliabilityand dependability and that theseattributes were non-negotiables.President Zuma said: “We reiterate toothat our soldiers are not ordinary civilservants who are guided by the PublicService Act. Precisely because of thisunique situation of our soldiers, theyrequire special attention, which weare working on as Government.”Fltr: The Commander-in-Chief, President Jacob Zuma, the Ministerof Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, and the DeputyMinister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Thabang Makwetla,paying tribute to members of the SANDF and the military veterans onArmed Forces Day at the Thaba Tshwane City Hall.By Cpl Ally RakomaPhoto: Sgt Elias Mahuma16December is aday dedicated tounity, healing andreconciliation. The dayalso reminds us of allthe wars of resistance,wars of liberation and conflicts SouthAfrica has gone through and that wewere once a nation divided whosepeople were at war against each otherfor many decades.It was fitting that the Commanderin-Chief,President Jacob Zuma,the Minister of Defence andMilitary Veterans, Ms LindiweSisulu, the Deputy Minister ofDefence and Military Veterans,Mr Thabang Makwetla, the thenChief of the SANDF, Gen GodfreyNgwenya, and Service Chiefs wereable to commemorate NationalReconciliation Day with members ofthe SANDF at an event called ArmedForces Day.The Programme Director, the Ministerof Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile,welcomed the President, members ofCabinet, dignitaries, and guests fromforeign countries to rejoice with theSANDF, military veterans and therainbow nation.Armed Forces Day was a dignified,ceremonious event that will lingerin the memories of members of theSANDF, military veterans, dignitaries,guests and the public who made thetime to come to Thaba Tshwane CityHall in Pretoria for the address of theCommander-in-Chief to the soldiersand nation.Speaking at the Armed Forces Day atThaba Tshwane, President Zuma saidthat the SANDF was the country’slast line of defence, and the men andwomen of the SANDF had neverPresident Zuma said that theGovernment had created theDepartment of Military Veteranswithin the defence portfolio to takecare of military veterans’ affairs, thushelping us finally to formalise supportfor the military veterans. He reiteratedthat some of the military veterans whohad fought with all they had to breakthe shackles of the apartheid systemwere today largely destitute. However,he said a number of departments,including Human Settlements, SocialDevelopment, Arts and Culture andthe Government Employees PensionFund had been roped in to assist themilitary veterans.In conclusion, President Zumamentioned that he had signed into lawthe Defence Amendment Bill which,among others, manages all the affairsof the SANDF.16 December 2010 was an appropriatetime to recall that the new SANDFwas formed through the integration ofvarious armed forces to unite formerenemies in an integrated force. Theday was also marked to pay tribute tothe military veterans.(For more information please read thepublished in SA Soldier, January 2011edition, pages 18 and 19.)M A Y 2 0 1 2 • 31
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