November - Department of Defence

Saluting ColetDo you know, when we get so used tobad service we are truly amazed whenwe get good service? Well I had thisexperience. I dropped in at the SANDFCollege of Educational Technology(Colet) while on leave (unshaven andin jeans) to ask about training tobecome an assessor.The receptionist, with the help of avery gracious Leading Seaman,phoned every person in theImplementation Centre to try to findsomeone to speak to me. However,everyone was out doing training,which is a good sign! The LeadingSeaman then literally walked thebuilding until he found someone tosee me.After I was asked to sit for a fewminutes - during which time everyperson who walked through the foyer(including the cleaners) either greetedme or asked if I had been helped - LtCol Conradie, from another department,invited me to her office to hearwhat I needed. She had nothing to dowith training assessors. Nevertheless,she took the time to explain how Coletworks, what courses were available,whom I can speak to, and so on.She also told me of the possibilityof obtaining recognition for priorlearning (RPL). What a cool opportunity!By the time I left her office I hadthe application forms and a very positivefeeling about being a learner atColet. I returned the application formsthe very next day (their enthusiasm forlearning inspired me to perform), andwas provided with a manual for twoof the courses I was interested in, plusa CD (which unfortunately had to bereturned).Lt Col Conradie and her colleague,Warrant Officer Botha, were highlyprofessional. They kept asking me togive them feedback on my experienceof the RPL programme, and they keptinviting me to contact them if I evergot stuck or needed answers to questions.Clearly, these people haveheard about Batho Pele - and not onlythe senior staff, but even the cleaners,the receptionist and the LeadingSeaman who happened to walk intothe foyer while I was there.Brig Gen Bless - congratulations toyou and your staff. Keep up the excellentservice! - Lt Col Adrian van Breda,Military Psychological Institute.8Are women and children really free?Some people may ask themselves whyI am saying this, but it is a valid question.Women are no longer free towalk alone, as men are always there toattack them (their prey).If you watch television and listento the radio, you will understand whatI am talking about. It is not even safe togo to town and leave your daughter inthe care of your husband, as she maybe taking her mother's place. I do notknow what is going on with our husbands.Maybe, as they read this letter,they will be able to give us answers,because we have nowhere to run.Soldiers are raping, policemen areThe sky is the limitWhen I volunteered to deploy internationallyto the DRC and Burundi a fewyears ago I was speechless and couldnot believe my ears or recognise mySANDF. My essay was about the possibilitiesof life on the planet and I amvery excited about that, and it is mymilitary and social wish for the successof the previous and current peacemissions. Although I came from apainful apartheid and disadvantagedmilitary and social background, anilliterate and poor soldier, I stronglybelieve that no matter what the odds,staying positive, focused, having faithand believing in oneself, and prayerS A S O L D I E R • N OV EMBER 2 0 0 4doing the same - where else can weask for protection? If they do not rape,they kill the whole family. I still thinkthat they are being selfish and irresponsibleand they are running awayfrom the truth. Please do not kill us.Life is a gift from God and you do nothave the right to take it away. I wouldlike to give advice to those who arethinking of doing this evil thing. If youfeel that you are tired of living, pleasedo not make the mistake of taking thelives of people who cannot defendthemselves. They still have a futureahead. God knows when their liveswill end, and not you. Why do youfirst, is all that matters. I believe thatthe road to success is not straight;there is a curve called failure and disadvantagesand a loop called confusionand ignorance, and speed humpscalled Brothers and Sisters!I never imagined that a poor andmarginalised hero from an apartheidand disadvantaged backgroundwould at the end of the day make it. Soit is not surprising that I never stopmyself from taking chances andaccepting challenges that come myway. But I also want to thank my family,friends and relatives, church andmilitary for the support to unearth thethink you have the right to take awaythe lives of your wife and children?Some people think that they do notwant their family to suffer when theyare gone. Do the right thing and giveyour children an education so thatthey will not suffer. Stop this selfishbehaviour. It is not funny to seewomen and children get killed everyday by the so-called Mr Soldiers. Stopcorrupting the name of our DefenceForce. We are soldiers for peace, notfor abusing. I would like to say, whenyou deploy, do your job, and do notabuse your power - Cpl L.B. Funyufunyu,AFB Makhado.hidden military talent in me revealedin my deployment periods. If I did notbelieve and trust in them I would nothave made it at all; and I still cannotbelieve that I am part of this militaryhistoric adventure which comes oncein a lifetime.My military and social successmeans living my dreams, and moneyis just a bonus for me as a dedicatedsoldier! Finally, I love my God, mySANDF and our country so much thatI can die for them, and I shall do anythingthat needs to be done to the bestof my ability! - Sgt (Pastor) T.D. Makiti,Medical Task Group in Burundi.