annrep 1011 1 to 148.qxp - Department of Defence

Chapter 1D E P A R T M E N T O F D E F E N C EF o r e w o r d b y t h eH o n o u r a b l e M i n i s t e ro f D e f e n c e a n dM i l i t a r y V e t e r a n s ,L . N . S i s u l u , M PThe year under review has, from the outset, been framed bythe challenge issued by His Excellency JG Zuma, Presidentof the Republic of South Africa during his State of the Nationaddress of 11 February 2010. Here he articulated the strategicfocus of Government and its commitment to build astrong developmental state, able to respond to the needs andaspirations of the people of the country, and able to performbetter and faster.This was amplified through the affirmation that the strategicintent of Government for the period was to build a performance-orientatedstate, through the optimising of planning aswell as performance monitoring and evaluation. Efforts wereto be measured by outcomes, with an emphasis on accountabilityand an action orientation.Within the parameters of this context, the Departments ofDefence and Military Veterans have embarked on the vigorouspursuance of a number of key strategic objectives. Thesehave included, inter alia, a focus on such pivotal elements asthe creation of a Defence Dispensation; ensuring the fullfunctionality of the Department of Military Veterans;addressing audit qualifications; border security; Defenceinfrastructure and budget. We also committed ourselves to amuch-needed policy review in a number of critical sectorsincluding the repositioning of the Defence Secretariat, thecreation of a National Youth Service, and the repositioning ofthe Defence Industry. These areas of policy review haveyielded noteworthy results, and the positive realisation ofthese is anticipated.Furthermore, it is with much pleasure that we are able toreport on significant achievements in the majority of all otherdomains. Most notably, a revised defence dispensation hasbeen instituted, with the associated Defence Amendment Billbeing passed in Parliament. This will impact significantly onthe ability of the department to address such key aspects asANNUAL REPORT FY 2010/2011MS L.N. SISULUMINISTER OF DEFENCE ANDMILITARY VETERANSaccommodation, grievance resolution and discipline, as wellas to optimise matters of human resource administration,including remuneration, conditions of service in recognitionof associated hardships inherrently unique to the military.Furthermore, the Department of Military Veterans has beenestablished, with the structures having been approved by theDepartment of Public Service and Administration on 30 June2010. In support of this entity, the requisite regulations havebeen drafted, including the Military Veterans Affairs Bill.The matters of good governance in general, and audit quali-xi