November - Department of Defence

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news from abroadTHANK YOUThis is an experience of a lifetime. Onbehalf of all Military SkillsDevelopment System (MSDS) membersof 10 SA Infantry Battalion (10SAI Bn) who are part of UNAMID(Ops Cordite) in the Sudan, I wouldlike to thank the Officer Commandingof 10 SAI Bn, Lt Col Tshugulu, for havingtrusted us and given us support,courage and guidance throughout thewhole deployment period. You are atrue leader; nobody believed in us, asit was our first deployment, and saidthat we did not have the necessaryexperience, but you took the risk.The first month was difficult. Wehad to acclimatise to the weather conditions,learn to speak Arabic and getacquainted with the values and normsof the Sudanese people and get usedto their food. You made it easy for usby giving us your full support. Now Ifeel at home. The Sudanese people arefriendly and approachable. Our missionis to give protection to theUNAMID police and to the vulnerablecommunity, viz the internally displacedpeople, something we excel at.We have done 10 SAI Bn and SouthAfrica proud. Thank you (shukrun).Rfn T.L. Mashala, 10 SAI Bn, C-CoyKutum (Sudan)ARE MSDSMEMBERS THEFUTURE OFTHE ARMY?People often say Military SkillsDevelopment System (MSDS) membersare the future of the Departmentof Defence, but at the SA Army it isnot the case. People get hired andfired every three months. Do peoplenot think it is easier to invest in peoplewho already have the knowledge ofthe work rather than to hire new peopleand spend more money on training?John Chipa, SoshanguveFIRST DEPLOYMENT IN DARFUR12I am currently deployed in the Sudanas the Engineer Squadron Second inCommand/Troop Commander. Atfirst it was difficult for me to acceptthat I would find myself in the Sudanbecause they told me that I would bethe first woman to deploy there as anEngineer. I wondered why they didnot deploy there. I heard many storiesof the place and then said I would notgo there. Later I said you would neverknow what was on the other side of thebridge until you crossed it.On 11 May 2008 I crossed thebridge. I am based at Zamzam campand am staying with Rwandese. I hadto stay next to them, as I was a womanamong 40 men. Being among men washard at first, but I learned that theywere also supportive. My Commanderis Capt Mabetwa who is always supportiveof me, so when I have a challengeI talk to him and he helps me. LtQncongwane from 1 Military Hospitalwas also there for me. It was greatworking with him. If there is anyuncertainty, I go to him then he helpsme; he was a brother to me. All theSappers I deployed with did their taskextremely well and it was wonderfulworking with them too.All the attachés we had were alsosupportive. I salute the Rwandese asthey were like brothers and sisters tome and made me feel at ease. I havelearned few words of their language.When I looked around the Sudan Ifound things somewhat different, butthen in time I got used to it. Everythingis Tamam "fine", although it is difficultto communicate, but there are a few whounderstand English. There is much to bedone in the Sudan, but I hope that thingswill change as time goes on. I have hopethat our God will hear our prayers andhelp Darfur.To all men and women of SouthAfrica, I salute you for taking part inkeeping the peace in Darfur. Keep up thegood work!I have been in Darfur now for fivemonths and am looking forward toMY FIRST MISSION ABROADgoing home in November. I believenothing is difficult until you try it. Youwill never know it unless you try it. Toall the women out there, let us standup for ourselves to show that we canalso make a difference around theworld. I am proud to be where I amtoday. I remember the time I was in ameeting with the Deputy SectorCommander for security of the camp,where I was given the chance to givemy opinion. This was my first mission.Lt M.M. Mamabolo, EngineerSquadron 2ICPte M.P. Thobakgale (left). A photo taken during my first mission outside theborders of South Africa when I was deployed in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo (DRC), working in the Bunia Military Police (MP) station sectorwith the Bangladash Air Force members, where we were conducting searchesas MPs during the rotation. Pte M.P. Thobakgale, 13 Pro Coy, PretoriaS A S O L D I E R • N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8
WOMEN IN PEACEKEEPINGThe UNAMID hybrid operation is anew mission in the history of peacekeeping.The situation in Darfur hasseen women and children suffer themost. The management took a decisionto increase the number of womenin their ranks to enable a smooth relationshipto develop between the affectedwomen and the mission. Thepolicewomen have been involved intheir community policing. The militaryhas also started introduce womenin their patrols. It was also realisedthat women were more comfortablewith women than men as based ontheir culture and traditions. As rightfullymentioned by these women, it isa good opportunity for women torelate to women on issues affectingthem. This also gives our male counterpartstime to interact with theUmdas and sheikhs, while we consultwith women and children. In mostinstances local women will stare at usand ask questions such as how we findFltr: Privates Makua, Mekoa and Mabilo from 7 SA Infantry Battalion duringtheir UNAMID deployment in the Sudan, North Darfur, at Mellit CompanyLocation.it possible to function as youngwomen in a male dominated environment.We explain that it is quitesimple. Takalani Shumani, emailGREEN SOLDIERS SUPPORT OPERATION CURRICULUMBy Lt Cdr Werner Kwak,Environmental PlannerOp CURRICULUM, andMs Adré Aggenbach, ECOpsProgramme ManagerThe responsibilityand accountabilityto ensure that "theplanning and executionof military activitiestake into accountenvironmental implicationsand do notjeopardise the longtermpotential of landand other naturalresources" as reflectedin the White Paper onDefence, 1996, is beingaddressed through theimplementation of theGuidebook on EnvironmentalConsiderationsduring MilitaryOperations (ECOps).The successful integrationof ECOps inBase beautification within the mission area.Op CURRICULUM is used as a benchmarkto ensure that the DOD devotesitself to making the African continentand SA aware of their commitment topreserving the natural environmentand ultimately the sustainable environmentalmanagement of militaryoperations. In the initial phase of integration,ECOps proved its supportby achieving the set objectives of themilitary mission.on page 14>>NO VEMB ER 2 0 0 8 • S A S O L D I E R13
Page 2: SA SOLDIERThe official monthly maga
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Page 7 and 8: AFRICA AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE 2008As
Page 9 and 10: POSITIVE THINKINGWhatever comes int
Page 11: In memory ofan honorable manBy Lt C
Page 15 and 16: DOD trains inspectorsof the Angolan
Page 17 and 18: Reaction Force concept.Speaking to
Page 19 and 20: Mr Paul Myeza, Managing Director of
Page 21 and 22: Gripen commissioningushers peace an
Page 23 and 24: Enriching young mindsbecause our yo
Page 25 and 26: Preliminary languageorientation cou
Page 27 and 28: Going beyondthe extra mileBy Bibi M
Page 29 and 30: Best Sergeant in the SA Army:Sgt P.
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Page 33 and 34: SANDF membersundergoing conversiont
Page 35 and 36: During the singing of the National
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Page 39 and 40: A career ofcommitment at seaBy Lt G
Page 43 and 44: Robert Mandita. He thanked peoplefo
Page 45 and 46: Survivor Day withthe SignallersBy C
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November - Department of Defence

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