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S A S O L D I E Rstories from 2010The SANDF returnsto border controlThe SANDF is currentlyfinalising an operationalplan to ensure that iteffectively secures theborders.By Manelisi K. Ndaba, DCC:Specialist writer (an extract of whatwas published in SA Soldier: June2010, page 18)Photo: S Sgt Lebogang TlhaoleThe SANDF recently returnedto safeguard the country's borders,and the general publichas received the return of theSANDF to borderline control,known as Operation CORO-NA, positively, particularly the communitiesclosest to these borders. Thiswas evident during the PortfolioCommittee on Defence's visit duringwhich they wanted to examine theconditions under which the SANDFwas redeploying on South Africa'sborders.Led by the Chairperson, MrMnyamezeli Shedrack Booi, thePortfolio Committee took road tripsalong the borders at Zimbabwe-Musina (Limpopo), Mozambique-Macadamia (Mpumalanga), andMozambique-Muzi (KwaZulu-Natal).During the road trips it became clearthat the decision to return responsibilityfor borderline control to the SANDFwas of crucial importance and necessaryfor national security.The Portfolio Committee membersSouth African soldiers patrolling the borderline fence betweenSouth Africa and Zimbabwe in the Musina area.were confronted by the challenges thatlay ahead in the SANDF's return toborderline control. The facilitiesaround the borders are in a dire state.The fence is currently riddled withholes as a result of forced entry by illegalimmigrants. Deployment quartersin some areas need to be renovated,and the limited amount of patrolequipment is another area of concernfor the SANDF as it resumes this duty.The Portfolio Committee on Defencewas joined by the Minister of Defenceand Military Veterans, Ms LindiweSisulu, on the second day. Ms Sisulureiterated: "This is a major programme.The infrastructure is not thebest it can be, the fence is not in agood state, we have over 2 000 km ofborders to look after and that requiresboth financial technology and humanresources, but we are up to the taskand I am confident that many SouthAfricans are happy that their troopsare back on the border."The SANDF is currently finalising anoperational plan to ensure that iteffectively secures the borders. Thisplan will be rolled out in phases dueto budgetary constraints.46• M A Y 2 0 1 1
stories from 2010S A S O L D I E RSA Air Force welcomesinternational leadersFeel it, it is here! As ahost country, we had tobe prepared to accommodateour visitors andsafeguard our stadiums.By Cpl Tebogo Kekana, Ad Astra (anextract of what was published in SASoldier: July 2010, page 18)Photo: WO2 David NomtshongwanaFourteen African heads of stateand other foreign dignitaries,including the Secretary-General of the United Nations,Mr Ban Ki-moon, arrived atAir Force Base Waterkloof inPretoria between 10 and 13 June 2010.The key aim of their visit was to attendthe opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFAWorld Cup held at Soccer City Stadiumin Johannesburg. The ChiefAdministrator of the United Nationswas welcomed at the air force base bythe Deputy Director General of theDepartment of International Relationsand Co-operation, Ambassador SontoKudjoe.Ambassador Kudjoe said: "Feel it, it ishere! As a host country, we had to beprepared to accommodate our visitorsand safeguard our stadiums. TheSANDF has done well and I amimpressed with the Waterkloof militarybase. South Africa has indeed set agood example for the rest of the continent."The base is home to transport aircraft,The President of Congo Brazzaville, Mr Dennis Sassou-Nguesso,at Air Force Base Waterkloof on 10 June 2010. He is accompaniedby Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, the Minister of Defence and MilitaryVeterans.and is at present hosting two types offighter aircraft of Air Force BaseMakhado, namely the Gripen and theHawk. The two squadrons flew in tobe centrally positioned during theFIFA World Cup. The base will beused for both air transport and airdefence over this period.The SA Air Force will safeguard stadiumsand airspace in support of thePolice, the Department of Agricultureand the South African RevenueServices during this history-makingevent. The Government has given itthe mandate to ensure the safest andmost memorable FIFA World Cupever.The Officer Commanding Air ForceBase Waterkloof, Brig Gen TebogoMadumane, said he was proud to beentrusted with the task and directlyinvolved in making the World Cup asuccess. He proudly told Ad Astrathat he was glad to be alive at a timelike this, because it might neverhappen again.M A Y 2 0 1 1 • s47
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