Chapter 2 - P rogramme 1 - Department of Defence

| Appendix B- DOD Defence Diplomacy Report - FY 2007/08 |
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Development Community, in keeping with
Government intent and foreign policy;
Training with neighbouring countries to enhance
interoperability and foster sound relations;
Study tours to obtain specific knowledge and
skills to enhance own capabilities and enhance
international relations at the same time;
Goodwill visits to Defence projects to ensure
standards and user requirements are met by the
defence industry in foreign countries;
Attendance of commemoration ceremonies to
honour those who sacrificed in the past and to
enhance the image of the DOD and RSA; and
Visits to support security sector reform to
enhance the image of the RSA and to ensure the
DOD contribution is in line with Government
initiatives.
Foreign Military Training: Training of foreign
military students in RSA training institutes and
utilising foreign learning opportunities for South
African students are ways in which specific skills are
acquired, bilateral relations are enhanced, bilateral
agreements are honoured and interoperability is
achieved. During the review period, 320 foreign
military students were trained at SANDF training
institutions, while 308 DOD members utilised
foreign learning opportunities.
Ship Visits: Ship visits to international ports are
regarded as an important defence diplomacy action
in the world of international relations. The SA
Navy therefore contributes significantly to enhance
international relations, not only for the DOD but
also for the RSA. The SA Navy paid six visits to
foreign ports and 25 foreign ships visited SA Navy
ports.
Equipment transfer to foreign recipients: The South
African donation of high-frequency (HF) radios to
the Interstate Defence and Security Committee’s
Secondary Hotline Network has been delivered.
Due to one radio going missing during delivery, the
rollout of the HF network was delayed. This delay
was necessary to ensure that the network, once
implemented, is not compromised.
African Standby Force: The SANDF ensured
the preparation and maintenance of the pledged
Force Structure Elements for the SADCBRIG.
The SADCBRIG was available for “simple
operations” (military advisors, military observers
and uncomplicated Chapter 6 operations) during
the period FY 2007/08. From FY 2009/10 onwards,
the SADCBRIG must be ready for the conduct
Annual Report FY 2007 - 2008 208
| Department of Defence |
of “complex operations” (peace enforcement,
intervention and stabilisation). The following must
be taken note of:
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SANDF forces currently deployed in peace
support operations and general military
assistance constitutes the SANDF’s contribution
to SADCBRIG.
The SANDF had the following obligations
towards the permanent Plan Element (PLANELE)
established in Gaborone, Botswana:
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Medical operations plan officer (lieutenant
colonel) over the period January 2006 to January
2008. The identified member was in the RSA
“on call” to support the PLANELE if called
upon.
Director (brigadier general) for the PLANELE
in Gaborone over the period July 2007 to
January 2009.
Logistical officer (lieutenant colonel) over
the period January 2008 to January 2010. The
identified member was in the RSA “on call” to
support the PLANELE if called upon.
The CMIS Division continues to provide a
delegate to participate in the African Standby
Force (ASF); African Union Computer,
Command and Control Information Systems
(AU C3IS); Inter-State Defence Security
Committees (ISDSC); Telecommunications
and Information Systems Work Group; and
SADCBRIG Planning Element workshops on
an “as required” basis.
Specific Defence Diplomacy Actions: In addition
to the interactions indicated in this report, there
have been specific actions that the DOD undertook
during the year, with regard to the building of
relations, post-conflict reconstruction and assistance
given over the period:
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The SANDF undertook post-conflict and
reconstruction actions by means of Operation
TEUTONIC in the Democratic Republic of
the Congo and Operation VIMBEZELA in the
Central African Republic.
The Third SADC Military Malaria Managers
Meeting took place in the RSA over the period
3 to 5 October 2007 and representatives
of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi,
Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe
participated.
The First DOD International HIV and AIDS
Conference was hosted by the SAMHS over the