FY2006/07 to FY2008/09 - Department of Defence

forewordthis. The aim of the system is two-fold: to improve theSANDF's mission readiness through annual intakes ofyoung, fit and healthy members representative of SouthAfrica's population, and to provide development opportunitiesfor young people. By December 2005 theDepartment had trained and engaged 7 626 schoolleavers through the system since its inception in January2003. By January 2005, about 3 000 members werealready employed on a more long-term basis in the coreservice system. An MSDS intake of 4 304 members isplanned for 2006. This will bring the total strength ofMSDS members enrolled in the SANDF to 11 930. Thecombination of the MSDS, selective appointments to thecore service system and the effective implementation ofthe approved employer-initiated mobility exit mechanism(voluntary severance packages), should enable theDepartment to renew the human resources componentof the SANDF. The increased capacity of the lawenforcement agencies to deal with crime has meant thatthere is less need for the DOD to help the South AfricanPolice Service (SAPS) with law enforcement. TheSANDF is therefore continuing with its phased withdrawalfrom routine support to the SAPS. The plannedend-date for this is March 2009.In terms of capital investment the Department will makesure that the weapon systems acquired through thestrategic armaments procurement programme are deliveredon time and efficiently integrated into existingstructures. The transfer of sufficient skills and technologyto the SANDF to ensure future readiness supportsthis. The SANDF's core capabilities will be improved bythese new combat systems. The Landward Defence andMilitary Health Support programmes will be the priorityfocus for modernising the force in the medium tolonger term.The Department will continue to support Government’sforeign policy initiatives, and engage with its regionalcounterparts in Africa around the security-related objectivesof the African Union (AU) and the New Partnershipfor Africa's Development (NEPAD). Specific developmentsinclude the mutual defence pact, the AfricanStandby Force and the establishment of continental andregional early warning centres. Support to the UnitedNations Department of Peacekeeping Operations(UNDPKO) will continue, with specific reference to theDRC (MONUC), Burundi (ONUB) and Ethiopia /Eritrea (UNMEE). Support will also continue to theAfrican Union mandated peace missions, namely, Sudan(AMIS), Comores (Election Monitoring) and Eritrea(OLMEE). Specific bi-lateral deployments will continue,namely; Security Sector Reform in the DRC (OP TEU-TONIC) and Cote d'lvoire (OP PRISTINE).The Department currently deploys more than 3 000members in external peace support missions, which ismore than three times the number envisaged in the 1998Defence Review.The DOD is committed to ensuring that the allocatedresources will be used optimally to deliver the outputsdetailed in this plan. Measures are in place to ensureaccountable use of all resources. Minister, we havepleasure in presenting the DOD Strategic Business Planfor the MTEF for the period FY2006/07 to FY2008/09.G.N. NGWENYACHIEF OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONALDEFENCE FORCE: GENERALJB MASILELASECRETARY FOR DEFENCE: DIRECTOR GENERALviiiD E P A R T M E N T O F D E F E N C E