In his fifth year-end message General Rudzani Maphwanya told those he commands – resource challenges notwithstanding – it was an honour and privilege to be South Africa’s senior soldier, and he sees light at the end of the tunnel regarding the defence budget situation.
As Chief of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) he oversaw men and women demonstrating “team effort and purpose in service”. The “services” ranged from border safeguarding under Operation Corona to supporting Cabinet’s JCPS (Justice, Crime Prevention and Security) cluster against illegal mining and protecting Eskom infrastructure as well as continentally where SANDF elements are part of a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Men and women in uniform earned the honorary title of the “hand of rescue” from Maphwanya for delivering humanitarian aid to their fellow South African countrymen and women when disasters – including floods and fires – struck, creating a lasting impression, he wrote.
Going further on impressions, Maphwanya has it the SANDF is in the business of lasting partnerships, citing the Welisizwe rural bridges programme which is “making a tangible difference in changing lives in rural communities”.
The SANDF, according to its fifth chief, was resilient in championing defence diplomacy when called on. He named peace efforts in complex theatres such as DR Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Mozambique where South Africa contributed to – and in one instance – is still contributing as part of African Union (AU), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and UN peace missions.
“Peace and security comes with a price,” his year-end message reads, recalling those who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Without referring specifically to deaths on active service his words probably were in memory of the 14 South African soldiers killed in Goma by M23 rebels in January.
Maphwanya has it further the SANDF started initial steps on its journey to greatness strategy. He said the return of Denel to Minister Angie Motshekga’s portfolio is part of “a renewed effort to buttress land forces with resuscitation of the landward capability”. The SA Air Force (SAAF) in conjunction with Denel laid the foundation for the Space Command as well as focussing on maintenance and repair of air assets. In the maritime domain commissioning of the new SA Navy (SAN) multi-mission inshore patrol vessels (MMIPVs) will ease the load on, what Maphwanya has as “overworked frigates” allowing for maintenance and repair while patrols continue with taskings which include safeguarding maritime resources.
The SA Military Health Service (SAMHS), the SANDF Chief has it, leads the way in support to forces as it works toward an “all-inclusive solution to patient support” transforming the military health system to a component of the “national health ecosystem”.
“We had to be innovative and adapt to the need for a balancing act in the face of the crunch economic challenges facing our country and the world at large,” Maphwanya said. “While grappling with the hard issues of protecting our sovereignty, we did not lose sight of our compassionate side as a caring defence force. We have continued to provide education to the children of our fallen heroes through the Education Trust,” with partners supporting the cause through Chief of the National Defence Golf Day donations.
“We have in the meantime consciously and deliberately decided as the Military Command Council that starting from this year each service will only have one Golf Day. This is meant to ease the unnecessary burden to our defence industry of sponsoring multiple golf days during this period of economic difficulties.”
Maphwanya told those he commands resilience in the SANDF rests on enforcing discipline, remembering it is “the mother of victory” and they should remember the mantra “we train as we fight”.
The Chief paid homage to Commander-in-Chief President Cyril Ramaphosa and Defence Minister Angie Motshekga for their “guidance and leadership in spearheading the effort for the renewal of the South African National Defence Force in line with the Journey to Greatness.”
“We are proud to say that the National Treasury is tirelessly trying to find ways to effect the instruction of the Commander-in-Chief for the increase of the defence budget to 1.5% of the GDP. In that way, we do not have to wait and expect to see light at the end of the tunnel. We now have a vision of the strategic insight for renewal of our Defence Force and we are truly grateful to the Minister of Finance for that caring effort.”
