Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) recently hosted Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Major General (rtd) Bantu Holomisa at its Somerset West sites. The visit showcased the Ministry’s commitment to public-private partnerships, support for military veterans, and community engagement.
During the visit, RDM showcased its technological advancements and ongoing research projects, highlighting its support for defence technology programmes and contributions to the South African National Defence Force, the Department of Defence, and military veterans.
During his visit, the Deputy Minister addressed RDM’s workforce of over 2 000 employees, acknowledging their contribution to national security and technological advancement. His address underscored the importance of workforce transformation, skills development, and maintaining defence capabilities to support South Africa’s security needs, RDM said in a statement following Holomisa’s visit this week.
Rheinmetall Denel Munition CEO Dr Frank Dirksen expressed gratitude for the opportunity to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans. He emphasised the company’s commitment to enhancing South Africa’s defence capabilities through advancing artillery development to support the South African National Defence Force.
Beyond its core focus on defence capabilities, RDM says it remains deeply committed to community development through its Corporate Social Investment initiatives. As part of the visit, Holomisa toured RDM-supported social projects, including the Bundles of Joy Preschool, which cares for 180 children aged three months to six years, and the Macassar Community Centre, which serves over 600 individuals monthly by offering services like CV writing and job interview preparation. The Deputy Minister was impressed by its success in integrating community members into the workforce.
The Deputy Minister’s visit reaffirms the importance of public-private partnerships in ensuring a robust and self-sufficient defence industry for South Africa, RDM said, adding that it looks forward to further collaboration with the government and the broader defence sector in pursuit of a stronger, more secure future.
The visit aligned with RDM’s strong operational performance in 2024/25. The Deputy Minister toured manufacturing facilities to observe RDM’s significant investment of over R1 billion, in enhancing production capabilities, reaffirming Rheinmetall’s commitment to South Africa’s defence industry.
