According to Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga, what has been christened the “Journey to Greatness” of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) is on track with ministerial priorities met, draft documentation and evaluations done as well as other work in progress.
She was replying to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) National Assembly (NA) public representative Carl Niehaus who, among others, wanted to know the status of the “Journey to Greatness” positioning document that is intended to modernise the SANDF as an updated review of the 2015 Defence Review.
The written Motshekga reply has it work in progress includes a concise PESTEL (political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, environmental and legal) analysis of the strategic environment at global, continental, regional and national (GCRN) dimensions; a draft defence capstone policy concept for South Africa; a draft military capstone strategising concept for South Africa’s defence and protection; as well as a draft South African military strategy including force design and structure for the period 2025 to 2055.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, also Commander-in-Chief of the SANDF, “formally” received a work in progress report ahead of a 31 October 2024 completion deadline, Motshekga informed her questioner. In terms of the 2023/24 Ministerial Priorities as agreed to with the President on 18 July 2023, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans was set the target of “Conducting an Evaluation of the Defence Review 2015 and Action Plan” by 31 October 2024.
Niehaus was also told a series of “planned engagements and consultations will be pursued”. These will see Ramaphosa and “other critical stakeholders” meet under her “direction” before the work [presumably the “Journey to Greatness” positioning document] is tabled in Cabinet before going to Parliament.
Niehaus was further informed the SA National Security Council (SANSC) “directed” the South African National Security Secretariat (SANSS) to develop a report reviewing the 2015 Defence Review and “considerations for investing in a sustainable modern defence force”. This engagement, as per the Motshekga response, is ongoing and a one-day workshop between the Department [of Defence] and the SANSS is planned for the near future.
The ministerial input to add value to “this important work” will see her “engage” with the Speaker [of Parliament, Thoko Didiza] and the chairs of unspecified parliamentary committees on “modalities for engagement with the relevant oversight bodies”.
“Furthermore, the need for a consultative engagement with the National Treasury and the Ministry of Finance was agreed upon by the respective Ministers,” Motshekga stated.
In its latest Annual Performance Plan, the Department of Defence noted its budget shortfall “will impact on the Programme’s ability to fund and execute the cardinal pillars of the SANDF Long-Term Capability Development Plan (“Journey to Greatness”) over the 2024/25 MTEF [Medium Term Expenditure Framework].”
