Ahead of Saturday’s Armed Forces Day parade in Thohoyandou, a new addition to Department of Defence (DoD)/SA National Defence Force (SANDF) entities – the Production Brigade – is using the week to introduce itself to the country.
The Brigade, which according to Private Zintle Lubuzo, resorts in the SA Forces Institute (SAFI), is displaying its expertise in producing and supplying essential goods and services to the military for the first time. Displays and events in the week leading up to Armed Forces Day (Saturday, 21 February) are a platform for the Brigade to show its support of the military’s operational capabilities.
VIP visitors to the Production Brigade display included SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya and SA Army Chief, Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha.
On public view for the first time since its formation just on two years ago, the Brigade showcased its agriculture, logistics and planning expertise. Products and services range from clothing and equipment to the all-encompassing logistics support category. This, Lubuzo has it, was part of its work ensuring military personnel have the resources needed to perform effectively.
The Production Brigade showcase demonstrated an SANDF support commitment as well as working toward self-sufficiency and sustainability in the wider South African government defence sector.
The Brigade grew from an initiative led by then Chief Army Reserves, Brigadier General Gerhard Kamffer some eight years ago. Under the Koba-Tlala banner he and a team of Reserve Force officers generated a project to skill Reserve Force personnel in, among others, food production, vehicle maintenance and repair as well as rural security. These skills would be put to use by part-time soldiers not doing uniformed service. In addition to the income potential they would provide services needed in rural areas.
This concept developed into a potential production brigade in 2022 with Kamffer delivering a presentation to Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD). He envisaged the then proposed Production Brigade serving and supplying the wider SANDF, primarily with fresh produce, as part of a force-wide self-sustainability drive. At the same time it would contribute to rural development, particularly in areas where there is a defence footprint, such as the SA Army Combat Training Centre (CTC) in the Northern Cape province.
At the time of the Kamffer Parliamentary presentation 1 400 Reserve Force soldiers had been upskilled in areas including the basics of food production and animal husbandry; water and sanitation; firefighting; community development and liaison including security as well as basic coding.
