The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is facing serious challenges in maintaining its Reserve Force, with officials warning that without immediate intervention, its ability to support the regular military will continue to deteriorate.
During a recent Joint Standing Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (JSCD) meeting, Brigadier General Zoleka Niyabo-Mana, Acting Chief of Defence Reserves, alongside other key officials, outlined the status of the Reserve Force and presented urgent plans for its rejuvenation. Concerns were raised about the force’s ageing personnel, budget cuts, recruitment shortfalls, and declining combat readiness.
One of the most pressing issues identified in the Reserve Force presentation to the JSCD is the Reserve Force’s rising average age, which currently stands at 49 years. This increase is due to a lack of new recruits since 2016, when the Military Skills Development System (MSDS), previously a major recruitment feeder, was effectively halted. Without younger intakes, the Reserve Force is struggling to maintain its operational tempo.
“The reality is that without new recruits, our Reserve Force is ageing at a concerning rate, and that has a direct impact on our combat readiness,” said Major General Gordon Mzwandile Yekelo (retired), the recently appointed chairperson of the Reserve Force Council.
Statistics from the SANDF indicate that the Reserve Force currently consists of 17 742 members, making up 25% of the total SANDF strength, significantly below the international norm of 40%. The lack of recruitment has also affected gender representation, with only 20.2% of the force being female, compared to a target of 30%.
The Reserve Force has been severely impacted by budgetary constraints, which have led to a 25% cut in man-days over the past three years. This means fewer training opportunities, affecting the readiness and skills of soldiers when deployed.
“You cannot expect soldiers to be battle-ready if they are not continuously trained,” said one committee member. “Without proper funding for training, we are setting ourselves up for failure.”
The cuts have also resulted in an insufficient number of reserves available for operational deployments. 46% of soldiers in Operation Corona (border security) and 79% in Operation Prosper (support to police and internal stability) are reserves. However, as their numbers dwindle and age increases, maintaining these figures will become increasingly difficult.
To mitigate this, the SANDF has proposed that at least 10% of all training slots should be allocated to the Reserve Force, ensuring that they receive the same level of instruction as their regular counterparts.
To address these concerns, the SANDF has put forward a structured recruitment plan to bring in 1 000 new Reserve Force members annually over the next three years. However, Niyabo-Mana acknowledged that this falls short of the actual need, particularly for the South African Army, which ideally requires 3 000 recruits per year.
The recruitment process will be decentralised, allowing regional Reserve Force units to advertise and enlist new members locally. The target audience includes matriculants, unemployed graduates, and specialists in key fields such as engineering and medicine.
According to the proposed allocation plan, 600 recruits will join the Army, 200 will go to the Air Force, and 100 each to the Navy and Military Health Service. New recruits will undergo Basic Military Training (BMT), functional training, and leadership development before being deployed.
Many Reserve Force members are currently unemployed, which contradicts the traditional model where reserves hold civilian jobs and only serve when needed. The SANDF aims to convert unemployed reserves into individuals with sustainable civilian careers, making them more self-sufficient when not on active duty.
“The Defence Force must engage industries to create job opportunities for our Reserve Force members during non-deployment periods,” said Yekelo. “This not only provides them with stability but ensures that we have a pool of skilled individuals ready to serve when called upon.”
The presentation underscored the critical role that reserves play in SANDF operations. In addition to border security and internal stability missions, reserves contribute to disaster relief, peacekeeping operations, and essential support services such as medical assistance.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Reserve Force was instrumental in disaster relief efforts and enforcing lockdown measures. Similar contributions were made during recent floods and other emergencies.
“The utilisation of the Reserves in internal operations during the pandemic, disaster relief efforts, and ongoing support to the police proves that the SANDF cannot conduct operations without them,” stated the report.
The University Reserve Training Programme (URTP) is a key initiative aimed at professionalising the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) by integrating highly educated individuals into its Reserve Force. The URTP reserve component specifically targets university students, allowing them to undergo military training while completing their academic studies. This initiative serves a dual purpose: it enhances the intellectual and leadership capacity of the Reserve Force while providing students with military career opportunities upon graduation.
However, due to budget constraints and recruitment freezes, the URTP has faced challenges in recent years, limiting its ability to attract and develop young officers. Revitalising this programme is considered essential for the long-term sustainability of the Reserve Force, as it offers a structured feeder system to introduce younger, well-trained recruits into the military, thereby reducing the average age of the reserves and ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled personnel.
The Mzansi Home Guard initiative has been proposed as a means to enhance localised security efforts and intelligence gathering in support of SANDF operations, particularly in border safeguarding and internal stability missions. This initiative aims to recruit and train community-based reserve units to supplement regular forces, providing critical intelligence and rapid response capabilities in their areas.
By employing individuals familiar with their local environments, the Home Guard can effectively assist in countering smuggling, illegal border crossings, and other security threats. Additionally, the initiative aligns with the broader strategy of decentralised recruitment, offering unemployed individuals opportunities for training and employment within a structured security framework. If successfully implemented, the Mzansi Home Guard could significantly strengthen national security while addressing some of the Reserve Force’s current limitations.
While the rejuvenation plans are a step in the right direction, significant obstacles remain, the JSCD heard. The lack of a clear feeder system means that, without direct recruitment, the age profile of the Reserve Force will continue to rise. There is also concern that budget limitations will hinder the ability to train, develop, and retain reserves, even if recruitment targets are met.
A major policy shift is required to increase the Reserve Force’s contribution to at least 30% of the total SANDF strength, aligning with international standards. This will require strategic workforce planning, legislative adjustments, and increased financial investment.
The Reserve Force is at a crossroads. If urgent steps are not taken to address recruitment, training, and employment challenges, its ability to support the regular force will diminish further. However, the proposed reforms offer hope that, with the right resources and commitment, the Reserve Force can once again become a strong and reliable component of South Africa’s national defence.
“The Reserve Force is a vital part of our defence strategy, and we cannot afford to let it decline any further,” Yekelo concluded. “We must act now.”
