South African/Zambian bilateral defence relations – already termed “strong” – were given further impetus this month with the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) chief in South Africa following a courtesy visit to ZAF headquarters by the South African Department of Defence (DoD) Logistics Division Chief.
Vice Admiral David Mkhonto was in Lusaka at ZAF headquarters earlier this month as head of the South African DoD delegation, termed as representing the Logistics Division Production Brigade, to meet Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni, ZAF Commander.
A ZAF post has it Nyoni commended the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) for its vision in establishing Project Koba-Tlala, now morphed into the Production Brigade. Its original raison d’etre was to provide SA Army Reserve Force personnel with skills to earn income and benefit their communities when not called up on active service. Agricultural skills, including animal husbandry, as well as technical maintenance were named as two skillsets available from Koba-Tlala.
The South African initiative was in line with that of the Zambia National Service (ZNS), Mkhonto heard, in embracing what is reported as “a non-traditional but strategic role” supporting government’s development agenda through agricultural production and economic diversification. Nyoni further informed his South African military visitors ZAF agricultural enterprises, under the umbrella of the Ndeke Agriculture Company, and farms in six areas, are contributing to national food security as well as employment creation and skills development.
Mkhonto was complimentary to his host commending him – and his service – for significant and practical achievements in agricultural production, aligning with the principles of self-reliance underpinning the SANDF/DoD Production Brigade.
Mkhonto affirmed the SANDF’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the ZAF, noting that such partnerships are essential for sharing best practices, enhancing operational capacity in food production, and collectively addressing the shared challenges of food security in the region.
A week later Nyoni was in South Africa to meet his counterpart, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo. Nyoni’s delegation was met at SAAF (SA Air Force) College in Thaba Tshwane on 17 November by SAAF Deputy Chief, Major General Lancelot Mathebula.
Speaking when he received the Zambia Air Force Commander, Mbambo said such cooperation is essential for building a future for the young men and women in uniform.
Nyoni said the Zambia Air Force takes home a lot in terms of how the South African Air Force system operates. He said most Zambia Air Force students that pass through the South African Air Force College turn out to be top class in terms of how they execute their duties.
Nyoni said he looks forward to more training exchange programmes between the two Air Forces, including Junior and Senior courses.
While in South Africa (17-21 November) the ZAF delegation will be briefed on capabilities by the SAAF as well as what Ad Astra magazine staffer Corporal Khanyisile Gina terms are “various South African aerospace and defence entities”. The Zambians will also visit air force bases Overberg and Ysterplaat with a view to sharing operational insights and enhancing co-operation between the services.
The two-way goodwill visits come some weeks after Zambia hosted the Southern African Development Community (SADC) airborne exercise, Blue Lugwasho. In addition to the SAAF and ZAF, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe sent dispatched aircraft and personnel for the month-long exercise which saw 19 aircraft participating
