South African History Online

Notes for opening remarks by President Nelson Mandela at a meeting with the defence command cadre

Pretoria, 25 June 1997

Minister Modise;
Chief of the Defence Force, and Secretary of
Defence;
Heads of the Service Arms;
Officers and compatriots.

I. INTRODUCTION:

1. I wish to thank the Minister, his deputy and all the officers present here
   for this opportunity to exchange views on current challenges facing our
   national defence force. It is always a pleasure to meet men and women who have
   identified their own personal interests with those of the nation; men and
   women, in peace-time and in war, prepared to sacrifice for the benefit of
   South Africa.
2. I welcomed proposals for this meeting with enthusiasm because I wishes to
   meet you not so much as a distant supervisor; but as part of you; as your
   Commander-in-Chief. And from the very beginning, I wish to assure you of my
   fullest support, and the support of government, in your endeavours to promote
   and protect the interests of the nation.
3. Natuurlik is ons in 'n oorgangsproses betreffende die skepping van daardie
   nuwe nasie. Maar ek is vol vertroue oor die rol wat die Nasionale Weermag
   speel om die nuwe nasionale identiteit te bou; en om dit te bevorder, te
   beskerm en te verdedig. Daar is by my geen twyfel nie, dat ons op pad is on 'n
   ware Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag te bou.

II. ROLE OF THE SANDF:

1. Of late the SANDF has been in the public spotlight for one reason or
   another. The crisis in Zaire and the Great Lakes Region, our budget process
   and various other issues have further raised the profile of the SANDF. The
   debate over the allocation of resources to a peace-time force is raging once
   again. It centres around the primary role of the SANDF as defender and
   protector of South Africa's sovereignty. It is a complex question that affects
   much broader issues like technological advancement and employment; deterrence
   and requisite resources.
2. These events, however, in no way ever publicise the real efforts of the
   SANDF's to contribute to reconstruction and development. Everybody knows for
   instance, that the Navy played an important role in the regional attempts to
   bring peace to Zaire by hosting the negotiators. But do people know of the
   navy's crucial role in protecting our marine resources? Or its courageous
   rescue missions together with the air force? Or the role of the air force in
   disaster relief and humanitarian missions? Or how the army has deployed 8,000
   regular force troops to support police operations in the battle against crime
   and violence? Or how members are deployed at the border to combat smuggling
   and gun-running? Or the part that the Medical Services plays in assisting the
   Health Department's National Inoculation Programme?
3. These efforts all deserve praise and encouragement because outside of the
   department's primary function to defend and protect South Africa's territorial
   integrity, they show a willingness to contribute in every way possible to the
   reconstruction of our country. They show commitment to the ideals of our new
   nation.

III, REGIONAL DIMENSION:

1. Recent events in Central Africa have made the issue of our preparedness
   for peace-keeping a priority concern which requires defence force. It was
   clear then, as the conflict in Zaire intensified, that inaction would have
   meant terrible consequences for our own region and country.
2. All our efforts at reconstruction and development for our people will be
   futile if all around us there is instability and strife. It is therefore
   imperative that we are ready and able when we are called upon to play a
   meaningful role in promoting peace in our neighbourhood. And I wish to take
   this opportunity to thank the SANDF for the contribution you made to the
   efforts to find peace in Zaire as well as the on-going efforts in Angola.
3. The reports I have received about the contribution you are making to joint
   efforts of SADC to prepare for peace-keeping functions are very impressive
   indeed. From Operation Blue Hungwe; the facilities you are offering in our
   training camps here; the bilateral discussions and agreements with our
   neighbours - all these and more speak of a new force which enjoys legitimacy
   beyond our borders because it is maturing to play its role in striving for a
   better region and a better continent.

III. CHALLENGES OF NEW DOCTRINES:

1. But such legitimacy derives above all from the confidence that South
   Africans have in an institution that is striving to transform itself to meet
   the demands of the new age. The process that culminated in the adoption of the
   Defence White paper helped the SANDF to more clearly define itself within the
   context of our new democracy. In the process, we were able to set out a new
   doctrine for a new defence force: as the sword and shield of the nation; as a
   partner to our neighbours; as an important back-up to the efforts of the
   police to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
2. It is heartening that the Defence Review process which followed this has
   proceeded without major hitches. All parties and interest groups have come to
   a common understanding of the defence needs of the country, including broadly
   the issues of personnel and equipment. Indeed, as your most able salesmen, the
   Minister and Deputy-Minister, have aptly said, the issue is not so much one of
   either bread or guns: it is one of acquiring both in the kind of combination
   that takes into account the total needs of the country and its people.
3. Within cabinet and at all other levels of government, this principle is
   keenly appreciated. What we are all striving to do, is to creatively find the
   resources necessary to achieve that balance: a balance that will guarantee the
   long-term survival and development of all arms of service. The resources are
   few; but we shall not shirk our responsibility to this precious asset to our
   nation.

IV. PROGRESS IN TRANSFORMATION:

1. Significant progress has been made in other areas of transformation; and
   you should always have the confidence that you have our full support.
   Examining the figures regarding the composition of the officer corps, in terms
   of the involvement of blacks and women, gives one the satisfaction that we are
   on the right track.
2. Of course the question does arise whether our plans in this regard do take
   the longer-term view into account; whether we are doing enough to promote
   defence force service within the black communities; whether we are doing
   enough to attract young people from schools and universities who will take the
   force into the new millennium! I am confident that these are questions which
   are engaging your minds.
3. In the process of such transformation, we also need to address the
   question of how best to utilise the skills that reside in the force. I am
   informed, for instance, that 10 generals are to leave the SANDF this year
   alone. Of course, each case would need to be examined on its own merits. But I
   should emphasise that we would not like to see experienced people, with
   invaluable skills and qualifications taking severance packages in droves.
   Indeed, where this is unavoidable, it should be a result of thorough
   discussion, and it should not have the consequence of undermining the
   country's defence needs.
4. I should also emphasise that we expect all our officers, men and women to
   be committed to transformation. On the part of former statutory forces, we
   should consciously assist one another in dealing with previous stereotypes and
   with resistance to change. On the part of the non-statutory forces, we should
   mature to accept the discipline and rigour of life in a regular force. All of
   us should accept the challenges of change; and we should resist temptations to
   cower at the slightest sign of problems. Transformation is a difficult
   undertaking; and it is a protracted one.

V. CONCLUSION:

1. At least now, after the White Paper and Defence Review processes, we can
   say with confidence that a measure of certainty has set in in our work. The
   next few months will be difficult ones as we endeavour to put all the
   decisions taken into practice. But the framework is there; broad consensus has
   been achieved; and in you, we have men and women who have both the skills and
   bravery to meet difficult challenges.
2. I once more thank you for this opportunity; and wish to assure you of our
   admiration and support. We value your work immensely. You are our pride.

Issued by: Office of the President