13 May 2025

Honourable Members,

We meet in this House this afternoon in a year of solemn reflection and renewal. 70 years have passed since the people of this land courageously stood in the face of oppression and dispossession, and declared “There Shall Be Peace and Friendship”. The Freedom Charter adopted by the Congress of the People in Kliptown in 1955 is more than a document archived in the annals of history; it is the heartbeat of our democracy. Its vision and promise of a better world serves as our moral compass as we traverse this journey of building a capable developmental state as a people.

Today, as we gather to table the Medium Strategic Review of the South African National Defence Force, we are cognisant of our historic mission to peace – peace built upon justice and equity. We strive for a peace that extends from our borders to all African people in all generations for the greater good of all, and will always pursue negotiations rather than armed conflict. However, when forces with underlying agendas threaten to undermine our sovereignty or that of our neighbours, we must be prepared to defend ourselves vigorously.

This review was commissioned as part of the oversight of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence in the 6th administration. The aim is to critically examine the current state of our Defence Force, and to present a realistic outlook for the future. A vibrant state always seeks renewal and modernisation in an ever evolving world of statecraft, while upholding its fundamental constitutional obligations, which are to defend the country, protect its people and uphold its sovereignty.

Today it is clearer than ever that a disciplined, highly competent Defence Force is an asset to any nation that seeks peace and stability in a volatile world. Our armed forces remain the ultimate guarantors of our sovereignty, peace, and territorial integrity. They are the guardians of our democratic state.

This report therefore expresses one of our our responsibilities as Parliament, which is to ensure that our military is fully equipped and supported for the execution of its solemn mandate, as enshrined in our Constitution.

The Constitution of the Republic states clearly the role of our Defence Force is to defend and protect our land, in harmony with the precepts of international law. Transcending its constitutional obligations, our Defence Force is instrumental in fostering peace within our borders, in our region and across the continent. As was the case in the past, our Defence Force must never be used as a tool to oppress others, but must play a meaningful role in the protection of all. Our Defence Force must protect the people, common values, and the prosperity of our nation.

Honourable Members,

This midterm review reminds us about the importance of our Defence Force, and the fact that it does not operate in isolation. Through its capabilities and structure, it is a microcosm of our democratic state, propelling us forward in unison with other wheels of the state. It is critical, therefore, that we align this report with the National Development Plan and the 2015 Defence Review. The Defence Review of 2015 is not just an abstract document concerned only with warfare. We envisage a Defence Force that is responsive to modern trends, that is technologically advanced, and, most importantly, is people-centred. The Review stresses long-term planning, the availability of resources, and, like all other branches of state, ongoing transformation. Transformation is important not only in the day-to-day work of the military, but in terms of its focus, which must always be the interests of all our people.

However, it has been almost a decade since the Defence Review was implemented, making this an opportune time to reflect on some notable strides forward. These have been attained in the midst of funding constraints and general infrastructure decline, which press upon us the urgent need for rejuvenation and increased oversight. The document under consideration acknowledges these challenges, but it also urges us as Members of this House not to be despondent; rather, we must rather tackle our challenges with a great sense of resolve, coupled with innovative thinking and a solutions-driven approach.

It is well documented that over the years our Defence Force has experienced severe budgetary constraints. This has resulted in a gradual decline in operational readiness, and has affected other aspects such as the morale of our troops, and the capacity to mitigate complex challenges.

It is important that we realise that the cost of maintaining a highly challenged Defence Force is greater than the cost of beefing up its infrastructure and resources. Honourable Members, peace has no price tag, but an ill-equipped Defence Force with low morale can cost us dearly as a nation. It is imperative that the Defence Force is able to maintain our sovereignty, respond to disasters, and continue as an important partner in regional and global peace operations, For all of this, Honourable Members, we must prioritise sustainable and strategic funding for our military.

Honourable Members, it would be an injustice to speak about a 21st century South African Defence Force without tackling the urgent task of transformation.

Our Defence Force must be a mirror that reflects the key tenets of a democratic state, such as equality, dignity, and non-racialism. Our Defence Force must be a true reflection of the nation that it defends. This includes ensuring that there is gender equality across the ranks, and that meaningful career pathways are created to attract ambitious young people, who should see in their Defence Force an opportunity to serve our nation with pride and purpose.

This is where the Military Skills Development System (MSDS) plays a vital role, in that the programme is an enabler of participation and advancement in the Defence Force. Through this programme, we have witnessed thousands of young South Africans from different parts of our country, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, acquiring skills and lifting themselves out of abject poverty. In addition, they gain something more intangible, yet just as important – a strong sense of identity. The MSDS goes beyond the ambit of a youth employment programme; it is a critical tool for nation-building and acts as a unifier between service and society, and a seedbed for future military and civilian leaders alike.

Honourable Members,

This report also shows our commitment to peacekeeping efforts on the continent. From Mozambique to the DRC, our men and women stood together with fellow Africans to protect civilians, prevent violence, and support continental peace. These efforts are not just about charity; they’re about solidarity and strategic necessity. Instability in the region threatens our national security and economic development. Moving forward, we must always base our strategic approach on the unwavering commitment to “silence the guns”. This is both a continental goal and a moral duty. The Defence Force does not seek war; we are trained for it, but we are also trained for peacebuilding, safeguarding human security, and supporting national development.

To silence the guns means investing in early warning systems, mediation mechanisms, border security, and the well-being of soldiers and citizens alike. It is about ensuring that no child in Africa grows up in the shadow of a soldier’s rifle. Let us approach this task of Defence Force renewal with the energy, resources and resolve it deserves.

Thank you.