9 July 2025 at 09h00

Good Hope Chamber

Honourable Chairperson,

Today we have gathered not to debate abstract figures on a page, but to decide on our commitment to a secure and stable country, fully able to defend its Constitution and values when under threat, to respond appropriately to crises within and beyond our borders, and to offer coordinated assistance in times of natural disasters. We are also here to consider the needs of our veterans, who have so ably served their country  and deserve adequate pensions when they are no longer able to do so.

The budget we are debating today for the Department of Defence and Military Veterans is both a policy instrument and a mirror of our commitment to support the national values enshrined in our Constitution. This Constitution was hard won and we must defend it. In addition, we must implement its values, one of which is respect for the worth of every human being, including those no longer able to play an active role as public servants.

Honourable Members, the South African National Defence Force is crucial to our sovereignty, enabling us to protect the gains of our democratic dispensation. Section 200 of our Constitution clearly states that our defence force has an obligation to protect the Republic and keep our citizens safe. The defence environment is continuously evolving, and as a nation, we need the ability to evolve with it, and meet the threats of today and tomorrow. The defence force of today has quite different issues to deal with than that of two decades ago. Our needs are greater because our threats have multiplied and broadened.

Consider, Honourable Members, the role our defence force plays in times of natural disasters, which are not the rare occurrences they might once have been. Climate change is an insidious and increasing threat. We see this in an increase in natural disasters such as droughts and floods, including the 2022 floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the more recent floods in Mthatha.

Extreme weather events displace communities and increase humanitarian needs. Our defence force needs to be ably equipped and set up to deal with these events swiftly, effectively and compassionately. For this, our forces need functioning technology, more advanced and focussed training, and  upgrades to our military bases.  Our military bases were not designed with climate threats in mind, and are in dire need of appropriate adjustments.  By preparing our defence force for the realities of climate change, we ensure national stability and the safety of our people during the most difficult days.

Honourable members, it cannot be disputed that the SANDF is under severe strain owing to persistently low funding, which has lowered morale and is danger of hampering our efficacy as a force and a vital instrument of nation building.

The recent floods in the Eastern Cape underscore the urgency of modernising our procurement processes, so that we can acquire systems that enable swifter responses. State of the art drones, for instance, would enable us to survey the extent of a problem within hours or minutes.

In addition, honourable members, we need to maintain and improve our prime mission equipment so that we can defend ourselves against cyber attacks and electronic warfare. The modernisation of the SANDF is no longer an option but an imperative. If we fail to modernise, we risk losing our edge in dealing with emerging security realities.

As a House, we need to encourage engagements between the Department of Defence and the National Treasury, the Presidency and all our security structures, to ensure that our defence spending reaches 1.5% of GDP by the financial year of 2026/27. Discussions currently underway to this end are critical for our defence force’s continued ability to perform to the required standard.

Let us also consider, honourable members, that our soldiers and veterans endure significant psychological strain as a result of the high pressure environments in which they work. They need a physical and mental health service that is adequately funded.  Mental health issues, as we know, are commonly swept under the carpet in high pressure environments, but plenty of historical evidence shows that ignoring the psychological needs of vital roleplayers in society is counterproductive in the long run. SANDF troops, who often operate in horrendous conditions, need psychological support to address trauma, stress, and anxiety, both during service and after retirement. Many military veterans find it difficult to reintegrate into society after their days in service have ended. The Department of Military Veterans needs funding to expand health and other programmes, in order to ensure that all veterans receive the support and care they deserve. A defence force that contributes to the wellbeing of their forces is a stronger defence force, more equipped to carry out its mandate.

Honourable Members,

As we conclude this important debate on Budget Votes 23 and 26, we must think about the great variety of demands on the military budget. SANDF is the safety net underlying all our progress in development, for without their ability to keep our country safe, all our progress can be undone in an instant.  Our forces need upgrades to facilities and existing equipment, new equipment and systems, training in a number of key areas, and the security of a pension and healthcare when their days of serving are over.

Global talks today reveal the critical need of a modernised defence force, able to deal with a great variety of threats. We must fix the logistics and overhaul our procurement processes, making sure that every cent we spend leads to a better, stronger, more cohesive defence force, not forgetting the needs of our veterans.

In closing, pause and consider the life of our veterans. Although some receive pensions, many more are not yet so supported. After serving their country so ably 30 or 40 years or more, some find themselves without decent housing, reliant on a health service that is already under pressure, and often afflicted by quite serious health mental issues. To alleviate their problems, we need an SANDF equipped to take care of their needs – one that is able to use technology better, work together with other groups, and ensure that no veteran falls between the cracks.

All of us must stay focussed after today, checking progress and pushing for concrete results in the coming year. Let us show we are serious about our defence force and its members, both while they are in active service and once they have retired. A country that looks after its defence force is a strong and secure country, able to protect its people and its developmental gains.

Honourable Members, as the African National Congress, we support this budget, supporting the goal of a secure country that defends its borders, responds effectively to natural disasters, can deal with threats such as international terrorism and cyber attacks, and supports the health and welfare of its military veterans. 

I thank you.