SANDF may train school-leavers in life skills

2001-02-23 12:24

Grahamstown - The rejuvenation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) may soon be a possibility with a new national service plan, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota announced in Grahamstown on Thursday.

The programme envisaged the infusion of up to 10 000 recruits a year from schools.

With the annual injection of young blood into the defence force would come a new approach of imparting life skills and training that would ensure employment beyond an army, navy or air force career, Lekota said at a media briefing.

Lekota emphasised the need for the nation "as a whole" to feel the benefits of the huge defence budget, the Daily Dispatch reported on Friday.

With this in mind, the defence force would be employing more of its members in social delivery programmes.

"Those in the SANDF should not have to wait for the moment to go to war to kill or be killed. They should be allowed to contribute to a better quality life for all."

He said the national service scheme had enormous potential in peace conditions.

"We could soon see a situation where the defence force assists in social delivery programmes such as bulk water delivery, public works programmes and housing.

"I'd like to see them turning their guns into ploughshares. In this way we use our resources in a positive way in peacetime and get a return on the money invested in the recruits."

While the SANDF was not in a position to take in all those in need of jobs, it envisaged recruiting about 10 000 volunteers a year, to whom they would give basic military and other skills training over a nine- to 12-month period, Lekota said.

They would also make bursaries available for studies in engineering, medicine or other skills required by a modern defence force.

Those who chose not to pursue a career in the military could be "civilianised" after training, but would depart with new skills, improving their chances of employment.

But Lekota said that people trained by the defence force would retain a "permanent link" with it and could be called in to assist in "desperate circumstances".

Those chosen to serve in the defence force would have to meet certain criteria and he envisaged it becoming a "sought after" career choice for school leavers.

"We don't want to invest in the worst but want to attract quality."

The minister said the decision to recruit from schools would mean that organisations such as the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides and school cadets would have an important role to play as they would assist in recognising an "inclination" by youth towards military life.

His department might even consider sponsoring programmes at schools with this in mind and could donate equipment and skills to organisations like the Boy Scouts. - Sapa

- SAPA