Besides the misalignment of its resources, design, equipment and its additional roles, the military has also been hobbled by misappropriation of funds.
Deploying the army in the Cape Flats constitutes nothing more than simply sticking band aid on a festering wound.
Ground Up - Ashraf Hendricks
The contentious book documenting Nelson Mandela’s last days that was pulled of the shelves left many unanswered questions. Judgement must be suspended until it’s content is made public.
A soldier with the 9th South African Infantry Battalion during a biennial training exercise with the US military in the Eastern Cape.
US Army/ Taryn Hagerman
One of the problems bedevilling South Africa’s army is being compelled to be everything to everybody. Its strategic direction is compromised by generals who pander to the whims of politicians.
The South African military leads on gender representation, with a third of its full time personnel being women.
Reuters
As military organisations become less oriented towards violence, the traditional, aggressive, warrior-like culture of the military has to be balanced with new task requirements.
South African National Defence Force soldiers help to unload maize for flood victims in.
Mozambique.
Reuters
The South African military’s capabilities for socio-economic development are questionable, even in its own country. The force is in critical decline, but is expected to aid humanitarian efforts.